# Grandview Independent > Local Independent Journalism breaking news information Richmond California media events calendar crime weather neighborhood news city government Public Ghost content for AI and LLM tooling. This file includes a bounded export of public pages first, then recent public posts. Append `.md` to any post or page URL to get the content in Markdown (for example, `/example-post.md`). ## Pages ### Richmond News from Richmond Journalists URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/about/ Last updated: 2026-08-31T17:03:31.000Z ## *Welcome to Grandview!* We are an independent, hyper-local, digital media publication offering breaking news, information, and stories about the people who make Richmond, California, a great place to live. **About the name:** Grandview Independent is rooted in Richmond's history. Grandview Terrace is the original name for what is now the North and East neighborhood, and "Independent" is a nod to Richmond's broadsheet daily newspaper, which was published daily until 1978. **About us:** Grandview Independent is a news publication produced by Richmond journalists for Richmond people who love this city as much as we do. We are graduates of local schools and journalism programs, and collectively, we have worked for almost every Bay Area news group and other local publications over the last twenty-five-plus years. We don't just live here; we grew up here and understand this complex and wonderful city's history, politics, and people well. We strongly believe in community journalism and work diligently to bring you the latest news and information. Our content is original, created by us – you won't find wire service copy on our site. ***A few things. . .*** **• We exclusively cover Richmond; if it happened in another city, we generally won't cover it.** **• We strictly adhere to all professional** [**standards and ethics of journalism**](https://www.spj.org/spj-code-of-ethics/?ref=grandviewindependent.com)**.** **• We are unflappably neutral** — **you'll get no opinion from us.** **• Neither corporations nor grants fund us; we are truly an independent news source, proudly reader-supported.** **Opinions and Letters to the Editor policy** We do not accept letters to the editor at this time, but we hope you will consider using the comment section to share your views and start a conversation. The rules are simple: Please be kind and mannerly with your comments. Robust debate is welcome and encouraged! *This is your story, Richmond! Please subscribe, contribute, and help us tell it.* **Have a story idea or a news tip? Let us know!** *editorial@grandviewindependent.com* **Are you a freelance writer?** Grandview gladly accepts well-written, **non-AI writing** about happenings in Richmond! All submissions should be written in a proper news or feature format using AP style. Submit stories here: *editorial@grandviewindependent.com*Submit **Media Kit** Would you like to publicize an upcoming event, or are you looking for advertising space for your business? Grandview reaches thousands of readers daily, and our audience continues to grow. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/04/Screenshot-2025-04-15-at-3.17.59-PM-1.png) ***1 510.364.6798*** ***advertising@grandviewindependent.com*** **Grandview Advertising Policy** *Grandview Independent and its publishers reserve the right to refuse any ad for any reason without explanation. We will not publish any content deemed inflammatory or that contains inappropriate language or images. Advertising content does not reflect the views of the publication, and Grandview is not responsible for the accuracy of advertising content.* **Calendar items* are received through submission or taken from social media posts and are typically *not written or edited by Grandview.** **Grandview Independent** is a production of *Grandview Media*, owned and published by Soren and Linda Hemmila, proud members of the [Society of Professional Journalists](https://www.spj.org/?ref=grandviewindependent.com). **All content is copyrighted ©* by Grandview Independent. We hope you will share links to our stories widely and credit our work where applicable. Our Photos are available for purchase upon request; however, the use of any content without proper attribution will result in billing to the involved parties.* ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2024/05/Screenshot-2024-05-14-at-7.59.48-AM-1.png) ## *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* [*Privacy Policy*](https://grandview-independent.ghost.io/ghost/?ref=grandviewindependent.com#/editor/page/6388fb8bc92945003da1acb1) ### Arts URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/word-on-the-street/ Last updated: 2024-04-08T17:03:04.000Z Coming soon! 0408241002 ### Richmond's Election: key candidates and reform measures to shape the city's future URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/grandview-election-24-2/ Last updated: 2024-11-03T17:58:04.000Z As the election season heats up in Richmond, critical local issues are front and center, with candidates focusing on solutions for homelessness, youth initiatives, and human trafficking. City Council races in Districts 1, 5, and 6 feature both familiar faces and new voices, like Councilmember Melvin Willis, Ahmad Anderson, Sue Wilson, Shawn Dunning, Dr. Jamelia Brown, Mark Wassberg, and Vice Mayor Claudia Jiménez, each vying for seats that will determine Richmond's path forward. Additionally, proposed reforms like ranked-choice voting and election measures will influence how Richmond votes in the future. Richmond City Council Race > Stay informed as we cover the candidates, campaigns, and decisions that matter most. [Richmond District 6: A sheriff’s donation stirs political tensionsShawn Dunning, a candidate for Richmond’s District 6 City Council seat, is facing scrutiny after accepting a $1,000 campaign contribution from Contra Costa County Sheriff David Livingston.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/size/w256h256/2023/05/GISticker.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2024/10/Screenshot-2024-10-18-at-9.56.16-AM-1-1.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmonds-district-6-a-sheriffs-donation-stirs-political-tensions-2/) [Richmond councilmembers receive endorsements from the East Bay DSA in upcoming council raceCouncilmember Melvin Willis and Vice Mayor Claudia Jimenez, who are running for reelection to the Richmond City Council, have received endorsements from the East Bay Democratic Socialists of America.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/size/w256h256/2023/05/GISticker.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2024/10/claudia-jimenez-melvin-williswebp.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-councilmembers-receive-endorsements-from-the-east-bay-dsa-in-upcoming-council-race-2/) [Richmond campaigns see significant contributions, with big names and PACs in playThe latest campaign finance reports reveal substantial contributions across Richmond’s City Council races, with Claudia Jimenez leading the pack with $52,803 raised. On the ballot measure front, Richmond Votes Matters reported receiving a hefty $217,200, and SEIU 1021, which represents city employees, contributed $135,000 to the East Bay Working Families.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/GISticker-24.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-city-council-candidates.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-campaigns-see-significant-contributions-with-big-names-and-pacs-in-play/) [Mark Wassberg hopes to win a council seat and work to reduce crimeBest known for his searing two-minute critiques of city government, Mark Wassberg is running for Richmond City Council and hoping voters will help him snag the District 1 seat in November.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/GISticker-9.png)Grandview IndependentLinda Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2024-09-27-at-7.20.05-PM.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/mark-wassberg-hopes-to-win-a-council-seat-and-work-to-reduce-crime/) [Claudia Jiménez highlights community work and future projects in re-election bidRichmond Vice Mayor Claudia Jiménez is seeking re-election, emphasizing her dedication to ongoing projects and her long-term vision for improving public safety, infrastructure, and economic opportunity in District 6, which she represents.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/GISticker-3.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/district-six-claudia-jimenez-richmond-1-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/claudia-jimenez-highlights-community-work-and-future-projects-in-re-election-bid/) [Melvin Willis spotlights homelessness, human trafficking, and youth initiatives in Richmond Council reelectionAs Richmond City Councilmember Melvin Willis seeks reelection, he is doubling down on efforts to address pressing issues such as homelessness and human trafficking and expanding youth programs. Willis, representing District 1 in Richmond, has focused his platform on building community-centered solutions.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/size/w256h256/2023/05/GISticker.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2024/09/Richmond-City-Councilmember-Melvin-Willis-1-1-1-1-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/melvin-willis-spotlights-homelessness-human-trafficking-and-youth-initiatives-in-richmond-council-reelection-2/) [Anderson only Richmond Council candidate to earn West County Democratic Club endorsementOf the seven council hopefuls seeking one of three seats on the dias, District 5 resident Ahmad Anderson was the only Richmond City Council candidate to earn an endorsement from the West County Democratic Club endorsement. Anderson, a resident of the Laurel Park neighborhood, received 92 of the 117 votes![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/size/w256h256/2023/05/GISticker.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/size/w1200/2024/08/ahmad-anderson-richmond.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/anderson-only-richmond-council-candidate-to-earn-west-county-democratic-club-endorsement/) [Council candidate says rights violated after meeting ejectionDistrict 1 Richmond City Council candidate and frequent meeting commentator Mark Wassberg says his rights were violated when he was removed from a special meeting last week.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/size/w256h256/2023/05/GISticker.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/size/w1200/2024/08/mark-wassberg-richmond.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/council-candidate-says-rights-violated-when-removed-from-meeting/) [Councilmember Gayle McLaughlin won’t seek re-election; RPA’s Sue Wilson to run for District 5 seatCouncilmember Gayle McLaughlin announced this morning she will not seek re-election to the Richmond City Council this year and is “passing the torch” to Richmond Progressive Alliance member Sue Wilson. McLaughlin was first elected to the Richmond City Council in 2004\. Two years later, she was elected as mayor, making![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/size/w256h256/2023/05/GISticker.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2024/06/Gayle-McLaughlin.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/councilmember-gayle-mclaughlin-wont-seek-re-election-rpas-sue-wilson-to-run-for-district-5-seat/) [Sue Wilson’s campaign: from behind-the-scenes activism to city council spotlightA seasoned activist and environmental advocate, Sue Wilson is making her first bid for public office, seeking to fill the District 5 Richmond City Council seat vacated by Gayle McLaughlin.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/size/w256h256/2023/05/GISticker.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/size/w1200/2024/09/richmond-Sue-Wilson-1.jpg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/sue-wilsons-campaign-from-behind-the-scenes-activism-to-city-council-spotlight/) [Richmond candidates’ campaign contributions revealed: Jimenez leads fundraising effortsRichmond candidates’ campaign contributions revealed: Jimenez leads fundraising efforts![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/size/w256h256/2023/05/GISticker.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/size/w1200/2024/08/richmond-council-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-candidates-campaign-contributions-revealed-jimenez-leads-fundraising-efforts/) [Dr. Jamelia Brown is running for City Council in District 1 to “See a Better Richmond”Dr. Jamelia Brown is running for City Council in District 1 to “See a Better Richmond”![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/size/w256h256/2023/05/GISticker.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2024/07/jamelia-brown-richmond-city-council-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/dr-jamelia-brown-is-running-for-city-council-in-district-1-to-see-a-better-richmond-2/) [Richmond Council candidate Ahmad Anderson comes alive in District 5Ahmad Anderson is running for Richmond City Council in District 5, positioning himself as a fresh voice with innovative ideas.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/size/w256h256/2023/05/GISticker.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/size/w1200/2024/07/ahmad-anderson-richmond.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-council-candidate-ahmad-anderson-comes-alive-in-district-5/) [Council candidate Shawn Dunning calls for collaborative leadership in District 6 council runRichmond City Council candidate Shawn Dunning, who previously ran for mayor in 2022, has spent over two decades in peacebuilding and conflict resolution. He says his campaign is driven by a deep love for Richmond and a desire to foster more inclusive and collaborative decision-making.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/size/w256h256/2023/05/GISticker.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2024/09/shawn-dunnning-richmond-civic-center-1-1-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/council-candidate-shawn-dunning-calls-for-collaborative-leadership-in-district-6-bid/) [Dunning’s Richmond City Council campaign kick-off draws a crowdNorth and East resident Shawn Dunning launched his bid for a Richmond City Council seat Saturday afternoon amid a hearty group of supporters who came out to celebrate the official start of the campaign. Dunning is running for the District 6 seat currently held by Claudia Jimenez. As a consultant![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/size/w256h256/2023/05/GISticker.png)Grandview IndependentLinda Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/size/w1200/2024/01/dunning.jpeg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/dunnings-richmond-city-council-campaign-kick-off-draws-a-crowd/) [Dunning announces 2024 Richmond City Council runRichmond resident Shawn Dunning, who ran for mayor last year, announced today he is running for the city’s District 6 council seat in 2024\. In a statement issued this morning, Dunning said, “On Friday, August 25th, 2023, Shawn Dunning filed a “Candidate Intention Statement” with the Richmond City Clerk’s Office![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/size/w256h256/2023/05/GISticker.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2023/08/Untitled-design--40-.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/dunning-announces-city-council-run/) Election reform > Richmond voters have two options to change how city council members are elected on the November ballot. [Council moves forward with ranked choice voting ballot measureThe 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![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/size/w256h256/2023/05/GISticker.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2024/05/richmond-current-election-process-1.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/council-moves-forward-with-ranked-choice-voting-ballot-measure/) [Richmond City Council weighs different election reform measureFresh 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![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/size/w256h256/2023/05/GISticker.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/size/w1200/2024/04/richmond-city-council-meeting-Tobacco-moratorium-1.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-city-council-weighs-own-election-reform-measure-after-petition-certification/) [Richmond Election Reform Act headed for November ballotA 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![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/size/w256h256/2023/05/GISticker.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2024/04/ricmmond-election-reform.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-election-reform-act-moves-forward/) [Signature gatherers hit the streets for Richmond election initiativeSignature gatherers have begun work to place an initiative on the ballot to change how Richmond voters elect city council members and the mayor. The measure’s leading proponent, Don Gosney, has offered to come to you for a signature. A political action committee called Richmond Votes Matters has proposed an![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/size/w256h256/2023/05/GISticker.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2023/11/richmond-election-initative-1.jpg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/signature-gatherers-hit-the-streets-for-richmonds-election-initiative/) --- *Candidate interviews were conducted by* Grandview Independent *with the goal of profiling all who are running for office in Richmond. These profiles aim to provide information to Richmond voters and are *not* endorsements.* --- *Click to become a *Grandview* *Supporter** [*here*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly), *or make a one-time donation* [*here*](https://donate.stripe.com/6oEdUd7cr9N7cBa6op?ref=grandviewindependent.com)*. Grandview is an independent, journalist-run publication exclusively covering Richmond, CA.* Every cent we make funds reporting from Richmond's neighborhoods. *Copyright © 2024 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ## Posts ### Staff reports deficit, council votes to start process on how to spend Chevron settlement funds URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/staff-reports-deficit-council-votes-to-start-process-on-how-to-spend-chevron-settlement-funds/ Last updated: 2026-09-16T17:25:30.000Z The Richmond City Council voted Tuesday to move forward with a public process for spending the city's $550 million settlement with Chevron, after city officials disclosed that Richmond's day-to-day operations ran $9.8 million in the red this year. The council also rejected a proposal to pause dozens of other projects to free up staff time. Finance Director Emily Combs told the council that Richmond's core, day-to-day operations ran $9.8 million in the red this fiscal year. The city is reporting a $40.2 million surplus, but that figure includes $50 million in one-time settlement money that went into the General Fund this year. A separate $3.44 million shortfall is being covered with interest earnings, not the settlement principal. Combs said the city's financial forecasts have shown operating deficits for several years. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/09/general-fund-forecast-comparison-table.webp) A comparison of Richmond's General Fund forecasts presented to the city council in 2024, 2025 and 2026 shows the projected deficit widening with each update. City of Richmond staff report "Regardless of the scenario, for the most part, the city has consistently projected operating deficits in the future years, indicating a long-standing structural imbalance rather than just a single-year issue," Combs said. Looking back at forecasts from 2024, 2025 and 2026, Combs said, "the structural gap has appeared in every forecast cycle... no matter how the scenarios were modeled." Under the current pessimistic scenario, the yearly settlement balance could shrink from $48.5 million to $15.4 million by 2029-30. Vice Mayor Doria Robinson questioned if it was good fiscal policy to balance a deficit with short-term revenue. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/09/council-meeting-data-center-signs.webp) Finance Director Emily Combs presents the city's budget report to the Richmond City Council on Tuesday, September 15, 2026. "It's never a good fiscal policy to balance a budget with any one-time resources," Combs said. "So what's the way that you should balance a structural deficit?" Robinson asked. "By way of pursuing additional revenues or cutting your expenditures," Combs said. Voters considered a $120 million fire station bond in July. Polling showed 81 percent found it convincing that the city should use the Chevron settlement to pay for fire station upgrades instead of a bond, up from 71 percent in May. [Chevron settlement emerges as city’s ‘plan B’ for fire station upgradesRichmond City Council voted Tuesday to place a $120 million fire station bond on the November ballot. City officials also said that if voters reject it, the city could fall back on Chevron settlement money to pay for the same upgrades. The admission came only after a councilmember asked directly.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--b66e4454-0356-4f73-832f-3de674de720b.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-fire-station-exterior-bond-measure-1-1-7a6da015-b4cf-41b8-b5a9-c2d6cf8c77e6.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/chevron-settlement-emerges-as-citys-plan-b-for-fire-station-upgrades/) Public Works Director Daniel Chavarria told the council the city has about $1.5 billion in infrastructure needs, including fire stations, paving, and the stormwater and sanitary sewer systems. "We don't even have 550 million dollars for infrastructure only," Chavarria said. Robinson asked City Manager Shasa Curl why the council had been told there was surplus money to spend on parks and street safety projects in years that staff now says ran deficits. "If we are supposedly in a deficit, how is there additional funds?" Robinson asked. "It's a confluence of factors," Curl said. "It's not just one thing that led to where you are today. It's a culmination of decisions." ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/09/Screenshot-2026-09-16-at-10.16.51-AM.png) Curl said the council had approved built-environment improvements beyond what staff recommended and labor agreements larger than what staff had suggested. "We suggested that the city council consider reducing priorities, and that was not heeded," Curl said. Later in the meeting, Robinson said she wanted an outside review of the budget numbers. "We really need another opinion on this matter," Robinson said. "You'll have one on October 3," Curl replied. Curl has said she plans to retire once the city finishes renovations at three parks, Boorman, Wendell, and Shields-Reid. [City Manager Curl announces retirementSasha Curl has announced she will retire after four years as City Manager and more than 20 years of work with the City of Richmond. The announcement came at the April 21 council meeting when Curl told the council she plans to leave upon the completion of renovation projects at![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--969be21c-f240-405b-a409-34ac0801970d.png)Grandview IndependentLinda Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/IMG_4063-2-1-5f5904ff-f325-4d7b-ad1a-f45c5d1a6aa0.jpg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/city-manager-curl-announces-retirement/) "I don't think that we have all of the information we need," Robinson said. "I think the council doesn't like the truth and the facts," Curl said. "Instead of accepting that we're leading with integrity, we are being chastised because of the decisions you've made, and that's not fair to staff." Speakers from the Asian Pacific Environmental Network urged the council to move ahead with the settlement engagement process. "Two years ago, we made polluters pay by winning a $550 million settlement, and multiple times the city council has committed to using that funding to improve the lives of our residents," said APEN organizer Stephanie Zhang. "Now we need to deliver on that promise." The council rejected Mayor Eduardo Martinez's proposal to pause council-directed projects that had not yet started, 3-4. It then approved a narrower proposal, 4-1-2, directing staff to prioritize rather than pause the roughly three dozen other projects. Staff is expected to return in November with a prioritized list. The settlement engagement process will not start immediately. Curl said the city cannot finalize its contract with Dalberg Advisors, the consultant approved in April to run the process, because staff does not know how much settlement money will remain after labor negotiations with the police union and the two departments' management units. "I don't feel comfortable saying start with unknown variables of this magnitude for something this important to the community," Curl said. [****YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables **Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community ****Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [****CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** ****FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:** [@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:** [@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) ### What happened in Richmond: attempted murders, armed robberies, and stolen cars URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/what-happened-in-richmond-attempted-murders-armed-robberies-and-stolen-cars/ Last updated: 2026-09-15T00:24:46.000Z Two attempted murders, three armed robberies and a string of stolen cars were among the incidents Richmond police logged September 7-13\. The log also included domestic violence, burglaries, firearm offenses and other assaults. Grandview Independent Richmond Crime Incident Map Loading... From To Load Incident locations are approximate. RPD reports crimes by block, not exact address, to protect privacy. ## Filter by type All Loading... ### Monday, September 7 **Vehicle recovery:** 3200 block of 32nd Street. Officers recovered a stolen car at midnight. **Vehicle theft:** 600 block of 42nd Street. A car vanished from the block at 1:48 a.m. **Aggravated assault:** Somewhere in the 94804 ZIP code. An assault was reported at 4:28 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 2800 block of McBryde Avenue. A car went missing at 8:43 a.m. **Lowell Avenue lift:** 3400 block of Lowell Avenue. A vehicle disappeared from the block at 9:11 a.m. **Warrant arrest:** 600 block of Banks Drive. An outstanding warrant led to an arrest at 9:15 a.m. **Vandalism and robbery:** 4300 block of Berk Avenue. A suspect was arrested for vandalism after a midmorning incident also logged as an aggravated assault and strong-arm robbery at 11:06 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 500 block of 3rd Street. A car was reported stolen at 12:46 p.m. **Aggravated assault:** Somewhere in the 94806 ZIP code. An assault was reported at 2:57 p.m. **Firearm discharge:** 11900 block of San Pablo Avenue. A firearm was discharged at 4:08 p.m. **Vehicle violation:** 900 block of South 43rd Street. A vehicle-code violation was reported at 6:02 p.m. ### Tuesday, September 8 **Aggravated assault:** 900 block of 23rd Street. A firearm assault was reported at midnight. **Commercial burglary:** 1000 block of Macdonald Avenue. A suspect was arrested for commercial burglary and vandalism at 1:57 a.m. **Domestic violence:** Bayside Court. An arrest was made for felony domestic violence and making criminal threats at 4 a.m. **Commercial burglary:** 700 block of Bissell Avenue. A business was broken into at 7:18 a.m. **Fraud:** 4100 block of Markovich Court. A fraud-related theft was reported at 7:19 a.m. **Commercial burglary:** Somewhere in the 94804 ZIP code. A business break-in was reported at 8:07 a.m. **Domestic violence:** 1400 block of Gaynor Avenue. A domestic battery was reported at 10:45 a.m. **Residential burglary:** 400 block of 7th Street. A suspect was arrested for residential burglary at 10:56 a.m. **Evasion and cruelty:** Somewhere in the 94804 ZIP code. An arrest was made for evading police, violating a court order and cruelty at 3:30 p.m. **Vehicle recovery:** Somewhere in the 94801 ZIP code. Officers recovered a stolen vehicle at 4:22 p.m. **Theft:** 300 block of South 20th Street. A theft was reported at 4:39 p.m. **Fraud:** 2500 block of Andrade Avenue. A fraud-related theft was reported at 5:36 p.m. **Aggravated assault:** 900 block of Nevin Avenue. An assault was reported at 5:42 p.m. **Disorderly conduct:** 100 block of Macdonald Avenue. An arrest for disorderly conduct was made at 7:05 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 2900 block of Wiswall Drive. A vehicle was taken from the block at 10 p.m. ### Wednesday, September 9 **Firearms and threats:** 800 block of Maine Avenue. A person allegedly made criminal threats while possessing a firearm at midnight. **Stolen vehicle and drugs:** Marina Way and Macdonald Avenue. A suspect was arrested for possessing a stolen vehicle and drug offenses at 12:28 a.m. **Drug arrest:** 500 block of South 28th Street. Officers found paraphernalia on someone at 12:56 a.m. **Domestic violence:** 800 block of Humboldt Street. An arrest was made for domestic violence, false imprisonment and kidnapping at 3:02 a.m. **Drug arrest:** Somewhere in the 94804 ZIP code. A suspect was arrested for drug paraphernalia possession at 2:39 a.m. **Drug arrest:** Somewhere in the 94804 ZIP code. A suspect was arrested for narcotic possession at 3:47 a.m. **31st Street steal:** 900 block of 31st Street. A car was gone by 6 a.m. **Criminal threats:** 400 block of C Street. A person was reported for making criminal threats at 7:33 a.m. **Firearms:** 1300 block of Cherry Street. A firearms violation was reported at 8:21 a.m. **Commercial burglary:** 2700 block of Giant Highway. A business was broken into at 10:15 a.m. **Sexual assault:** 2300 block of Aberdeen Way. A sexual assault was reported at 10:24 a.m. **Drug possession:** 300 block of 25th Street. A resident was caught holding at 12:24 p.m. **Attempted murder:** 900 block of Nevin Avenue. Police reported an attempted homicide involving a firearm at 12:28 p.m. **Domestic violence:** Macdonald Avenue. A domestic battery was reported at 3:40 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 2300 block of Wendell Avenue. A car left an empty curb at 4:59 p.m. **Robbery:** 2100 block of Meeker Avenue. A robbery arrest was made at 6:57 p.m. **Domestic battery:** 2800 block of Erin Court. A suspect was arrested for domestic battery at 7:56 p.m. **Aggravated assault:** 11900 block of San Pablo Avenue. Officers arrested a suspect for assault with a deadly weapon at 8:23 p.m. **Shots fired:** Somewhere in the 94804 ZIP code. A firearm was discharged at 8:30 p.m. ### Thursday, September 10 **Bissell boost:** 1200 block of Bissell Avenue. A vehicle was spirited away at 10:52 a.m. **Armed robbery:** Carlson Boulevard. A robbery involving a firearm was reported at 11:17 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 3800 block of Macdonald Avenue. A car was made off with at 11:43 a.m. **34th Street swipe:** 400 block of 34th Street. A vehicle disappeared from the block at 12:27 p.m. **Drug possession:** 1700 block of Regatta Boulevard. A drug violation was reported at 1:18 p.m. **Firearms arrest:** Somewhere in the 94804 ZIP code. A suspect was arrested for carrying a loaded, unregistered handgun at 1:24 p.m. **Child cruelty:** 400 block of South 20th Street. An arrest was made for inflicting injury on a child at 4:35 p.m. **Residential burglary:** 100 block of 9th Street. A home was broken into at 7:36 p.m. **Aggravated assault:** 900 block of Virginia Avenue. An assault and court-order violation were reported at 7:44 p.m. ### Friday, September 11 **Criminal threats:** 500 block of 4th Street. A person was reported for making criminal threats at 1:24 a.m. **Armed robbery:** Somewhere in the 94804 ZIP code. A robbery involving a firearm was reported at 1:56 a.m. **DUI arrest:** Nevin Avenue. A driver was arrested for driving on a suspended license at 4:45 a.m. **Trespassing:** 600 block of 7th Street. A trespassing violation was reported at 10:26 a.m. **Sexual assault:** 600 block of Pennsylvania Avenue. A sexual assault was reported at 1:55 p.m. **Assault and weapons:** 4400 block of Ohio Avenue. An aggravated assault, battery and weapons violation were reported at 4:10 p.m. **Court violation:** 100 block of 16th Street. A suspect was arrested for violating a court order at 4:46 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 200 block of South 13th Street. A car slipped away sometime before 5:22 p.m. **Aggravated assault:** 4800 block of Santa Rita Road. Officers arrested a suspect for assault with a deadly weapon at 5:34 p.m. **Stoneglen snatch:** 3700 block of Stoneglen North. A vehicle was taken from the block at 7 p.m. ### Saturday, September 12 **Cruelty:** 500 block of 22nd Street. A cruelty violation was reported at midnight. **Grand theft:** Somewhere in the 94801 ZIP code. A suspect was arrested for grand theft at 12:50 a.m. **Vandalism and assault:** Somewhere in the 94801 ZIP code. A vandalism and aggravated assault were reported at 1:20 a.m. **Power line damage:** 3000 block of Pullman Avenue. A suspect was arrested for damaging power lines, domestic battery and vandalism at 2:24 a.m. **Battery:** 700 block of Griffin Drive. A battery was reported at 9 a.m. **Vandalism arrest:** 2300 block of Virginia Avenue. An arrest for vandalism was made at 9:59 a.m. **Attempted murder:** 4400 block of Jenkins Way. An early-afternoon incident generated five charges: attempted murder with a weapon, domestic battery, false imprisonment, child cruelty and elder or dependent-adult cruelty, at 1:30 p.m. **Strong-arm robbery:** 3200 block of Pierce Street. A robbery was reported at 4:12 p.m. **Drug arrest:** Somewhere in the 94801 ZIP code. A suspect was arrested for possessing more than an ounce of marijuana at 5 p.m. **Strong-arm robbery:** 2300 block of Macdonald Avenue. A robbery was reported at 6:10 p.m. **DUI report:** Somewhere in the 94801 ZIP code. An over-the-limit driver was found at 6:25 p.m. **Armed robbery:** 1700 block of Cutting Boulevard. A robbery involving a weapon and a false-imprisonment charge were reported at 8 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** Scenic Avenue. A car went missing at 9 p.m. **Criminal threats:** 4400 block of Center Avenue. A person was reported for making criminal threats at 9:11 p.m. **Aggravated assault:** 2000 block of Macdonald Avenue. A firearm assault was reported at 11:36 p.m. ### Sunday, September 13 **Vehicle theft:** 1400 block of Dunn Avenue. A vehicle was reported stolen at midnight. **Evasion and recovery:** Somewhere in the 94801 ZIP code. Officers recovered a stolen vehicle and reported a suspect evading police at 12:59 a.m. **Shoplifting arrest:** 2100 block of Meeker Avenue. A suspect was arrested for shoplifting at 8:47 a.m. **Domestic violence:** 600 block of Tewksbury Avenue. An arrest was made for domestic violence at 10:17 a.m. **Criminal threats:** 400 block of 8th Street. A person was reported for making criminal threats at 12:50 p.m. **DUI and battery:** 400 block of South 38th Street. A driver reportedly was under the influence, committed battery, and violated a court order around 9 p.m. [****YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables **Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community ****Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [****CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** ****FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:** [@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:** [@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) ### On the agenda: a data center ban, Polluters Pay funds and new police cameras URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-agen/ Last updated: 2026-09-14T15:59:57.000Z The Richmond City Council's first regular meeting after summer vacation has a full agenda Tuesday, with a temporary ban on new data centers at the top. The council will discuss how to spend money from the Polluters Pay settlement. Police want to replace the city's Flock license plate readers with a new system from Axon. ### The city hits pause on new data centers The council will consider [adopting a 45-day urgency ordinance](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=63013&ref=grandviewindependent.com) that would temporarily ban new data centers while the city studies how, or whether, to regulate them. If approved, Richmond would become the second Bay Area city to adopt such a ban, after Oakley. According to the agenda report, the city says there are no pending data center applications in Richmond. But the proposed ban comes after OpenAI leased a 202,000-square-foot warehouse at 1411 Harbour Way South. [OpenAI signs lease at Richmond’s Portside Commerce CenterA county property record shows that OpenAI OpCo LLC signed a lease recorded on March 9, 2026, for space at 1411 Harbour Way South in Richmond, the address of the Portside Commerce Center, a 202,371-square-foot industrial warehouse on the Port of Richmond that has been seeking a![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--8316c24e-c4c5-4f00-83e6-d2ac6f35f397.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/IMG_3692-1-8a0a86e7-6430-4002-bdf5-0c1f11cc592e.jpeg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/openai-signs-lease-at-richmonds-portside-commerce-center/) The council first directed staff to draft moratorium language in April, after the OpenAI lease became public. That set up Tuesday's vote on the actual ordinance. [Richmond proposes data center moratorium to study their impactsRichmond city officials are proposing a temporary moratorium on data center projects to study their long-term impact on the community. The proposal scheduled for the April 21 City Council meeting \[…\]![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/favicon-ecee6e1b-57d6-46cb-b08f-fcdf643d028b.png)Richmond StandardMike Aldax![](https://richmondstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/RichmondCityHall1-1.jpg)](https://richmondstandard.com/community/2026/04/16/richmond-proposes-temporary-freeze-on-new-data-centers/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) Communities for a Better Environment is organizing a rally at City Hall before the vote, according to a media advisory sent by Shiva Mishek, the group’s NorCal program co-director and a former chief of staff to Mayor Eduardo Martinez. The coalition includes the Asian Pacific Environmental Network, Reclaim Our Power, ACCE Action, Food & Water Watch and the Center for Biological Diversity. CBE Action, the group's advocacy arm, is fiscally sponsored by [Beyond Impact](https://beyondimpact.org/?ref=grandviewindependent.com), formerly Tides Advocacy. ### Settlement spending: show me the money The data center debate comes as some of the same environmental groups push the city to move forward on how it will spend money from the Polluters Pay settlement. Richmond expects to receive $550 million from Chevron over the next ten years under the settlement. Councilmember Jimenez and Vice Mayor Doria Robinson are [asking the city manager and city attorney to give the council a public update on September 22](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=63012&ref=grandviewindependent.com) on how the city plans to involve residents in deciding how to spend the money. They want the update to include a report on Dalberg Advisors, the consultant the council authorized in April to run the community engagement process, along with a timeline and the current status of the settlement funds. They want monthly updates to continue until the process is finished. ### Flock out, Axon in? police seek new plate readers Richmond police are requesting the council's approval to replace the city's Flock license plate readers with a system from Axon. [Richmond council to weigh replacing Flock license plate readers with AxonRichmond police want to replace the city’s Flock Safety license plate readers with a new system from Axon, citing problems with Flock’s equipment, repairs, and data-sharing practices. The Richmond City Council will consider the change Tuesday, along with a $3.5 million increase to Richmond’s existing![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--b77184f1-d95d-4c9a-8e6a-95afeee3c0ee.