Walnut Creek In 2013: New Police Chief, New Mayor, Smoking Restrictions, Broadway Plaza Renovation

As 2014 gets ready to unfold, it's time to take a look back at the past year.

So, here are some of the bigger stories in Walnut Creek in 2013.

January

An "F" in smoking: In mid-January, the American Lung Association gave the city of Walnut Creek an "F" for its tobacco control and anti-smoking policies.

Nordstrom suicide: In late January, a woman in her late 20s jumped to her death from a balcony at the Nordstrom store in Broadway Plaza. The woman landed on the sidewalk on South Broadway.

Jewelry store robbery: In late January, two robbers pepper sprayed employees inside the Davidson and Licht jewelry store and stole some expensive watches. One suspect carried the pepper spray while the other wielded a sledgehammer.

February

Restaurant re-opens: In early February, Fleming's Steakhouse re-opened after getting a clean bill of health from county officials. The restaurant had been closed after a norovirus outbreak.

Lawyer disbarred: In late February, a Walnut Creek attorney was disbarred for his involvement in a fatal drunken driving crash. Robert Wyatt, 72, pleaded no contest in 2012 to a charge of vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated in the December 2010 accident that killed 85-year-old Rossmoor resident Edward Phillips.

March

Sports bar opens: In early March, a new sports lounge opened in the facility that used to house the Vice Lounge, which closed in early January after the city cut back its alcohol serving hours to 11 p.m. The Blu42 sports bar features a full menu and plenty of televisions to watch sports action.

Lottery winner: In early March, a Walnut Creek man won a $33 million California lottery jackpot after purchasing a ticket at a gas station on Ygnacio Valley Road.

May

Four employees put on leave: In early May, four city administrators were placed on administrative leave while officials investigated their response to sex-related allegations against a former employee at the Lesher Center for the Arts. All four administrators were eventually cleared of wrongdoing.

Superintendent fired: In early May, the Mt. Diablo Unified School District board of education fired Superintendent Steven Lawrence and General Counsel Greg Rolen. The contracts for both employees were scheduled to run through June 2014.

June

BART workers go on strike: In late June, BART workers belonging to two unions went on strike as contract negotiations with the transit agency broke down. Gov. Jerry Brown would eventually call a cooling off period, bringing the workers back on the job. They would strike again in the fall before a contract agreement was finally reached.

July

New police chief: In mid-July, Tom Chaplin was sworn in as the new police chief for Walnut Creek. Chaplin is a 23-year-old law enforcement veteran. He took over from former chief Joel Bryden.

Human resources director resigns: In late July, Human Resources Director Sally Rice resigned after she and three other city administrators were put on administrative leave during the investigation into sex-related allegations of a former Lesher Center for the Arts employee. All four city administrators were cleared of wrongdoing.

City attorney resigns: In late July, City Attorney Bryan Wenter resigned, saying he was pressured by two council members to stop the internal investigation into sex-related allegations against a former employee of the Lesher Center for the Arts.

August

Officer-involved shooting ruling: In early August, a Contra Costa Coroner jury ruled the December 2012 fatal shooting of a Walnut Creek man by police officers was accidental. Officers said they were "scared for their life" when they confronted 22-year-old Anthony Banta in his condominium. Banta's family filed a $15 million lawsuit in January against four officers involved in the shooting.

Tiffany's burglary: In mid-August, four men drove a white pick-up truck into the entrance of the Tiffany's store in downtown Walnut Creek. They broke though a window, stole some jewelry and then drove off in a different car, leaving the truck behind.

Restaurant robbed: In late August, two men armed with handguns entered the Corners Tavern in Broadway Plaza through a back door, confronted an employee and demanded cash. The suspect ran out of the restaurant after getting the money.

September

Burglar hits fire station: In early September, the Contra Costa Fire Protection District fire station on Walnut Avenue was burglarized while firefighters were battling a blaze that burned 3,100 acres on Mount Diablo. The burglars took an iPad, two wedding rings and some cash.

Restaurant closes: In mid-September, the Cypress restaurant downtown abruptly closed. A sign on the door told people to get ready for a new dining experience in the facility.

