Council moves forward with ranked choice voting ballot measure

The Richmond City Council advanced a proposed ranked choice ballot measure to be added to the 2024 General Election ballot after a presentation at a special meeting Tuesday night. The item directs the city attorney’s office to draft language for a ranked-choice ballot measure and an ordinance to allow

Decoding the Burrito: Grandview Independent hits the Richmond Burrito Trail

We’re not going to sugarcoat it. We eat a lot of burritos at Grandview Independent. Almost since the beginning of our publication, burritos have been a steady companion at our editorial board meetings.  So we’re hitting the Richmond Burrito Trail again with plans of visiting every taqueria, food

Richmond seed lending library celebrates 14 years of seed-sharing

Richmond Grows Seed Lending Library, a non-profit that provides free seeds through the Richmond Public Library, will celebrate its 14th anniversary on May 1. At a seed lending library, patrons can” borrow” seeds to plant, let some go to seed, and then return some of the next generation of seeds

Richmond City Council weighs different election reform measure

Fresh off the Richmond Election Reform Act petition certification, the Richmond City Council will now consider placing its own election reform measure on the November ballot. Voting reform organization California Ranked Choice Voting will present a report on instant runoff voting to the council at the April 30 meeting. Cal

Richmond Annex resident hopes to win a council seat in November

Daniel Nathan-Heiss thinks the Richmond City Council should prioritize its residents and that the only path to “Pride” and “Purpose” is through hard work. Nathan-Heiss, who recently pulled papers to get on the ballot this fall, said he hopes to be the next District 5 representative because he feels, "

Richmond's historic International Hotel burned down one year ago, plans for property uncertain

Behind a cement barrier and chainlink fence sits the charred remains of one of Richmond's important historical assets: the International Hotel. Destroyed in a raging blaze a year ago this week, the scorched wooden framework continues to deteriorate and can be seen listing above the fencing along with

Family holds candlelight vigil for six-year-old who died in car accident

A large crowd gathered for a candlelight vigil on Cutting and Carlson Boulevards Saturday night for six-year-old Amadeo Alvarez Jr., who died in a hit-and-run collision Wednesday evening. Amadeo was a joyful, vibrant boy with a zest for life that touched everyone who knew him. He loved baseball, basketball, and

Rent Board members push to restore Richmond's housing rights mural

The Richmond Rent Board briefly considered forming an ad hoc committee to address the deterioration condition of the “Know-Your-Rights” mural on 23rd Street and Ohio Avenue before a staff attorney advised it was outside the board’s scope. The mural, created in 2017, celebrates community action for equitable housing, and

Richmond City Council approves temporary smoke shop moratorium

The Richmond City Council unanimously approved a 45-day moratorium on new tobacco retailers after an increasing number of smoke shops have opened in the city. The urgency order, which went into effect immediately at the April 16 meeting, means no new permit, license, or other entitlement for any new smoking

What's happening in Richmond: Pride + Purpose Day, Earth Day, Red Oak Spring Swing, and more

• Richmond Promise Pride + Purpose Day @ East Brother Beer Friday, April 19, 3 to 9 p.m. Richmond Promise will team up with East Brother Beer Company to take part in the Richmond-based brewery’s Pride + Purpose Day series celebrating the Richmond community. As part of the collaboration, 10 percent of

Wire theft causing significant disruptions for Richmond residents

Theft of copper AT&T wires in Richmond has become such a serious problem that residents cannot work from home and use cell phones or computers because of it, according to the Richmond Police Department. According to Assistant Chief of Police Tim Simmons, businesses and residents alike have suffered

Richmond Election Reform Act headed for November ballot

A petition to introduce primary municipal elections in Richmond City elections has been certified by the Contra Costa County Clerk-Recorder-Elections Department. Backers of the Richmond Election Reform Act submitted 15,139 to the election’s office on March 20, said Helen Nolan, Assistant Registrar-Contra Costa County. “The petition was determined