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/flock.jpeg-7f40cefc-8aca-4d63-b7bb-9b7d8767daec.jpg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-council-to-weigh-replacing-flock-license-plate-readers-with-axon/) ### The seat at the head of the table The council will discuss three matters related to finding Richmond's next city manager during Tuesday's closed session. The items cover hiring an interim city manager, hiring a permanent city manager, and evaluating the city manager position. City Manager Shasa Curl announced her retirement earlier this year. She has said she planned to leave after renovations were completed at Boorman, Wendell and Shields-Reid parks. [City Manager Curl announces retirementSasha Curl has announced she will retire after four years as City Manager and more than 20 years of work with the City of Richmond. The announcement came at the April 21 council meeting when Curl told the council she plans to leave upon the completion of renovation projects at![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--cc22bd13-6751-4b69-b09f-38047f828c23.png)Grandview IndependentLinda Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/IMG_4063-2-1-ca72f25c-c8d1-442a-8ad2-856cb686c4d5.jpeg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/city-manager-curl-announces-retirement/) Two of those projects are on Tuesday's agenda as finished. The council will accept the [Shields-Reid Park Improvement Project](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62911&ref=grandviewindependent.com) and the [Boorman Park Site Remediation Project](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62918&ref=grandviewindependent.com) as complete. Curl also announced a Wendell Park celebration on Tuesday, September 15, in her city manager report. ### The $9.8 million problem Richmond's core, day-to-day operations ran $9.8 million in the red this fiscal year, according to the [staff report](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=63041&ref=grandviewindependent.com). Staff points mainly to personnel costs: city staffing grew from 581 full-time positions in 2020-21 to an estimated 679 this year, a 17 percent jump, while pension, health care, and other benefit costs climbed faster than revenue. The budget also relies on an assumed 12 percent citywide vacancy rate, worth about $16.5 million in savings, which will shrink as open positions, including those in the Police Department, are filled. ### Lawyers get another $840,000 Four items on the consent calendar would increase the city's legal spending by a combined $840,000. The increases include [$250,000 for Liebert Cassidy Whitmore](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62980&ref=grandviewindependent.com) for employment lawsuits, [$250,000 for McNamara Ambacher](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62962&ref=grandviewindependent.com) for police-related lawsuits, [$300,000 for Oppenheimer Investigations Group](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62937&ref=grandviewindependent.com) for confidential personnel investigations, and [$40,000 for Chiari Law](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62934&ref=grandviewindependent.com), also for confidential personnel investigations. The closed session includes two claims against the city from Kay Maher and Lynette Parker, three unspecified potential lawsuits, and labor negotiations with all six city employee unions. ### RPD wants more tools RPD is asking the council to approve a [$1.2 million Peregrine Technologies](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=63004&ref=grandviewindependent.com) contract for continued data integration, analytics, and electronic case filing services. A [$103,000 contract with Police Strategies](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=63009&ref=grandviewindependent.com) would fund use-of-force analysis and create a public use-of-force dashboard. HR is asking the council to approve agreements with the Richmond Police Officers Association for [field training officer assignments](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62950&ref=grandviewindependent.com) and [special compensation tied to CalPERS](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62947&ref=grandviewindependent.com). ### Cleaning up for affordable housing The council will vote on an [$80,014 contract with the Community Housing Development Corporation of North Richmond](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62960&ref=grandviewindependent.com) for environmental cleanup work at the future Bob Dabney Plaza, a new five-story affordable housing project at 100 and 106 Macdonald Avenue. The work would be paid for through the city's Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund. The council will consider [accepting the city's 2025 Housing Element Annual Progress Report](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62957&ref=grandviewindependent.com). ### Bikes, streets and parks Several other public works projects are on the consent calendar. They include a [$50,000 preliminary engineering agreement with BNSF Railway](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=63019&ref=grandviewindependent.com) for the Downtown Point Richmond Bicycle and Pedestrian Connectivity Project, [acceptance of a $311,931 grant](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62988&ref=grandviewindependent.com) for the Barrett Avenue Improvement Project, an [extension of the city's StreetLight Data agreement](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62992&ref=grandviewindependent.com), and the [July 2026 abatement report](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62966&ref=grandviewindependent.com). ### A few more names to add Mayor Eduardo Martinez has selected [Free Brown](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62903&ref=grandviewindependent.com) and [Theophilus Little](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62905&ref=grandviewindependent.com) for the Macdonald Avenue Corridor Task Force. [Gay Timmons](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62907&ref=grandviewindependent.com) and [Jon Harrison](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62909&ref=grandviewindependent.com) are being reappointed to the Planning Commission. [TriDuc Tran](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62986&ref=grandviewindependent.com) and [Jennifer Early](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62984&ref=grandviewindependent.com) are being appointed to the Richmond Fund for Children and Youth Oversight Board. The closed session includes a real estate negotiation involving DiCon Fiberoptics for a building at 1689 Regatta Boulevard, which houses the Richmond Police Department. [****YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables **Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community ****Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [****CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** ****FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:** [@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:** [@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) ### Richmond council to weigh replacing Flock license plate readers with Axon URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-council-to-weigh-replacing-flock-license-plate-readers-with-axon/ Last updated: 2026-09-11T21:33:04.000Z Richmond police want to replace the city's Flock Safety license plate readers with a new system from Axon, citing problems with Flock's equipment, repairs, and data-sharing practices. The Richmond City Council will consider the change Tuesday, along with a $3.5 million increase to Richmond's existing Axon contract. That would bring the contract to $12 million and add license plate readers, security cameras, and drones to the body cameras, Tasers, and evidence storage Axon already provides to the department. The council would also consider a separate $500,000 contract with Assure MSP to install Verkada security cameras at city facilities, including Shields-Reid Park, the corporation yard, and the Port of Richmond. The proposed change comes after a series of problems with Flock, including an incident last fall that led police to shut down the entire system. [Richmond police halt license plate readersThe Richmond Police Department has shut down its automated license plate reader system after discovering that a configuration error allowed some outside law enforcement agencies to run limited searches of Richmond’s data, the department said in a social media post. Police said Flock Safety had notified the department that![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--07b784da-3bc3-4043-aaea-21dabc6c64d1.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/flock-plate-reader-35bfc736-1a7c-4a0f-b2e9-e9decc95120b.jpg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-police-halt-license-plate-readers/) Police discovered that a "national lookup" feature had been running in the background, allowing law enforcement agencies around the country to access Richmond's license plate data. Police said that violated city policy and state law. The council voted 4-3 in March to keep Flock under contract through the end of 2026. [Richmond council votes to reinstate Flock Safety license plate readersThe Richmond City Council voted Tuesday night to extend the city’s contract with Flock Safety through December 31, 2026, reinstating the company’s automated license plate reader system that had been disabled since November amid a data sharing scandal, while directing the city attorney to negotiate stronger data protections![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--075432cf-137d-44ba-a7e2-b67fbe5691b8.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/flock-richmond-city-council-meeting-2c918564-3ade-48e6-a6c6-7944760701e8.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-council-votes-to-reinstate-flock-safety-license-plate-readers/) A committee reviewing the companies that bid on the camera system found problems with the current system, including unreliable cameras, long repair delays, and equipment that was never fixed after being installed in the wrong position. According to the report, one camera at the city's corporation yard had been broken for about eight months. There were also disputes over bills for equipment that was not yet installed. Richmond first signed a contract with Flock in February 2023 for 30 license plate readers. The city later added security cameras, Port of Richmond coverage, and drones. [Richmond police reporting success with license plate readersThe Richmond Police Department is celebrating success in locating stolen vehicles and vehicles associated with other crimes thanks to the city’s recently installed license plate readers. The city council approved a contract with Flock Safety in February to install license plate cameras in various locations throughout the city. Since![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--544cb6de-d2a2-4ce8-90b6-1967710aa4fc.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Untitled-design--33--1-a36b58b1-2f25-45cf-85db-b35e09b73c1a.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/rpd-reporting-success-with-license-plate-readers/) Six companies bid on the new work in February: Assure MSP, Axon, Flock, IREX, Motorola Solutions and Net Electric. A 10-person committee narrowed the list to Axon, Flock and Assure MSP before recommending that the city split the work between Axon and Assure MSP. Axon would provide the equipment for police. Assure MSP would install Verkada cameras at city facilities that aren't part of police operations. Data from the license plate readers and cameras would also be stored in Axon's existing system alongside RPD's body camera and Taser footage. The license plate readers would connect with [Axon's Fusis software, ](https://www.axon.com/products/axon-fusus?ref=grandviewindependent.com)which brings feeds from license plate readers, security cameras, drones, and other sources into one dashboard. The plan also includes equipment that can detect other drones and access to the [Auror Retail Crime Hub](https://www.auror.co/?ref=grandviewindependent.com), where retailers and police share information about theft. Axon's system, like Flock's, has the ability to share information with other agencies. The report says Richmond's system would not be open to outside agencies. State law prohibits sharing California license plate data with agencies outside California. RPD policy also prohibits open sharing, regardless of which system the department uses. [Richmond police arrest suspect in fatal hit-and-run that killed 81-year-old manRichmond police have announced an arrest in the hit-and-run that killed an 81-year-old Richmond man earlier this month. Don Mack, a 66-year-old Richmond resident, has been booked on suspicion of felony hit-and-run, vehicular manslaughter, and driving with a suspended license after investigators![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--ccfd885a-023a-4abc-9f8a-cc7da0e03401.png)Grandview IndependentLinda Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/hitandrun-1-b75336be-209c-4336-ae11-0f0261afe8b9.jpeg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-police-arrest-suspect-in-fatal-hit-and-run-that-killed-81-year-old-man/) Police have credited the technology with helping crack other cases, too. In the August 23 hit-and-run that killed 81-year-old Rafael Delgado as he crossed 23rd Street at Hellings Avenue, Richmond police used automated license plate reader data along with video surveillance to identify the vehicle involved. If the council approves the contracts, Richmond would begin installing the new cameras and drones and replacing the existing equipment. --- [****YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables **Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community ****Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [****CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** ****FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:** [@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:** [@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) ### Smoke from Angel Island burn drifts over Richmond URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/smoke-from-angel-island-burn-drifts-over-richmond/ Last updated: 2026-09-09T21:07:42.000Z Shifting winds brought smoke from a prescribed burn at Angel Island State Park over Richmond Tuesday afternoon, prompting the city to issue an alert informing residents that there was no local fire or emergency. Contra Costa County Supervisor John Gioia, who also serves on the board of the [Bay Area Air Quality Management District](http://www.baaqmd.gov/?ref=grandviewindependent.com), confirmed the burn to *Grandview*, "There is a prescribed burn, and it is having a greater impact on West County than may have been anticipated. Weather can impact this," Gioia said. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/09/IMG_6221--1-.jpeg) Smoke rises from Angel Island during a prescribed burn Tuesday morning. On social media, Gioia said the fire caused a high level of harmful Particulate Matter (PM) in the West Contra Costa County area, and another burn planned for Wednesday had been cancelled. "Due to air quality issues, the Bay Area Air District has cancelled the prescribed burn that California State Parks, CalFIRE AND Marin County Fire had planned on Angel Island for Wednesday," Gioia said. Gioia said he was told Tuesday's burn smoke was originally forecast to blow out over the Golden Gate. Winds shifted at the last minute, he said, sending the smoke into West Contra Costa County instead. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/09/Screenshot-2026-09-09-at-1.59.31-PM.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/09/Screenshot-2026-09-08-at-3.42.01-PM.png) Message from the city sent out to Richmond residents,(left) and [IQAir map](https://www.iqair.com/air-quality-map/usa/california/san-francisco?ref=grandviewindependent.com) showing air quality in Richmond on Tuesday afternoon. A prescribed burn, which can cover up to 260 acres of the island, was planned in coordination with the Bay Area Air Quality Management District to minimize smoke impacts on surrounding communities, according to State Parks. Burning is dependent on weather and air conditions that allow smoke to disperse. State Parks said Bay Area residents could see smoke from about 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on burn days, with some smoke potentially visible for up to three days after ignition. The burn is intended to reduce fuel loads in grasslands and coastal scrub on Angel Island, while also supporting vegetation management, invasive plant control and wildlife habitat. The island will remain open during burn days, although some trails and roads near the burn area will be closed for one to three days during and after the burn. --- [****YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables **Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community ****Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [****CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** ****FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:** [@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:** [@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) ### Community rallies with taco fundraiser for Rafael Delgado's family URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/community-rallies-with-taco-fundraiser-for-rafael-delgados-family/ Last updated: 2026-09-08T17:27:30.000Z Richmond residents and local businesses came together Monday for a taco fundraiser to raise money for the family of Rafael Delgado, the 81-year-old Richmond man killed last month in a hit-and-run crash. The fundraiser began at 1 p.m. at Rigo's Auto Sales, 871 23rd Street, about four blocks from where Delgado was killed. Delgado was struck and killed August 23 while crossing 23rd Street near Hellings Avenue after leaving Restaurante Bahia de Jiquilisco, where he was known as “Don Rafita” for his regular karaoke performances. > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DdCE9P1tipb/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by Grandview Independent (@grandviewindependent)](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DdCE9P1tipb/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) A [GoFundMe](https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-honor-rafael-delgado?ref=grandviewindependent.com) organized by Delgado's niece, Sonia Montano, on behalf of beneficiary Erica Delgado has raised more than $7,400 toward a $9,000 goal from nearly 100 donors as of this week. The money is intended to help cover funeral expenses. [Richmond police arrest suspect in fatal hit-and-run that killed 81-year-old manRichmond police have announced an arrest in the hit-and-run that killed an 81-year-old Richmond man earlier this month. Don Mack, a 66-year-old Richmond resident, has been booked on suspicion of felony hit-and-run, vehicular manslaughter, and driving with a suspended license after investigators![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--ab920d24-a36d-46fe-9c12-ec3f9114a539.png)Grandview IndependentLinda Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/hitandrun-1-6e12362a-139c-4aec-9c84-df522a7de079.jpeg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-police-arrest-suspect-in-fatal-hit-and-run-that-killed-81-year-old-man/) Other local businesses have also helped the family. Restaurante Bahia de Jiquilisco donated tips from three nights of karaoke in the days after Delgado's death. Hundreds of people gathered for a vigil in late August at 23rd Street and Hellings Avenue, where family and friends built a streetside altar and shared memories of Delgado. He came to Richmond from Tepehuaje, Mexico, in the 1960s and raised a family of six children. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/09/rafael-delgado-fundraiser-donation-table-rigos-auto-sales.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/09/rafael-delgado-memorial-photo-donation-box-richmond-1.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/09/tacos-el-puli-truck-rigos-auto-sales-richmond.webp) [****YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables **Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community ****Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [****CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** ****FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:** [@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:** [@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) ### What happened in Richmond: an attempted murder, a machine-gun bust and a barricade standoff URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/what-happened-in-richmond-an-attempted-murder-a-machine-gun-bust-and-a-barricade-standoff/ Last updated: 2026-09-07T16:33:15.000Z Vehicle theft and burglary remained among Richmond's most common calls for service between August 31 and September 6\. Officers also investigated an attempted-murder stabbing on Whitecliff Way, an officer shot during a Key Boulevard welfare check that turned into a barricade standoff, three carjackings, including one at gunpoint, an armed robbery that carried child-cruelty charges, a home-invasion robbery, and arrested a felon found with a machine gun and other illegal firearms. Grandview Independent Richmond Crime Incident Map Loading... From To Load Incident locations are approximate. RPD reports crimes by block, not exact address, to protect privacy. ## Filter by type All Loading... ### Monday, August 31 **Carjacking:** 3300 block of Klose Way. A strong-arm carjacking was reported at 12:39 a.m. **Home burglary:** 2600 block of Center Avenue. A residence was entered without force at 1:58 a.m. **Grand theft:** 500 block of 21st Street. Property was reported stolen at 3:45 a.m. **Strong-arm robbery:** 2400 block of Hinkley Avenue. Police arrested a suspect for strong-arm robbery at 6:56 a.m. **Petty theft:** 2300 block of Macdonald Avenue. A resident reported a theft at 7:15 a.m. **Domestic violence:** 2200 block of Nevin Avenue. Police arrested a suspect for spousal battery at 7:30 a.m. **Vehicle burglary:** 600 block of 15th Street. A car break-in was reported at 8:06 a.m. **Grand theft:** Somewhere in the 94804 zip code. A resident reported property missing at 9 a.m. **Vehicle parts theft:** 800 block of 33rd Street. Someone stripped parts from a vehicle, according to a report filed at 9:08 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 11900 block of San Pablo Avenue. A car vanished from the block at 9:20 a.m. **Vehicle burglary:** 1900 block of Barrett Avenue. Someone broke into a parked car at 9:23 a.m. **Petty theft:** 600 block of 13th Street. A theft was called in at 9:46 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 3500 block of McBryde Avenue. A car was gone by the time its owner returned at 10:47 a.m. **Vehicle burglary:** 600 block of 36th Street. A parked car was broken into and vandalized at 11:55 a.m. **Vehicle burglary:** 1500 block of Chanslor Avenue. A vehicle was burglarized at 12:05 p.m. **Fraud:** 600 block of Juliga Woods Street. A resident reported losing more than $400 in a fraud scheme at 12:20 p.m. **Vehicle burglary:** 3000 block of Tulare Avenue. Thieves broke into a parked car, according to a report filed at 12:30 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 5600 block of Sacramento Avenue. A car left an empty space at the curb at 12:30 p.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 2600 block of Hinkley Avenue. A stolen car was recovered at 12:55 p.m. **Reckless driving:** Somewhere in the 94801 zip code. A reckless driver was spotted at 1:46 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 2100 block of Nevin Avenue. A car slipped away unnoticed at 2:18 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 100 block of Ohio Avenue. A car disappeared from the block at 2:56 p.m. **Attempted murder:** 4400 block of Whitecliff Way. An afternoon incident generated four charges: attempted murder with a knife, assault with a deadly weapon, elder abuse, and resisting arrest, at 2:57 p.m. **Petty theft:** 11900 block of San Pablo Avenue. Police arrested a suspect for petty theft at 4 p.m. **Home burglary:** 3000 block of Barrett Avenue. A residence was forced open and vandalized at 4:45 p.m. **Grand theft:** 4800 block of Wall Avenue. Property was taken from a building at 5:30 p.m. **Aggravated assault:** 300 block of Marina Way. Police arrested a suspect for assault with a deadly weapon and making criminal threats at 5:30 p.m. **Sexual assault:** 600 block of South 33rd Street. A person was reportedly sexually assaulted at 7 p.m. **Child abuse:** 4100 block of Ohio Avenue. A child was reportedly endangered at 8:19 p.m. **Court violation:** 500 block of 6th Street. A person was reported for violating a court order and making criminal threats at 8:20 p.m. ### Tuesday, September 1 **Vehicle burglary:** 400 block of 40th Street. A car break-in was called in at 12:30 a.m. **Home invasion:** 300 block of 6th Street. A home-invasion robbery was reported at 2:21 a.m. **Carjacking:** San Pablo Avenue and Barrett Avenue. Police responded to a carjacking at gunpoint report at 3:39 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 3000 block of Center Avenue. A car went missing at 4:27 a.m. **Grand theft:** 3000 block of Roosevelt Avenue. A resident reported property stolen at 8:33 a.m. **Petty theft:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. Officers took a theft report at 9:38 a.m. **Grand theft:** Somewhere in the 94801 zip code. Property was reported stolen at 9:45 a.m. **Domestic violence:** 4500 block of Macdonald Avenue. Police arrested a suspect for inflicting injury on a domestic partner at 10:16 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 5700 block of Carlos Avenue. A car went missing from the block at 12:26 p.m. **U-embezzle:** 1000 block of 23rd Street. A leased vehicle was reportedly embezzled at 1:20 p.m. **Identity fraud:** 600 block of South 37th Street. An identity fraud was reported at 1:57 p.m. **Strong-arm robbery:** 300 block of 24th Street. A strong-arm robbery was reported at 2:25 p.m. **Home burglary:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. A residence was entered without force at 3:28 p.m. **Alcohol violation:** Somewhere in the 94804 zip code. An open-container violation was reported at 4:15 p.m. **Court violation:** 4100 block of Leke Way. A person was reported for violating a court order and possessing drug paraphernalia at 4:40 p.m. **Drug possession:** 2500 block of Macdonald Avenue. Drug paraphernalia possession was reported at 4:56 p.m. **Firearms arrest:** 400 block of Macdonald Avenue. Police arrested a suspect for carrying a concealed, unregistered loaded handgun with a large-capacity magazine at 6:01 p.m. **Vehicle parts theft:** 5300 block of Carriage Drive. A vehicle was stripped of parts at 6:30 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 400 block of Wilson Avenue. A car was gone by 8 p.m. **Drug possession:** 1300 block of Carlson Boulevard. Drug and paraphernalia possession was reported at 8:14 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 2800 block of Mcbryde Avenue. A car was gone from the block by 8:38 p.m. **Drug possession:** 1300 block of Macdonald Avenue. Drug paraphernalia possession was reported at 8:50 p.m. **Petty theft:** 2100 block of Meeker Avenue. A resident reported a theft at 9:08 p.m. **Armed robbery:** 3000 block of Cutting Boulevard. A late-night incident generated four charges: armed robbery, assault with a firearm, exhibiting a deadly weapon, and cruelty to a child, at 9:44 p.m. **Vehicle recovery:** C Street. A previously stolen car turned up at 10:45 p.m. ### Wednesday, September 2 **Drug possession:** 1500 block of Maine Avenue. Marijuana possession over the legal limit was reported at 12:19 a.m. **Police arrested a suspect for motor vehicle theft:** 300 block of 24th Street. The arrest also included possession of a stolen vehicle and false personation at 4:34 a.m. **Mail theft:** 300 block of 30th Street. Mail was reported stolen at 5 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 2nd Street. A car was taken from the block at 8 a.m. **Police arrested a suspect for possessing stolen vehicle parts:** 10800 block of San Pablo Avenue. The arrest also included displaying a false disabled-person placard with intent to defraud, at 12:30 p.m. **Child abuse:** 200 block of Macdonald Avenue. A child was reportedly injured at 12:52 p.m. **Commercial burglary:** 3000 block of Research Drive. A business was broken into at 1 p.m. **Battery:** 2200 block of Nevin Avenue. A battery was reported at 1:26 p.m. **Criminal threats:** 4900 block of Hartnett Avenue. A person was reported for making criminal threats at 3:22 p.m. **Reckless driving:** Somewhere in the 94801 zip code. A reckless driving violation was reported at 3:51 p.m. **Aggravated assault:** 200 block of 16th Street. A battery causing serious bodily injury was reported at 6:30 p.m. **Criminal threats:** 700 block of Rock Rose Way. A public fight and someone making criminal threats were reported at 7 p.m. **Hit-and-run:** 900 block of Lincoln Avenue. A driver struck property and fled at 10:04 p.m. **Carjacking:** 400 block of 37th Street. A strong-arm carjacking was reported at 10:12 p.m. ### Thursday, September 3 **Vehicle recovery:** 1600 block of Chanslor Avenue. Officers located a stolen vehicle at midnight. **Grand theft:** 1800 block of Rheem Avenue. A resident reported property stolen at midnight. **Vehicle theft:** 2200 block of Costa Avenue, San Pablo. A car went missing from the block at midnight. **Hit-and-run:** 2400 block of Downer Avenue. A driver fled the scene after striking property, according to a report filed at 12:52 a.m. **Vehicle burglary:** 3100 block of Ohio Avenue. A car break-in was reported at 2 a.m. **Vehicle burglary:** 200 block of South 3rd Street. Someone broke into a parked car at 3 a.m. **Domestic violence:** 2600 block of Cutting Boulevard. Police arrested a suspect for inflicting injury on a domestic partner and assault with a deadly weapon at 9 a.m. **Petty theft:** 600 block of South 31st Street. A theft was called in at 10:43 a.m. **Intimidation:** Washington Avenue. Police arrested a suspect for making criminal threats at 10:43 a.m. **Domestic violence:** 5200 block of Clinton Avenue. A domestic battery was reported at 12:09 p.m. **Petty theft:** 200 block of Marina Way. A resident reported a theft at 1:34 p.m. **Petty theft:** 1200 block of Melville Square. Officers took a theft report at 1:51 p.m. **Vehicle burglary:** 300 block of Harbour Way South. A parked vehicle was hit by a burglar at 2:02 p.m. **Grand theft:** 300 block of West Ohio Avenue. A theft was reported at 2:14 p.m. **Vehicle parts theft:** 500 block of Nevin Avenue. Parts were stripped from a vehicle at 3:32 p.m. **Drug arrest:** Somewhere in the 94801 zip code. Police arrested a suspect for possessing marijuana for sale and a controlled narcotic substance at 5:45 p.m. **Battery:** West Richmond Avenue. A battery was reported at 6:15 p.m. **Officer shot:** 2200 block of Key Boulevard. An officer was shot responding to a welfare check at 6:41 p.m., and a suspect barricaded herself inside and kept firing into the surrounding neighborhood, striking nearby homes, vehicles, and a patrol car, before a SWAT standoff ended in an arrest. [Richmond officer shot, woman arrested after Key Boulevard standoffUpdated Friday, September 4, 2026 at 8:35 a.m. A Richmond police officer was shot Thursday night while responding to a mental health check on Key Boulevard near the Richmond-El Cerrito border. The suspect inside the home then barricaded herself and continued firing, police said. The gunfire struck![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--b3bbfcf6-160d-4333-9dc0-40218f961181.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-police-key-boulevard-street-scene-planet-fitness-abeeec3a-bfac-466b-af3c-fdeb148ea2d5.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/police-activity-prompts-shelter-in-place-order-on-key-boulevard/) **Vehicle theft:** 600 block of 3rd Street. A car disappeared from the block at 11 p.m. **Armed robbery:** 1500 block of Cutting Boulevard. A robbery involving a dangerous weapon was reported at 11:06 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 100 block of South 11th Street. A car was taken from the block at 11:45 p.m. ### Friday, September 4 **Identity fraud:** 1000 block of Inverness Court. An identity fraud was reported at midnight. **Vehicle theft:** 800 block of 37th Street. A car vanished from the block at 1:30 a.m. **Reckless driving:** Near St and Ohio Avenue. Police arrested a suspect for reckless driving, an illegal speed contest, and resisting arrest at 1:44 a.m. **Boosted on Bissell:** 1700 block of Bissell Avenue. A car went missing from the block at 2 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 2200 block of Ohio Avenue. A car was taken sometime before 2:35 a.m. **Vehicle burglary:** 2800 block of Lincoln Avenue. A car break-in was reported at 4:40 a.m. **Vehicle burglary:** 200 block of Harbour Way South. Someone broke into a parked car at 7:10 a.m. **Domestic violence:** 200 block of South 37th Street. A spousal battery was reported at 7:45 a.m. **Illegal dumping:** 5300 block of Dalai Lama Avenue. Illegal dumping was reported at 8 a.m. **Aggravated assault:** 600 block of 11th Street. An assault with a deadly weapon was reported at 10:17 a.m. **Fraud:** 400 block of Metro Walk Way. Identity theft-related credit fraud was reported at 10:26 a.m. **Domestic violence:** 2600 block of Hilltop Drive. Police arrested a suspect for spousal battery at 10:30 a.m. **Firearms bust:** Somewhere in the 94805 zip code. A person was charged with eight offenses, including being a felon in possession of a firearm, possession of a machine gun, possession of a large-capacity magazine, and a probation violation, at 10:57 a.m. **Home burglary:** 1200 block of Greenway Drive. A residence was forced open at 11:01 a.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 700 block of 36th Street. A previously stolen car turned up at 12:09 p.m. **Fraud:** 3100 block of Garrity Way. Identity theft-related credit fraud was reported at 2 p.m. **Hit-and-run:** 2100 block of Burbeck Avenue. A driver fled the scene after striking property, according to a report filed at 6:22 p.m. **Court violation:** 700 block of 8th Street. A person was reported for disorderly conduct in violation of a court order at 7:46 p.m. **Trespassing:** 2100 block of Meeker Avenue. Police arrested a suspect for trespassing at 8:50 p.m. **Hit-and-run:** 5000 block of Valley View Road. A driver struck property and fled at 9 p.m. **DUI arrest:** Somewhere in the 94804 zip code. Police arrested a driver for DUI and resisting arrest at 10 p.m. ### Saturday, September 5 **Vehicle theft:** 600 block of South 52nd Street. A car was taken from the block at 2 a.m. **Assault on officer:** Somewhere in the 94804 zip code. A driver fled a hit-and-run, evaded police, and was accused of assaulting an officer at 2:22 a.m. **Weapons violation:** 200 block of South 12th Street. Unlawful possession of tear gas was reported at 5:08 a.m. **Vehicle burglary:** 700 block of 26th Street. A car break-in was reported at 6:13 a.m. **DUI arrest:** 300 block of 32nd Street. Police arrested a driver for DUI at 7:39 a.m. **Vehicle burglary:** 3200 block of Pierce Street. Someone broke into a parked car at 8 a.m. **Vehicle parts theft:** 4800 block of Central Avenue. A vehicle was stripped of parts at 10:25 a.m. **Shots fired:** Somewhere in the 94804 zip code. A firearm was discharged in a grossly negligent manner at 12:03 p.m. **Berked:** 4500 block of Berk Avenue. A car went missing from the block at 12:37 p.m. **Criminal threats:** 5800 block of Panama Avenue. A person was reported for making criminal threats at 6:05 p.m. **Hit-and-run:** Somewhere in the 94806 zip code. A driver struck property and fled at 7:57 p.m. **Criminal threats:** 3400 block of Rheem Avenue. A person was reported for making criminal threats at 8:24 p.m. ### Sunday, September 6 **Vehicle theft:** 100 block of Murdock Street. A car went missing from the block at 5:52 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 600 block of 18th Street. A car went missing from the block at 4:06 a.m. **Domestic violence:** 4900 block of Hartnett Avenue. A domestic battery was reported at 3:51 a.m. **Court violation:** 900 block of Triangle Court. A court order violation was reported at 9:49 a.m. **Court violation:** 700 block of Pennsylvania Avenue. A person was reported for violating a court order at 9:52 a.m. **Petty theft:** 400 block of South 8th Street. A resident reported a theft at 10:07 a.m. **Commercial burglary:** 3400 block of Collins Avenue. A business was reportedly burglarized at 10:22 a.m. **Robbery:** 4800 block of Central Avenue. A robbery was reported at 10:35 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 300 block of West Cutting Boulevard. A car was taken from the block at 2:09 p.m. **Battery:** 4800 block of Central Avenue. A battery was reported at 6:28 p.m. **Hit-and-run:** 1900 block of Cutting Boulevard. A driver fled the scene at 8:06 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 700 block of 21st Street. A car turned up missing at 7:48 p.m. [****YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables **Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community ****Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [****CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** ****FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:** [@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:** [@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) ### Richmond officer released from hospital; suspect identified in Key Boulevard shooting URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-officer-released-from-hospital-suspect-identified-in-key-boulevard-shooting/ Last updated: 2026-09-04T23:16:01.000Z A Richmond police officer who was shot Thursday while responding to a mental health check on Key Boulevard was released from the hospital Friday, police said. Officer Justin Church, a 25-year law enforcement veteran, was treated at a local hospital and released at about 3 p.m. Friday. His injuries were not life-threatening. Police also identified the woman arrested following the standoff as Jasmine Robinson, 39, of Richmond. [Richmond officer shot, woman arrested after Key Boulevard standoffUpdated Friday, September 4, 2026 at 8:35 a.m. A Richmond police officer was shot Thursday night while responding to a mental health check on Key Boulevard near the Richmond-El Cerrito border. The suspect inside the home then barricaded herself and continued firing, police said. The gunfire struck![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--b3ee4321-c74a-4187-aa31-f220c902f4a7.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-police-key-boulevard-street-scene-planet-fitness-2d8e8f8d-6d90-45ff-a60e-4f3ac2ee556a.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/police-activity-prompts-shelter-in-place-order-on-key-boulevard/) “We are grateful that our officer has been released from the hospital and, most importantly, did not suffer life-threatening injuries,” Patchin said. “We are thankful for the care he received and continue to wish him a full and speedy recovery,” Lt. Donald Patchin said in a statement released by the department. Robinson was booked on suspicion of attempted murder, assault with an assault weapon and kidnapping. She remains in custody on $500,000 bail, and additional charges are expected, according to Richmond police. