Last Call: Middle 8 bar is latest downtown Pleasanton business to close
Middle 8, a cocktail bar and lounge located in downtown Pleasanton, announced last Friday that it will be ceasing operations following its last day this Sunday, Jan. 11.
More Local news
Sprinkles closes in City Center as cupcake chain abruptly shutters all shops nationwide
Sprinkles Cupcakes, a popular bakery chain originating from Beverly Hills, recently closed all of its stores across six states, including its location at the City Center Bishop Ranch in San Ramon.
Dublin students win Congressional App Challenge
A group of Emerald High School juniors were awarded first place in a state competition for creating an application that uses artificial intelligence to identify early-stage symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
Officials offer promising update on Pleasanton’s economic development
Despite a challenging year for Pleasanton’s economy, marked by the departure of major retailers like JCPenney and the closure of prominent downtown businesses such as Starbucks, city officials anticipate a promising outlook for the city’s economy in 2026 thanks to…
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Lifestyle
Letters: Enough is enough, slow down! | Sunday dinner in Pleasanton | Train quiet zone | Over and over again | Rodeo legislation needed
“What is it going to take to get a police presence to pull over, ticket or possibly arrest for reckless driving? I walk daily on Ray Street where the posted speed limit is 25 mph. I see cars going 45-60 mph all the time.”
Holiday Fund spotlight: Valley Humane Society is champion for pets
The Champions for Pet Health collaboration exemplifies the good work done year-round by Valley Humane Society, one of 10 Tri-Valley nonprofit beneficiaries of our 2025-26 Holiday Fund.
News Digest: LARPD holiday drive results | 925 GIVES raises over $100K for local nonprofits | Pleasanton launches strategic plan dashboard
LARPD collected 24, forty gallon bins of food and two truckloads of donated toys as part of the organization’s Holiday Food Drive and Toys for Tots Toy Drive this past holiday season.
A&E
Danville eye doctor sees success with debut novel, ‘Deadly Vision’
Ophthalmologist T.D. Severin drew on his decades of experience in the medical industry, his love of writing and his passion for music to create his first novel – a thriller that finally debuted some 31 years after the first draft flowed from his finger tips.
The year in film: Perfect pairings
Revisit the best movies of 2025 with our critic’s hand-picked double features, from dark comedies to poignant family dramas. Plus, picks for best documentaries and animated films, and the worst films of the year.
Rapper Flo Rida joins 2026 county fair concert lineup
Alameda County Fair concert-goers should be ready to get low (low low low low low low low) next summer, with fair officials announcing American rapper Flo Rida has been added to the lineup for July 8.
Spotlight
Ivy League mentorship for college applications and career foundations through meaningful projects
Path Mentors was born out of dissatisfaction with the toxic high-pressure environment that college admissions has created. Founded in 2019 by Columbia graduates, the Path Mentors’ team of nearly 100 mentors from a wide range of professions including technology, finance,…
Moving insurance vs. moving coverage: What California consumers need to know
Many people assume their movers provide “insurance” for household goods. In reality, most licensed movers in California are required to provide coverage, which is different from insurance and comes with important limitations.
Community Calendar
Did you miss
Our Top 25 Stories of 2025
A local malpractice verdict that made national headlines. Business closures and business openings. A sudden resignation. Deadly crashes. Public records detail previously unexplained departures of two high school principals. A new freeway interchange. And so much more …
Tri-Valley Year in Review 2025
2025 was a banner year for the Tri-Valley. Let’s take a look through our top storylines and photographs. Enjoy!
Sports
Pleasanton Preps: Amador boys ready for start of EBAL soccer action
The Amador Valley boys’ soccer team ended the year with a pair of wins and will head into the start of the East Bay Athletic League after the first of the year with a 6-1 record.
Dublin High coach reflects on run-in with cancer
A cancer diagnosis. A major surgery. An ongoing recovery. Chris Williams, longtime head coach of cross country as well as track and field at Dublin High School, recounts many prayers and an outpouring of community support over the course of…
Dublin Cricket claims San Ramon Grizzlies Cup
The Dublin Cricket League under-16 team won the San Ramon Grizzlies Cup and the Tri-Valley saw second-place finishes in three other age groups at the national tournament hosted in their backyard during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.
ReAL Estate
Dublin Planning Commission gives final OK for Sunflower Hill’s new affordable housing project
An affordable, 60-unit housing project in Dublin for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) has moved onto the financing stage of development, following unanimous approval of the proposal’s final project entitlement by the Dublin Planning Commission this month.
Planning Commission signals initial support for major redevelopment project off Dublin Canyon Road
The Pleasanton Planning Commission offered initial support last week for the Hidden Canyon Residences and Preserve Project, a major redevelopment proposal for an unincorporated area of Alameda County just south of Dublin Canyon Road.
Prominent shopping center for sale just off freeway in San Ramon
A shopping center anchored by Lucky, Dollar Tree and McDonald’s is now listed for sale at an undisclosed price near the border of San Ramon and Dublin.


