Week In Review: Rain, Schools, Jobs

Here's a look at some of the stories this past week that made news in Walnut Creek.

Rainy, Windy Weather

More rain and win hit the Walnut Creek area this weekend as another storm moved through the East Bay.

No major power outages or flooding was reported. Pacific Gas & Electric Company did have crews standing by.

The forecast calls for a mostly sunny day on Monday, Christmas Eve, and a partly sunny day on Tuesday, Christmas Day.

Unemployment Dips Slightly

The unemployment rate in the East Bay decreased slightly to 8.4 percent in November.

Contra Costa's jobless rate now stands at 8.3 percent. Walnut Creek's unemployment rate is listed as 5.6 percent.

The state Economic Development Department said on Friday the East Bay added 4,900 jobs last month, mostly in the retail sector.

School Officials Disagree With NRA Plan

Local school officials disagreed with a plan for school security laid out on Friday by the National Rifle Association.

NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre called for armed officers at every school in the country.

Mt. Diablo Unified School District board member Lynne Dennler said "Sadly, the NRA continues to place their personal interest in guns over the good of the whole.  What thinking person would suggest the answer to our problems with weapons, be more weapons?"

West Downtown Meetings

The city has scheduled workshops to discuss the West Downtown Specific Plan.

The meetings are on Jan. 22 and Feb. 6.

The plan will address the future vision of this region as well as a framework for future development.

Gas Station Robbery

The Chevron station on North Main Street was robbed early Monday morning by two men.

The robbers, one of them armed with a handgun, demanded money from the cashier.

The men were last seen walking southbound on North Main Street.