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/09/richmond-police-hospital.webp) Officer Justin Church gives two thumbs up as he's wheeled out of the hospital after being released Friday, flanked by fellow Richmond police officers. Church, a 25-year department veteran, was treated for gunshot wounds suffered Thursday while responding to a mental health check on Key Boulevard. Photo courtesy of the Richmond Police Department Police said a second officer was inside a patrol vehicle that was struck by several rounds during the incident. That officer was not injured. Several rounds also struck neighboring homes and vehicles, but police said no other residents or personnel were injured. Robinson was taken into custody after Richmond police crisis negotiators established contact with her and officers deployed chemical agents into the residence, according to police. --- [****YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables **Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community ****Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [****CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** ****FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:** [@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:** [@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) ### Richmond officer shot, woman arrested after Key Boulevard standoff URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/police-activity-prompts-shelter-in-place-order-on-key-boulevard/ Last updated: 2026-09-04T17:13:57.000Z Updated Friday, September 4, 2026 at 8:35 a.m. A Richmond police officer was shot Thursday night while responding to a mental health check on Key Boulevard near the Richmond-El Cerrito border. The suspect inside the home then barricaded herself and continued firing, police said. The gunfire struck neighboring homes, vehicles and a patrol car as officers surrounded the residence and residents were asked to shelter-in-place. The woman was eventually taken into custody without Richmond officers firing their weapons. Police Chief Tim Simmons said the incident began around 6:41 p.m. when A3, Contra Costa County's behavioral health crisis response program, requested a Richmond officer accompany its crisis workers to the 2200 block of Key Boulevard for a welfare check. "When the first officer arrived on scene to the residence, the officer was almost immediately struck by gunfire," Simmons said. "The suspect barricaded herself inside the residence and continued firing numerous rounds indiscriminately in multiple locations throughout the residence." Richmond's SWAT team responded, along with officers from the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office, the East Bay Regional Park District Police Department, and the El Cerrito Police Department. The Richmond Police Department's Crisis Negotiations Team established contact with the woman and tried to persuade her to surrender. Officers eventually deployed chemical agents into the home. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/09/richmond-police-key-boulevard-street-scene-grocery-outlet-2.webp) Police officers from El Cerrito and Richmond, along with units from the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Department, were visible in the 2200 block of Key Boulevard on Thursday, September 3, 2026\. Grandview Independent/ Soren Hemmila Investigators do not yet know what prompted the original welfare check. England said the department expects to release the woman's name, age, residence and charges Friday. Police did not have an estimate of exactly how many rounds were fired or know what type of weapon was used. "I'm not sure at this point what all the weapons were," Simmons said. Asked whether the gunfire was rapid or automatic, Simmons said that remained under investigation. Asked for a rough estimate of the number of rounds fired, he said, "Multiple, several, several." The officer, who has served with the department for more than 20 years, was taken to a hospital with gunshot wounds. He is in serious but stable condition and is expected to survive, Simmons said. This is a developing story. *Grandview* will provide an update as more information becomes available. [****YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables **Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community ****Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [****CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** ****FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:** [@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:** [@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) ### Richmond collisions in 2026: The first-half traffic accident map URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-collisions-in-2026-the-first-half-traffic-accident-map/ Last updated: 2026-09-09T19:22:10.000Z *Grandview Independent* has mapped Richmond’s reported traffic collisions from January through June 2026\. The city’s most crash-prone intersection so far this year is Richmond Parkway and Blume Drive, with eight reported collisions. Other repeat locations include 23rd Street and Macdonald Avenue, Cutting Boulevard and South 37th Street, and Barrett Avenue and 22nd Street. ## Richmond Collisions First-half 2026 data from the Richmond Police Department 538 of 547 reported collisions mapped (9 could not be reliably geocoded) The first-half numbers come as Richmond has seen an increase in collisions over the last few years after several years of decline. Richmond Police Department collision records show reported collisions fell from 1,565 in 2018 to 916 in 2022\. The number then rose for three consecutive years, reaching 1,012 in 2023, 1,088 in 2024, and 1,110 in 2025. Pedestrians were involved in more than a third of Richmond’s fatal crashes recorded by the state. Of the 20 fatal collisions recorded by the California Highway Patrol’s [SWITRS database](https://tims.berkeley.edu/tools/query/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) from January 2024 through the first quarter of 2026, seven involved a pedestrian. ## Pedestrians Killed in Richmond Crashes SWITRS data, January 2024 through Q1 2026 The map does not include the August 23 death of [Rafael Delgado](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-police-investigate-fatal-hit-and-run-near-23rd-street-and-hellings-avenue/), an 81-year-old man struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver while crossing 23rd Street near Hellings Avenue in a marked crosswalk. At this week’s Community Police Review Commission meeting, Richmond Police Chief Tim Simmons reported that collisions rose five percent from June to July, from 153 to 161. “That’s pretty astronomical if you think about it,” Simmons said. “161 collisions in one month. We need to do something about that. That’s been on my radar for a few months now.” Simmons also reported a rise in sideshow activity, from zero incidents in June to three “significant” sideshows in July. Each drew an estimated 100 or more cars, he said. DUI arrests climbed from 18 to 20 over the same period, and all four DUI-related collisions in July resulted in significant injuries. Driving under the influence has made up a larger share of Richmond’s reported collision causes as the overall number of crashes has risen. DUI was listed as the primary factor in about four percent of collisions from 2017 through 2019\. In 2023 and 2024, that share was about seven percent Hit-and-run collisions have also become a larger share of the total. Records show 533 hit-and-run collisions in 2025 out of 1,110 total, or about 48 percent, up from 39 percent in 2017. ## Primary Collision Factor First-half 2026 data from the Richmond Police Department Other includes Hazardous Movement, Hazardous Parking, Improper Passing, Other Equipment, Other Than Driver Source: Richmond Police Department collision data Two years ago, Public Works began sideshow deterrence pilot projects at specific locations throughout the city. Projects were installed at Barrett Avenue and Key Boulevard and at South 37th Street and Wall Avenue, with residents weighing in on the unique traffic circle at one of the sites intended to curb sideshows. [Public Works details Richmond sideshow deterrence pilot projectsThe Public Works Department detailed two sideshow deterrence pilot projects during a midyear budget review at Tuesday night’s Richmond City Council meeting. The two locations at Barrett Avenue and Key Boulevard and South 37th Street and Wall Avenue are part of a $1.2 million package of 18 traffic![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--60286756-ee55-4272-88eb-f594651bb934.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/south-37th-street-wall-avenue-1-1-ce0966ad-d5cf-4150-8c31-d60a079d1a16.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-public-works-details-sideshow-deterrence-pilot-projects/) Simmons said the department logged 184 misdemeanor traffic citations in July, mostly for speeding and running stop signs and stoplights. He noted that the citation count could shift slightly depending on when the department’s ticket-tracking system processes each case. --- [****YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables **Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community ****Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [****CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** ****FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:** [@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:** [@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) ### What happened in Richmond: A North & East carjacking, arson and 14 stolen cars URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/what-happened-in-richmond-a-north-east-carjacking-arson-and-14-stolen-cars/ Last updated: 2026-09-07T15:41:16.000Z Richmond police handled a week of robberies, assaults, domestic violence cases, and vehicle thefts, including a carjacking at knifepoint and an arson. Police also made several arrests involving weapons, drugs and stolen property between August 24 and 30. Grandview Independent Richmond Crime Incident Map Loading... From To Load Incident locations are approximate. RPD reports crimes by block, not exact address, to protect privacy. ## Filter by type All Loading... ### Monday, August 24 **Battery and false imprisonment:** 1300 block of Garvin Avenue. Police arrested a person on suspicion of battery against a spouse or dating partner and false imprisonment with violence at 2:38 a.m. **Domestic violence arrest:** 3200 block of McBryde Avenue. Police arrested someone on domestic violence charges at 5:30 a.m. **Stolen vehicle recovered:** Somewhere in the 94804 zip code. Police recovered a stolen vehicle at 9:57 a.m. **Stalking and threats:** 5100 block of Fleming Avenue. Police received a report of stalking and criminal threats at 10:46 a.m. **Criminal threats:** 18th Street. Someone threatened to commit a crime at 11:57 a.m. **Fraud:** 2600 block of Hilltop Drive. Police took a report of fraud at 12:03 p.m. **Domestic violence:** 100 block of West Macdonald Avenue. Police arrested a person on domestic violence charges at 1:17 p.m. **Vehicle recovered:** 1300 block of South 51st Street. Police recovered another stolen vehicle at 3:47 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 3900 block of Solano Avenue. A vehicle was reported stolen at 5:51 p.m. **DUI:** 100 block of 5th Street. Police arrested a driver on suspicion of DUI and willful child cruelty at 8:24 p.m. **Disorderly conduct:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. Police arrested a person on an alcohol-related disorderly conduct charge at 8:42 p.m. **Fraud:** 700 block of Harrison Drive. Police took a report of fraud at 9:42 p.m. **Disorderly conduct arrest:** Somewhere in the 94801 zip code. Police arrested a person on an alcohol-related disorderly conduct charge at 9:49 p.m. ### Tuesday, August 25 **Battery:** 400 block of 1st Street. Police received a report that a person was assaulted by a spouse or dating partner at 1:20 a.m. **Assault and drug arrest:** Unknown location in the 94801 zip code. Police arrested a person on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and possession of drug paraphernalia at 1:36 a.m. **Drug trafficking arrest:** Somewhere in the 94801 zip code. Police arrested a person on suspicion of possessing and transporting a controlled substance for sale at 3:23 a.m. **Battery and court-order violation:** 2nd Street. Police arrested a person on suspicion of battery and violating a domestic violence court order at 6:14 a.m. **Vehicle theft arrest:** 500 block of 4th Street. Police arrested a suspected car theft at 7:42 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** West Macdonald Avenue. A vehicle was reported stolen at 8:50 a.m. **Assault with a deadly weapon:** 5000 block of Valley View Road. Police received a report of an assault at 11:55 a.m. **Child cruelty and battery arrest:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. Police arrested a person on two counts of child cruelty and spousal battery at 12:30 p.m. **Battery:** 1400 block of Cutting Boulevard. A person was struck and injured at 1:09 p.m. **Fraud:** 4700 block of Macdonald Avenue. Police took a report of fraud involving more than $400 at 1:57 p.m. **Arson:** 4500 block of Macdonald Avenue. A property was set on fire at 2:08 p.m. **Robbery and battery arrest:** 300 block of South 23rd Street. Police arrested a person on suspicion of strong-arm robbery, spousal battery, and an outstanding warrant at 6 p.m. **Battery and vandalism:** 1600 block of Ohio Avenue. Police received a report of a battery and two counts of vandalism at 8:26 p.m. **Fraud:** 1700 block of Northshore Drive. Police took a report of fraud at 11:40 p.m. ### Wednesday, August 26 **Six-charge robbery arrest:** West Macdonald Avenue. Police arrested a person on suspicion of domestic violence, exhibiting a firearm, false imprisonment, willful child cruelty, vandalism and armed robbery. **Domestic violence:** 600 block of South 31st Street. Police received a report involving domestic violence, spousal battery and first-degree robbery of an inhabited dwelling at 12:13 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 1600 block of Esmond Avenue. A vehicle was reported stolen at 2:23 a.m. **Commercial burglary:** 400 block of 1st Street. A business was burglarized at 3:24 a.m. **Burglary:** 900 block of Lucas Avenue. A home was entered without force at 4 a.m. **Carjacking at knifepoint:** 3200 block of Esmond Avenue. A vehicle was taken by force with a knife at 5:10 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 1000 block of 18th Street. A vehicle was reported stolen at 6 a.m. **Stolen vehicle recovered:** 2400 block of Foothill Avenue. Police recovered a stolen vehicle at 8:51 a.m. **Resisting arrest:** West Macdonald Avenue. Police arrested a person on suspicion of obstructing an officer at 9:50 a.m. **Burglary and assault arrest:** 4400 block of Ohio Avenue. Police arrested a person on suspicion of commercial burglary and assault with a deadly weapon at 11 a.m. **Stolen vehicle possession arrest:** 1300 block of Carlson Boulevard. Police arrested a person on suspicion of possessing a stolen vehicle at 11:38 a.m. **Fraud:** 3200 block of Lowell Avenue. Police took a report involving a forged access card at 1 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 600 block of Banks Drive. A vehicle was reported stolen at 1:45 p.m. **Criminal threats:** 1400 block of Marina Way South. Police received a report of a threat to commit a crime at 4:30 p.m. **Trespassing and theft arrest:** 4500 block of Macdonald Avenue. Police nabbed a suspected trespasser at 4:34 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 200 block of 7th Street. A vehicle was reported stolen at 6:05 p.m. ### Thursday, August 27 **Commercial burglary:** 3500 block of Cutting Boulevard. A building was burglarized at 5:31 a.m. **Harassment and intimate images:** 3200 block of Lowell Avenue. A resident reported repeated harassment and the distribution of intimate photos at 10:11 a.m. **Mail theft:** 1200 block of Sanderling Isle. A resident reported stolen mail at noon. **Stolen property arrest:** 600 block of 32nd Street. Police arrested a person on suspicion of receiving known stolen property at 1:10 p.m. **Battery:** 5000 block of Valley View Road. A person was struck and injured at 2:20 p.m. **Drug paraphernalia arrest:** Somewhere in the 94530 zip code. Police arrested a person on suspicion of possessing drug paraphernalia at 2:29 p.m. **Commercial burglary:** 700 block of Bissell Avenue. A business was burglarized at 3:30 p.m. **Weapon exhibited:** 200 block of South 23rd Street. Police received a report that a weapon other than a firearm was exhibited as a deadly weapon at 4:40 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 600 block of 40th Street. A vehicle was reported stolen at 8 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 4100 block of Potrero Avenue. A vehicle was reported stolen at 9 p.m. **Domestic assault arrest:** 400 block of South 16th Street. Police arrested a person on suspicion of domestic violence and assault with a deadly weapon at 9 p.m. **Gunfire:** 900 block of Triangle Court. A firearm was discharged in a grossly negligent manner at 9:30 p.m. **Domestic violence:** 600 block of 6th Street. Police received a report of corporal injury involving a domestic violence victim at 10:22 p.m. **Fraud:** 2100 block of Esmond Avenue. Police took a report involving a stolen access card at 10:28 p.m. **Sexual assault:** South 6th Street. Police received a report of rape by force or fear at 10:30 p.m. ### Friday, August 28 **Trespassing arrest:** 600 block of 15th Street. Police arrested a person on suspicion of alcohol-related disorderly conduct and trespassing on posted property at 5:27 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 400 block of South 25th Street. A vehicle was reported stolen at 6:44 a.m. **Dog theft:** Isabel Street. A dog was taken in an incident classified as grand theft at 8 a.m. **Child cruelty and battery:** 2800 block of Moyers Road. Police received reports of child cruelty and battery at 8:50 a.m. **Battery:** 4200 block of Hilltop Drive. A person was struck and injured at 9 a.m. **Grand theft from a person:** 500 block of Berk Avenue. Property was taken directly from a person at 11:17 a.m. **Battery and child cruelty arrest:** 2100 block of Northshore Drive. Police arrested a person on suspicion of spousal battery and child cruelty at 5:26 p.m. **Battery arrest:** 4500 block of Wall Avenue. Police arrested a person on suspicion of spousal battery at 7:19 p.m. **Disorderly conduct arrest:** 600 block of 19th Street. Police arrested a person on an intoxication-related disorderly conduct charge at 8:15 p.m. **Court-order arrest:** 100 block of 15th Street. Police arrested a person on suspicion of violating a court order at 9:23 p.m. ### Saturday, August 29 **Firearms arrest:** Somewhere in the 94801 zip code. Police arrested an individual for carrying a loaded firearm in public at 1:38 a.m. **Commercial burglary:** The 12800 block of San Pablo Avenue. A business was forced open at 6:57 a.m. [Contra Costa College Art Building damaged, fenced off after weekend fireThis story was updated August 30, 4:45 p.m. A fire on the Contra Costa College campus Saturday damaged one building and, according to authorities, was intentionally set. The fire drew a response from several fire departments, including Richmond, San Pablo and El Cerrito. Campus Police Services Officer Jose![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--7b2e6dbb-f954-4970-bfd8-5fddfde1a396.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/contra-costa-college-art-building-fire-damage4-2-1-1-ac1d9240-8389-416d-ab02-d7f07f5d204b.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/contra-costa-college-art-building-damaged-fenced-off-after-weekend-fire/) **Assault with a deadly weapon:** Somewhere in the 94801 zip code. An assault was reported at 6:08 p.m. **Berk Avenue job:** The 500 block of Berk Avenue. A car was reported stolen at 7 p.m. **Battery:** The 800 block of 6th Street. A person was struck and injured at 9:30 p.m. **DUI arrest:** Somewhere in the 94804 zip code. Police arrested a driver on a drunk driving charge at 9:57 p.m. ### Sunday, August 30 **Threat against public employee:** 900 block of Nevin Avenue. Police received a report of a threat against a school or public official. **Vandalism:** 5000 block of Hartnett Avenue. Property was damaged at 1:55 a.m. **Court-order and corporal-injury arrest:** 600 block of 34th Street. Police arrested a person on suspicion of violating a domestic relations court order and inflicting corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant with prior felony convictions at 8:52 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 200 block of South 5th Street. A vehicle was taken without the owner's consent at 10:13 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 500 block of Marina Way. A vehicle was reported stolen at 3:39 p.m. **Stolen vehicle and grand theft auto arrest:** 2500 block of Macdonald Avenue. Police found a stolen vehicle and arrested a person on suspicion of grand theft auto and possessing stolen property at 5:39 p.m. --- [****YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables **Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community ****Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [****CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** ****FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:** [@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:** [@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) ### Richmond police arrest suspect in fatal hit-and-run that killed 81-year-old man URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-police-arrest-suspect-in-fatal-hit-and-run-that-killed-81-year-old-man/ Last updated: 2026-08-31T23:14:11.000Z Richmond police have announced an arrest in the hit-and-run that killed an 81-year-old Richmond man earlier this month. Don Mack, a 66-year-old Richmond resident, has been booked on suspicion of felony hit-and-run, vehicular manslaughter, and driving with a suspended license after investigators located the suspected vehicle in the 400 block of 4th Street in Richmond. Police said automated license plate readers and video-surveillance technology provided investigators with critical leads that helped them identify the suspect vehicle, recover evidence, and make an arrest. [Richmond police investigate fatal hit-and-run near 23rd Street and Hellings AvenueRichmond police are investigating a hit-and-run crash that killed a pedestrian near the intersection of 23rd Street and Hellings last weekend. The victim has been identified by family members as Rafael Delgado. Delgado was walking on 23rd Street and attempting to cross Hellings Avenue when he was struck![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--cde1c2d0-3278-4b08-8a8c-30f2d39e2458.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2026-08-26-at-1.01.20-PM-1-1-1-b2333376-8d1c-45d4-a13a-6b38449e8752.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-police-investigate-fatal-hit-and-run-near-23rd-street-and-hellings-avenue/) Rafael Delgado was crossing 23rd Street in a marked crosswalk just before 8:30 p.m. on August 23 when he was struck by a vehicle traveling northbound on 23rd Street. Police said the vehicle continued traveling until Delgado was thrown from its hood. The driver then fled the scene without stopping. Anyone with additional information regarding this collision is encouraged to contact the Richmond Police Department. --- [****YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables **Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community ****Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [****CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** ****FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:** [@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:** [@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) ### MCE board accepts grand jury findings on governance failures, pushes back key reform deadlines URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/mce-board-accepts-grand-jury-findings-on-governance-failures-pushes-back-key-reform-deadlines/ Last updated: 2026-08-31T14:51:35.000Z MCE's board voted to accept most findings from a county grand jury report that concluded the agency's board had repeatedly failed to govern it, while extending two key reform deadlines over public objection. Mayor Eduardo Martinez and Councilmember Cesar Zepeda, listed in city records as Richmond's member and alternate on the 34-member board, did not attend. Their absence came as the board addressed findings that directly affect the rates Richmond customers pay for their electricity. The Marin County Civil Grand Jury released its[ 49-page report ](https://www.marincounty.gov/departments/grand-jury/civil-grand-jury-reports/2025-2026-civil-grand-jury-reports/mce-marin-clean-energy-series-missteps-highlight-need-governance-changes?ref=grandviewindependent.com)June 16, and the board's approved response, adopted at its August 20 meeting, agrees outright with 9 of the grand jury's 14 findings and partially agrees with 3 others. No finding was rejected. MCE Founding CEO Dawn Weisz left the agency on June 17. [Richmond’s electricity provider under fire after grand jury report, CEO departureThe public agency that provides electricity to most Richmond residents lost its founding chief executive last week, one day after a county grand jury found that the agency had been mismanaged for years and that its board had repeatedly failed to oversee it. Dawn Weisz, who co-founded MCE in![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--e8c202fb-dfc9-4f56-8a45-be6d91158313.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/MCE-solar-one-richmond-1-1-1-4d9e1b18-e08b-4975-b4d9-0588a4e681ff.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmonds-electricity-provider-under-fire-after-grand-jury-report-ceo-departure/) The board conceded that it had not always played an active role in key agency decisions, that management had at times withheld information the board needed to govern effectively, and that energy contracts were repeatedly signed by the wrong officials and without required prior committee consultation. The board also agreed that the 2023 process for stripping itself of authority to approve the hiring of a general counsel lacked sufficient transparency and may have violated California's open meetings law. Acting CEO Vicken Kasarjian, who took over after Weisz's departure, told the board he plans to start fresh. "I am intending to bring to the board our mission and vision statement, which will begin with a blank sheet of paper," Kasarjian said. "The board needs to be fundamentally engaged in approving the vision and the mission. From that, everything will fall. That's our bedrock, and we haven't done that." Kasarjian also committed to ending the practice of presenting condensed budget summaries. "No more summaries," he said. "Every item." Despite the broad concessions, the board extended two deadlines over public objection. The grand jury had recommended the board review the value of costly renewable energy contracts and consider hiring an outside auditor to review the contracts behind a $200 million cost spike in fiscal 2024-25, both by December 31, 2026\. The board pushed the contract review to September 30, 2027, and the auditor question to March 31, 2027. Dan Segaden of the Marin Conservation League challenged both extensions during public comment. "You're spending a lot of money every week," Segaden said. "To step back to September 30, a whole year before you evaluate this, that just seems a bit crazy to us." The agency's special governance counsel, Bethany Burgess of [Aleshire and Wynder,](https://www.awattorneys.com/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) led the board through the draft response, with her partner, Floy Andrews, who also attended the meeting. Aleshire and Wynder served as Richmond's city attorney until recently. A governance assessment by Sacramento consulting firm Leading Resources Inc., hired for $96,000, is expected to produce restructuring recommendations by late September. A permanent CEO is unlikely to be in place before early next year. Richmond residents are enrolled in MCE's standard Light Green plan by default and are currently paying about $211 more a year than equivalent PG&E customers, according to MCE's own published rate comparison. The gap is steeper for small businesses: a typical small commercial customer on MCE's standard plan pays $532.40 a month, compared to $480.88 under PG&E, a difference of about $618 a year. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Contra Costa College Art Building damaged, fenced off after weekend fire URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/contra-costa-college-art-building-damaged-fenced-off-after-weekend-fire/ Last updated: 2026-09-14T18:22:41.000Z *This story was updated August 31, 12:25 p.m.* A fire on the Contra Costa College campus Saturday damaged one building and, according to authorities, was intentionally set. The blaze brought fire crews from Richmond, San Pablo and El Cerrito to the campus at 2600 Mission Bell Drive in San Pablo, who were able to quickly bring the fire under control. Campus Police Services Officer Jose Olivera said he believed the blaze was started on the balcony outside room 6A at the Art Building on Saturday afternoon, causing significant damage to that classroom, a nearby office, and the atrium. "The fire was intentionally set. That office is gone, the classroom is pretty damaged, and one other classroom in the front looked bad," Olivera told *Grandview Independent*. Olivera said other classrooms didn't appear to have much damage, and no injuries were reported. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/08/contra-costa-college-art-building-fire-damage5-web.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/08/contra-costa-college-art-building-fire-damage1-web-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/08/IMG_6166.jpeg) The Contra Costa College Art Building was fenced off Sunday, a day after a fire left visible damage. Grandview Independent / Linda Hemmila On Sunday morning, workers had already begun fencing off the area around the building and its parking lot. Outside room 6A, known to many as the figure drawing and painting studio, plywood covered an opening in the back wall, with smoke marks visible around it. Damage was also visible through the building's front entrance. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/08/IMG_6169.jpeg) The parking lot adjacent to the Art Building is currently closed. Grandview Independent / Linda Hemmila Students and staff were sent notifications on Saturday through the Contra Costa Community College District mass notification system alerting them to the fire and damage to the building. "This afternoon, a fire broke out in the CCC Art Building," the alert read. "There were no injuries, and no other buildings were affected, but damage is significant." The College District told *Grandview* on Monday that the cause of the fire is currently under investigation. "Our Police Services department is working in partnership with the San Pablo Police Department and the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District on that," said Jennifer Ortega, Director of Communications and Community Relations. Ortega said that seven sections of classes have been impacted by the fire and five are being moved to other spaces on campus. "Our team is still in the process of trying to relocate two ceramics courses," Ortega said. --- [****YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables **Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community ****Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [****CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** ****FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:** [@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:** [@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) ### WCCUSD rolls out new protocol for responding to racial slurs URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/wccusd-rolls-out-new-protocol-for-responding-to-racial-slurs/ Last updated: 2026-08-29T00:25:42.000Z West Contra Costa Unified School District is changing how schools respond to racial slurs and other racial harm, requiring staff to document incidents, notify families and provide support to students who are targeted. The new protocol, presented to the school board August 26, is part of an update to the district's Anti-Slur Initiative and is intended to give schools a consistent response when racial harm occurs on campus. LaShante Smith, the district's director of [positive school climate,](https://www.wccusd.net/departments-and-areas/positive-school-climate?ref=grandviewindependent.com) said the changes followed a year of work with school leaders, community members and students, including a survey of district principals and a youth action forum on how students experience the district's response to hate speech. Smith said the survey identified several needs, including guidance on how to confront anti-Black racism and racial slurs in the moment and strategies for preventing repeat incidents. Principals also asked for help determining which incidents should be handled in the classroom and which require an administrator. Students at the youth forum had their own thoughts. "They wanted clearer expectations across our system around the use of harmful language and slurs. They also wanted robust student reporting systems and meaningful consequences," Smith said. Students also questioned whether suspension alone changes behavior. "A lot of young people said that you can suspend a student and they come back and the behavior does not change," Smith said. "We know from research when we exclude students and push them out of school, that does not necessarily change the behavior." ## The first 60 minutes The centerpiece of the update is a protocol Smith called "the first 60 minutes," outlining the steps schools must take after an incident is reported. Schools are expected to separate the students involved, assess the impact, document what happened and what was said, and conduct a due process review. Both families should be notified immediately, Smith said, and the incident should be logged in PowerSchool the same day. The district has also begun monitoring the data across schools, something Smith said is new this year. The protocol works alongside the district's existing three-tier discipline matrix. Level one incidents are handled in the classroom, level two brings in an administrator and level three covers major infractions or incidents requiring a safety response. Smith said the goal is "the lowest appropriate response that can repair the harm." Restorative practices are voluntary for students and families. Students affected by racial harm are to receive support regardless of the level assigned to an incident, including safety plans and a designated point of contact for the family. The district also plans to launch an anonymous QR code reporting system, an idea that came directly from students. Smith said the district is still determining how it will be staffed and how reports will be handled. Trustee Demetrio Gonzalez-Hoy asked how the district will ensure responses are consistent from school to school. Smith said the district will compare three types of information: incident data recorded in PowerSchool, feedback from parents and community members, and student perceptions of how schools respond. "With all three data sources, we'll be able to identify where we're not doing well, and where we need to go provide additional support," she said. Trustee Jamela Smith-Folds asked how the district handles racial harm by an adult toward a student. "If it's an adult, the first recourse is that talking to the site administrator, and the site administrator should then be in contact with human resources around next steps and guidance for adult-to-student behavior," Smith said. Smith-Folds also asked how the district distinguishes a single remark from a pattern of behavior, citing the example of a student repeatedly touching a classmate's hair after being told to stop. "If a student is doing something that is racist, whether it's micro or macro, in your face, we're still going to respond," Smith said. "So if a student is touching someone's hair when they've been told not to touch the hair, and they're still touching the hair, that can be considered harassment. We're still going to respond, and we're still going to have the same response protocols in regard to investigating what happened." The district plans to discuss the policy at back-to-school nights and provide new materials for families. Smith also said the district will meet with its All Student Congress on Sept. 14 and is developing campus signage based on suggestions from students. --- [****YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables **Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community ****Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [****CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** ****FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:** [@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:** [@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) ### Richmond police investigate fatal hit-and-run near 23rd Street and Hellings Avenue URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-police-investigate-fatal-hit-and-run-near-23rd-street-and-hellings-avenue/ Last updated: 2026-08-26T20:19:17.000Z Richmond police are investigating a hit-and-run crash that killed a pedestrian near the intersection of 23rd Street and Hellings last weekend. The victim has been identified by family members as Rafael Delgado. Delgado was walking on 23rd Street and attempting to cross Hellings Avenue when he was struck by a vehicle at approximately 8:28 p.m. Sunday. The driver did not stop, according to family members who posted about the crash on social media. Delgado had just left Restaurante Bahía de Jiquilisco, which confirmed to *Grandview* that Delgado was known there as "Don Rafita," a performer who regularly sang at the restaurant. They will be accepting donations in person Friday through Sunday, 6 to 10 p.m., during karaoke hours. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/08/rafael-delgado-richmond-hit-and-run-seeking-justice-flyer.jpg) A flyer seeking information on the hit-and-run crash that killed Rafael Delgado, 8:10-8:30 p.m. August 23, 2026, near Hellings Avenue and 23rd Street in Richmond, California. Richmond police logged the crash as a felony vehicle-pedestrian collision. Department records show Delgado was crossing in the crosswalk at the time. Richmond Police Lt. Joe England, the department's public information officer, confirmed the fatal hit-and-run. "Our traffic investigators are working on leads right now, and we have no other information to share at this point," England said. Investigators have not identified any witnesses and do not yet know which direction the vehicle was traveling, whether it turned from 23rd Street onto Hellings Avenue or from Hellings Avenue onto 23rd Street, according to a family member's posts. The family is asking anyone who lives near the intersection to check home, vehicle, or doorbell camera footage from approximately 8:10 to 8:40 p.m. Sunday for any vehicle that appears to be speeding, stopping suddenly, or showing recent damage. