Week In Review: Hobbits, Wayfinding and Burglaries

Here are some of the stories that made news in Walnut Creek this past week.

Superintendent's Message

Mt. Diablo Unified School District Steve Lawrence offered condolences and assurances to parents in a voicemail message Friday afternoon in the wake of the school shooting in Connecticut that killed more than two dozen people.

Lawrence said the district's "thoughts and prayers" go out to the Shady Hook Elementary community.

He also assured Mt. Diablo parents that the district has safety and security measures in place that limit the chances of such violence happening here.

Hobbit Fans Out In The Cold

More than 100 people braved 40-degree weather Thursday night as they waited in line for the midnight showing of "The Hobbit" at the Century Theaters in downtown Walnut Creek.

Some had arrived before 4 p.m. that day. Everyone was bundled up, but they said it would be worth the wait to be one of the first fans to see the first in the latest trilogy from director Peter Jackson.

Do You Know The Way To...

About 50 people attended a meeting Wednesday night to discuss ways to make it easier for people to find things in Walnut Creek.

The three "wayfinding" design options will be given by city officials to a Pasadena company. That firm will come up with plans on how to accomplish the mission.

Fire Station Closures

The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday evening to

The closures will save the Contra Costa Fire Protection District $3 million a year. The district is facing a $17 million deficit.

Fire district officials had said they would close stations if voters didn't approve Measure Q on the November ballot. The $75 per parcel tax failed to garner enough votes for passage.

Macy's Burglary

Thieves broke windows to enter the Macy's department store in Broadway Plaza early Tuesday morning.

The suspects got away with an undisclosed amount of jewelry.

Police say they weren't notified until an hour after the 3:15 a.m. incident. No explanation was given for the delay.