Beloved Bay Area WWII veteran and TikTok star "Papa Jake" turns 102

He’s a Bay Area treasure. World War II veteran Jake Larson will mark his 102nd birthday this week. The war hero, and now TikTok star is known across the country and around the globe as “Papa Jake." 

1 dead, 1 injured after 2-alarm Martinez house fire

A fire that erupted at an East Bay home on Arthur Road Friday left one man dead, and a woman injured. Investigators are still looking into the fire's cause.

101-year-old East Bay TikTok star shares his WWII stories

In his 101 years of life, Jake Larson has gained recognition for a number of remarkable feats, the most notable, his heroic acts as a World War II soldier. And now, the Martinez man is known as a TikTok star, as he’s used his huge following to tell his war stories and keep history alive.

Possible hazardous material investigated near Martinez recycling plant

An abandoned trailer outside a water treatment plant in Martinez sparked a possible hazardous material investigation on Tuesday.

Accidental coke dust release at Martinez refinery

The Martinez Refining Company is reporting another accidental release of petroleum coke dust. 

Fmr. federal agent sentenced after lying about sexual relationship with victim witness

A former federal agent and East Bay woman was sentenced to prison this week for making false statements connected to a sexual relationship she had with a victim witness in a federal case. 

Consultant unveils Martinez refinery report addressing Thanksgiving 2022 chemical release

An independent consultant said Thursday there were several main factors contributing to the release of up to 24 tons of chemicals at the Martinez Refining Company on a day in 2022.

Fatal crash north of Hwy 4 near Martinez

CHP reported on its website Sunday at least one person was killed in a crash near Wolcott Lane and Franklin Canyon Road in Contra Costa County on Sunday morning.   

Firefighters race to quell several Christmas blazes throughout Bay Area

The Bay Area saw several fires on Christmas Eve and Day displacing residents, including one resulting in the death of a woman and two small dogs.

Residents protest repeated, toxic emissions from Martinez refinery

Residents in the East Bay said they're frustrated with the repeated, toxic emissions from the Martinez Refining Company. 

Woman charged with DUI, manslaughter after 5-year-old girl dies in Martinez crash

The California Highway Patrol has arrested a 32-year-old woman on suspicion of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and DUI following a deadly crash in Martinez that killed a 5-year-old girl and injured an 11-year-old.

5-year-old killed, 11-year-old seriously injured in Martinez DUI

A deadly crash in Martinez took the life of a young child and left another injured early Sunday morning, according to California Highway Patrol.

Health officials want to crack down on Martinez Refinery after another flaring

The "rotten egg" odor caused by chemicals like sulfur in the air on Friday is giving rise to complaints from people all over the East Bay and leaving health officials concerned.

Chemical odor permeates Martinez near refinery; flames spotted

The Contra Costa Health Department on Friday issued a health advisory because of a a strong chemical odor in Martinez, possibly associated with flaring at Martinez Refining Company. 

Teen charged with murder in shooting death of 16-year-old at Oakley house party

An 18-year-old is facing murder charges in connection to the shooting death of another teen at an Oakley house party in October, officials in Contra Costa County say.