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Richmond Police Department at 510-233-1214. --- [****YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables **Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community ****Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [****CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** ****FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:** [@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:** [@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) ### What happened in Richmond: A fatal arson, gunfire and 22 stolen cars URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/what-happened-in-richmond-a-fatal-arson-gunfire-and-22-stolen-cars/ Last updated: 2026-09-07T15:41:40.000Z The week's most serious incidents included a homicide and arson investigation on 15th Street that led to murder charges, a shots-fired incident on Harbour Way South, domestic violence arrests and three robberies, including two strong-arm robberies. Grandview Independent Richmond Crime Incident Map Loading... From To Load Incident locations are approximate. RPD reports crimes by block, not exact address, to protect privacy. ## Filter by type All Loading... ### Monday, August 17 **DUI and obstruction arrest:** Somewhere in the 94806 zip code. Police arrested a suspect on charges of obstructing a peace officer and driving under the influence at 3:32 p.m. **Car burglary:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. A vehicle break-in occurred at 3 a.m. **Hit-and-run arrest:** Somewhere in the 94801 zip code. Police arrested a suspect on a hit-and-run property damage charge just after midnight. **Child cruelty:** 3000 block of Research Drive. Police logged a case involving willful cruelty to a child with possible injury at 10:28 a.m. **Vehicle recovered:** 600 block of Lincoln Avenue. Police recovered a previously stolen vehicle at 10:36 a.m. **Grand theft:** 5700 block of Solano Avenue. A grand theft case came in at 11:26 a.m. **Grand theft:** Crest Avenue. A theft occurred at 11:30 a.m. **Parts theft:** San Pablo and Fairmount avenues. Vehicle parts were stolen at 2 p.m. **Court order violation:** 1800 block of Elm Street. Police logged a contempt-of-court case at 4 p.m. **Grand theft:** 1500 block of Macdonald Avenue. A theft occurred at 5:10 p.m. **Building theft:** 1000 block of Macdonald Avenue. Items were stolen from a building at 5:56 p.m. **Unlicensed driving:** Somewhere in the 94806 zip code. A driver was cited for operating without a license at 6:29 p.m. **DUI arrest:** Somewhere in the 94801 zip code. Police arrested a suspect on two counts of driving under the influence at 9:43 a.m. **Obstruction:** Somewhere in the 94804 zip code. Police received a call about someone obstructing a peace officer at 8:11 p.m. **Strong-arm robbery:** 11900 block of San Pablo Avenue. The robbery occurred at 9:29 p.m. **Petty theft:** 600 block of 36th Street. A theft occurred at 10:35 p.m. ### Tuesday, August 18 **Kidnapping arrest:** 400 block of 20th Street. Police arrested a suspect on a kidnapping charge at 5:29 p.m. The incident was initially logged as contempt of court, spousal battery, and false imprisonment. **Petty theft:** West Nevin Avenue. A theft occurred at 6 a.m. **Hit-and-run:** 2100 block of Ohio Avenue. A hit-and-run occurred at 6:44 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 500 block of South 17th Street. A car was stolen at 7 a.m. **Grand theft:** 0 block of 17th Street. A theft occurred at 7:16 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 1100 block of 18th Street. A car was stolen at 9 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 400 block of 40th Street. A vehicle was stolen at 9:20 a.m. **Criminal threats:** 2900 block of Florida Avenue. Police logged threats to commit a crime at 9:36 a.m. **Hit-and-run:** 4800 block of Central Avenue. A hit-and-run occurred at 11 a.m. **Elder abuse:** 4100 block of Hilltop Drive. Police logged a case involving cruelty toward an elder or dependent adult at 11:01 a.m. **Battery arrest:** 600 block of 20th Street. Police arrested a suspect on a spousal battery charge, booked as simple assault, at 2:51 a.m. **Vehicle recovered:** 4000 block of Fleming Avenue. A stolen vehicle was recovered at 12:30 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 2500 block of Atlas Road. A car was stolen at 1 p.m. **Parts theft:** 4500 block of Macdonald Avenue. Someone stole vehicle parts at 3 p.m. **Petty theft:** 3200 block of Pierce Street. A theft occurred at 3 p.m. **Drug possession:** Somewhere in the 94801 zip code. Police found a suspect with narcotics and paraphernalia at 4:19 p.m. **Aggravated assault arrest:** 200 block of 15th Street. Police arrested a suspect on charges of assault with a deadly weapon and a civil rights violation at 8:21 a.m. **Home burglary:** 900 block of Wilson Avenue. A residential burglary occurred at 6:37 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 2300 block of Emeric Avenue. A vehicle was stolen at 7:11 p.m. **Battery:** Somewhere in the 94804 zip code. Police logged a battery case at 7:29 p.m. **Arson:** 200 block of 15th Street. Police arrested a suspect on a murder charge following a fire that caused three deaths at 8:16 p.m. **Petty theft:** 3500 block of Solano Avenue. A theft occurred at 10:44 p.m. ### Wednesday, August 19 **Firearm arrest:** 700 block of 21st Street. Police arrested a suspect after a firearm was exhibited at 6:20 p.m. **Car burglary:** 2300 block of Clinton Avenue. A vehicle break-in occurred at 7:02 a.m. **Petty theft:** 11900 block of San Pablo Avenue. A theft occurred at 11:02 a.m. **Vehicle break-in:** Somewhere in the 94804 zip code. Items were stolen from a vehicle at 1:41 p.m. **Mail theft:** 1600 block of Wright Avenue. Someone stole mail at 1:43 p.m. **Burglary and extortion:** 100 block of Grove Street. Police logged a residential burglary and a case involving someone posing as a kidnapper to extort money at 3:35 p.m. **Petty theft:** West Richmond Avenue. A theft occurred at 4:04 p.m. **Hit-and-run:** 1000 block of South 47th Street. A hit-and-run occurred at 4:45 p.m. **Petty theft:** 4500 block of Macdonald Avenue. A theft occurred at 4:55 p.m. **Grand theft:** 1000 block of Nevin Avenue. A theft occurred at 5:34 p.m. **Car burglary:** 2700 block of Foothill Avenue. A vehicle break-in occurred at 6 p.m. **Drug paraphernalia:** Somewhere in the 94804 zip code. Police found a suspect with drug paraphernalia at 8:10 p.m. **Mail theft:** Scenic Avenue. Mail was stolen at 9:15 p.m. **Vehicle theft arrest:** Somewhere in the 94801 zip code. Police arrested a suspect on a vehicle theft charge around noon the next day. ### Thursday, August 20 **Vehicle theft:** 3200 block of Auto Plaza. A vehicle was stolen at an unspecified time. **Vehicle theft:** 18th Street. A vehicle was stolen at an unspecified time. **Domestic violence arrest:** 1000 block of 20th Street. Police arrested a suspect for violating a court order meant to prevent domestic violence at 4:38 p.m. **Assault arrest:** 2200 block of Nevin Avenue. Police arrested a suspect on charges of domestic violence and assault with a deadly weapon at 5:53 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 100 block of 19th Street. A car was stolen at 6:05 a.m. **Assault arrest:** 1000 block of Chesley Avenue. Police arrested a suspect on charges of domestic violence and assault with a deadly weapon at 9:21 p.m. **Identity fraud:** 2800 block of Lowell Avenue. Police logged an identity fraud case at 8:49 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 2800 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue. A vehicle was stolen at 9:25 a.m. **Criminal threats:** 100 block of 37th Street. Police logged a threat to commit a crime at 10:43 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 2400 block of Nevin Avenue. A car was stolen at 10:48 a.m. **Reckless driving arrest:** 1600 block of Florida Avenue. Police arrested a suspect on charges of reckless driving and driving without a license at 1:25 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 300 block of South 12th Street. A vehicle was stolen at 1:22 p.m. **Vehicle recovered:** 900 block of Carlson Boulevard. Police recovered a stolen vehicle at 2:20 p.m. **Criminal threats:** 600 block of 43rd Street. Police logged a felony threat to commit a crime at 2:36 p.m. **Robbery:** 1200 block of Macdonald Avenue. A shoplifting incident escalated into a robbery at 4:56 p.m. **Commercial burglary:** 3100 block of Garrity Way. Police logged a commercial burglary and vandalism at 7:30 p.m. **Suspended license:** Somewhere in the 94804 zip code. A driver was cited for driving on a license suspended for a prior DUI at 9:22 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 300 block of Beck Street. A car was stolen at 10 p.m. **Weapons arrest:** Somewhere in the 94806 zip code. Police arrested a suspect on charges of carrying a loaded firearm and driving under the influence at 12:44 p.m. the next day. **Shots fired:** 100 block of Harbour Way South. A firearm was willfully discharged in a grossly negligent manner at 11 p.m. **Grand theft:** 500 block of 5th Street. A theft occurred at 11 p.m. ### Friday, August 21 **Vehicle theft:** 2500 block of Ohio Avenue. A vehicle was stolen at an unspecified time. **Firearm arrest:** 300 block of South 38th Street. Police arrested a suspect after a firearm was exhibited at 2:49 p.m. **Police pursuit arrest:** Somewhere in the 94801 zip code. Police arrested a suspect on four charges: evading police, possessing a stolen vehicle, vehicle theft and a related traffic violation, at 3:42 p.m. **Commercial burglary:** 3100 block of Cutting Boulevard. A commercial burglary occurred at 4:16 a.m. **Trespassing:** 2900 block of Macdonald Avenue. Police received a trespassing complaint at 6:28 a.m. **Burglary and theft:** 300 block of Civic Center Plaza. A commercial burglary and grand theft occurred at 6:47 a.m. **Home burglary:** South 33rd Street. A residential burglary occurred at 8 a.m. **Building theft:** 10600 block of San Pablo Avenue. Items were stolen from a building at 10:30 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 900 block of Chanslor Avenue. A car was stolen at 1:30 p.m. **Home burglary:** 400 block of South 50th Street. A residential burglary occurred at 6:44 p.m. **Commercial burglary:** 3400 block of Maywood Drive. A commercial burglary occurred at 9 p.m. **Parts theft:** 3600 block of Sierra Ridge Avenue. Vehicle parts were stolen at 9 p.m. **DUI:** 1700 block of Macdonald Avenue. Police logged a driving under the influence case at 10:08 p.m. **Court order violation:** 2600 block of Hilltop Drive. Police logged a contempt of court case at 11:19 p.m. ### Saturday, August 22 **DUI:** 4000 block of Macdonald Avenue. A driving-under-the-influence case was logged at an unspecified time. **Vehicle theft:** 2000 block of Gaynor Avenue. A vehicle was stolen at an unspecified time. **Domestic violence:** 100 block of South 20th Street. Police logged a case of corporal injury to a spouse at 1:31 a.m. **DUI arrest:** Somewhere in the 94801 zip code. Police arrested a suspect on a driving under the influence charge at 3:34 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 0 block of West Richmond Avenue. A car was stolen at 2 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 3800 block of Garvin Avenue. A car was stolen at 4 a.m. **Assault arrest:** 200 block of Barrett Avenue. Police arrested a suspect on a felony domestic violence charge, booked as aggravated assault, at 7 p.m. **Domestic violence:** 2000 block of Macdonald Avenue. Police logged a case of corporal injury to a spouse at 8:24 a.m. **Vehicle break-in:** 400 block of Commodore Drive. Items were stolen from a vehicle at 9:06 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 500 block of South 24th Street. A car was stolen at 9:54 a.m. **Shoplifting:** 4500 block of Macdonald Avenue. A shoplifting incident occurred at 2:02 p.m. **Vehicle recovered:** Somewhere in the 94804 zip code. Police recovered a stolen vehicle at 7:31 p.m. **DUI:** Somewhere in the 94801 zip code. Police logged a driving under the influence case at 7:58 p.m. **Domestic violence:** 1000 block of Lassen Street. A court order meant to prevent domestic violence was violated at 8:41 p.m. **Domestic violence arrest:** 3100 block of Garrity Way. Police arrested a suspect on a rape charge tied to a battery case and violated protective order at 1:42 a.m. Monday. ### Sunday, August 23 **Parts theft:** 1700 block of Rheem Avenue. Vehicle parts were stolen at an unspecified time. **Strong-arm robbery:** 1200 block of Macdonald Avenue. A second strong-arm robbery of the week occurred at 1:30 a.m. **Firearm assault:** 600 block of 6th Street. An assault with a firearm occurred at 3:10 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 800 block of Barrett Avenue. A car was stolen at 9:13 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 1300 block of Hayes Street. A car was stolen at 10:34 a.m. **Commercial burglary:** 2900 block of Atlas Road. A commercial burglary was reported at 11:30 a.m. **Battery:** 600 block of 12th Street. Police logged a battery case at 1:57 p.m. **Shoplifting:** 2100 block of Meeker Avenue. A shoplifting incident occurred at 5:05 p.m. **Domestic violence and obstruction:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. Police responded to a domestic violence court-order violation and obstruction complaint alongside a felony warrant case at 5:17 p.m. **DUI:** 2600 block of Center Avenue. Police logged two driving under the influence counts at 5:20 p.m. **Aggravated assault:** 400 block of 22nd Street. An assault with a deadly weapon occurred at 6:44 p.m. **Obstruction:** 5000 block of Hartnett Avenue. Police reported someone obstructing a peace officer at 7:41 p.m. **Vehicle recovered:** Somewhere in the 94804 zip code. Police recovered a stolen vehicle at 9:22 p.m. **Quality-of-life complaint:** 600 block of 34th Street. Police received a complaint about an annoying or harassing phone call at 10:47 p.m. [****YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables **Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community ****Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [****CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** ****FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:** [@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:** [@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) ### Fourth family member dies after Richmond house fire URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/fourth-family-member-dies-after-richmond-house-fire/ Last updated: 2026-08-23T03:16:42.000Z A Richmond woman hospitalized since a fire that killed three of her family members last week has died of her injuries, the Richmond Police Department said Saturday evening, bringing the death toll in the August 18 fire to four. "The Richmond Police Department is saddened to report that the 33-year-old woman who was critically injured in this incident has passed away as a result of her injuries," Lt. Joseph England, the department's public information officer, said in a statement. England said no additional information would be released while the case remains active. The woman's brother, 32-year-old Sergio Ivan Rivera-Vega, is accused of intentionally setting the fire at the family's home on the 200 block of 15th Street. He was already facing three counts of murder, filed by the Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office on August 21, in connection with the deaths of his father, 47, his 5-year-old nephew, and his 2-year-old niece. Those charges were filed before his sister's death. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/08/richmond-fatal-house-fore.webp) José Rivera with his grandchildren during a family celebration. Photo: GoFundMe At the time the murder charges were filed, Rivera-Vega was also charged separately with arson causing great bodily injury in connection with the injuries his sister was still being treated for. Prosecutors said the murder charges carry special enhancements tied to the deaths of an adult victim and two minor victims that, if he is convicted, would carry a sentence of life without the possibility of parole. "This fire is devastating for the entire family," District Attorney Diana Becton said when the charges were announced. "Knowing the suspect is related to the victims–including two children–makes this loss even harder to comprehend this senseless act. Our thoughts are with the family and the community affected by this tragedy. Just know that my office is committed to following the law and holding the suspect fully accountable." Rivera-Vega is scheduled to be arraigned Monday, August 24, at 1:30 p.m. in Martinez. He remains in custody in lieu of $2.5 million bail. Richmond police and fire crews first responded to the 200 block of 15th Street at about 8:16 p.m. on August 18 for a residential structure fire, then were notified of a second fire two houses away roughly 30 minutes later. [Richmond man arrested after fire kills father, 5-year-old nephewThis story was last updated Thursday, August 20, 2026, at 12:08 p.m Update: The 2-year-old child who was critically injured in the fire has died from her injuries, Richmond police said Thursday. A 33-year-old woman remains in critical condition. A 32-year-old Richmond![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--fd3ac490-ad65-4dd6-9c7c-3afcc17fdc3b.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-fatal-fire-arrest-6481ed3e-7573-4e53-8906-a966cb3011ef.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-man-arrested-after-fire-kills-father-5-year-old-nephew/) Investigators have said the two fires are unrelated; a woman whose name has not been released was separately arrested in connection with the first fire, which caused no injuries. Firefighters found four people inside the second home, and detectives arrested Rivera-Vega at the scene after spotting him standing behind the crime scene tape. A GoFundMe organized by Evelin Rivera, who identifies herself as the sister of both Rivera-Vega and the woman who died, has raised more than $57,000 toward funeral and burial costs for her father, nephew and niece. The fundraiser, created before Saturday's announcement, describes her older sister as still fighting for her life. "My mom and I are heartbroken and overwhelmed trying to process so much loss all at once," Rivera wrote on the [fundraiser page.](https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-evelins-family-with-rent-expenses?ref=grandviewindependent.com) "Please support us during this heartbreaking time. If you are not able to donate, please keep my family in your prayers and share this fundraiser." --- [****YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables **Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community ****Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [****CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** ****FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:** [@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:** [@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) ### Richmond man arrested after fire kills father, 5-year-old nephew URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-man-arrested-after-fire-kills-father-5-year-old-nephew/ Last updated: 2026-08-21T22:57:06.000Z *This story was last updated Thursday, August 20, 2026, at 12:08 p.m* Update: The 2-year-old child who was critically injured in the fire has died from her injuries, Richmond police said Thursday. A 33-year-old woman remains in critical condition. A 32-year-old Richmond man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and arson after a fire that police say was deliberately set killed his father and 5-year-old nephew and left his sister and 2-year-old niece in critical condition. Officers first responded to the 200 block of 15th Street at about 8:16 p.m. Tuesday to assist Richmond Fire Department crews with a residential structure fire, according to the police department. About 30 minutes later, at 8:47 p.m., while emergency crews were still at the first fire, Richmond Fire notified police dispatch of a second residential fire about two houses away. Police are treating both fires as arson, Lt. Joseph England, the department's public information officer, said. The first fire remains under investigation as detectives work to determine its cause. The second fire is being investigated as both arson and murder. Police had not determined a motive as of Wednesday afternoon. "As of right now, it's all being investigated," England said when asked about a possible motive. "This unimaginable tragedy has taken the lives of a man and a young child while leaving a woman and another young child fighting for their lives," police said in the release. "The Richmond Police Department and Richmond Fire Department extend their deepest condolences to the victims, their loved ones, and everyone affected by this devastating incident." "A 5-year-old should not be dead," England said at the news conference. "A 2-year-old should not be in critical condition right now." [Two dead, two critical after back-to-back ‘suspicious’ fires on 15th StreetThe Richmond Police Department confirmed Wednesday that a fire on the 200 block of 15th Street Tuesday night was fatal. Two people, including a child, died and two others were left in critical condition after a pair of fires broke out within an hour of each other on the same![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--6bb0a9c0-fcaa-40ad-849d-2fd486386d00.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-15th-street-fire-b8a55fe6-ae77-49d2-9c83-1893e5023242.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/two-dead-two-critical-after-back-to-back-suspicious-fires-on-15th-street/) Firefighters who arrived at the second home found four people inside: a 47-year-old man, a 33-year-old woman, a 5-year-old boy and a 2-year-old girl. The 47-year-old man died at the scene despite efforts by emergency personnel, police said. The other three victims were taken to hospitals. The 5-year-old boy later died. The 33-year-old woman and 2-year-old girl remained hospitalized in critical condition Wednesday, police said. Because the second fire broke out only two houses from the first while firefighters were still on scene, police immediately treated it as suspicious. Homicide detectives and Richmond Fire Department arson investigators responded and began working the scene. Detectives identified the suspect as Sergio Rivera-Vega, 32, a relative of the victims who lived at the home, according to police who would not discuss the evidence that led them to Rivera-Vega. As detectives continued working the scene, one of them spotted Rivera-Vega standing behind the yellow police tape. He was taken into custody without incident. "As our detectives were on scene, one of our detectives saw the suspect standing behind a yellow tape at the scene, so he was safely taken into custody and arrested," England said. Rivera-Vega was booked into the Richmond Police Department jail on suspicion of two counts of murder under Penal Code section 187(a) and two counts of arson causing great bodily injury under section 451(a). His bail was set at $2.5 million. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/08/Sergio-Rivera-Vega.jpeg) Booking photo of Sergio Rivera-Vega, 32, released by the Richmond Police Department. Police said they believe the person responsible for the fatal fire is in custody and that there is no ongoing threat to the public. Richmond Fire Chief Aaron Osorio said the department responded to the second fire with the El Cerrito Fire Department and Contra Costa County Fire Protection District. The fire was elevated to a third alarm, with about 35 firefighters on scene at its peak, not including command and investigative staff. Osorio said initial reports indicate the fire was already well involved when crews arrived, with flames coming from the front door and windows. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/08/richmond-fatal-fire-15th-street-1.webp) Yellow crime scene tape and a Richmond police cruiser mark off the 200 block of 15th Street on Wednesday, a day after two fires on the block left two people dead and two others critically injured. Grandview Independent/ Soren Hemmila A woman whose name has not been released was arrested in connection with the first fire, which caused no injuries and remains under separate investigation. Police said there is no evidence linking the two suspects or the two households. A GoFundMe has been established to assist the family of the victims. View the fundraiser here:[https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-evelins-family-with-funeral-costs](https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-evelins-family-with-funeral-costs?ref=grandviewindependent.com) --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Two dead, two critical after back-to-back 'suspicious' fires on 15th Street URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/two-dead-two-critical-after-back-to-back-suspicious-fires-on-15th-street/ Last updated: 2026-08-19T15:47:45.000Z The Richmond Police Department confirmed Wednesday that a fire on the 200 block of 15th Street Tuesday night was fatal. Two people, including a child, died and two others were left in critical condition after a pair of fires broke out within an hour of each other on the same block, according to fire officials cited in NBC Bay Area's reporting. Richmond firefighters were first called to a structure fire in the 200 block of 15th Street at about 8:10 p.m. Tuesday. No one was hurt in that fire, officials said. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/08/richmond-15th-street-fire-3.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/08/richmond-15th-street-fire-2.webp) Two homes on the 200 block of 15th Street in Richmond show fire damage Wednesday morning, a day after a fatal fire left two people dead and two critically injured. About 45 minutes later, while crews were still mopping up the first scene, they noticed smoke and flames coming from a second home two doors north. Firefighters entered the burning house and found four people inside. All four were pulled out and taken to a hospital. An adult and a child died from their injuries; another adult and child remained in critical condition, officials said. Fire officials said the first fire did not cause the second. Both blazes are considered suspicious, and Richmond arson investigators, the Richmond Police Department, and the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office are investigating. Names of the victims had not been released as of Wednesday. [2 dead, 2 injured after suspicious house fire in RichmondAn adult and a child died, while another adult and child were in critical condition.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/cropped-NBC_Bay-Area-46bc9d5a-8633-42eb-8f4f-6ac31addcbbb.png)NBC Bay AreaNBC Bay Area staff![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/2-dead-2-injured-in-suspicious-house-fire-in-Richmond-fd35aca3-de68-4725-bb17-ed26770feccc.jpg)](https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/richmond-house-fire-road-closure/4130087/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) The Richmond Police Department confirmed in a Facebook post that officers were assisting Richmond Fire Department crews with road closures and traffic control in the 200 block of 15th Street, and asked the public to avoid the area and use alternate routes while the roadway was closed. By Wednesday morning, the scene remained taped off. Two visibly burned houses stood on the block, with a Richmond police cruiser and city utility trucks still parked out front, and caution tape sealing off the sidewalk in front of the damaged homes. The Richmond Police Department and Richmond Fire Department are holding a joint press conference Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. in front of Richmond City Hall, 450 Civic Center Plaza, to provide updates on the fire, according to Lt. Joe England, RPD's chief of staff and public information officer. Outlets unable to attend can expect an updated press release on the department's website later Wednesday afternoon. This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### What's the Buzz: Flor Hermosa coffee stand is Richmond's best setting yet URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/whats-the-buzz-flor-hermosa-coffee-stand-is-richmonds-best-setting-yet/ Last updated: 2026-08-20T01:34:16.000Z Flor Hermosa is a coffee stand tucked inside Golden Gate Palms, a nursery that bills itself as California's largest subtropical nursery. Walking the grounds, it's easy to see why. Rows of palms and banana trees stretch well beyond what you'd expect from a Richmond nursery lot, with string lights hanging between the trees. ****If you go:** Flor Hermosa, 425 Cutting Boulevard, Richmond, inside Golden Gate Palms Nursery. Six stops into this crawl, this is the one to beat on setting alone. Nothing else has come close. What's the Buzz is a running survey of coffee shops around Richmond, the independent roasters and cafes staking a claim on a corner and making their case one cup at a time. The rule is simple: Order what the staff normally orders and report back on whether it's worth the trip. Grandview Independent · GrandEATS What's the Buzz Reviewing coffee shops around Richmond, CA ☕ 0 stops visited Just across Cutting Boulevard are train tracks and a scrap metal yard, the kind of industrial edge that runs through much of this part of Richmond. Inside the nursery gates, none of it registers. The palms close in, the string lights take over, and the outside world fades away. At Flor Hermosa, an old VW bus sits near the coffee stand, with a canoe strapped to the roof and a Thrasher magazine sticker still stuck to the front. Plants have grown around the bus as if the nursery claimed it years ago and never let go. The coffee counter itself is simple. A small trailer with the Flor Hermosa flower logo on the front, a chalkboard menu, a basket of pastries, and papel picado strung overhead. A black-and-white cat had claimed the concrete table next to ours and was in no hurry to give it up, rolling onto its back next to a pot of succulents as if the furniture belonged to it. Nobody seemed surprised. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/08/flor-hermosa-coffee-patio-tent-seating-richmond.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/08/flor-hermosa-coffee-cappuccino-cup-richmond.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/08/flor-hermosa-coffee-lounge-seating-richmond.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/08/flor-hermosa-coffee-vw-bus-thrasher-sticker.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/08/flor-hermosa-coffee-cat-table-richmond.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/08/flor-hermosa-coffee-cat-asleep-richmond_1.webp) The scene at Flor Hermosa: the counter and menu tucked into its trailer, papel picado strung overhead, and the resident cat claiming a table among the succulents at Golden Gate Palms nursery in Richmond. We ordered a vanilla latte, a dark chocolate mocha and a cappuccino. The mocha tasted like chocolate first and coffee second, which is the job description for a dark chocolate mocha. After an earlier stop that handed us something closer to a hot sauce latte than coffee, that alone counted as a relief. The vanilla latte met the assignment, too. It tasted like a vanilla latte is supposed to taste, with nothing chasing it off course. The cappuccino was the one with something to say. There was no shortage of foam, a thick ring of it right to the edge, but it was airy rather than dense, with loose bubbles instead of tight microfoam. The coffee underneath still tasted good, with full flavor and the roast coming through. The menu leans playful and specific to the stand. There is a cookie butter latte, iced hazelnut mocha, flan latte and mazapán latte, along with seasonal drinks that rotate often enough that regulars check Instagram before heading over. The coffee holds up under the flavor add-ins instead of disappearing beneath them, which isn't a given at a place that leans into syrups and specialty drinks. That turned into a running argument in the car afterward, the kind that's been building over several stops on this crawl. One position: Most of these Richmond coffee shops aren't all that different from each other. That's not a knock. It means the bar around here is consistently decent rather than a coin flip. The counter position: Fine isn't the same as good, and a review ought to be able to tell the difference. The cat had wandered off by the time we left, presumably to claim some other surface in the sun. On setting alone, nothing else on this crawl comes close. The coffee doesn't need to be the best in Richmond to make this stop worth it. On a morning with nowhere else to be, it wouldn't take much to talk us into coming back just to sit here again. [****YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables **Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community ****Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [****CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** ****FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:** [@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:** [@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### What happened in Richmond: A fatal stabbing, firearms and drug busts and 14 stolen cars URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/what-happened-in-richmond-a-fatal-stabbing-firearms-and-drug-busts-and-14-stolen-cars/ Last updated: 2026-09-07T15:41:59.000Z Richmond police logged 14 stolen vehicles last week, up from 11 the previous week, as vehicle theft and burglary remained among the most common calls for service. Officers also investigated a fatal stabbing on Wood Place that led to a murder charge, made a multi-charge firearms and narcotics arrest on the 600 block of 2nd Street, and responded to an early-Sunday armed robbery on Esmond Avenue that combined burglary, domestic violence, criminal threats and assault-with-a-deadly-weapon charges. Grandview Independent Richmond Crime Incident Map Loading... From To Load Incident locations are approximate. RPD reports crimes by block, not exact address, to protect privacy. ## Filter by type All Loading... ### Monday, August 10 **Multi-charge arrest:** Somewhere in the 94804 zip code. Police arrested four suspects on charges including aiding a speed exhibition, resisting a peace officer, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor at 1:42 a.m. **Second Street snatch:** 2nd Street. A vehicle was reported stolen at 6:21 a.m. **Auto burglary and theft:** 2100 block of Burbeck Avenue. A grand theft was reported alongside a vehicle break-in at 7:02 a.m. **Auto burglary:** 2400 block of Aberdeen Way. A vehicle break-in was reported at 7:56 a.m. **Vehicle recovered:** Somewhere in the 94801 zip code. A vehicle reported stolen on August 9 was recovered at 8:13 a.m. **Ventura vanished:** 600 block of Ventura Street. A car disappeared sometime before it was reported at 8:27 a.m. **Barrett boost:** 4500 block of Barrett Avenue. A vehicle was taken at 9:28 a.m. **Mail theft:** 300 block of West Macdonald Avenue. A mail theft was reported at 9:30 a.m. **Harassing calls:** 4800 block of Fall Avenue. A resident reported receiving obscene or threatening phone calls at 10:07 a.m. **Home burglary:** 4600 block of Potrero Avenue. A residential burglary was reported at 12:33 p.m. **Lewd solicitation:** 1400 block of Hilltop Mall Road. A report of soliciting a lewd act in public was filed at 12:36 p.m. **Vehicle theft arrest:** 100 block of South 12th Street. Police arrested a suspect for grand theft from a vehicle at 12:48 p.m. **Open container arrest:** Somewhere in the 94801 zip code. Police arrested a driver for possessing an open container of alcohol at 2 p.m. **Drug possession:** Somewhere in the 94801 zip code. A misdemeanor controlled-substance possession charge was reported at 4:07 p.m. **Child cruelty:** 900 block of Nevin Avenue. Police arrested a suspect on charges of alcohol-related disorderly conduct and willful cruelty to a child at 6:33 p.m. **Trespassing:** 900 block of Nevin Avenue. A trespassing complaint involving posted land was reported at 8:09 p.m. ### Tuesday, August 11 **Prior-case arrest:** 200 block of Harbour Way South. Police arrested a suspect in connection with a vehicle theft reported on September 29, 2025, at 3:40 a.m. **Car theft arrest:** 16th Street. Police arrested a suspect for vehicle theft at 6:42 a.m. **Trespassing:** 2400 block of Aberdeen Way. A trespassing complaint was reported at 8:02 a.m. **Vehicle recovered:** 2400 block of Aberdeen Way. A previously stolen car was located at 8:07 a.m. **29th pinch:** 400 block of South 29th Street. A vehicle was reported stolen at 8:21 a.m. **Vehicle recovered:** South 2nd Street. A previously stolen car was located at 10:17 a.m. **Theft from vehicle:** 1700 block of Rheem Avenue. A grand theft from a vehicle was reported at 10:45 a.m. **Protective order violation:** 100 block of West Macdonald Avenue. A contempt-of-court complaint for violating a protective order was reported at 11:55 a.m. **Petty theft:** 600 block of 23rd Street. A theft was reported at 12:20 p.m. **Protective order violation:** 100 block of 19th Street. A report of violating a court order meant to prevent domestic violence was filed at 4:52 p.m. **Firearms and drugs arrest:** 600 block of 2nd Street. Police arrested a suspect on multiple charges, including possession of a loaded, unregistered handgun, firearm possession by a felon or addict, controlled substances for sale while armed, and trespassing at 5 p.m. **Warrant arrest:** Somewhere in the 94804 zip code. Police arrested a suspect on an outstanding felony warrant at 5:13 p.m. **Gone from Sheldon:** 2800 block of Sheldon Drive. A vehicle was reported stolen at 8 p.m. **Prior-case arrest:** 700 block of 24th Street. Police arrested a suspect on a charge of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor at 9:21 p.m. **Court order violation:** 400 block of 22nd Street. A contempt-of-court complaint for disobeying a court order was reported at 10:30 p.m. **Fatal stabbing:** 1700 block of Wood Place. A report combining a homicide, an attempted-murder charge and an aggravated assault with force causing possible great bodily injury was filed at 11:18 p.m. [Update: Suspect arrested in fatal Wood Place stabbing that left one deadUpdated on August 12, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. Richmond police arrested a suspect Wednesday morning in connection with a stabbing that left one man dead and another hospitalized late Tuesday night in the 1700 block of Wood Place. Police say David Contreras, 30, of Richmond, stabbed both victims![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--0c88226a-e94f-4071-8551-fcff37b82b4a.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-calif-police-1-03848902-0dd1-44ad-804f-19d0036de152.