Volunteer Day: In late September, more than 1,200 people participated in the city's Third Annual Community Service Day. The volunteers worked on 61 projects throughout the city.

October

Smoking restrictions approved: In early October, the City Council approved an anti-smoking ordinance that bans smoking in the downtown area as well as in apartments, condominiums and within 25 feet of doors and windows.

Lesher Center sentencing: In mid-October, a former Lesher Center for the Arts employee was sentenced to 90 days in jail for sex-related crimes involving children. Jason Pedroza had pleaded guilty to one felony count of using minors to engage in child pornography and a misdemeanor count of child molestation.

Denica's opens: In mid-October, the new Denica's restaurant in western Walnut Creek opened in the facility that once housed a Carl's Jr.

Mount Diablo summit beacon: In mid-October, a refurbished beacon was lifted back into place on the summit building at the top of Mount Diablo.

Residential street battle: In mid-October, residents in the Walden District neighborhood kicked off a campaign against a proposal to allow left turns from Treat Boulevard onto Cherry Lane. They say the left turns would bring more traffic onto their narrow, winding residential street.

Disc golf course opens: In mid-October, a disc golf course opened in Walden Park on Oak Road. The 9-hole course cost $5,000 to build. It was built with volunteer labor.

Two men killed on BART tracks: In mid-October, a BART employee and a contract worker were killed on the BART tracks between the Walnut Creek and Pleasant Hill stations. The two men were inspecting the rails during a strike by BART union employees.

November

BART contract approved: In early November, the two BART unions that walked off the job twice during the summer and fall approved a new contract with the transit agency.

Credit union robbed: In early November, a man in his mid-20s robbed the Provident Credit Union in the Countrywood Shopping Center. He demanded cash and left the financial institution after receiving the money.

Parking meter rate increase: In mid-November, the City Council approved a proposal to raise parking meter rates in the downtown area as well as extend the meters' hours to 8 p.m. and activate the meters on Sundays.

Transgender suicide: In mid-November, 25-year-old Concord woman jumped to her death from a Walnut Creek freeway overpass. Natalie Nereza, a transgender who was making the transition from a man to a woman, jumped shortly after midnight from the BART train tracks onto southbound Interstate 680.

Councilman's petition drive: In mid-November, City Councilman Justin Wedel started a petition drive to overturn two council-supported ordinances. Wedel's initiatives would curb both an anti-smoking law and a proposed ordinance that would limit carry-out bags from local businesses.

Homeless camp cleanup: In mid-November, Walnut Creek police brought in crews to clean up three homeless camps in the downtown area. The homeless camp occupants were warned earlier in the week to collect their belongings.

Dog killing sentence: In late November, a Walnut Creek man was sentenced to 30 days in a county work program for killing his family's dog. Todd Powers, 38, pleaded guilty to misdemeanor animal cruelty for stabbing to death the family's German shepherd in April 2012. Powers said he felt the dog was dangerous to his family and any other family that might adopt the animal.

Rossmoor bank robbery: In late November, a man in his 20s walked into the Bank of America in the Rossmoor shopping center at 5 p.m. on Friday and handed a teller a note demanding money. After receiving some cash, the man ran out of the bank. He hasn't been caught yet.

December

Rossmoor center opens: In early December, the new $11 million event center at Rossmoor opened. The 20,200-square-foot facility has seating for 400 people as well as meeting rooms and a full-service kitchen.

New mayor installed: In early December, City Councilwoman Kristina Lawson was selected by her fellow council members to be the mayor for 2014. Lawson said the city budget will be the council's biggest priority this coming year.

Broadway Plaza renovation approved: In mid-December, the City Council approved a $250 million plan to renovate the eastern wing of Broadway Plaza. Under the plan, 40 stores between Nordstrom and Macy's will be torn down in early 2014 to make room for new shops and a new parking lot.

City employee settlement: In mid-December, Walnut Creek officials agreed to pay $65,000 to settle the claims of two employees who were placed on administrative leave earlier in the year during the investigation of an employee at the Lesher Center for the Arts.

Northgate aquatics center: In mid-December, a ground-breaking ceremony was held at Northgate High School for a new $8 million aquatics center on the campus. The center will include 40-meter by 25-yard pool as well as a sports medicine facility.