East Contra Costa reporter

Hema Sivanandam

Hema Sivanandam is the East Contra Costa reporter for the Bay Area News Group. She relocated to the Bay Area in 2021 from Malaysia. Since 2009, Hema has built a career as a journalist and writer, reporting on politics, parliamentary proceedings, social and community issues. She holds a Communications degree from Curtin University in Australia and a certificate in Promotional Marketing from Bellevue College in Washington.

Location: San Francisco Bay Area

Dozens of students from Pittsburg High School staged a walkout to protest the approval of a data center project in Pittsburg, Calif., on Monday, Oct. 19, 2026. (Hema Sivanandam/Bay Area News Group)

Pittsburg weighs 45-day moratorium on new data centers

October 21, 2026 at 4:48 a.m.

A councilmember’s plan would cover future phases and new proposals, not the project approved in 2024.

Brentwood City Hall City Manager G. Harold Duffey was placed on immediate paid administrative leave Tuesday, August 11, 2026. (Photo courtesy of Brentwood City Government)

Brentwood city manager G. Harold Duffey resigns

October 21, 2026 at 8:31 p.m.

Brentwood City Manager G. Harold Duffey steps down and will be paid about $124,252 in compensation, according to the city.

Oakland’s annual Día de los Muertos Community Celebration, seen above previously, will start at 11 a.m. Oct. 25. (Jane Tyska — staff archives)

Bay Area events calendar for week of Oct. 23-29

October 19, 2026 at 5:19 a.m.

Here's a list of the region's entertaining, upcoming activities to enjoy.

Protesters marched from St. James Park to San Jose City Hall on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, as part of the nationwide No Kings movement. (Hema Sivanandam/Bay Area News Group)

Protesters in San Jose urge midterm voting

October 19, 2026 at 5:11 a.m.

Unlike previous No Kings protests, which focused on the Trump administration's policies, criticizing the U.S.- led war in Iran and the detainments, arrests and deportation of immigrants, Saturday’s event emphasized...

U.S. Representative Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) speaks during a press conference calling attention on expiring Affordable Care Act subsidies on Monday, Oct. 20, 2025, outside Gardner Health Center in San Jose, Calif. (Dai Sugano/Bay Area News Group)

Suspicious mail sent to Bay Area offices of Lofgren, Panetta and DeSaulnier

October 19, 2026 at 5:45 a.m.

One envelope sent to U.S. Rep. Jimmy Panetta contained a “white powdery substance.”

The iconic flag barn facade on Vasco Road has been dismantled following safety concerns of its structure. (Photo courtesy of East Bay Regional Park District)

Iconic East Bay flag barn to get new home

October 15, 2026 at 10:21 a.m.

Brentwood barn flag will soon be displayed at East Contra Costa Historical Society museum

Engelbert Humperdinck, in a career of more than 60 years with 64 gold and 35 platinum albums, four Grammy nominations and a Golden Globe award, will perform Oct. 21 at San Jose’s California Theatre. (Sergey Ponomarev — Associated Press archives)

Bay Area events calendar for week of Oct. 16-22

October 12, 2026 at 5:07 a.m.

Here's a list of the region's entertaining, upcoming activities to enjoy.

Antioch police are investigating the Sunday night shooting of a woman they said was not an intended target. (File)

Antioch police released from DOJ oversight

October 12, 2026 at 8:04 a.m.

The department first was investigated in 2022 for alleged corruption and crimes, including civil rights violations.

A screen grab of the Antioch Unified School District's Board of Trustees meeting on May 13, 2026. (Hema Sivanandam/Bay Area News Group)

Antioch Unified superintendent sues district over alleged discrimination, harassment

October 12, 2026 at 6:16 a.m.

Suspended leader Darnise Williams challenges her administrative leave in court

View of the exterior of the El Campanil Theatre in Antioch, Calif., on Monday, March 11, 2024. The El Campanil Theatre was built in 1928 and seats about 650 people. The theatre was built as a venue for live vaudeville performances and silent films. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)

Church buys historic East Bay theater

October 6, 2026 at 5:18 a.m.

Local arts foundation given 60-day notice as venue prepares for a final December curtain call

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