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/one-killed-another-expected-to-survive-after-belding-woods-stabbing/) ### Wednesday, August 12 **Domestic battery:** 800 block of Chevron Way. A domestic battery was reported at 4:49 a.m. **Auto burglary:** 2800 block of Esmond Avenue. A vehicle break-in was reported at 6:26 a.m. **Court order arrest:** 400 block of 22nd Street. Police arrested a suspect for disobeying a court order at 8:29 a.m. **Home burglary:** 100 block of 9th Street. A forced-entry residential burglary was reported at 8:55 a.m. **Mail theft:** 6000 block of Giant Highway. A mail theft was reported at 9:07 a.m. **Domestic violence:** 300 block of 28th Street. A corporal-injury domestic violence case was reported at 11:02 a.m. **Unlicensed driving:** Somewhere in the 94803 zip code. A driver was cited for operating a vehicle without a license at 12:05 p.m. **Auto burglary:** Santa Fe Avenue. A vehicle break-in was reported at 3:06 p.m. **Reckless driving arrest:** Somewhere in the 94801 zip code. Police arrested a driver on charges of an illegal speed contest, driving without a license and reckless driving at 4:20 p.m. **Solano slip-away:** 3800 block of Solano Avenue. A vehicle was reported stolen at 4:58 p.m. **Trespassing arrest:** 3400 block of Maricopa Avenue. Police arrested a suspect for trespassing at 7:14 p.m. **DUI arrest:** Somewhere in the 94804 zip code. Police arrested a driver on charges of driving under the influence of drugs, driving on a DUI-restricted license and possessing a controlled substance without a prescription at 11:16 p.m. **Domestic battery:** 100 block of 17th Street. A domestic battery was reported at 11:52 p.m. ### Thursday, August 13 **Domestic violence arrest:** 3100 block of Roosevelt Avenue. Police arrested a suspect for domestic violence at 12:14 a.m. **Vehicle theft and weapons arrest:** 1700 block of Dunn Avenue. Police arrested a suspect on multiple charges, including vehicle theft, carrying a loaded and concealed firearm, possession of stolen property, possession of burglary tools, vandalism and obstructing an officer at 2:49 a.m. **Home burglary:** 2200 block of Ohio Avenue. A residential burglary was reported at 3:07 a.m. **Vehicle recovered:** 2400 block of Aberdeen Way. A previously stolen car was located at 9:37 a.m. **Petty theft:** 3300 block of Klose Way. A theft was reported at 10:45 a.m. **Commercial burglary:** 3400 block of Collins Avenue. A forced-entry commercial burglary was reported alongside a grand theft from the building at 11:27 a.m. **Financial fraud:** 2500 block of Clinton Avenue. A fraud case involving a false financial statement under a fictitious name was reported at 12:16 p.m. **Drug and trespassing arrest:** 700 block of 22nd Street. Police arrested a suspect on charges of trespassing, disorderly loitering, drug paraphernalia possession and narcotics possession at 1:03 p.m. **Identity fraud:** 1500 block of Mariposa Street. A resident reported fraudulent use of their identity at 2:47 p.m. **Hit-and-run:** Barrett Avenue. A driver fled after causing property damage and failing to meet owner-notification requirements, reported at 6:48 p.m. **Domestic violence arrest:** 400 block of 1st Street. Police arrested a suspect on charges including willful cruelty to a child, corporal-injury domestic violence, false imprisonment with violence, obstructing an officer and violating a court order at 7:17 p.m. **Virginia Avenue lift:** 900 block of Virginia Avenue. A vehicle was reported stolen at 8 p.m. ### Friday, August 14 **Prior-case arrest:** 600 block of South 31st Street. Police arrested a suspect on an assault-with-a-deadly-weapon charge, tied to a July 31 report at 12:07 a.m. **Vehicle theft arrest:** 900 block of South 45th Street. Police arrested a suspect for petty theft from a vehicle at 2:59 a.m. **Chanslor grab:** 1000 block of Chanslor Avenue. A car was taken under cover of darkness and reported missing at 4 a.m. **17th Street theft:** 100 block of 17th Street. A vehicle was reported stolen at 6 a.m. **Court order arrest:** 700 block of Pennsylvania Avenue. Police arrested a suspect for disorderly conduct in violation of a court order at 10:49 a.m. **Petty theft:** 2700 block of Virginia Avenue. A theft was reported at 2:17 p.m. **Firearms:** 1300 block of Macdonald Avenue. Police arrested a suspect on charges of exhibiting a firearm, carrying a loaded and unregistered handgun, carrying a loaded firearm in public and carrying a concealed weapon in a vehicle at 3:20 p.m. **Child abuse:** West Macdonald Avenue. Police arrested a suspect on charges of inflicting injury on a child and willful cruelty to a child at 4:46 p.m. **Court order violation:** 1700 block of Regatta Boulevard. A contempt-of-court complaint for disobeying a court order was reported at 6:13 p.m. **Theft and trespassing:** 2100 block of Meeker Avenue. A theft from a building was reported alongside a trespassing complaint at 8:18 p.m. **Prior-case arrest:** Somewhere in the 94804 zip code. Police arrested a suspect on three charges, violating civil rights by causing violent injury, driving under the influence of alcohol, and threatening a crime with intent to terrorize, tied to a February 23, 2020 report, at 9 p.m. **Drugs and firearms arrest:** Somewhere in the 94801 zip code. Police arrested a suspect on charges of possessing marijuana for sale and carrying a loaded, concealed firearm at 9:26 p.m. **McBryde haul:** 2400 block of McBryde Avenue. A vehicle was reported stolen at 10:30 p.m. ### Saturday, August 15 **Firearm discharge arrest:** 300 block of 29th Street. Police arrested a suspect for discharging a firearm in a grossly negligent manner at 2:14 a.m. **Petty theft:** 500 block of 11th Street. A theft was reported at 2:23 a.m. **Domestic violence arrest:** 3600 block of Stoneglen South. Police arrested a suspect on charges of domestic battery and inflicting injury on a child at 4:30 a.m. **Home burglary:** 100 block of South 11th Street. A forced-entry residential burglary was reported at 5:22 a.m. **Hoffman haul:** 2100 block of Hoffman Boulevard. A vehicle was reported stolen at 6 a.m. **Assault with force:** 3300 block of Klose Way. A report combining an assault with force causing possible great bodily injury and a civil-rights violation by threat of force was filed at 6:30 a.m. **Grand theft:** Somewhere in the 94804 zip code. A theft was reported at 7:18 a.m. **Parts theft:** 300 block of Florida Avenue. Vehicle parts were reported stolen at 4:23 p.m. **Petty theft:** 10400 block of San Pablo Avenue. A theft was reported at 7:28 p.m. **Domestic violence:** 2200 block of Nevin Avenue. A corporal-injury domestic violence case was reported at 8:33 p.m. **Court order arrest:** 3400 block of Wall Avenue. Police arrested a suspect for disobeying a court order at 9:29 p.m. ### Sunday, August 16 **Warrant and DUI:** 200 block of Florida Avenue. A misdemeanor warrant, a DUI-suspended-license charge and driving under the influence of alcohol were logged under one report at midnight. **Extortion:** 1400 block of Coalinga Avenue. An extortion was reported at midnight. **DUI arrest:** Somewhere in the 94804 zip code. Police arrested a driver on charges of driving under the influence of alcohol and reckless driving at 12:43 a.m. **DUI and drug possession:** 2600 block of Garvin Avenue. A DUI charge came with a misdemeanor drug possession charge at 2:42 a.m. **West Chanslor theft:** 300 block of West Chanslor Avenue. A vehicle was reported stolen at 3 a.m. **Armed robbery and assault:** 2700 block of Esmond Avenue. One case file tied together an armed robbery, a residential burglary without forced entry, corporal-injury domestic violence, a criminal threat and an assault with a deadly weapon, reported at 3:04 a.m. **Domestic battery:** 1500 block of Bissell Avenue. A domestic battery was reported at 9:56 a.m. **Criminal threats:** 2300 block of Lancaster Drive. A criminal threat and a firearm-exhibition charge were reported together at 2:51 p.m. **Domestic violence:** 1900 block of Esmond Avenue. The same report listed corporal-injury domestic violence, false imprisonment with violence and damage to a communication device, filed at 4:56 p.m. **Firearm and battery:** 800 block of Griffin Drive. Possession of a firearm by someone with a prior violent-offense conviction was reported alongside domestic battery at 6:06 p.m. **Home burglary:** West Macdonald Avenue. A forced-entry residential burglary was reported at 8:38 p.m. **Domestic violence:** 400 block of Carlson Boulevard. One report covered corporal-injury domestic violence, false imprisonment, felony vandalism and damage to a communication device, filed at 9:01 p.m. **Vehicle recovered:** Marina Way and Potrero Avenue. A previously stolen car was located at 10:15 p.m. **Firearms case:** 900 block of Triangle Court. Carrying a loaded firearm in public, firearm possession by a felon or addict and prohibited possession of ammunition were all logged at 10:28 p.m. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Gonzalez-Hoy, Garibaldi win WCCUSD trustee seats without challengers URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/gonzalez-hoy-garibaldi-win-wccusd-trustee-seats-without-challengers/ Last updated: 2026-08-17T18:34:03.000Z Demetrio Gonzalez-Hoy will serve a third term on the West Contra Costa Unified School District Board of Education. At the same time, Caitlin Garibaldi will join the board for the first time after neither drew an opponent for the November 3 election. Both are the only qualified candidates for the district’s two open trustee seats, Areas 4 and 5, according to Contra Costa County’s certified candidate list. Neither race will appear on the ballot, and both will be sworn in without anyone having voted for them. Grandview Independent · Election '26 WCCUSD Trustee Areas The trustees, area by area: current members and those elected but not yet sworn in 5 trustee areas Four of the district’s five trustee seats have now changed hands or stayed put without a contested vote over the last two election cycles. Jamela Smith-Folds and Cinthia Hernandez both ran unopposed in Areas 1 and 3 in 2024. The one exception was close. Challenger Guadalupe Enllana unseated incumbent Otheree Christian in Area 2 that year, 6,470 votes to 5,297, according to the county’s Statement of Votes by Precinct. It remains the only competitive trustee race WCCUSD has seen in years. Gonzalez-Hoy acknowledged that other community members had considered challenging him before ultimately stepping back. "I know there were community members who considered running for this seat, and I do not take lightly the fact that they ultimately chose to place their trust in me to continue this work," he wrote in a Facebook post. The United Teachers of Richmond, which endorsed both candidates, used similar language in an Aug. 14 email to members. "Demetrio Gonzalez Hoy has been reelected to the WCCUSD Board of Education, and Caitlin Garibaldi has been elected to represent Trustee Area 5," union President Francisco Ortiz wrote. "Both were elected by acclamation." Gonzalez-Hoy, a former bilingual teacher who has served two terms on the board, traced his commitment to public schools back to his own experience as a student. "I came to the United States from Puebla, Mexico, as an English learner at the age of 14\. Teachers helped change the course of my life," he wrote on his campaign site. He named strong schools, fiscal responsibility, support for educators and a stronger voice for families as his priorities for a third term. Garibaldi, a Fairmont Elementary parent entering her first term, pledged not to let the district coast on the programs families rely on. "I am fighting for no cuts to the programs our kids depend on... We need someone who is going to show up, speak up, and fight back," she said in a video posted to Instagram. She said she will spend the fall campaigning for Measure V and Proposition 3. Areas 1, 2 and 3 return to the ballot in 2028\. Areas 4 and 5 will not be contested again until 2030\. ### A tax that cannot skip the ballot Unlike the trustee races, Measure V, the district’s parcel tax renewal, cannot be settled by default. Special taxes require a two-thirds vote under state law. Measure V would continue the district’s existing 7.2-cent-per-square-foot parcel tax for nine more years, with no rate increase. It would raise roughly $10.2 million annually for academics, counseling, libraries, athletics, and teacher retention. WCCUSD’s own pollster, Godbe Research, surveyed 709 likely voters and found support at 65.8 percent, about a point short of what is needed. District officials say a loss would trigger roughly $8 million in cuts. [Poll shows WCCUSD parcel tax renewal short of support needed to passWest Contra Costa Unified School District’s board voted unanimously Wednesday night to put a renewal of its longstanding parcel tax on the November ballot. Its own pollster told trustees that voter support currently falls short of the two-thirds threshold needed to win. The board approved the resolution after![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--2600651f-f99f-4973-ba9b-c42f6fe1de49.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2026-07-17-at-11.40.06-AM-1-4089d80f-4eaa-437b-babf-56d3d0af04e1.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/poll-shows-wccusd-parcel-tax-renewal-short-of-support-needed-to-pass/) Ortiz’s email also urged support for Proposition 3, a statewide measure that extends an existing tax on high earners to fund K-12 and community college education. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond Plunge celebrates 100 years with birthday bash and ribbon-cutting URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-plunge-celebrates-100-years-with-birthday-bash-and-ribbon-cutting/ Last updated: 2026-08-26T22:18:48.000Z Beloved community pool, the Richmond Plunge, celebrated a big milestone on Saturday, drawing a crowd of local dignitaries and well-wishers for a spectacular ribbon-cutting birthday bash. Richmond's Mayor Eduardo Martinez, County Supervisor John Gioia, and Councilmember Cesar Zepeda presided over the ribbon-cutting and dedication ceremony for the 100-year-old pool located at 1 East Richmond Avenue, which not long ago narrowly escaped demolition. Aside from the dedication, the festivities included in-water demonstrations, historical displays, and refreshments. The Plunge, also known as the Municipal Natatorium, began its life as a bathhouse filled with water from a local well mixed with salty water from the Bay. A warm-water indoor pool with design elements that nodded to San Francisco's famed Sutro Baths, the building also included balconies for those wishing to observe rather than swim and a fountain in the shallow end of the pool. Opening at a time when Richmond's population was just a scant 20,000 residents, the Plunge has been a community favorite for generations – a place local kids, parents, and grandparents could all point to as the place they had all learned to swim. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/08/Screenshot-2026-08-15-at-1.05.32-PM.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/08/Screenshot-2026-08-15-at-1.06.36-PM.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/08/Screenshot-2026-08-15-at-1.05.58-PM.png) Photos/ Ed Shelden Jr. Damaged in the 1989 earthquake and already in need of substantial additional repairs, the Plunge was closed in 2001 and was on the path to demolition until the non-profit group Richmond Friends of Recreation stepped in and started the "Save the Richmond Plunge Trust," raising necessary funds for reconstruction, which began in August 2008\. With renovations complete, the pool reopened in 2010 with a few modifications. Gone was the brave-kid favorite high dive board, a safety move made necessary due to the pool's change in depth from 14 to 7 feet as part of the reconstruction. Also removed was the mushroom-esque sculpture that lived in the shallow end of the pool that many Richmond kids will remember. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/08/Screenshot-2026-08-15-at-1.02.27-PM-1.png) Photo/ Linda Hemmila Today, the Plunge offers recreational swimming opportunities for all ages, along with lap swimming and a variety of water fitness classes. For more information and the current schedule, visit: [https://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/2140/Richmond-Plunge](https://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/2140/Richmond-Plunge?ref=grandviewindependent.com) --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) ### Kennedy High set to reopen after tests find no PCE vapor intrusion URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/kennedy-high-set-to-reopen-after-tests-find-no-pce-vapor-intrusion/ Last updated: 2026-08-14T19:26:26.000Z West Contra Costa Unified School District officials said Thursday that new testing found no evidence of vapor intrusion at Kennedy High School and no evidence of immediate or long-term health concerns from the PCE found in soil gas beneath the campus, clearing the way for students and staff to return Tuesday. The district closed the Richmond campus August 3 after preliminary underground vapor testing found tetrachloroethylene, known as PCE, in the soil beneath the school's east side. State officials have said the contamination is part of a broader underground plume in the area that also includes a former dry cleaner site about three-quarters of a mile away and the Miraflores housing development. [District shuts Kennedy High, moves swim programs after PCE discoveryWest Contra Costa Unified School District announced the closure of Kennedy High School to all staff and students on Monday, after preliminary soil-vapor tests found the chemical tetrachloroethylene, also known as PCE, under the campus. In a letter to the Kennedy community, Superintendent Cheryl Cotton said the district received![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--56494046-f6ee-4117-90a0-93e775e9313b.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/kennedy-high-school-construction-richmond-ca3-1-166b252b-d760-4fa9-93e2-51e1b6b6c815.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/district-shuts-kennedy-high-moves-swim-programs-after-pce-discovery/) "Based on new data, the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) has notified us that there is no evidence of vapor intrusion at Kennedy High School, and there is no evidence of immediate or long-term health concerns from the PCE in soil gas," Superintendent Cheryl Cotton wrote in a letter to the Kennedy community Thursday. "Our colleagues at the DTSC have notified us that our results represent the best possible scenario." Cotton said DTSC would provide the district with a letter Thursday formalizing the findings and has committed to continued monitoring of the site. The district said it is lifting entry restrictions on the Kennedy campus and will work with labor partners and staff to plan a transition back to the campus ahead of Tuesday's reopening. According to Cotton, district officials met Thursday morning with DTSC, the district's third-party testing contractor, the City of Richmond, Contra Costa County Department of Public Health, and UCSF Medical Center. "All medical doctors and environmental scientists on this morning's call agreed that there should be no immediate or long-term health concerns based on these results," Cotton wrote. The results, however, were not entirely clean. Cotton said detectable levels of PCE were found in indoor air samples from the Kennedy kitchen and the metal shop. "This is not related to vapor intrusion and could be from consumer products," she wrote, adding that the levels exceeded residential screening levels but fell well below limits for commercial or occupational spaces. The district is temporarily pausing use of both spaces "out of an abundance of caution" while it conducts further evaluation. Dr. Gina Solomon, chief of occupational, environmental and climate medicine in the Department of Medicine at UCSF, told district families and staff at an August 5 community briefing that she would not be very worried about a student or staff member who had been on campus over the past year. "I think that the school has jumped onto this issue quickly, and I think is avoiding most of the health risk. At least that is my best understanding at this time," Solomon said, adding that state regulatory levels for chemicals like PCE carry a wide safety margin. "Those long-term health effects usually need many years of exposure. It's not something that happens quickly." The California Department of Toxic Substances Control has said it does not require a school closure over the PCE findings; the decision to close Kennedy was the district's own risk-informed call, officials have said. District and site staff, along with DTSC, will hold a second Cross-Agency Town Hall on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at the Richmond Auditorium, which will also be livestreamed on the WCCUSD YouTube channel, to answer community questions ahead of Tuesday's reopening. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### FPPC clears Robinson of financial conflict, issues $400 fine for not citing conflict URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/fppc-clears-robinson-of-financial-conflict-issues-400-fine-for-not-citing-conflict/ Last updated: 2026-08-12T19:38:24.000Z *Updated on August 12, 2026 12:35 p.m.* The California Fair Political Practices Commission found insufficient evidence that Richmond City Councilmember Doria Robinson made, participated in, or influenced a government decision in which she had a financial interest, the central allegation in a complaint filed by former Mayor Tom Butt. However, the commission proposed a $400 fine after finding Robinson failed to properly recuse herself from a 2023 vote involving Urban Tilth, the Richmond nonprofit where she serves as executive director. The finding is outlined in a July 8 stipulation letter in FPPC Case No. 2025-00236\. Investigators determined Robinson violated Government Code Section 87105 by failing to state on the record the nature of her financial interest in Urban Tilth before leaving the room during an October 3, 2023, vote on a city contract with the nonprofit. State law requires public officials with a financial conflict to identify the conflict on the record, in enough detail for the public to understand it, and then leave the room until the matter is resolved. Robinson left the room, according to the FPPC letter, but did not identify Urban Tilth as the source of her conflict. "Though you stated that you had a conflict of interest and you left the room, by failing to identify the financial interest that gave rise to the conflict, you were in violation of Government Code section 87105," Theresa Gilbertson, an FPPC enforcement division attorney supervisor, wrote. The $400 penalty is part of the FPPC's streamlined settlement program for lower-level violations and covers a single count. Butt, who has pursued complaints against Robinson over her dual roles as councilmember and Urban Tilth executive director since 2024, described the stipulation as a vindication of his efforts in an email to his e-forum subscribers Wednesday morning. He cited the document's statement that Robinson "has violated the Political Reform Act" and argued that the underlying conflict goes beyond the recusal violation identified by the FPPC. "There are strict statutes that define how a recusal must be made, and Robinson did not comply, thus depriving the public about the true nature of her conflict," Butt wrote. Robinson posted her own response online Wednesday morning, along with photos of the FPPC letter, and emphasized the narrower finding. She noted that investigators found no evidence she had improperly influenced a government decision and said the violation involved a single incident early in her first term. "This investigation cited me because on one occasion in 2023 during my first year in office that although I recused myself and left the room not participating in the decision, I did not explicitly state the source of the conflict, my employer's name," Robinson wrote. "At the time, I did not have clear legal guidance that informed me of the exact words I would need to say to be fully compliant. After that instance, I received legal advice and have clearly stated my conflict." "Over four years, I made one error in the very beginning before I knew the exact words to say," she wrote. "I have been cited, paid the fine." In a follow-up post published after this story ran, Robinson described the finding as "one instance of procedural violation due to a partial verbal recusal" and said she has since recused herself from all council discussions of the TCC grant and disconnected from its management and implementation. The finding follows an earlier development in the same dispute. In January 2025, the FPPC dismissed a complaint Butt filed against Robinson's handling of the Transformative Climate Communities grant, finding insufficient evidence that she had failed to comply with the commission's advice on the matter. Robinson has said the TCC grant was applied for and awarded before she took office, calling it normal practice for nonprofits to collaborate with the city on securing state grants. Robinson has said the TCC grant was applied for and awarded before she took office, noting that Urban Tilth was one of seven partners on the grant and that nonprofit-city collaboration on such grants is standard practice, and in some cases, a requirement of the grant itself. [FPPC dismisses complaint against Richmond Councilmember Doria RobinsonThe California Fair Political Practices Commission has dismissed a complaint filed by former Richmond Mayor Tom Butt against City Councilmember Doria Robinson, alleging violations related to her involvement with the Transformative Climate Communities grant. The FPPC determined there was insufficient evidence to support Butt’s claims that Robinson failed to![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--60295d13-515e-4960-9ee0-7489b3315df8.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-city-council-doria-robinson--b6065c7f-c847-464d-a887-5cde8b05f05d.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/fppc-dismisses-second-complaint-against-richmond-councilmember-doria-robinson-2/) Butt sought reconsideration of that dismissal, which led to the recusal-specific finding in the latest case. Robinson has previously pointed to the FPPC complaints against her as evidence that the state's ethics enforcement system works as intended. She made the point during a Richmond City Council discussion this summer of the[ GATE Act](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-council-advances-fire-station-bond-toward-november-ballot-rejects-ethics-commission-measure/), a ballot measure that would have created an independent city ethics commission but failed to qualify. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. 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Richmond’s latest food moves URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/new-restaurants-rebrands-and-a-fish-district-richmonds-latest-food-moves/ Last updated: 2026-08-12T17:17:38.000Z Richmond's restaurant landscape is shifting again, with a burger shop changing names, new Salvadoran and Middle Eastern restaurants moving into 23rd Street, and a longtime fried-fish spot finding a new home on Macdonald Avenue. Here's a look at some of the latest openings, moves, and changes around town. ### The Burger Spot Co. quietly replaces Tommy's Burger Co. The Burger Spot Co. has taken over the counter at 12560 San Pablo Avenue in Richmond's North and East neighborhood, the same address where Tommy's Burger Co. opened in October 2025 after months of permit delays. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/08/the-burger-spot-co-mural-richmond-ca.webp) The Burger Spot Co. is at 12560 San Pablo Avenue in Richmond, the same address where Tommy's Burger Co. previously operated. Photo/ Ed Shelden Jr. [Tommy's website](https://www.tommysburgerco.com/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) still carries its old branding, but its order-now link now leads to The Burger Spot Co.'s ordering page. Nunez General Construction, which is run by Tommy's business partner Juan Nunez, began posting photos of the repainted Burger Spot Co. branding on Aug. 2. The menu also looks familiar. Cheeseburgers come with "Boss Sauce," lettuce, tomato, and caramelized onions, priced at $11.55 to $18.55\. The reason for the change hasn't been explained. ### Antojitos Caseros by El Cuscatlan opens on 23rd Street Antojitos Caseros by El Cuscatlan has opened at 969 23rd Street, joining Salvadoran restaurants in Hercules, San Pablo and San Rafael that appear to be affiliated with it. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/08/antojitos-caseros-el-cuscatlan-grand-opening-richmond-ca-1.webp) Antojitos Caseros by El Cuscatlan recently opened at 969 23rd Street, serving Salvadoran classics including pupusas, soups and platos típicos. Photo/ Linda Hemmila The restaurant was closed when we stopped by this week. Its current schedule lists it as open Wednesday through Sunday, and online ordering is scheduled to reopen Aug. 13. The menu focuses on Salvadoran classics, including corn and rice pupusas, soups such as frijol con costilla, pescado, res, and pata, and a selection of platos típicos. There's also a small burger and sandwich section. ### Amor Grill Falafel and Shawarma opens on 23rd Street El Sabor Sinaloense, which occupied the space at 930 23rd Street, had been closed for some time. Amor Grill Falafel and Shawarma has now opened in its place, with signs up and doors open for business. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/08/amor-grill-falafel-shawarma-storefront-richmond-ca-1.webp) Amor Grill Falafel and Shawarma is now open at 930 23rd Street, the former home of El Sabor Sinaloense. Photo/ Linda Hemmila Amor Grill is bringing falafel and shawarma to 23rd Street, a Richmond food corridor known for its Mexican, Salvadoran and Guatemalan restaurants. ### Shawaramazing gets closer to opening in El Sobrante Another new Middle Eastern restaurant is preparing to open nearby. Shawaramazing has spent months teasing an opening at 3873 San Pablo Dam Road in El Sobrante, the former home of California Thai Restaurant across from Mechanics Bank. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/08/shawaramazing-cafe-storefront-el-sobrante-ca.webp) A sign for Shawaramazing & Cafe is now up at 3873 San Pablo Dam Road in El Sobrante, where the Syrian-style shawarma restaurant is preparing to open. Photo/ Linda Hemmila The restaurant's Instagram account has been promoting Syrian-style, 100 percent halal shawarma since April, promising "the strongest shawarma in town." A "Shawaramazing & Cafe" sign is now up outside, although the windows are still papered over and no opening date has been announced. ### Boulevard Fish moves to Macdonald Avenue Boulevard Fish & Barbeque, the mom-and-pop spot that's been serving fried fish in Richmond for 15 years, has relocated to 3231 Macdonald Avenue from its longtime location on Cutting Boulevard. It's open Monday through Saturday. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/08/boulevard-fish-barbeque-macdonald-ave-richmond-ca-1.webp) Boulevard Fish & Barbeque has relocated to 3231 Macdonald Avenue after 15 years at its former location on Cutting Boulevard. Photo/ Linda Hemmila The new address has some restaurant history. A [previous Burrito Trail stop](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-richmond-burrito-trail-rincon-michoacano-taqueria/) found Rincon Michoacano Taqueria there, in a building that had also housed Los Macias Taqueria and El Paraiso Cafe. Boulevard Fish now joins two other fried fish shops on Macdonald Avenue. CJ's BBQ & Fish is eight blocks away at 2401 Macdonald Avenue, serving barbecue and fried catfish. JJ Fish & Chicken is even closer at 3600 Macdonald Avenue, offering fried fish and seafood gumbo alongside its wings. That's three fried fish shops on one street. If The New Snapper's Seafood Restaurant ever decides to leave its spot on Ohio Avenue, Macdonald could be looking at a fourth. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Update: Suspect arrested in fatal Wood Place stabbing that left one dead URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/one-killed-another-expected-to-survive-after-belding-woods-stabbing/ Last updated: 2026-08-12T21:00:51.000Z *Updated on August 12, 2026 at 2:00 p.m.* Richmond police arrested a suspect Wednesday morning in connection with a stabbing that left one man dead and another hospitalized late Tuesday night in the 1700 block of Wood Place. Police say David Contreras, 30, of Richmond, stabbed both victims following an argument inside a transitional home before fleeing the scene. Contreras turned himself in Wednesday morning at the Concord Parole Office. He was arrested and booked into the Martinez Detention Facility. Police identified the man who died as Michael Young, 59, of Martinez. A second victim was hospitalized and is listed in stable condition. Dispatchers received a report of a stabbing at approximately 11:18 p.m. Officers and medical personnel responded and found two victims with stab wounds. Both were taken to a hospital, where one later died. The second victim is in stable condition and is expected to survive. Homicide detectives have taken over the investigation. Police said that based on the information available, they believe the stabbing was an isolated incident and that there is no active threat to the community. Anyone with information is asked to call the Richmond Police Department at (510) 233-1214. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### What's the Buzz: El Jardín de los Sueños Cafe, coffee edition URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/whats-the-buzz-el-jardin-de-los-suenos-cafe-coffee-edition/ Last updated: 2026-08-11T19:27:33.000Z Grandview Independent · GrandEATS What's the Buzz Reviewing coffee shops around Richmond, CA ☕ 0 stops visited El Jardín de los Sueños Café is the kind of Richmond coffee shop where there’s plenty to look at while you wait for your drink: pink walls, string lights, a garden-like entrance, a kids’ play area and a cabinet full of random trinkets left behind by visitors. The café occupies a sprawling space near the freeway overpass that has had a few lives before this one. There was an indoor playground, a storefront church and a real estate office, where a neighbor said her father worked. ****If you go:** El Jardín de los Sueños Cafe, 12411 San Pablo Avenue, Richmond A mural covers one side of the building. Inside, there’s a pastry case, chalkboard menus and people with laptops who look like they are settling in for a work session. We'd been here before, back when we stopped in for the Richmond Burrito Trail. At the time, the banner out front was still doing most of the talking. [On the Richmond Burrito Trail: El Jardín de los Sueños breakfast editionA banner will get you every time. It was flapping along San Pablo Avenue, bright and impossible to miss, promising BREAKFAST BURRITOS with absolute confidence. No qualifiers. No fine print. We were already pulling in. El Jardín de los Sueños, at 12411 San Pablo Avenue, occupies a sprawling space almost![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--b8d610dd-fda5-44ba-9c20-108c69ae5008.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/el-jardin-de-los-suenos-richmond-breakfast-burrito-outside-1-d07986a6-5e15-4314-af41-88d16bc29ea7.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-richmond-burrito-trail-el-jardin-de-los-suenos-breakfast-edition/) Inside the entrance, a garden foyer with trellised vines and potted ferns leads into the café. A couple of campaign signs are standing there, Claudia and Ahmad, side by side. They're the two candidates who came out of the runoff and are now headed toward each other again in November. Nobody here seems ready to pick a side yet, least of all the foyer. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/08/el-jardin-de-los-suenos-garden-foyer-campaign-signs-1-1.webp) Claudia Jiménez and Ahmad Anderson campaign signs, tucked among the trellised vines in the garden foyer at El Jardín de los Sueños, ahead of their November mayoral rematch. Out back, there’s a covered walkway, palm trees and picnic tables on artificial turf. We ordered a mocha, a cappuccino and a vanilla latte. The total was $18.76. The mocha leaned heavily toward chocolate. Compared with the other drinks we've tried on this crawl, there was less coffee coming through. It was more dessert than drink. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/08/el-jardin-de-los-suenos-coffee-review-richmond-ca2.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/08/el-jardin-de-los-suenos-coffee-review-richmond-ca1.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/08/el-jardin-de-los-suenos-coffee-review-richmond-ca3.webp) Inside El Jardín de los Sueños, dining tables and a coffee counter give way to a snack aisle stocked with Mexican candy and chips, and a bakery case running the length of the room toward the front door. The cappuccino was solid. There was actual coffee flavor under the milk, which sounds like a low bar until you remember how many stops on this trail have missed it. It still wasn't Catahoula, which remains the one to beat. The vanilla latte was the table favorite. It was balanced, had no bitter aftertaste, and came with actual microfoam instead of milk with a few bubbles dumped on top. So where does El Jardín de los Sueños land? Somewhere in the middle of the pack. It beats Kaleidoscope, where the coffee barely registered despite being the most expensive stop so far. It sits just behind Roma Caffe, which is still the table favorite. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### What happened in Richmond: 11 stolen cars, robbery and firearm arrest URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/what-happened-in-richmond-11-stolen-cars-robbery-and-firearm-arrest/ Last updated: 2026-09-07T01:07:17.000Z Richmond police logged 11 stolen vehicles last week, a sharp drop from the 27 reported the previous week, as vehicle thefts and burglaries remained among the most common calls for service. Officers also investigated an armed robbery, a carjacking, a firearms case and several domestic violence incidents between August 3 and 9. Grandview Independent Richmond Crime Incident Map Loading... From To Load Incident locations are approximate. RPD reports crimes by block, not exact address, to protect privacy. ## Filter by type All Loading... ### Monday, August 3 **Domestic battery:** 2800 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue. Police arrested a suspect for domestic battery at 1:19 a.m. **5th Street snatch:** 500 block of 5th Street. A vehicle was reported stolen at 6:46 a.m. **Auto burglary:** 4900 block of Macdonald Avenue. A vehicle break-in was reported at 6:56 a.m. **Trespassing:** 2600 block of Lancaster Drive. Police arrested a suspect for trespassing at 9:35 a.m. **Aggravated battery:** 100 block of West Macdonald Avenue. An assault causing serious bodily injury was reported at 12:16 p.m. **Identity fraud:** 1300 block of Macdonald Avenue. A resident reported someone had fraudulently used their identity at 3:34 p.m. **Battery:** 15500 block of San Pablo Avenue. A battery was reported at 9 p.m. **Suspended-license arrest:** Somewhere in the 94804 zip code. Police arrested a driver for operating a vehicle on a DUI-suspended license just before midnight. ### Tuesday, August 4 **Parts theft:** 200 block of South 23rd Street. Vehicle parts were reported stolen just before 1 a.m. **Officer battery arrest:** Somewhere in the 94804 zip code. Police arrested a suspect for battery on a peace officer at 1:19 a.m. **Hit-and-run:** 400 block of Barrett Avenue. A driver fled after causing property damage at 1:47 a.m. **Car theft:** 2nd Street. A vehicle was unlawfully acquired at 5 a.m. **Auto burglary:** 6000 block of Sacramento Avenue. A vehicle break-in was reported at 5:33 a.m. **Battery arrest:** 4600 block of Potrero Avenue. Police arrested a suspect on charges of battery and criminal threats at 7:07 a.m. **Boosted on Bissell:** 1600 block of Bissell Avenue. A vehicle was reported stolen at 7:35 a.m. **Lost and found:** 400 block of 38th Street. A vehicle reported stolen was recovered shortly after at 8:29 a.m. **Car theft:** 1100 block of Chanslor Avenue. Someone’s car was snatched under cover of darkness and reported missing at 8:53 a.m. **Vehicle recovered:** 700 block of 19th Street. A previously stolen car was located at 9:30 a.m. **Petty theft:** 1200 block of Macdonald Avenue. A theft was reported at 9:45 a.m. **Identity fraud:** 1700 block of Gaynor Avenue. A resident reported fraudulent use of their identity around 10 a.m. **Vehicle recovered:** 4500 block of Macdonald Avenue. Another stolen car turned up at 11:27 a.m. **Domestic violence:** 3100 block of Southampton Court. A corporal-injury domestic violence case was reported at 12:20 p.m. **Stalking:** 1800 block of Chanslor Avenue. A stalking complaint involving a prior offense was reported at 12:41 p.m. **Petty theft:** 300 block of 1st Street. A theft was reported at 1:11 p.m. **Car theft:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. A car was pinched on the Parkway at 1:23 p.m. **Armed robbery:** 500 block of South 20th Street. A robbery involving a dangerous weapon was reported at 2:35 p.m. **Access card fraud:** 2500 block of Macdonald Avenue. A theft involving unauthorized use of access card information was reported at 3:25 p.m. **False pretenses:** Near Crystal Cove Court. A victim reported losing more than $400 through false pretenses at 3:26 p.m. **Petty theft:** 12200 block of San Pablo Avenue. A theft was reported at 4:51 p.m. **Vehicle recovered:** 500 block of 4th Street. A stolen car was located at 5:49 p.m. **Parts theft:** Schooner Court. Vehicle parts were reported stolen at 5:55 p.m. **Auto burglary and forgery:** 500 block of 27th Street. A vehicle burglary was reported alongside a forgery involving false checks at 6 p.m. **Stalking arrest:** 1800 block of Chanslor Avenue. Police arrested a suspect for stalking at 6:51 p.m. **Obstruction arrest:** 2400 block of Aberdeen Way. Police arrested a suspect for obstructing an officer at 7:02 p.m. **Trespassing:** 1000 block of Cutting Boulevard. Police arrested a suspect for refusing to leave a property at 9:11 p.m. ### Wednesday, August 5 **Carjacking, DUI and burglary arrest:** Somewhere in the 94804 zip code. Police arrested a suspect in a case that combined a strong-arm carjacking, a DUI charge and a hit-and-run property damage allegation just after midnight; the same report number was tied to a forced-entry residential burglary in the 5000 block of Hartnett Avenue reported at 3:21 p.m. **4th Street recovery:** 600 block of 4th Street. A recovered stolen vehicle was linked to a hit-and-run complaint just after midnight. **Hit-and-run:** 600 block of 32nd Street. Officers reported both an obstruction charge and a hit-and-run shortly after midnight. **Auto burglary:** 300 block of Marina Way South. Police arrested three suspects on charges of auto burglary, obstructing officers and criminal conspiracy at 2:59 a.m. **Domestic violence:** 100 block of South 11th Street. Police arrested a suspect for corporal-injury domestic violence at 3:44 a.m. **Car theft:** 1600 block of Monterey Street. A vehicle was reported stolen at 6:33 a.m. **Car theft:** 2600 block of Hinkley Avenue. Another one at 8:20 a.m. **Car theft:** 5300 block of Bayview Avenue. Yet another one at 9:07 a.m. **False ID arrest:** In the 94801\. Police arrested a suspect for giving a false identification to a peace officer at 11:27 a.m. **Protective order violation:** 5300 block of Birdie Court. A contempt-of-court complaint for violating a protective order was reported at 11:58 a.m. **Auto burglary:** 900 block of Nevin Avenue. A vehicle break-in was reported at noon. **Battery:** 700 block of 10th Street. A battery was reported at 12:11 p.m. **Theft from vehicle:** 600 block of Key Boulevard. Items were reported stolen from a vehicle at 12:25 p.m. **Domestic violence and false imprisonment arrest:** No listed address. Police arrested a suspect on charges of corporal-injury domestic violence and false imprisonment involving violence at 1:19 p.m. **False pretenses:** 200 block of South 18th Street. A fraud case involving money obtained through false pretenses was reported at 1:36 p.m. **Domestic:** Canary Lane. Police arrested a suspect for corporal-injury domestic violence at 2:56 p.m. **Home burglary:** 2900 block of Birmingham Drive. A forced-entry residential burglary was reported at 3:02 p.m. **Drug possession:** Somewhere in the 94804 zip code. A misdemeanor controlled-substance possession charge was reported at 3:04 p.m. **Firearms arrest:** 600 block of 19th Street. Police arrested a suspect on charges including illegal discharge of a firearm, unlawful storage, possession of a large-capacity magazine and carrying a loaded firearm in public at 7:07 p.m. **Battery:** 2500 block of Rydin Road. Police arrested a suspect on a battery charge at 8:49 p.m. ### Thursday, August 6 **Auto burglary:** 1500 block of Potrero Avenue. A vehicle break-in was reported at 1:41 a.m. **Domestic violence:** 600 block of South 31st Street. A corporal-injury domestic violence case was reported at 3:13 a.m. **Grand theft:** Somewhere in the 94801 zip code. A theft was reported just before 7 a.m. **Trespassing arrests:** 2400 block of Aberdeen Way. Police arrested seven suspected trespassers at 8:53 a.m. **Civic Center theft:** 400 block of Civic Center Plaza. A grand theft was reported at 9:11 a.m. **Theft from vehicle:** 5800 block of Jefferson Avenue. Items were taken from a car at 11:07 a.m. **Petty theft:** 2800 block of Sheldon Drive. A theft was reported at 6 p.m. **Drugs and officer battery:** 300 block of Macdonald Avenue. A report combined possession of a controlled substance and marijuana for sale with a felony battery charge against a police officer at 6:01 p.m. ### Friday, August 7 **Assault with force:** 700 block of 24th Street. An assault with force causing possible great bodily injury was reported at 7:15 a.m., along with a charge of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor filed under the same report number. **DUI arrest:** Somewhere in the 94801 zip code. Police arrested a driver on a DUI charge tied to a stop at 3:30 p.m. **Parts theft:** 2900 block of Garvin Avenue. Vehicle parts were reported stolen at 4 p.m. **Custody dispute:** 15500 block of San Pablo Avenue. A report of depriving another party of custody or visitation rights was filed at 6:12 p.m. **Vehicle recovered:** 2600 block of Wilart Drive. A previously stolen car was located at 7:13 p.m. **Domestic violence:** 600 block of 20th Street. A domestic violence case was reported at 8:23 p.m. **Car theft:** 3600 block of Sierra Ridge Avenue. A vehicle was reported stolen at 8:45 p.m. **Hartnett Avenue arrest:** 5000 block of Hartnett Avenue. Police arrested a suspect on charges of assault with force causing possible great bodily injury, corporal-injury domestic violence and willful cruelty to a child, just before midnight. ### Saturday, August 8 **Auto burglary:** 5200 block of Gordon Avenue. A vehicle break-in was reported at 4:30 a.m. **Auto burglary:** 200 block of Harbour Way South. A second vehicle break-in was reported at 7:15 a.m. **Theft and burglary:** 200 block of Sanford Avenue. A grand theft and an auto burglary were both reported at 8:46 a.m. **Grand theft:** 400 block of Willard Avenue. A theft was reported at 9 a.m. **Car theft:** Klose Way. A grand theft was reported at 3:45 p.m. **DUI arrest:** Somewhere in the 94801 zip code. Police arrested a driver on dual DUI charges at 5:07 p.m. **Home burglary:** 2500 block of Duke Avenue. A forced-entry residential burglary was reported at 8:42 p.m. **Grand theft:** Somewhere in the 94801 zip code. A theft was reported sometime during the day. ### Sunday, August 9 **Tear gas possession:** 4800 block of Hartnett Avenue. Unlawful possession of a tear gas weapon was reported at 3 a.m. **13th Street car break-in:** 100 block of 13th Street. A theft from a vehicle was reported at 3:43 a.m. **Domestic violence:** West Richmond Avenue. A report combining domestic battery, damage to a communication device and a protective-order violation was filed at 9:30 a.m. **Robbery:** 3300 block of Cutting Boulevard. A robbery was reported at 5:42 p.m. **Drug possession, vehicle recovery:** Somewhere in the 94801 zip code. A recovered stolen vehicle was linked to charges of drug possession and possession of paraphernalia, reported at 6:13 p.m. **Custody dispute:** 12800 block of San Pablo Avenue. A report of depriving another party of custody or visitation rights was filed at 6:17 p.m. **Pierce Street burglary:** 3200 block of Pierce Street. A vehicle break-in was reported at 7:47 p.m. **Restricted-license violation:** Somewhere in the 94801 zip code. A driver was cited for operating a vehicle on a DUI-restricted license at 8:29 p.m. **Car theft:** 200 block of Nevin Avenue. A vehicle was reported stolen at 10:53 p.m. **Vehicle recovered:** Somewhere in the 94804 zip code. A previously stolen vehicle was recovered at 11:47 p.m. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Wildcat Canyon bike trail divides neighbors over recreation, habitat URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/wildcat-canyon-bike-trail-divides-neighbors-over-recreation-habitat/ Last updated: 2026-08-09T18:09:47.000Z A proposed mountain bike trail in Wildcat Canyon Regional Park has divided neighbors, park advocates and environmental watchdogs for more than three years. A draft environmental impact report is expected this fall, setting up a decision on whether the East Bay Regional Park District's most contested trail project in years will move forward. The proposal calls for a 1.4-mile downhill-only trail that would run alongside the existing Mezue fire road. Berms, rollers and turns would be used to control riders' speed. The trail is designed for beginner and intermediate riders, with an average grade not exceeding 5 to 8 percent. Opponents say the trail doesn't belong in a natural area. Supporters, including the youth mountain bike teams the trail is intended to serve, say it would help address overcrowding on trails they already use. The dispute has taken on a life of its own on Nextdoor, joining a short list of local fights, including the El Cerrito library tax and the Hopkins Street bike lane, that routinely draw hundreds of comments and turn neighbors against one another. The project dates back to 2020, when the Northern California chapter of the National Interscholastic Cycling Association approached the district about the growth of middle and high school teams in Berkeley, El Cerrito, Albany and Richmond. [Park district considers mountain bike flow trail at Wildcat Canyon ParkMembers of local high school mountain bike teams came out in force to support a proposed mountain bike trail at Wildcat Canyon Park during a public workshop held by the East Bay Regional Park District last month. The East Bay Regional Park District has received a lot of interest in![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--4b66ed71-a8a9-4ae9-ba39-570fb7bc4df1.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/The-Park-District-Wildcat-Canyon-Regional-Park-3e04a6e4-72c9-4ffd-9318-1200902f0d78.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/boomers-battle-genz-over-wildcat-canyon-mountain-bike-trail/) The district says those teams log about 40,000 riding hours each season on 30 miles of trails shared with hikers and equestrians. Scott Bartlebaugh, an advocate with the [Bicycle Trails Council of the East Bay,](https://btceb.org/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) said staff discussions began in December 2020\. The issue eventually reached Ward 1 Director Elizabeth Echols, whose district includes Wildcat Canyon. Joel Shrock, advocacy lead for [Bay Area Mountain Biking](https://www.bambimtb.org/?ref=grandviewindependent.com), said the project grew out of the same overcrowding problem seen at nearby Tilden Regional Park. Opponents remember that period differently. Steve Lautze of [Friends of Wildcat Canyon Park](https://www.protectwildcatcanyon.org/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) said a multi-user committee was working to address trail conflicts around the same time park staff were meeting separately with bike advocates and prospective donors. He said he learned about those meetings through a public records request. "We found out that the planning was happening for this trail," Lautze said. "We're not against mountain bikes or mountain bike trails, but we want to have a clean, clear, transparent process." Bartlebaugh and Shrock reject the idea that the project was developed secretly. They point to two scoping meetings, several community presentations and thousands of public comments since then. [Park district moves forward with Wildcat Canyon bike trail environmental reviewThe East Bay Regional Park District Board of Directors on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, approved the release of a Notice of Preparation for an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) on a proposed new bike trail in Wildcat Canyon Regional Park. The vote advances a project that has sparked intense public interest![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--86538489-565d-4904-8924-f6985b41e1a8.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Wildcat-Canyon-Flow-Trail-east-bay-parks-afca86fe-63b5-4a6e-a5d9-3b3a29481408.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/park-district-moves-forward-with-wildcat-canyon-bike-trail-environmental-review/) Shrock said he asked opponents to propose an alternative site. He said none did. The biggest disagreement may be over whether Wildcat Canyon's natural area designation allows a trail of this kind. Norman La Force represents the [Sustainability, Parks, Recycling, and Wildlife Legal Defense Fund,](https://sprawldef.com/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) colloquially known as SPRAWLDEF. He said the park's 1985 land use plan designates nearly all of Wildcat Canyon as a natural area, with the Alvarado Staging Area as the only exception. Before the trail can be built, he said, the district would need to amend that plan because the proposed project amounts to what he calls an intensive recreational facility. Marcy Greenhut, also with Friends of Wildcat Canyon Park, said the environmental review is looking at too small an area. The study area covers the trail corridor, she said, even though the project's effects could extend to connecting trails. "We know because they're going to be biking all over here, that's going to impact this whole area," Greenhut said. "If it's just this area here, that's a totally disingenuous study." The district FAQ disputes the zoning argument and says the 1997 and 2013 master plans allow narrow trails for hiking, riding and bicycling within natural units. Most of Crockett Hills has the same designation, as do 97 percent of Pleasanton Ridge and most of Briones Regional Park. All three already have bike trails. The district also says the proposed trail is consistent with the 1985 Wildcat Canyon Land Use Plan, which lists bicycling as an appropriate use. Shrock made a similar argument. He said the land use plan calls for parks to be 70 to 90 percent natural area and that building a trail through open grassland does not change that classification. Bartlebaugh described natural area as a broad classification intended to indicate less development, distinguishing it from the Alvarado Park designation for parking and picnic areas. **Habitat, landslides and the creek** Greenhut said the project threatens habitat for the Alameda whipsnake, grasshopper sparrow and a mountain lion corridor that runs through the park. Even a relatively small trail footprint can break up a wildlife corridor, she said. The [district's biological study](https://www.ebparks.org/sites/default/files/Final%5FWildcat%5FTrail%5FBRA%5FNomad%5F011323.pdf?ref=grandviewindependent.com), conducted by Nomad Ecology, confirms the potential presence of several sensitive species, including the whipsnake, California red-legged frog and nesting birds during construction. The district says preconstruction surveys and monitoring can reduce those impacts. La Force has also raised concerns about landslides and impacts to Wildcat Creek. He said the district's early materials understated both risks. Bartlebaugh disagreed. He said the proposed trail would be narrower and have a gentler grade than the existing Mezue fire road, and that there is no recent history of active landslides in the area. He said the trail would be several hundred feet from the creek, on the other side of the fire road, and that erosion should be less than what the fire road already produces through routine grading. **Havey Canyon and the traffic question** Lautze and Greenhut said a circulation map prepared by a district consultant shows Havey Canyon Trail as the gentlest route back to the top of the proposed trail. They expect riders to funnel onto it despite its seasonal closure and sensitive habitat. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/08/Wildcat-Canyon-Flow-Trail1.webp) A map from EBRPD shows the proposed alignment for the Wildcat Canyon flow trail, running alongside existing Mezue Trail, along with the proposed fence line. Shrock said Havey Canyon closes to bikes during the winter for a different reason: Its clay soil gums up tires when wet, he said, rather than because of the trail's scenery or grade. He pointed to a trail called Enticer in Redding as a precedent. Before that trail was built, he said, bike traffic was spread throughout the trail system. Afterward, riders concentrated on the new trail, easing pressure elsewhere. Bartlebaugh made a similar argument, pointing to the Briones pilot project and Crockett Hills Regional Park as examples of legal, purpose-built trails that reduce the use of unauthorized routes rather than increasing them. **The million-dollar question** La Force said two donors have pledged $1 million toward construction, contingent on the district approving the trail. He said the district has already spent about $500,000 on the project. He expects the environmental review to identify problems and said that could leave the board with an uncomfortable choice: certify a report that acknowledges known impacts and keep the money, or decline to certify it and lose the $1 million. "My response is just follow the money," La Force said. He said he doubts any director would vote to let a million dollars slip away. The district's FAQ says the district does not create projects in response to private donations. The Regional Parks Foundation, the district's philanthropic partner, was approached with a donation offer in 2021, according to the FAQ. But the foundation has not finalized an agreement or accepted any funds while the board's review continues. Cort Cooper and Barb Smith of Kensington confirmed they are the donors. They said they proposed the flow trail, along with others, in 2021 and would donate toward construction if the trail is approved. "We will be glad to make a donation to support construction if the trail is approved," they said. Cooper co-founded the Wildcat mountain bike club for middle schoolers in 2013 and has led it ever since. More than 500 youth riders from Richmond, El Cerrito, Albany and Berkeley have gone through the program, they said. Smith rides as a coach. The two said they support "rigorous environmental evaluation and healthy discussion of the proposal's merits." **The Briones precedent** A separate legal fight over bike trails in another East Bay park is also shaping the debate over Wildcat Canyon. SPRAWLDEF sued the district over bike trails in Briones Regional Park, arguing that they needed an additional environmental review. On July 31, an Alameda County Superior Court judge denied the group's petition, ruling that the trails were exempt because they formalized pre-existing routes. The judge also said the group's underlying concerns about heavy bicycle use "appear supported." Bartlebaugh and Shrock both cited the ruling as a victory for the district's approach. But there is a key difference: The Briones case involved existing trails, while the Wildcat Canyon proposal calls for new construction. A compliance hearing to finalize the judgment is scheduled for August 27. **Fencing** Both sides agree that the district plans to use wildlife fencing to keep cattle off the trail. The fencing would be divided into three or four individual sections rather than a single continuous barrier. Bartlebaugh and Shrock both said the gaps are intended to allow cattle and wildlife to move through. Areas without fencing would instead receive reinforced surfacing where seasonal water crosses the trail. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/08/wildcat-canyon-flow-trail.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/08/wildcat-canyon-flow-trail2.webp) Joel Shrock describes barbed wire fencing already running "all over the place" near the top of Mezue Trail, and says the steep slope is causing erosion visible in the rutted trail surface. Photos/ Joel Shrock That account has been publicly disputed. One resident, citing designs presented by the district, has described the fencing as barbed wire and raised concerns about wildlife injuries. Shrock said barbed wire fencing already exists on Mezue. He said the area has fencing "all over the place" because of existing cattle grazing, rather than the new trail project. One point in the debate goes against the opposition's safety argument. Shrock, who recently visited the site with his son, said the existing Mezue Trail is steep enough that a rider could coast at 35 to 40 mph without any engineered speed controls. The proposed flow trail, by comparison, is specifically designed to slow riders with rollers and a gate where the new trail would meet Mezue. If speed on the hillside is the real safety concern, Shrock argued, the existing fire road presents the bigger problem, not the trail designed to serve downhill riders. The draft environmental impact report is expected this fall. Its release will begin a public comment period and hearing. A final report addressing those comments will follow, along with another comment period. The park district board will then vote on whether to certify the report and approve or deny the project. If the report identifies significant, unavoidable environmental impacts, the board will have to decide whether to proceed or look for another location. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Concord man sentenced to 18 years in case tied to Richmond drug lab URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/concord-man-sentenced-to-18-years-in-case-tied-to-richmond-drug-lab/ Last updated: 2026-08-08T19:08:51.000Z A Concord man was sentenced to 18 years in federal prison Friday for running a drug manufacturing operation out of a Richmond warehouse, as well as carrying out a yearslong extortion campaign and shooting at federal agents during his arrest. The Richmond warehouse made news in January 2024 when a cleanup at the Pennsylvania Avenue site set off a chemical reaction. The city sent out a Nixle alert warning of smoke, telling residents within a six-block radius to stay indoors and avoid the area. [Suspected drug lab cleanup triggers fire alertA chemical reaction during the cleanup of a suspected drug lab led to reports of a structure fire on Pennsylvania Avenue Saturday afternoon. Neighbors were told to avoid the area and smoke from the fire in a Nixle alert from the city at 3:37 p.m. Residents within a![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--c34b949d-7d17-4f49-84bb-7894feb6926f.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/DSC_4806-7fe1964c-b274-4f83-aabc-88afe6543734.jpg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-druglab-cleanup-causes-fire-alert/) Richmond Police Department Lt. Donald Patchin later said an outside agency had executed a search warrant at the same property earlier that week. “There was a chemical reaction that occurred during a clean-up operation that they feared was going to cause a fire, but it did not,” Patchin said. “Fire personnel responded and deemed the situation safe.” The property, described as a small industrial park in the Iron Triangle that was divided into six small warehouse units, is named as 1201 Pennsylvania Avenue, Suite F, in court filings. Federal agents searched it on January 17, 2024, the same day Joel Dowen, 46, was arrested at his Concord home. His co-defendant, Micah-Luc Almeida, 47, of San Francisco, was sentenced to three years for his role in the drug operation. The U.S. Attorney’s Office described the Richmond site in a press release as “a drug manufacturing laboratory in Richmond, California, from where law enforcement seized hundreds of kilograms of waste material from attempted drug manufacturing.” Dowen and Almeida began manufacturing MDA and psilocin pills at the Pennsylvania Avenue site in January 2020, according to court documents. [MDA](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine?ref=grandviewindependent.com) is chemically related to MDMA, or ecstasy, and is a federally controlled substance. Psilocin is the active compound in psilocybin mushrooms. Text messages cited in the case show the scale of the operation prosecutors said the men were planning. At one point, Almeida sent Dowen instructions for making 50,000 MDA pills. The pair later discussed obtaining 200 pounds of mushrooms and moving the product in batches of tens of thousands of tablets. When agents searched the warehouse, they found hundreds of kilograms of waste material from attempted MDA production. A separate search of Almeida’s San Francisco home turned up thousands of additional tablets and hundreds of grams of mushrooms containing psilocin. Almeida’s attorneys argued in a sentencing memo that the manufacturing operation itself had largely failed. “After close to a year of trying, the warehouse yielded primarily waste material from the attempted manufacture,” the filing states, adding that no usable MDA was ever produced there. Prosecutors offered a much different assessment of the operation’s scale. In their sentencing memo, they said the amounts both men agreed to for sentencing purposes “likely vastly underestimate” what they actually made and sold over the life of the conspiracy. Most of Dowen’s sentence stems from conduct unrelated to the Richmond drug operation. Prosecutors said Dowen spent more than three years threatening and extorting a victim, demanding millions of dollars. The campaign escalated when Dowen arranged an assault on the victim’s 80-year-old father that left him hospitalized and later set the victim’s home on fire. When federal agents arrived to arrest Dowen in January 2024, he fired two shots through his front door, striking a DEA agent’s protective shield. “This case presents a truly horrific set of crimes with consequences that are difficult to understate,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Lina Peng wrote in the government’s sentencing memo. “Dowen is dangerous. Through his actions, Dowen has demonstrated that he has no regard for human life or basic decency.” KTVU FOX 2 covered the raid live as it unfolded Jan. 17, 2024, reporting that dozens of unmarked cars lined Quiet Circle and that agents spent the day removing evidence bags. [Dozens of federal agents investigating inside Bay Area homeIt was anything but quiet on Quiet Circle in Concord on Wednesday.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/mstile-310x310-128d5c38-910f-4e77-b9a3-da779c4f522e.png)KTVU FOX 2 San FranciscoJoey Horta![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/CONCORD-POLICE-ACTIVITY-10_KTVU2871_186_mp4_00.01.36.14-cf3048aa-307d-4caa-a54b-9251e464bdc4.jpg)](https://www.ktvu.com/news/dozens-of-federal-agents-investigating-inside-bay-area-home?ref=grandviewindependent.com) It was not until court filings surfaced years later that the public learned Dowen had fired shots at agents as they breached his front door that morning. Dowen pleaded guilty to extortion, assault on a federal officer, conspiracy to manufacture and distribute MDA, and a separate bank fraud charge tied to a fraudulently obtained $725,000 mortgage on his Concord property. That property, at 1259 Quiet Circle, is being forfeited to the government as part of the case. Prosecutors also sought $2.2 million in restitution. Almeida pleaded guilty to conspiracy to manufacture MDA and possession with intent to distribute. Both men were also sentenced to three years of supervised release following their prison terms. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Kennedy High's school year to start on time URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/kennedy-highs-school-year-to-start-on-time/ Last updated: 2026-08-07T20:57:52.000Z West Contra Costa Unified School District said Thursday it's planning for Kennedy High School's school year to start on schedule on August 18\. Several backup locations are already under consideration in case the campus itself isn't available. Jeff Carter, the district's interim associate superintendent of business services, said at a town hall meeting that the district plans to start the school year on time after preliminary soil-vapor tests found the chemical tetrachloroethylene beneath the campus last week. "The test results will help us determine where we open for the start of school, and some of those possible other school sites for temporary relocation include Contra Costa College, the Craneway Pavilion, some of our other district site location campuses and properties, as well as some other real estate options in our area." The district closed Kennedy's campus to all staff and students Monday after preliminary tests found the chemical tetrachloroethylene, also known as PCE, beneath the campus. [District shuts Kennedy High, moves swim programs after PCE discoveryWest Contra Costa Unified School District announced the closure of Kennedy High School to all staff and students on Monday, after preliminary soil-vapor tests found the chemical tetrachloroethylene, also known as PCE, under the campus. In a letter to the Kennedy community, Superintendent Cheryl Cotton said the district received![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--fe72c137-4714-4310-b1e5-b10af03eff12.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/kennedy-high-school-construction-richmond-ca3-1-9fcb22e7-5aff-46e7-a200-620e841a7d70.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/district-shuts-kennedy-high-moves-swim-programs-after-pce-discovery/) Carter said indoor and outdoor air sampling began Thursday and continues Friday, with sub-slab vapor sampling set for Saturday. The district says analysis of the results will be ready by Thursday, August 13, or Friday, August 14. Superintendent Cheryl Cotton said the decision on where students start the year depends entirely on what that testing shows. "There's a possibility our indoor air testing comes out, and it's great, fantastic, we are right on track," Cotton said. "If we have concerns about those numbers that come back, we can make decisions about using parts of the campus. We can make decisions about finding other places and starting school. School will start. We are also not walking away from this site." "In the worst case, we may be out of our school the first quarter," she said. "Maybe 60 days would give us an opportunity for mitigation strategies." She said that window would let the district confirm the air is clean and run another round of testing before bringing students back. Cotton closed the meeting by asking the community itself for help finding a site. "We are examining lots of different options," Cotton said. "If you are aware of other options, please let us know." ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/08/kennedy-high-school-town-hall-richmond-ca1-1.webp) Attendees fill the Richmond Memorial Auditorium for a town hall on PCE contamination at Kennedy High School, Thursday, August 6. Cotton said the district hopes to identify a specific relocation site and share a plan with families as soon as Friday. The district plans to hold a student summit next week where students can ask questions directly of the agencies involved. The Richmond (Kennedy) Swim Center remains closed as well. Deputy City Manager Lashanda White said the city has expanded hours at the Richmond Plunge, the city's other pool, to seven days a week as of August 5\. The change absorbs displaced swim classes and adds Tuesday and Thursday morning sessions and Sunday hours. She said the city will work with the district on when the swim center itself can reopen, based on the testing data. Cotton said the district has set up a[ webpage with ongoing updates](https://www.wccusd.net/about-us/kennedy-high-school-temporary-relocation-updates?ref=grandviewindependent.com) on the testing and will continue to share information daily. As a school community, though, Kennedy isn't considered closed. Principal David Luongo and administrative staff have set up temporary offices at DeJean Middle School. Student orientation is still moving forward at DeJean on its scheduled date, August 11. "We really want to take a moment to appreciate our students that are here tonight, our family members, our staff, the community at large and all the different support groups that are here," Luongo said. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### What's the Buzz: Inside Point Richmond's cozy Kaleidoscope Coffee URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/whats-the-buzz-inside-point-richmonds-cozy-kaleidoscope-coffee/ Last updated: 2026-08-07T17:06:36.000Z At *Grandview Independent*, we believe in second chances. So when our intrepid team pulled up to Kaleidoscope Coffee last week for our What’s the Buzz coffee adventure and it didn’t go well, we figured we would try again. While most of the team found their beverage of choice to be top shelf, one drink missed the mark entirely, necessitating a caffeinated do-over. Kaleidoscope Coffee on Park Place in Point Richmond looks like a small, artsy coffee shop from the exterior, and it is, but it’s also surprisingly large with ample seating, a large counter, and tall ceilings. The warm brick decor harkens to the early days of Richmond when brick buildings were de rigueur and charm oozed from every corner. Grandview Independent · GrandEATS What's the Buzz Reviewing coffee shops around Richmond, CA ☕ 0 stops visited On the morning of our first visit, the cafe was busy, so we waited patiently for the line to inch us closer to our desired level of caffeination. Once at the counter, we ordered our usual round and eagerly waited near the display of tasty treats for our drinks to arrive. Our staff mocha man was pleased with his beverage, with its deep, chocolaty goodness. A little milder in terms of coffee flavor than some previously consumed mochas, but overall a nice drink. Our cappuccino connoisseur confirmed his drink was properly made and delightfully pleasant, but the doppio espresso con panna took a decidedly wrong turn down a dark, citrus-drenched alley. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/08/IMG_5963-1-1.jpeg) While ordering the espresso con panna, the barista said the drink wasn't part of their menu; plus, they were sans whipped cream. She suggested another espresso beverage with a dollop of milk foam as a replacement for the cream. Espresso con panna is not a complicated beverage. But the drink's success is incumbent upon sips of very strong coffee making its way through sweet cream, providing a pleasant taste and much happiness. What we received was entirely different. Espresso – a double shot, mind you – swilled through a thin veil of milk foam is just not the same experience. Especially so because the roast on this day comes with a strong, citrusy finish that produces a powerful sour punch at the end of each sip. This is fine if it’s what you are looking for. Not so much if you are not a fan of decidedly sour coffee. Sadly, the only way to make this beverage drinkable was by adding a generous splash of kindly donated cappuccino to the cup. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/08/Screenshot-2026-08-07-at-10.03.06-AM-1-1-1-1-1.png) Here’s where the do-over comes in. Once back at *Grandview* HQ, we decided it would not be fair to provide a review based on a single experience when not all the key ingredients were available. Another tasting would be required. Take two … Back at Kaleidoscope, the sudden fear of a repeat result took over, so we ordered a simpler drink: a vanilla latte – a much safer option. But alas, no vanilla was available. Following a quick scan of the menu, we selected a hazelnut latte, something we had not previously tried. The result? A pleasant drink with smooth hazelnut notes that play nicely with the coffee’s bold flavor and scored bonus points for not being overly sweet. No citrus punch this time. Just a nice, enjoyable drink. *Chaaa Ching!* ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/08/IMG_5962-2-1.jpeg) Kaleidoscope roasts its own coffee beans and offers seating inside as well as on the patio; oh, and there's WiFi available so feel free to bring your laptop. Compared to other local coffee spots, the prices seem a little high, but reviews on Yelp indicate the cafe boasts a solid customer base and plenty of community support – though some reviewers note the staff isn't as friendly as one would hope for such a cute cafe. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Kennedy High town hall set for Thursday as WCCUSD weighs student relocation URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/kennedy-high-town-hall-set-for-thursday-as-wccusd-weighs-student-relocation/ Last updated: 2026-08-07T17:08:28.000Z West Contra Costa Unified School District will hold a community town hall meeting Thursday on the environmental testing that led to the closure of Kennedy High School, with officials from the state Department of Toxic Substances Control and the City of Richmond expected to take part. WCCUSD's school year begins August 18\. Superintendent Cheryl Cotton said in a statement Tuesday that the district is considering options to temporarily relocate the Kennedy community so the school year can start on time. The statement didn't name a location or say when a decision would come. ****If you go:** Thursday, August 6, 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., Richmond Memorial Auditorium, 403 Civic Center Plaza, Richmond. Doors open at 6 p.m. The district plans to livestream the meeting on its [YouTube channel.](https://www.youtube.com/@westcontracostausd?ref=grandviewindependent.com) Cotton announced the meeting in the same statement, saying DTSC and the city would join the district to discuss the ongoing testing. WCCUSD closed the campus to all staff and students Monday after preliminary tests found the chemical tetrachloroethylene, also known as PCE, beneath the campus. The school board approved the underground vapor testing at its July 15 meeting, following a recommendation from DTSC. The district's executive team received the preliminary results Friday, July 31, showing varying PCE levels beneath the school, according to Cotton's statement. [District shuts Kennedy High, moves swim programs after PCE discoveryWest Contra Costa Unified School District announced the closure of Kennedy High School to all staff and students on Monday, after preliminary soil-vapor tests found the chemical tetrachloroethylene, also known as PCE, under the campus. In a letter to the Kennedy community, Superintendent Cheryl Cotton said the district received![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--89a4ea53-c685-4ae7-bdc8-338599d68af9.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/kennedy-high-school-construction-richmond-ca3-1-3309b4f1-c34f-40c4-940f-acaca0d53ab5.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/district-shuts-kennedy-high-moves-swim-programs-after-pce-discovery/) "Following consultation with DTSC and other agencies on the morning of Monday, August 3, and out of an abundance of caution, WCCUSD made the determination to restrict entry to the Kennedy campus until further environmental testing has been completed and analyzed," Cotton wrote. Kennedy had 625 students during the 2025-26 school year, according to Ed-Data, the state's official school data clearinghouse, down from 825 two years earlier. The closure also forced a change to the district's own meeting schedule. In a letter to the community Tuesday, Board President Guadalupe Enllana said Wednesday's regular board meeting would be postponed to August 12\. She also said she hadn't been told about the closure decision until Monday, the same day it was announced. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/08/Screenshot-2026-08-07-at-9.58.12-AM-1-1.png)](https://www.visualartistsofrichmond.org/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) "I want to be clear that I was not made aware of this decision until Monday," Enllana wrote. "I am learning this information in real time alongside our community and, at this moment, I do not have additional answers beyond what has been publicly shared." Enllana said the board couldn't take up the closure at Wednesday's meeting because the decision came after the agenda had already been posted, a requirement under the state's open-meeting law, the Brown Act. She said the district plans to invite DTSC and the City of Richmond officials to the rescheduled meeting. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### District shuts Kennedy High, moves swim programs after PCE discovery URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/district-shuts-kennedy-high-moves-swim-programs-after-pce-discovery/ Last updated: 2026-08-05T16:49:04.000Z West Contra Costa Unified School District announced the closure of Kennedy High School to all staff and students on Monday, after preliminary soil-vapor tests found the chemical tetrachloroethylene, also known as PCE, under the campus. In a letter to the Kennedy community, Superintendent Cheryl Cotton said the district received the preliminary results Friday. The California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) told the district the numbers don't point to an immediate health risk, but the state wants more testing before it will say the campus is safe. "At this time, out of an abundance of caution, WCCUSD is making the immediate determination that all staff and students are not allowed to enter the Kennedy High School campus until additional testing is completed," Cotton said. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/08/Miraflores-Housing-Development-map.webp) Image/ Department of Toxic Substances Control Richmond has seen PCE problems before. The state expanded testing near the Miraflores Senior Apartments last year after finding PCE in the soil and groundwater there, and looked at a former Montgomery Ward store and a shuttered dry cleaner on San Pablo Avenue as possible sources. No source was ever confirmed. [State expands testing near Miraflores Senior Apartments amid contamination concernsThe California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) is expanding environmental testing near the Miraflores Senior Apartments after discovering soil vapor and groundwater contamination linked to an industrial solvent. A public meeting held on March 5 at King Elementary School updated residents on ongoing investigations into soil and groundwater pollution.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--7a327951-e7f2-4d6e-a932-421d91a89c16.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/miraflores-housing-1-88122e0e-a44a-48a7-95d9-3dec19360780.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/state-investigates-toxic-vapors-near-miraflores-housing-development-2/) [Former San Pablo Avenue dry cleaner owners reach $100,800 settlement over toxic chemical cleanup violationsState regulators have secured more than $100,000 in penalties from the owners and former operators of a shuttered Richmond dry cleaning business after they reportedly failed to comply with a 2023 toxic cleanup order, California environmental officials announced last week. The Department of Toxic Substances Control reached settlement agreements![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--098773e2-5610-4208-9f68-e93dd1d84f55.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/IMG_4140-1-1-9eb9faaf-5904-4c20-98d4-4d9163340151.jpeg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/former-san-pablo-avenue-dry-cleaner-owners-reach-100-800-settlement-over-toxic-chemical-cleanup-violations/) [Toxic chemicals detected at former Richmond dry cleanerHigh levels of toxic chemicals have been identified at a former dry cleaner in Richmond, causing health officials to install monitors and consider evacuating residents if chemicals are detected above safety levels. This week, the California Department of Toxic Substances Control contacted Contra Costa County and city health officials, alerting![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--00f2c5ab-3bbc-461c-bb22-91e970d8f92f.png)Grandview IndependentLinda Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/IMG_4393-17da054f-6189-42be-8ecf-2858d8741fcf.jpg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/high-levels-of-toxic-chemicals-detected-at-former-richmond-dry-cleaner/) This spring, the owners of that dry cleaner, Omo's Fabricare, agreed to pay the state $100,800\. State regulators said the owners never followed through on a 2023 order to clean up PCE that had spread into nearby soil, groundwater and indoor air. Cotton's letter said the district is working with the state, the California Department of Education and the city of Richmond to plan next steps as the school year gets closer. The district is also talking with Kennedy staff, labor groups and community partners. The letter didn't say where students and staff would go if the campus is still closed when classes start, or when the district plans to announce that. "We recognize the urgency of this situation and that this is a concerning update as the start of the school year is rapidly approaching," Cotton wrote. "We want to assure our community and staff that we will continue operating swiftly, transparently, and with the utmost care for the health and safety of all of our students and staff." ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/08/maximum-pce-shollow-groundwater.webp) Image/ Department of Toxic Substances Control The Richmond Swim Center is also closed. The district says swim classes will move to the Richmond Plunge, 1 East Richmond Avenue, in the meantime. The closure comes in the middle of a major rebuild at Kennedy. WCCUSD staff told the school board on July 15 that crews had dug the site's elevator pit and finished wiring in electrical service for a new classroom building and a combined dining and performing-arts space. Materials that take months to order, like structural steel and heating and cooling equipment, are next. ### Not the first closure WCCUSD has closed a campus on short notice before. Almost two years to the day before Monday's announcement, the district temporarily closed Stege Elementary School after crews doing summer repair work found unspecified environmental hazards there. [Richmond elementary school temporarily closes after “environmental hazards” foundWest Contra Costa Unified School District Superintendent Kenneth Hurst announced the temporary closure of Stege Elementary School in a letter to families on Tuesday after environmental hazards were found on the campus. “During the summer repair work, we encountered environmental hazards. In response, WCCUSD will relocate the Stege community for![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--235f48fd-ec4b-4ee3-aeeb-2c1e49bcd049.png)Grandview IndependentLinda Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/DSC_2810-1-a371655f-c270-43f2-a86c-64bbbcd65af6.jpg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-elementary-school-temporarily-closes-as-claims-of-poor-conditions-raise-concernsuntitled-8/) That closure came months after Public Advocates, a legal advocacy group, filed a complaint accusing the district of leaving teacher vacancies and poor building conditions unaddressed at several schools, including Kennedy, Stege and Helms Middle School. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### What happened in Richmond: An attempted murder, a fireworks bust and 27 stolen cars URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/what-happened-in-richmond-an-attempted-murder-a-fireworks-bust-and-27-stolen-cars/ Last updated: 2026-09-07T01:06:27.000Z Last update: August 3, 2026 9:59 a.m. Four people were arrested late Saturday after the sound of illegal fireworks echoed through Richmond just before midnight. The arrests capped a week that also included an attempted homicide, an armed carjacking and an arson at an inhabited home, according to information released by the Richmond Police Department. The arrests came late Saturday night after Richmond police broke up an unsanctioned gathering at Shields-Reid Park that drew more than 300 people, according to Lt. Joe England, the department's public information officer. Officers responded to complaints of loud music, fights and double parking before the crowd grew large enough that police declared an unlawful assembly. "Officers were met with upward of 300 people, and an unlawful assembly had to be ordered," England said. Richmond police requested mutual aid from surrounding agencies to safely disperse the crowd. Six fireworks complaints were also reported on Saturday night, but England said those appear to be isolated incidents unrelated to the Shields-Reid gathering. Police also confirmed a sideshow on Klose Way the same night, which officers eventually dispersed. Grandview Independent Richmond Crime Incident Map Loading... From To Load Incident locations are approximate. RPD reports crimes by block, not exact address, to protect privacy. ## Filter by type All Loading... ### Monday, July 27 **Petty theft and vandalism:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. A theft and property damage were reported together just after midnight. **Resisting arrest:** Somewhere in the 94801 zip code. Police arrested a suspect for obstructing and resisting a peace officer or EMT at 1:08 a.m. **Car theft:** 2200 block of Nevin Avenue. Another vehicle was lost to the criminal underworld at 6 a.m. **Mail theft:** 1800 block of Northshore Drive. A mail theft was reported at 10:57 a.m. **Sexual assault:** 700 block of Elm Avenue. A rape by force or fear was reported just before noon. **Domestic violence:** 1000 block of Carlson Boulevard. Police arrested a suspect for domestic battery and felony child cruelty at 12:09 p.m. **Central car caper:** 4800 block of Central Avenue. A vehicle theft was reported at 12:39 p.m. **Petty theft:** 700 block of South 52nd Street. A theft was reported at 2:41 p.m. **Gone through El Portal:** 3500 block of El Portal Drive. A vehicle theft was reported at 2:59 p.m. **Hit-and-run:** 12600 block of San Pablo Avenue. A hit-and-run property-damage report was filed at 4:40 p.m. **Battery:** 1400 block of Kelsey Street. A battery report was received at 5 p.m. **Home burglary:** 1200 block of Parkway Drive. A forced-entry residential burglary was reported at 6:16 p.m. **Domestic violence arrest:** 2000 block of Costa Avenue. Police arrested a suspect on felony corporal-injury domestic violence charges at 7:30 p.m. **Car theft:** 600 block of 17th Street. Another car was spirited away at 10 p.m. **Domestic battery and child cruelty:** 3500 block of El Portal Drive. A second report on the block, this one of domestic battery and willful cruelty to a child, was filed at 10:25 p.m. **Resisting arrest:** Somewhere in the 94804 zip code. Police arrested a suspect for resisting officers and drug-paraphernalia possession at 11:04 p.m. **Threats arrest:** 500 block of South 29th Street. Someone made felony criminal threats and was arrested at 11:17 p.m. **Car theft:** Somewhere in the 94804 zip code. Thieves left an empty space at 11:20 p.m. ### Tuesday, July 28 **Grand theft:** Oregon Street. A grand theft was reported at 1 a.m. **Petty theft:** 1300 block of Carlson Boulevard. A theft from a vehicle was reported at 1:29 a.m. **Filched on Foothill:** 2700 block of Foothill Avenue. A vehicle theft was reported at 6:54 a.m. **Parts theft:** 1400 block of Harbour Way South. A theft of motor-vehicle parts was reported at 7:30 a.m. **Fictitious check:** 3500 block of Maricopa Avenue. A fictitious-check report was filed at 8:13 a.m. **Hit-and-run:** 800 block of Alamo Avenue. A driver hit something and didn’t stick around at 9:25 a.m. **Battery:** 300 block of 24th Street. A battery report was filed at 12:57 p.m. **Suspended-license driving:** Somewhere in the 94801 zip code. A driver was reportedly operating a vehicle on a DUI-suspended license at 5:12 p.m. **Drug arrest:** Somewhere in the 94801 zip code. Officers nabbed someone with drugs at 6:01 p.m. **Petty theft:** 900 block of 23rd Street. A theft was reported at 8:03 p.m. **Petty theft:** 400 block of 6th Street. A second theft was reported at 8:47 p.m. **Domestic battery arrest:** 400 block of 4th Street. Police arrested a suspect for domestic battery and brandishing a replica firearm at 10:21 p.m. ### Wednesday, July 29 **Domestic violence arrest:** 300 block of South 15th Street. Police arrested a suspect for felony corporal-injury domestic violence at 2:06 a.m. **Car theft:** 200 block of Maine Avenue. Thieves made off with another vehicle at 5:04 a.m. **Grand theft:** Somewhere in the 94804 zip code. A grand theft report was filed at 7:47 a.m. **Car theft:** 2300 block of Clinton Avenue. A vehicle theft and grand theft were reported together at 8:02 a.m. **Open-container arrest:** Somewhere in the 94804 zip code. Police arrested a driver for possessing an open container of alcohol at 1:08 p.m. **Trespassing arrest:** 200 block of Vernon Avenue. Police arrested a suspect for occupying property without consent at 3 p.m. **Domestic violence:** 1000 block of Macdonald Avenue. A felony corporal-injury domestic violence report was filed at 3:43 p.m. **Auto burglary:** 800 block of 29th Street. A vehicle break-in was reported at 3:49 p.m. **Battery:** 3000 block of Phillips Court. A battery report was called in at 4:32 p.m. **Caught in the act, transit edition:** 2300 block of Macdonald Avenue. Police arrested a suspect for public urination on the transit system at 5:03 p.m. **Speed contest arrest:** Near Nevin Avenue. Police arrested a suspect for an illegal speed exhibition at 7:05 p.m. **Brooks boosting:** 2300 block of Brooks Avenue. A vehicle theft was reported at 8:30 p.m. **Court order violated:** 500 block of 12th Street. A contempt-of-court report was filed at 8:32 p.m. **Assault with a deadly weapon:** 1700 block of Regatta Boulevard. An assault report, not involving a firearm, was filed at 11:08 p.m. ### Thursday, July 30 **20th Street car theft arrest:** 600 block of 20th Street. Police arrested a suspect for vehicle theft at 12:30 a.m. **Hit-and-run:** 3500 block of Chanslor Avenue. A hit-and-run property-damage report was filed at 3:58 a.m. **Car theft:** 2800 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue. A vehicle theft was reported at 4:58 a.m. **Auto burglary:** 2500 block of Spinnaker Way. A vehicle break-in was reported at 6:08 a.m. **Foothill car theft:** 2500 block of Foothill Avenue. A second vehicle theft on the avenue was reported at 6:44 a.m. **2nd Street car theft:** 2nd Street. A vehicle theft was reported at 7:37 a.m. **7th Street car theft:** 900 block of 7th Street. Another vehicle theft was reported at 7:48 a.m. **Petty theft:** 11900 block of San Pablo Avenue. A theft was reported at 8 a.m. **Parts theft:** 3500 block of El Portal Drive. A theft of motor-vehicle parts was reported at 8:15 a.m. **Pullman car theft:** 2900 block of Pullman Avenue. A vehicle theft was reported at 8:57 a.m. **Vehicle recovered:** 1000 block of 34th Street. A stolen car turned up at 9:36 a.m. **Auto burglary:** 800 block of Bissell Avenue. A vehicle break-in was reported at 9:59 a.m. **Hit-and-run:** 2500 block of Chanslor Avenue. A second hit-and-run property-damage report was filed at 11:40 a.m. **Drug arrest:** 2400 block of Nevin Avenue. Police arrested a suspect for narcotics and paraphernalia possession at 3:58 p.m. **Grove car theft:** 100 block of Grove Street. A vehicle theft was reported at 4:34 p.m. **Arson:** 100 block of Macdonald Avenue. An arson report, targeting an inhabited structure, was filed at 5:30 p.m. **Burglary tools arrest:** Somewhere in the 94801 zip code. Police arrested a suspect for possession of burglary tools and resisting officers at 7:15 p.m. **Carjacking:** 37th Street. An armed carjacking was reported at 9:33 p.m. **Multi-charge domestic violence:** Gaynor Avenue. A late-night incident generated four charges: battery causing serious bodily injury, assault likely to cause great bodily injury, felony child cruelty, and felony corporal-injury domestic violence, at 10:20 p.m. ### Friday, July 31 **Domestic violence and weapon arrest:** 500 block of 8th Street. Police arrested a suspect for felony child cruelty, felony corporal-injury domestic violence and exhibiting a deadly weapon at 2 a.m. **Car theft:** 2800 block of Clinton Avenue. A vehicle theft was reported at 4:22 a.m. **South 57th car theft:** 1200 block of South 57th Street. A vehicle theft was reported at 8 a.m. **Parts theft:** 600 block of 34th Street. A theft of motor-vehicle parts was reported at 9:01 a.m. **Parts theft:** 4800 block of Central Avenue. A second theft was reported at 11:42 a.m. **Assault with a deadly weapon:** 600 block of South 31st Street. An assault report, not involving a firearm, was filed at 2:40 p.m. **Sexual assault:** Amador Street. Officers took a report at 3:10 p.m. **Drug and court-order arrest:** Somewhere in the 94804 zip code. Police arrested a suspect for drug possession and contempt of court at 4:01 p.m. **Domestic violence arrest:** 1300 block of Gaynor Avenue. Police arrested a suspect for felony corporal-injury domestic violence at 5:39 p.m. **Car theft:** 2800 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue. A vehicle theft was reported at 7 p.m. **Car theft:** 100 block of South 17th Street. Another vehicle theft was reported at 7 p.m. **Attempted murder:** 2200 block of Nevin Avenue. An attempted murder involving a firearm was reported, along with an assault likely to cause great bodily injury, at 7:09 p.m. **Hit-and-run arrest:** Somewhere in the 94801 zip code. Police arrested a suspect for hit-and-run property damage at 9:02 p.m. **Battery:** Somewhere in the 94801 zip code. A battery report was called in at 9:32 p.m. **Car theft:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. A vehicle theft closed out the night at 9:45 p.m. ### Saturday, August 1 **Failure to disperse:** Near Chesley Avenue and 5th Street. Police arrested a suspect for failure to disperse at midnight. **DUI arrest:** Somewhere in the 94801 zip code. Police arrested a driver for driving under the influence of alcohol at 3:45 a.m. **McLaughlin car theft:** 600 block of McLaughlin Street. A vehicle theft was reported at 7:30 a.m. **Vehicle recovered:** Somewhere in the 94804 zip code. A stolen car turned up at 7:55 a.m. **Costa car theft:** 2000 block of Costa Avenue. A vehicle theft was reported at 9:25 a.m. **Vehicle tampering:** 1500 block of Monterey Street. A tampering report was filed at 12:12 p.m. **Grand theft:** 1800 block of Potrero Avenue. A theft report was called in at 1 p.m. **Rheem car theft:** 2100 block of Rheem Avenue. A vehicle theft was reported at 1:08 p.m. **Battery:** 5000 block of Hartnett Avenue. A battery report was filed at 1:17 p.m. **Petty theft:** 2100 block of Meeker Avenue. A theft was reported at 1:47 p.m. **Petty theft:** 300 block of South 3rd Street. Another theft was reported at 3:07 p.m. **Evading police:** Somewhere in the 94801 zip code. A report of disregarding safety and evading police was filed at 4:37 p.m. **Hit-and-run:** Somewhere in the 94805 zip code. A hit-and-run resulting in death or injury was reported at 4:46 p.m. **Domestic violence arrest:** 2300 block of Rheem Avenue. Police arrested a suspect for felony corporal-injury domestic violence at 7:45 p.m. **Criminal threats:** 200 block of South 15th Street. A felony criminal threats report was filed at 7:56 p.m. **Domestic battery arrest:** 2800 block of Clinton Avenue. Police arrested a suspect for domestic battery at 8:09 p.m. **Disorderly conduct arrest:** Somewhere in the 94801 zip code. Police arrested a suspect for public intoxication at 10:53 p.m. ### Sunday, August 2 **Lancaster car theft:** 2400 block of Lancaster Drive. A vehicle theft was reported just after midnight. **South 49th car theft:** 300 block of South 49th Street. A vehicle theft was reported at 8:58 a.m. **Trespassing:** 2400 block of Aberdeen Way. A trespassing report was filed just before noon. **Access card fraud:** Somewhere in the 94804 zip code. A theft by use of access card information was reported at 2:42 p.m. **Battery:** Somewhere in the 94801 zip code. A battery report was called in at 4:30 p.m. **Petty theft:** 11900 block of San Pablo Avenue. A theft was reported at 7:02 p.m. **Trespassing:** 4500 block of Macdonald Avenue. A second trespassing report was filed at 8:47 p.m. **Domestic battery:** 600 block of 19th Street. A domestic battery report was called in at 9:07 p.m. **Suspended-license driving:** Somewhere in the 94804 zip code. A driver was reported operating a vehicle on a DUI-suspended license, closing out the night at 11:48 p.m. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### The candy gauntlet shrinks: 33 Richmond retailers to face healthy checkout rules URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/the-candy-gauntlet-shrinks-33-richmond-retailers-to-face-healthy-checkout-rules/ Last updated: 2026-07-31T22:16:09.000Z About 33 Richmond businesses will have to change what they sell at the checkout counter after the City Council voted Tuesday to align its healthy checkout ordinance with a Contra Costa County measure. The Healthy Options at Point of Sale ordinance, first introduced in 2022, sets nutrition standards for food and beverages sold at checkout areas in retail stores. [Richmond is considering requiring healthy checkout optionsThe Richmond City Council will review a proposed ordinance that would make buying a candy bar at a large store slightly less convenient. The ordinance would require large retailers to offer healthier food options at checkout aisles – a move aimed at curbing the prevalence of junk food in low-income![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--80b1c501-ca54-4f3c-a316-60f209a2ac86.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-target-checkout-1-1-1-e9d10c80-f380-4fea-a521-81754c3c90e8.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-is-considering-requiring-healthy-checkout-options/) According to real estate and grocery [industry data](https://capitaloneshopping.com/research/grocery-shopping-statistics/?ref=grandviewindependent.com), a 2,000-square-foot store is small by retail standards, roughly the size of a large convenience store or a neighborhood market. A typical Walgreens or CVS runs 10,000 to 15,000 square feet, and the average U.S. grocery store measures around 35,800 to 40,000 square feet, "We're not telling retailers or store operators not to sell their products," Councilmember Jamelia Brown said. "We're just saying that hey, at the checkout counter, we don't want a bunch of nonsense at the checkout counter." Matching the county's ordinance word for word is the price of getting Contra Costa County's Environmental Health Department to enforce it, which city staff said Richmond doesn't have the capacity to do on its own. County staff has said a mismatched ordinance would likely end the county's willingness to serve as the enforcing agency, and the county Board of Supervisors would still need to approve an interagency agreement before the arrangement takes effect. Enforcement would be complaint-based, with county staff conducting an initial inspection and up to two re-inspections before referring a noncompliant business back to the city. The county said it would bill enforcement costs directly to noncompliant operators, with no anticipated cost to Richmond. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/07/target-richmond-checkout-snacks-city-ordinance-chips.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/07/target-richmond-checkout-snacks-city-ordinance.webp) Snack displays near the checkout at the Richmond Target are the kind of setup the city's revised Healthy Options at Point of Sale ordinance opposes. Councilmember Cesar Zepeda asked staff for the list of the newly affected retailers. "The total number is about 33 businesses in Richmond," said Yahna Williamson, a city management analyst who presented the item, but said staff didn't have the actual list on hand and would share it once located. Zepeda also confirmed the square-footage threshold applies to a store's total footprint, not just a grocery section, meaning a store like Target would qualify based on its overall size. ### Grocers' association raises objection Tim James, speaking on behalf of the California Grocers Association, asked the council to exempt full-service grocery stores from the ordinance, arguing that stores already dedicating tens of thousands of square feet to fresh produce, meat and dairy shouldn't face the same checkout restrictions as much smaller retailers with little healthy food on offer. "It is an overreach no other retail type is forced to deal with," James said. "Please do not use the cut-and-paste policy, and instead ensure you do not necessarily impact full-service grocers or create an environment of overregulation." James pointed to a full-service grocery store in Perris, California, that did not open, which he attributed partly to similar regulation, and noted no full-service grocers operate in unincorporated Contra Costa County, calling that a flawed basis for comparison. In a written comment submitted to council, James called full-service grocers "the 'health food store' in every neighborhood they serve" and raised a technical objection not covered in his public comment: full-service grocers often run multiple point-of-sale stations throughout a store, including at delis, bakeries and meat counters, not just at the main checkout, which he said the ordinance doesn't account for. He asked the city to "provide instruction to staff to consider a full-service grocer exemption opportunity." Council approved the size-threshold change without staff being able to produce the underlying list of businesses it would affect. *Grandview* reached out to city staff requesting that list and will update this story if it's received. City staff will work with the county to finalize an interagency agreement and a final version of the ordinance, develop multilingual educational materials, and carry out a year of retailer education and outreach before enforcement begins. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Chevron settlement emerges as city's 'plan B' for fire station upgrades URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/chevron-settlement-emerges-as-citys-plan-b-for-fire-station-upgrades/ Last updated: 2026-07-29T19:49:43.000Z Richmond City Council voted Tuesday to place a $120 million fire station bond on the November ballot. City officials also said that if voters reject it, the city could fall back on Chevron settlement money to pay for the same upgrades. The admission came only after a councilmember asked directly. The city's own polling shows the Chevron settlement is one of the two strongest arguments voters cite for rejecting the bond. Councilmember Soheila Bana asked City Manager Shasa Curl directly whether the city had a backup plan if voters reject the bond. "Is there a plan B if it doesn't go through?" Bana asked. "Yes," Curl said. "What is it?" "To ask the city council to appropriate some of the settlement funds to upgrade the stations." A general obligation bond needs support from two-thirds of voters to pass. The city's July poll found support topping out at 63 percent, even after voters heard the most favorable case the city could make. The settlement itself grew out of the "Make Polluters Pay" campaign, a 2024 push by residents, environmental justice groups and labor unions to tax Chevron's Richmond refinery directly. The city withdrew that ballot measure after Chevron agreed to pay $550 million over 10 years instead, $50 million a year for the first five years and $60 million a year for the next five. [City announces $550 million settlement with Chevron, withdrawal of oil refinery tax ballot measureUpdated: Tuesday, August 13, 2024 at 2:15 p.m. According to the proposed settlement, Chevron, the City Attorney, and a City Council ad hoc committee have negotiated an agreement that will end the current lawsuit and the threat of new ones. Chevron initially offered the city $300 million or![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--f77518b1-8cf3-484d-85f8-5f760a656a76.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/make-polluters-pay-3889fd0d-ea52-4178-8320-88a31954940e.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/city-announces-550-million-settlement-with-chevron-withdrawal-of-oil-refinery-tax-ballot-measure-2/) ### Support has dropped since May The city polled Richmond voters twice this year, once in May and again from July 17 to 22, both surveys run by pollster Tom Clifford of CliffordMoss. Support fell across every version tested. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/07/polling-support-declined-since-may2-1.webp) With no additional information beyond the ballot language, support dropped from 65 percent in May to 54 percent in July. After hearing the strongest arguments for the bond, quicker response times and safer conditions for firefighters, support dropped from 72 percent to 63 percent. After hearing the two strongest arguments against it, support dropped from 69 percent to 54 percent. "The softening in support is something that we're actually seeing in communities across California," Clifford told council. "Richmond is not unique in seeing poll results that look lower now than they did before the June primary." [Poll shows WCCUSD parcel tax renewal short of support needed to passWest Contra Costa Unified School District’s board voted unanimously Wednesday night to put a renewal of its longstanding parcel tax on the November ballot. Its own pollster told trustees that voter support currently falls short of the two-thirds threshold needed to win. The board approved the resolution after![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--f017e551-436a-4bda-9a56-889d8a0c19fa.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2026-07-17-at-11.40.06-AM-1-032a2e71-f348-4b9c-9ff9-3693cb4d8591.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/poll-shows-wccusd-parcel-tax-renewal-short-of-support-needed-to-pass/) Even the best case falls short of the 66.7 percent required. And the "yes" side is soft: only 21 percent of voters were "definitely yes," with the rest merely "probably yes" or "leaning yes." ### The city's fallback plan matches its own polling The poll tested two arguments for voting no. One was affordability: Richmond families already struggling with housing and grocery costs can't absorb another tax. The other invoked the settlement directly: "Richmond just got over half a billion dollars in a settlement from Chevron. We don't need to raise taxes again. Instead, the city should be more responsible and spend the money it already has." ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/07/polling-support-declined-since-may1-1.webp) Both arguments scored identically in July: 81 percent of voters found each argument convincing, up from 71 percent in May. Deputy Director of Finance Mubeen Qader told council the city prefers not to call it a settlement at all. "There has been the mention of the Chevron settlement funds, or the limited-term revenues, the terminology that we prefer here," he said. "When you bring the present value at the discount rate of 3 percent, the present value in today's dollars is like only $480 million," Qader said. "And if the discount rate is seven percent, then it is $470 million. So really, $550 million in today's dollars is not already $550 million." He sketched a hypothetical use of $50 million in a single year: roughly $18 million for pavement, $10 million for operations and staffing, and $20 million for other capital projects. He also told council the city faces "more than a billion dollars" in unfunded capital needs citywide, separate from and larger than the settlement, and that the city's other unfunded liabilities, chiefly pension and retiree health benefits, add up to "about $408 million in today's dollars." ### What the bond would cost The measure authorizes up to $120 million in bonds to repair, reconstruct, modernize and seismically retrofit Richmond's fire stations. The city's tax rate statement puts the average estimated rate at $22.15 per $100,000 of assessed property value, peaking at $24.06 per $100,000 in 2028\. On a home assessed at $650,000, that's roughly $144 a year, or $12 a month, per figures presented by Urban Futures' Wing-See Fox. The tax is projected to run through 2060, so that same homeowner could pay nearly $5,000 over the life of the bond. Citywide, the total runs well past the $120 million figure. With interest, the city's tax rate statement puts total debt service at $249 million if all bonds are issued and repaid. ### Firefighters made the case in person Firefighters union president Marcus Faumui told council the stations have mold and leak during storms. Firefighter Kelly Griffin said some foundations have settled so badly that firefighters place lumber under their beds to sleep level, and that the buildings, built during World War II, lack the seismic resilience the region needs. Both asked council to let voters decide. The council adopted the ordinance and resolution unanimously among members present, with Vice Mayor Doria Robinson absent. The measure now goes to the Contra Costa County Elections Division for the November 3 ballot. Curl told council that once a separate facilities needs assessment is done, staff will return with a broader funding strategy for other capital projects. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Fundraiser grows for couple shot on Wilson Avenue as investigation continues URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/fundraiser-grows-for-couple-shot-on-wilson-avenue-as-investigation-continues/ Last updated: 2026-07-29T15:47:58.000Z A Richmond couple is recovering after being shot while sitting in their vehicle on Wilson Avenue on July 15, according to police and a fundraiser set up to help with their medical costs. The victims, Sebatian Guzman and his wife, were inside their vehicle at the time of the shooting, according to the fundraiser. Guzman was shot in the knee, and his wife was shot seven times, the[ fundraiser states.](https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-sebatians-family-after-a-devastating-shooting?ref=grandviewindependent.com) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/07/wilson-shooting-richmond-ca.webp) Sebatian Guzman was shot in the knee during a July 15, 2026 shooting on Wilson Avenue in Richmond. Photo /GoFundMe Lieutenant Joe England, the Richmond Police Department's public information officer, said the victims were in stable condition and that there were no active threats to the community. "Our detectives are still actively investigating this incident," England said. The shooting was reported just after 8 p.m. in the 400 block of Wilson Avenue. Numerous police vehicles, including units from the El Cerrito Police Department, responded to the scene, where the street was taped off. Police also examined a white pickup truck near the scene that appeared to have bullet holes in its windshield and front end. A man at the scene, who was not a law enforcement officer, told *Grandview Independent* he heard five gunshots, followed by a second series of about five more shots. [Two hurt in Wilson Avenue shooting, one airlifted for treatmentLast update: July 16, 2026, 9:57 a.m. Richmond police are investigating a shooting Wednesday evening in the 400 block of Wilson Avenue that left two people injured, one of whom was airlifted to a trauma center. Lieutenant Joe England, the Richmond Police Department’s public information officer, said![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--9f2d672b-503f-4425-9405-f2eb59d11b6f.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2026-07-15-at-9.33.20-PM-0940239e-84f6-4029-b501-d5f78d41f988.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/two-hurt-in-wilson-avenue-shooting-one-airlifted-for-treatment/) A GoFundMe campaign organized by Jennifer Lowe has raised more than $8,300 of a $9,000 goal as of Wednesday morning, with 55 donations. In the fundraiser description, Lowe writes that the family is "facing an incredibly difficult road ahead" as they cover medical expenses and lost income during Guzman's recovery. Organizers say Guzman, the family's sole provider, is expected to be unable to walk or work for several months. Anyone who witnessed the shooting or has information is asked to call the Richmond Police Department at (510) 233-1214. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### What's the Buzz: Richmond's coffee crawl lands at Catahoula Coffee URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/whats-the-buzz-richmonds-coffee-crawl-lands-at-catahoula-coffee/ Last updated: 2026-07-28T16:17:35.000Z **Catahoula Coffee Company:** 12472 San Pablo Avenue, Richmond Catahoula sits on San Pablo Avenue, the same stretch some people have started asking for a nickname for, calling it the Richmond Gourmet Ghetto, hot dog stands giving way to popular taco shops. Before any of that showed up, though, Catahoula was already here, the first place on this stretch that figured people might want Real Coffee. Catahoula opened its doors here back on New Year's Day 2008\. The founder's own telling of it is simple: he got tired of driving five miles for a decent shot of espresso and figured the neighborhood deserved better than that drive. Grandview Independent · GrandEATS What's the Buzz Reviewing coffee shops around Richmond, CA ☕ 0 stops visited We remember when the roaster first showed up, a San Franciscan sitting right in the front window like a piece of machinery that wanted to be seen working. It's not there anymore; the roasting's moved elsewhere as the place has grown into an actual regional roaster with a Berkeley location and shelf space well outside Richmond, but the space it used to fill still feels like it's holding a memory of it. There's a guy out front hawking Street Spirit, the same guy who sometimes shows up at council meetings, and he's got a handful of papers by the door, and he is already drinking coffee. Inside Catahoula, the signage does the talking before the coffee does. A neon clock on the wall says FRESH ROASTED in red and blue, the kind of sign that would look ironic anywhere else and looks completely sincere here, because they actually roast it. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/07/IMG_4686-1-1.jpeg) Photo/ Linda Hemmila We ordered our normal coffee run. The cappuccino came out with the foam doing real work, tight microfoam with a little shine to it plus real coffee flavors punching through. When we ordered, they didn't ask what size cappuccino; always a good sign since we're not looking for a little latte wearing a cappuccino's name, and it doesn't hurt that they're pulling shots on a La Marzocco. The latte got a fern pulled into it, unhurried, like the barista had done it ten thousand times and stopped counting. The mocha showed up under a pile of whipped cream. Three drinks, three different jobs, none of them phoned in. The blend under all of it holds up whether it's straight, cut with milk, or fighting chocolate for attention, no burnt-milk sourness, no artificial sweetness. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/07/catahoula-coffee-exterior-san-pablo-avenue-richmond.6.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/07/catahoula-coffee-exterior-san-pablo-avenue-richmond.4-1.webp) Photo/ Soren Hemmila The room is small, tile floor, seating along the window facing The Avenue, black chairs that have hosted a lot of laptops and actual conversations. A merch rack runs the wall: sweatshirts, tees, a tote, and a hoodie that just says DEATH BEFORE DECAF across the chest, which is either the most honest branding decision on San Pablo or a mission statement, possibly both. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### What happened in Richmond: A home invasion, a stolen loaded firearm and 22 stolen cars URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/what-happened-in-richmond-a-home-invasion-a-stolen-loaded-firearm-and-22-stolen-cars/ Last updated: 2026-07-27T15:04:48.000Z A home-invasion robbery, a carjacking and 22 vehicle thefts were among the incidents Richmond police logged between July 20 and 26, according to information released by the Richmond Police Department. The week's reports also included a strong-arm robbery, a negligent firearm discharge, a suspect caught with a stolen loaded handgun, several felons caught with loaded firearms and two DUI arrests involving injuries. Grandview Independent Richmond Crime Incident Map Loading... From To Load Incident locations are approximate. RPD reports crimes by block, not exact address, to protect privacy. ## Filter by type All Loading... ### Monday, July 20 **Domestic violence:** 2300 block of Aberdeen Way. Police received a report of corporal-injury domestic violence just after midnight. **Robbery:** 4900 block of Bayview Avenue. A strong-arm robbery was reported at 12:30 a.m. **Commercial burglary:** 12300 block of San Pablo Avenue. A business was broken into by force at 3 a.m. **Petty theft:** 5400 block of Santa Cruz Avenue. A theft was logged at 7:15 a.m. **Burglary and grand theft:** 3400 block of Collins Avenue. A business break-in and a grand theft were reported together at 8:49 a.m. **Theft from a vehicle:** 4100 block of Lakeside Drive. A grand theft from a car was reported to officers at 9:30 a.m. **Paraphernalia:** Somewhere in the 94801 zip code. Someone was caught with drug paraphernalia at 10:14 a.m. **Criminal threats:** 200 block of West Nevin Avenue. A felony threats complaint was reported at 10:50 a.m. **Battery:** 800 block of 33rd Street. A battery report was filed at 11:18 a.m. **Assault with a deadly weapon:** Somewhere in the 94804 zip code. An assault report, not involving a firearm, was received at 12:36 p.m. **Court order violated:** 200 block of West Macdonald Avenue. A contempt-of-court report landed on the log just before 1 p.m. **Vehicle recovered:** 2300 block of San Mateo Street. A stolen car turned up at 2:24 p.m. **Assault arrest:** 1700 block of Regatta Boulevard. Police arrested a suspect for assault with a deadly weapon and domestic battery at 3:30 p.m. **Petty theft:** 11900 block of San Pablo Avenue. Another theft report made its way to police at 4:20 p.m. **Court order violation:** 500 block of 12th Street. A suspect was arrested for disobeying a court order at 4:49 p.m. **Probation violation:** Somewhere in the 94801 zip code. A suspect was arrested for resisting officers and violating felony probation at 6 p.m. **Probation violation:** 1700 block of Maine Avenue. Officers arrested a suspect on a probation violation, resisting arrest, and disorderly conduct at 6 p.m. **Loaded for bear:** Somewhere in the 94804 zip code. Police arrested a felon carrying a loaded, unregistered handgun, a large-capacity magazine and ammunition, while also found in possession of a controlled substance, at 7:34 p.m. **Domestic violence:** 200 block of Macdonald Avenue. A suspect was arrested for corporal injury to a spouse or cohabitant at 8:33 p.m. **Battery:** 2700 block of Hinkley Avenue. A battery report was received at 10:59 p.m. **Threats arrest:** 2300 block of Maricopa Avenue. Police arrested a suspect after criminal threats were made at 11:40 p.m. ### Tuesday, July 21 **Vandalism:** 300 block of Barrett Avenue. A felony vandalism report was opened at midnight. **Grand theft:** 5200 block of Esmond Avenue. A theft report was logged at 2:05 a.m. **DUI arrest:** 2300 block of Maricopa Avenue. Officers arrested a driver for driving under the combined influence of alcohol and drugs, along with possession of marijuana for sale at 2:49 a.m. **Parkway car theft:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. A vehicle was reported stolen at 5:32 a.m. **Car theft:** 2600 block of Hilltop Drive. Another vehicle went missing at 7:30 a.m. **Threats arrest:** 900 block of Virginia Avenue. Another person was busted for making felony criminal threats at 9:29 a.m. **Drug arrest:** Nevin Avenue. Officers arrested a suspect for possessing a controlled substance and paraphernalia at 10:24 a.m. **Vandalism and burglary:** 300 block of Red Tail Place. A felony vandalism report and an auto burglary were logged together at 11:42 a.m. **Fraud:** 3800 block of Clinton Avenue. A false-pretenses fraud report over $400 was filed at 1:14 p.m. **Car theft:** 2900 block of Hilltop Road. A vehicle theft was reported at 1:30 p.m. **Missing McBryde motor:** 5500 block of McBryde Avenue. Another car went missing at 2:15 p.m. **Vandalism arrest:** 100 block of 3rd Street. A suspect was arrested for felony vandalism and contempt of court at 2:36 p.m. **Criminal threats:** 15500 block of San Pablo Avenue. People kept threatening criminal activity, and the police received another report at 6:23 p.m. **Disorderly conduct:** 900 block of 9th Street. Officers logged a disorderly-conduct and resisting-arrest report at 6:49 p.m. **Reid ride removed:** 5000 block of Reid Court. A vehicle theft was reported at 6:50 p.m. **Car theft and vandalism:** 1500 block of Oscar Street. A stolen vehicle and felony vandalism were reported together at 7:37 p.m. **Auto burglary:** 1300 block of Merced Street. A vehicle break-in was reported at 8:52 p.m. **Assault with a deadly weapon:** 4100 block of Klose Way. An assault report was logged at 9:17 p.m. **Vandalism:** 3800 block of Fleming Avenue. A felony vandalism report closed out the night at 9:29 p.m. ### Wednesday, July 22 **Vandalism:** 400 block of 4th Street. A felony vandalism report was opened at midnight. **DUI:** 5100 block of Gately Avenue. A driver was reportedly drunk and high at 3:37 a.m. **Boosted on Birmingham:** 3000 block of Birmingham Drive. A car theft was reported at 6:02 a.m. **Vehicle break-in trifecta:** 2900 block of McKenzie Drive. A grand theft from a vehicle, auto burglary and felony vandalism were reported together at 7:14 a.m. **Grand theft:** 600 block of 2nd Street. A theft report was called in at 9:30 a.m. **Fraud and threats:** 3000 block of Birmingham Drive. A fraud report and a misdemeanor threats complaint were logged together at 9:44 a.m. **Vehicle recovered:** 5400 block of Sutter Avenue. A stolen car turned up at 10:12 a.m. **Battery on an officer:** 11900 block of San Pablo Avenue. A battery report, including battery on a peace officer, was made at 10:30 a.m. **Reckless driving arrest:** Somewhere in the 94804 zip code. A suspect was arrested for resisting officers and reckless driving on a highway at 10:39 a.m. **Knicked on Klose:** 3700 block of Klose Way. A vehicle theft was reported at 12:30 p.m. **Roosevelt ride removal:** 2600 block of Roosevelt Avenue. Another vehicle went missing at 2 p.m. **Auto burglary:** 700 block of 38th Street. A vehicle break-in was reported at 2:40 p.m. **Vandalism:** 2700 block of Giant Road. A felony vandalism report was phoned in at 3 p.m. **Garrity getaway:** 3100 block of Garrity Way. A vehicle theft was reported at 3:27 p.m. **Evading arrest:** Somewhere in the 94801 zip code. Police arrested a suspect on a felony probation violation, drug possession, resisting officers, and evading arrest at 6:03 p.m. **Repeat domestic violence arrest:** 500 block of 20th Street. A suspect with prior convictions was arrested for felony domestic violence at 6:14 p.m. **Vehicle tampering:** 1300 block of Merced Street. A car was tampered with at 7:30 p.m. **Domestic violence and child cruelty arrest:** 500 block of South 29th Street. Police arrested a suspect for injuring a domestic partner, felony child cruelty, and destroying a phone at 8:58 p.m. **Carjacking:** Lincoln Avenue. A strong-arm carjacking was reported at 9:40 p.m. **Vehicle tampering:** 1500 block of Santa Clara Street. Another car was tampered with at 10 p.m. ### Thursday, July 23 **False ID arrest:** Somewhere in the 94804 zip code. A suspect was arrested for giving officers a false name at 1:50 a.m. **Purloined on Pennsylvania:** 1000 block of Pennsylvania Avenue. A vehicle theft opened the day at 3 a.m. **Public nuisance:** 400 block of 18th Street. A public-nuisance complaint was logged at 3:04 a.m. **Domestic violence and child cruelty:** 1900 block of Ohio Avenue. A report of injury to both a partner and a child was filed at 3:16 a.m. **Appropriated Andrade auto:** 2600 block of Andrade Avenue. A vehicle theft was reported at 6:24 a.m. **Battery:** Somewhere in the 94801 zip code. A battery report was logged at 6:37 a.m. **Car theft:** 2700 block of Sheldon Drive. A vehicle theft was reported at 7:32 a.m. **Car theft:** 1000 block of Factory Street. A vehicle-theft suspect was arrested at 8:25 a.m. **Vehicle recovered:** 1000 block of 20th Street. A stolen car turned up at 10:06 a.m. **Car theft:** 4400 block of Jenkins Way. A vehicle went missing at 11:12 a.m. **Car theft:** 4800 block of Central Avenue. Another vehicle theft was reported at 11:30 a.m. **Weapons arrest:** 2500 block of Cutting Boulevard. A suspect was arrested for carrying a concealed, loaded firearm in public at 12:01 p.m. **Parts theft:** Somewhere in the 94806 zip code. A vehicle parts theft was reported at 12:18 p.m. **Auto burglary:** 3100 block of Garrity Way. A vehicle break-in was reported at 3:41 p.m. **Home invasion:** 800 block of Yuba Street. Officers took a report of a forced-entry residential burglary and a home-invasion robbery at 3:43 p.m. **Theft arrest:** 11900 block of San Pablo Avenue. A petty-theft suspect was arrested at 5:17 p.m. **Petty theft:** 500 block of South 47th Street. A theft report reached officers at 5:46 p.m. **Paraphernalia:** Somewhere in the 94804 zip code. A paraphernalia possession report was filed at 5:52 p.m. **Petty theft:** 2600 block of Shane Drive. A theft report was called in at 6 p.m. **Auto burglary and vandalism:** 2600 block of Wilart Drive. A vehicle break-in and vandalism were reported together at 8 p.m. **Vehicle recovered:** 3100 block of Garrity Way. A stolen car turned up at 8:47 p.m. **DUI hit-and-run:** 4800 block of Macdonald Avenue. Police arrested a driver for causing injury while under the influence of drugs and fleeing the scene at 9:01 p.m. **Court order violated, arrest made:** 100 block of 3rd Street. A suspect was arrested for contempt of court at 9:10 p.m. **DUI injury arrest:** 500 block of Castro Street. A drunk driver was arrested on a great-bodily-injury enhancement after reportedly causing injury behind the wheel, at 10:58 p.m. ### Friday, July 24 **Kidnapping:** Somewhere in the 94804 zip code. Officers logged a kidnapping alongside a felony domestic violence report at 2 a.m. **Car theft:** 200 block of 35th Street. A vehicle went missing at 4:54 a.m. **Trespassing:** 2900 block of Macdonald Avenue. A trespassing and paraphernalia report was logged at 6:30 a.m. **Identity theft:** Sandpoint Drive. An identity theft report was made to police at 8:15 a.m. **Car theft:** 2600 block of Hilltop Drive. A vehicle theft was reported at 9:36 a.m. **Court order violated:** 2800 block of Maricopa Avenue. A contempt-of-court report, along with an animal cruelty charge, was phoned in at 1:54 p.m. **Stalking:** 2500 block of Hinkley Avenue. A stalking report hit the log at 3:38 p.m. **Center car gone:** 3500 block of Center Avenue. A vehicle theft was reported at 5:30 p.m. **Custody violation:** 15500 block of San Pablo Avenue. A custody-decree violation was reported at 6 p.m. **Weapons arrest:** Somewhere in the 94804 zip code. A suspect was arrested for carrying a loaded firearm and a large-capacity magazine at 7:55 p.m. **Battery:** 1400 block of Hilltop Mall Road. A battery report was filed at 8:20 p.m. **Parts theft:** 4500 block of Fall Avenue. A vehicle-parts theft was reported at 8:30 p.m. **Felon with a firearm, child cruelty arrest:** Somewhere in the 94804 zip code. Police arrested a convicted felon suspected of carrying a loaded firearm while driving drunk, along with a felony child-cruelty charge, at 8:54 p.m. **DUI arrest:** Somewhere in the 94801 zip code. A driver under the influence of drugs was arrested at 10:02 p.m. **Restraining order violated:** 500 block of South 29th Street. A suspect was arrested for violating a domestic violence protective order at 10:40 p.m. **Domestic battery arrest:** 100 block of 4th Street. A domestic battery suspect was arrested at 11:01 p.m. **Vandalism:** 3100 block of Southampton Court. A felony vandalism report closed out the night at 11:45 p.m. ### Saturday, July 25 **DUI:** Somewhere in the 94801 zip code. A driver over the 0.08 legal limit was reported at 1 a.m. **Sexual battery:** 500 block of Florida Avenue. Police arrested a suspect on charges of domestic battery, false imprisonment with violence and felony sexual battery at 2:59 a.m. **Theft arrest:** 2400 block of Lancaster Drive. A grand theft suspect was arrested at 6:46 a.m. **Warrant arrest:** Somewhere in the 94804 zip code. A suspect was taken into custody on an outstanding warrant at 9:20 a.m. **Stolen vehicle possession:** 1000 block of Presco Lane. A suspect was arrested for felony possession of a stolen vehicle at 2:54 p.m. **Felon with a firearm:** 600 block of 2nd Street. Officers took a report of a felon carrying a loaded, unregistered firearm and resisting arrest at 3:44 p.m. **Illegal speed contest:** Somewhere in the 94806 zip code. An illegal street-racing complaint was logged at 9:06 p.m. ### Sunday, July 26 **DUI arrest:** Somewhere in the 94804 zip code. A driver was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol at 12:29 a.m. **Car theft:** 600 block of South 37th Street. A vehicle theft was reported at 12:30 a.m. **Vandalism:** 600 block of 5th Street. A felony vandalism report reached officers at 2:30 a.m. **Firearm discharge:** 300 block of 24th Street. A grossly negligent firearm discharge was reported at 3:18 a.m. **Car theft:** 200 block of South 45th Street. A vehicle theft was reported at 6 a.m. **Domestic battery:** 400 block of B Street. A battery report was filed at 10:22 a.m. **Domestic battery:** 2600 block of Hilltop Drive. Another battery report was called in at 10:44 a.m. **Petty theft:** 2100 block of Meeker Avenue. A theft report landed on the log at 11:09 a.m. **Domestic violence and child cruelty arrest:** 600 block of 20th Street. Police arrested a suspect for felony domestic violence with prior convictions and child cruelty at 2:26 p.m. **Car theft:** 100 block of South 12th Street. A vehicle theft was reported at 3:17 p.m. **Imitation firearm:** Somewhere in the 94804 zip code. Officers took a report of displaying an imitation firearm in public by a prior offender at 5:57 p.m. **DUI:** 600 block of Harbour Way. A DUI report made its way to police at 7:07 p.m. **Stolen loaded firearm:** Somewhere in the 94801 zip code. Officers reported a suspect carrying a stolen, loaded, unregistered handgun, resisting arrest and possessing drugs while armed, at 8:59 p.m. ### Also this week ### Seven guns off the streets this week, RPD says Richmond police say officers recovered seven illegal firearms this week through proactive stops, citizen tips and the department's drone program. One suspect, spotted wearing a heavy jacket and ski mask in 85-degree heat, fled and tried to ditch a loaded gun under a parked car before being caught. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/07/richmond-police-illegal-firearm-recovered.webp) One of the firearms recovered by Richmond police officers this week. Photo/ RPD The drone helped locate two more armed suspects, including one carrying a loaded sawed-off shotgun. Officers also recovered a firearm during a possible carjacking call, seized a rifle via search warrant after an armed-subject report, and found a loaded gun in a car during a DUI stop with a blood alcohol level near 0.226%. ### RPD opens substation at Home Depot Richmond police celebrated the opening of a new substation in The Home Depot parking lot this week, a partnership with the store and the El Cerrito Police Department. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/07/richmond-police-substation-home-depot-parking-lot-1.webp) The Richmond Police Department's new substation, a portable unit located in the parking lot of The Home Depot. Photo/ Linda Hemmila The space gives officers a nearby spot to write reports and handle follow-up work without driving back to the station, which RPD says should mean more time in the field and increased visibility in the area. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### The gap in the Richmond Greenway path and the bridge meant to close it URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/the-gap-in-the-richmond-greenway-path-and-the-bridge-meant-to-close-it/ Last updated: 2026-09-09T19:23:08.000Z The Richmond Greenway runs nearly three miles from South 2nd Street to San Pablo Avenue, a paved ribbon of trail laid over an old rail corridor. Most of it is easy riding. Then you hit the middle, and the trail just gives up. There's a fix in the works. Richmond just landed $700,000 from Caltrans to start closing that gap, money that only pays for planning and design work up to the 30 percent mark. Getting a bridge actually built will take another $30 million to $40 million on top of that, money the city does not have yet. So for now, the gap is still there, and so is the detour. Sped-up video of the detour cyclists take through the gap in the Richmond Greenway at 23rd Street and Carlson Boulevard, riding city streets to reconnect with the trail. If you start at the San Pablo Avenue end, where the Richmond Greenway meets the Ohlone Greenway coming down from El Cerrito, the first stretch runs past encampments tucked along the fence line and then behind Target, hugging the BART tracks the whole way. The tracks are fenced off and topped with razor wire, so there is nowhere to go but forward. On the other side, the trail backs right up against the yards of the houses that line the Greenway. There are not a lot of privacy fences, and you see everything: sheds, dog runs, laundry lines. The weeds are high this time of year, and blackberry brambles crowd the path in long, tangled ropes. You might catch someone out picking berries, working a bush with a plastic bag in one hand, not paying any attention to the bikes rolling past. Keep going, and you pass behind Nicholl Park, glimpsing the ballfields through the fence. Then, near 23rd Street, the trail ends. No signage, no detour arrow. The Greenway simply stops at Carlson Boulevard. From there you're on your own. Carlson runs north under the BART overpass, loud with train noise overhead, before the road splits into 23rd Street and Carlson. Take the 23rd Street fork, then turn left on Bissell Avenue, then left again onto the southbound leg of 23rd under the train tracks, then right on Ohio Avenue to pick the Greenway back up. On paper it's a short detour. In practice it's a bike lane with no divider, the green paint largely worn away, mixing you in with traffic that likes to fly down this stretch of 23rd well past 40 mph. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/07/richmond-greenway-bridge-23rd-street-osprey-design-concept2.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/07/richmond-greenway-bridge-23rd-street-osprey-design-concept1.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/07/richmond-greenway-bridge-23rd-street-osprey-design-concept3.webp) Renderings from the Richmond Greenway Bridge concept, an osprey-shaped span designed to carry cyclists and pedestrians over 23rd Street, Carlson Boulevard and the railroad tracks. (Donald MacDonald Architects) There's a shorter way, in theory. You could stay on Carlson and loop around by Greater Richmond Interfaith Program center onto southbound 23rd Street directly. But that stretch of Carlson runs one way, the wrong way, so unless you want to ride against traffic, you're stuck taking the long way around through Bissell. It's worth the trouble. Dirt World, a BMX course built on what used to be a trash-strewn lot, sits right at the edge of the gap. Get through it and onto the lower section of the Greenway, and you pass Unity Park, with its murals, orchards and playground equipment, and community gardens. The trail opens up Point Richmond, the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge and the ferry terminal, all without battling traffic. Head the other direction, north past San Pablo Avenue onto the Ohlone Greenway, and the same trail carries you into El Cerrito, Albany and Berkeley. [Bike riders flying again at Richmond’s Dirt World Bike ParkRichmond’s long-awaited BMX park, designed to become a community hub for cycling enthusiasts, remains unofficially open as the city works on final touches. While construction continues, eager riders have already taken down fences to use the park’s facilities, which include a BMX racetrack, dirt jumps, and a![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--ffa083bc-52e9-4b8b-aa47-18dd70223558.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/dirt-world-bike-park-richmond-ian-massey-1-17308148-754b-41c5-a7d5-4fea724aaece.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/bike-riders-flying-again-at-richmonds-dirt-world-bike-park/) Carlson is also where the city's separate Carlson Crosstown Project is supposed to land. The project would install bike lanes, curb ramps and paving on Carlson between 22nd Street and Tehama Avenue, with special attention to improving the connection to the Greenway itself, including a planned bike-only crossing. Phase one, covering Broadway to Tehama, is still unfinished, and the city has said it is pursuing grants to close the funding gap. This detour, roughly four blocks of city streets standing in for a bike trail, is not a new problem. The western half of the Greenway, from South 2nd Street to 23rd Street,[ opened in 2007](https://www.railstotrails.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/BATC-Project-Profiles-2024%5FRichmond%5F7.2.24.pdf?ref=grandviewindependent.com). The eastern half, paralleling BART from Carlson Boulevard to San Pablo Avenue, followed in 2010\. The current push to close the gap dates to a Caltrans-funded gap study, followed by an 18-month community design process with Pogo Park, CivicWell and Donald MacDonald Architects that produced the osprey-shaped concept unveiled at a "Bridge Week" event in December 2022\. Late last month, Caltrans awarded Richmond $700,000 to move that concept into its next phase: design work for a pedestrian and bicycle bridge over 23rd Street, Carlson Boulevard and the railroad tracks. The bridge would rise 180 feet at its tallest point. Architect Donald MacDonald said his goal was "to create a safe crossing that could only exist in Richmond, a bridge that rises like the bird that inspired it, giving the city a landmark that reflects its aspirations, serves as a branding element for the community, and establishes a signature identity found nowhere else in the world." ![Bike lane on 23rd Street at Bissell Avenue in Richmond.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/07/richmond-23rd-street-bike-lane-bissell-avenue.webp) The bike lane on 23rd Street at Bissell Avenue, part of the detour cyclists take through the Richmond Greenway trail gap. "What stands before us is more than a bridge; it's a gateway to transformation, bringing beauty, access, and opportunity to the heart of Richmond," said Sherwin Harris, President of the Iron Triangle Neighborhood Council. "The Greenway bridge reflects years of community vision and collaboration, and we are proud to be part of a project that will improve safety, connectivity, and quality of life for Richmond residents," said Toody Maher, Executive Director of Pogo Park. "This grant brings Richmond one significant step closer to making this bridge a reality," Richmond City Manager Shasa Curl said. "The residents of Richmond deserve a safe and accessible way to move through their own neighborhood, and we are committed to seeing this project through." Until then, riders just have to know the detour, or figure it out the hard way. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### On the agenda: AC Transit budget deficit, homeless outreach and policing proposals URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-agenda-ac-transit-budget-deficit-homeless-outreach-and-policing-proposals/ Last updated: 2026-07-25T15:51:43.000Z Richmond City Council will weigh a wide-ranging agenda Tuesday that includes a warning about looming AC Transit service cuts, a $1.66 million expansion of homeless outreach services, an independent fiscal review of a proposed police funding charter amendment and a $120 million fire station bond headed for the November ballot. ### AC Transit hits a fiscal pothole AC Transit representatives are set to brief the council on [a four-year, $200 million deficit](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62826&ref=grandviewindependent.com) that could force service cuts of up to 16 percent and layoffs affecting as many as 300 employees. The agency's pandemic-era emergency relief funding has run out, and a recent state bridge loan offers only temporary relief. A possible November ballot measure could provide additional funding, but without it, agency officials say cuts are unavoidable. The presentation is informational only, with no vote required, and it comes as the fourth and final item in the council's Study and Action Session, behind the Budget Session, a lengthy 12-department consent calendar and three earlier discussion items. According to the presentation, AC Transit connects riders across 13 cities and eight unincorporated communities in Alameda and Contra Costa counties, including 30,000 student trips systemwide on a typical school day. ### How Richmond gets to work Share of Richmond, California workers age 16 and older, by commute mode Richmond commute modes: drove alone 60.3%, worked from home 14%, carpooled 13.6%, public transit 8.2%, taxi/other 2.2%, walked 1.4%, bicycle 0.4%. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020–2024, Table S0801, Richmond city, California. Census figures show only about eight percent of Richmond workers use public transit to get to work compared with 74 percent who drive or carpool and 14 percent who work from home. Still, more than three percent of Richmond workers report no vehicle available at all, leaving them with few alternatives if bus service is scaled back. --- ### Putting a price tag on policing The city plans to spend [$24,500 on an independent fiscal analysis](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62707&ref=grandviewindependent.com) of a ballot initiative that would remake how Richmond funds public safety. The Public Safety Funding and Minimum Staffing Charter Amendment, filed by Richmond resident Michael Taylor Caine with backing from the Richmond Police Officers Association, would dedicate up to half of the city's locally generated unrestricted revenue to public safety and require the city to maintain a minimum of 187 sworn officers, a level well above where the department stands today. [Ballot measure would mandate 187 officers, lock half of Richmond’s local revenue for public safetyA Richmond resident has filed a ballot initiative that would require the city to dedicate up to half of its locally generated revenue to public safety and maintain a minimum of 187 sworn police officers, a base that sits 40 officers above where the department stands today. Michael Taylor Caine,![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--c9151b8d-25da-476f-b29c-f448700b561b.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2026-05-22-at-5.24.34-PM-1-7106a213-90d5-4364-a975-85bb6e81a5d2.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/ballot-measure-would-mandate-187-officers-lock-half-of-richmonds-local-revenue-for-public-safety/) The item sits on the consent calendar, meaning it's slated to pass without discussion. --- ### Richmond doubles down on homeless outreach Also on Tuesday, Richmond wants to [renew and expand its contract](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62822&ref=grandviewindependent.com) with Contra Costa County's Coordinated Outreach, Referral, and Engagement (CORE) program, the county's primary field-based outreach system for unsheltered residents. The partnership dates to 2018, when it was created to satisfy a city ordinance requiring outreach to unhoused residents before any encampment abatement. Staff says the current service model doesn't meet growing demand, and some of the temporary funding backing it is set to expire. The new three-year contract, not to exceed $1.66 million, would expand outreach coverage from its current schedule to six days a week, add a full-time outreach specialist and a full-time care coordinator, and set aside $100,000 a year in housing stability funds. Over the past year, CORE recorded 3,855 contacts in Richmond, reaching 1,153 unduplicated clients, including 927 individuals and 86 families. More than 61 percent of those served reported a disabling condition, and more than 27 percent had experienced homelessness for over five years. --- ### Council writes its own rulebook, quietly Another item would [formally confirm an ad hoc committee](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62695&ref=grandviewindependent.com), made up of Mayor Eduardo Martinez, Vice Mayor Doria Robinson, the city attorney, city clerk and city manager, to draft changes to the council's own rules of procedure. The agenda report does not spell out what those changes would involve, describing the committee's added task only as "other operational refinements." The committee has 60 days from its formal appointment to bring recommendations back to the full council. --- ### Salt, sugar, fat and a stalled checkout ordinance Staff will also [update the council on the city's draft Healthy Options at Point of Sale ordinance](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62832&ref=grandviewindependent.com), which would set nutrition standards for checkout-area food and beverage displays in large retail stores. The ordinance, modeled after a similar Berkeley policy, was introduced in 2022 but has stalled since then; it would apply to stores larger than 2,500 square feet and limit high-sugar and high-sodium displays at checkout. [Richmond is considering requiring healthy checkout optionsThe Richmond City Council will review a proposed ordinance that would make buying a candy bar at a large store slightly less convenient. The ordinance would require large retailers to offer healthier food options at checkout aisles – a move aimed at curbing the prevalence of junk food in low-income![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--4c46ba75-fdd2-47d4-971e-cd5e91ff2502.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-target-checkout-1-1-1-19fc42c3-e695-4bab-a5a8-611b91de4435.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-is-considering-requiring-healthy-checkout-options/) City staff has revised Richmond's draft to mirror a Contra Costa County ordinance adopted last October, a move that could allow the county to handle enforcement, something Richmond reportedly lacks the staff capacity to do on its own. Council will be asked for direction on the partnership before staff returns with a final ordinance. --- ### [Ciclovía's fifth act, still no ending](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62696&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Rounding out the Study and Action Session, the 23rd Street Ciclovía Pilot Project returns for a fifth time, having been continued from the council's June 16, June 23, July 7 and July 21 meetings. Council will discuss the item without additional public comment, since input was already taken at the July 7 meeting. ### [Fire bond inches toward the ballot](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62812&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Council will also give second-reading approval to a $120 million fire station bond measure headed for the November 3 ballot, along with a companion resolution setting the election's procedural details. [Richmond council advances fire station bond toward November ballot, rejects ethics commission measureThe Richmond City Council voted Tuesday to move forward with a $120 million fire station bond measure headed for the November ballot, then fell one vote short of doing the same for a measure that would have created an independent ethics commission. Tuesday’s vote was a first reading. A![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--3fa5c7dd-9bf2-486a-b19b-d1a769796f50.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-fire-station-bond-officials-city-council-july-2026-copy-1-1-9441256e-f996-485c-9adb-2069e8b3fb3b.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-council-advances-fire-station-bond-toward-november-ballot-rejects-ethics-commission-measure/) ### Also on the consent calendar A [side letter with the Richmond Police Management Association](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62754&ref=grandviewindependent.com) would adjust special compensation practices tied to the California Public Employees' Retirement System. An [after-the-fact construction agreement with NEMA Construction](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62854&ref=grandviewindependent.com), for $236,258, would approve a traffic calming project the contractor already completed. A [construction agreement amendment for the Boorman Park revitalization project](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62770&ref=grandviewindependent.com) would add $590,000, raising the total payment limit to $4.41 million, with authority for change orders that could push the total as high as $4.85 million. Staff is recommending the city manager [extend the land use agreement for The Lot](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62828&ref=grandviewindependent.com), the downtown Richmond food court, through December 2028. Council will vote on a [resolution opposing new coal and petcoke export facilities](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62719&ref=grandviewindependent.com) in the Bay Area and urging stricter regulation by the Bay Area Air District, sponsored by Councilmember Sue Wilson and Mayor Martinez. A separate [resolution backing SB 954](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62851&ref=grandviewindependent.com), sponsored by Councilmember Cesar Zepeda, would support tightening state environmental review exemptions tied to habitat protections and industrial pollution. The city wants to [approve $350,333 in ECIA grant funding](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62724&ref=grandviewindependent.com) for 13 local organizations for the coming fiscal year. A [sole-source, three-year contract worth $144,000](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62867&ref=grandviewindependent.com) with Logik Systems would fund e-discovery software to help the City Clerk's Office manage public records requests, subpoenas, and other regulatory matters. Staff also want to [accept an additional $800,000 in Caltrans grant funding](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62776&ref=grandviewindependent.com) for the Richmond Art and Lighting Project, bringing total funding for that grant to $1.1 million. [Richmond’s murals get a little TLCTwo of Richmond’s beloved murals, created in the 1990s by artist John Wehrle, are being restored in a collaboration with Caltrans and the City of Richmond, according to project lead Richard Muro Salazar. The work is being done by hand with the help of local artists who are diligently![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--bfe76e84-d7b8-40d8-bc55-b5680b293eb7.png)Grandview IndependentLinda Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/IMG_5832-2e1e6f50-595f-482a-862a-06d1b2f53e1c.jpeg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmonds-murals-get-a-little-tlc/) Council will also adopt, on [second reading, zoning amendments](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62698&ref=grandviewindependent.com) governing accessory dwelling units and junior accessory dwelling units, updating city code to conform with state law. A [$350,000 contract](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62864&ref=grandviewindependent.com) would fund an economic revitalization strategy for downtown Richmond and the Macdonald Avenue corridor, with the city manager authorized to negotiate with the top-ranked firm. The city wants to [accept $204,505 in state grant funding](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62765&ref=grandviewindependent.com) from the California Highway Patrol's Cannabis Tax Fund program to address impaired driving. A [sole-source contract worth up to $165,000](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62757&ref=grandviewindependent.com) with Jason Corburn would continue data system development and reporting services for the city's Office of Neighborhood Safety. A [$202,000 contract with Ground Works Consulting](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62713&ref=grandviewindependent.com) would analyze Richmond's Residential Rental Inspection Program and develop a plan to bring administration and inspections in-house, a shift away from the city's current outside management of the program. A [$63,000 amendment](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62729&ref=grandviewindependent.com) with Hatchuel Tabernik & Associates would extend project evaluation and reporting services for the Housing Division's Encampment Resolution Funding projects, raising that contract's total to $203,000. The city wants to [approve a $625,000 fleet management contract](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62843&ref=grandviewindependent.com) with Motive Technologies for tracking and software services across Richmond's vehicle fleet. Council will also [authorize temporary housing](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62762&ref=grandviewindependent.com) for two Richmond police recruits attending the South Bay Regional Public Safety Training Academy, at a cost of about $31,000. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond council advances fire station bond toward November ballot, rejects ethics commission measure URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-council-advances-fire-station-bond-toward-november-ballot-rejects-ethics-commission-measure/ Last updated: 2026-07-22T23:17:35.000Z The Richmond City Council voted Tuesday to move forward with a $120 million fire station bond measure headed for the November ballot, then fell one vote short of doing the same for a measure that would have created an independent ethics commission. Tuesday's vote was a first reading. A second reading and final adoption is scheduled for July 28\. No debt is authorized until voters weigh in this fall, when the measure will need two-thirds voter approval to pass. Director of Finance Emily Combs told the council the fire station needs are part of a much larger citywide problem. She said the city's 10-year capital improvement plan identifies more than $1.1 billion in unfunded or underfunded capital needs, of which more than $350 million relates to general and public safety facilities. The fire department's identified needs total about $115 million, meaning the bond addresses roughly 10 percent of the city's overall backlog. ### Capital Improvement Projects $1,132,245,000 shortfall ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/07/richmond-cip-top-table-1.png) Fire Chief Aaron Osorio told the council that three fire stations and the department's training facility are in the most urgent need of work. Station 63 on Valley View Road, built in 1991, has significant foundation settling, causing uneven floors, wall cracks and roof leaks that have led to black mold. Station 66 on Clinton Avenue, the city's oldest firehouse, built in 1942, has only one interior bathroom and has relied on a portable trailer out back for 13 years. Station 67 on Cutting Boulevard, built in 1943, sits inside the Rosie the Riveter World War II Home Front National Historical Park, which Osorio said limits renovation options; it doesn't meet seismic standards, and its fire engines and ladder truck no longer fit the building. Osorio said the stakes go beyond comfort. "We are relied upon in the worst days of people's lives and the disasters," he said, adding that under current conditions, "I can't make that promise right now" that crews could keep responding through a major earthquake or wildfire. Combs and Wing-See Fox, the city's municipal advisor with Urban Futures, said the estimated average annual tax rate to repay the bonds would be about $22.15 per $100,000 of assessed property value. Combs said the estimate reflects more refined bond structuring, including spreading issuance across three sales two to three years apart. Total debt service on the bonds, including principal and interest, is estimated at $249,749,206 if fully issued, with collection continuing through 2060\. Bond Counsel Juan Galvan said debt service would be repaid solely through property tax and would not draw from the general fund. Councilmember Jamelia Brown asked whether unspent Chevron settlement funds could be used to reduce the bond amount voters are asked to approve. Combs said that would be a policy decision for later, and Galvan noted the $120 million authorization does not obligate the city to issue the full amount. Mayor Eduardo Martinez asked about Station 67's historic status, suggesting the city build new elsewhere and preserve the old station as a historic site. Osorio said a study identified building new near the current site as the likely best option, and noted the National Park Service would have first right of refusal to take over the building if the city stopped using it for fire operations. If the council gives final approval July 28, the measure goes to the Contra Costa County Elections Division, followed by a period for impartial analysis and ballot arguments before the November 3 election. ### Ethics commission measure falls short Later in the same meeting, the council voted 3-4 against placing a second ballot measure before voters: the Richmond Government Accountability, Transparency and Ethics Act, known as the GATE Act, which would have created an independent ethics commission with subpoena power and a guaranteed budget floor. The measure was introduced by Councilmembers Cesar Zepeda, Soheila Bana and Brown, who voted yes. Councilmembers Claudia Jimenez and Sue Wilson, Vice Mayor Doria Robinson and Martinez voted no. It would have asked voters to establish a seven-member commission with a full-time investigator, authority to open investigations without a complaint, and jurisdiction over elected officials, appointed officials, lobbyists, contractors and nonprofits doing business with the city. Zepeda, the measure's lead sponsor, said Richmond doesn’t have an independent mechanism to investigate complaints against elected officials or city management, since complaints currently go through the city attorney's office or human resources, both of which report up through the same council members they might need to investigate. "There's no guarantee of investigation and transparency about the outcomes," he said. "That's an inherent conflict no one inside the system can fix." Zepeda pointed to seven California cities with independent ethics commissions, including Los Angeles, Oakland and San Francisco, and said Richmond is an outlier among comparable cities because it doesn't have one. Wilson challenged the accuracy of that comparison. The agenda report cites Los Angeles, Oakland, San Francisco and San Jose, all substantially larger than Richmond, as ethics-commission cities. Wilson said her research showed that none of Richmond's peer cities in Contra Costa County have an independent ethics commission, and that among similarly sized cities statewide, independent ethics commissions are largely limited to California's 10 largest cities. "There is a problem with putting out an agenda report in which you've misinformed the public," Wilson told Zepeda, stopping short of calling it dishonest but saying his framing that an ethics commission is normal for a city Richmond's size "is not a normal thing to do." Zepeda said the wording could have been sharper, but that comparisons to peer cities missed the point. "Doesn't matter who hasn't done it," he said. "We are Richmond, wanting to hold ourselves accountable." He argued outside agencies have not intervened in past Richmond cases, including the Housing Authority. Robinson said the city already has bodies that thoroughly investigate complaints against elected officials, and characterized the measure as politically motivated, arguing its sponsors were creating their own commission because "they don't like the results of the FBI, the FPPC, the Attorney General." [FPPC dismisses complaint against Richmond Councilmember Doria RobinsonThe California Fair Political Practices Commission has dismissed a complaint filed by former Richmond Mayor Tom Butt against City Councilmember Doria Robinson, alleging violations related to her involvement with the Transformative Climate Communities grant. The FPPC determined there was insufficient evidence to support Butt’s claims that Robinson failed to![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--0716193b-40f2-4880-af0c-bfcbdbe3167f.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-city-council-doria-robinson--96da201b-aa7c-48f3-9878-4323b11f0212.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/fppc-dismisses-second-complaint-against-richmond-councilmember-doria-robinson-2/) Robinson called it "a political witch hunt" driven by people who are "not winning at the polls." Jimenez voted no as well, citing more pressing budget priorities, including deferred infrastructure needs such as fire station renovations. Brown, a co-sponsor, argued the council should let voters decide rather than block the measure from reaching the ballot. Several members of the public spoke in support of the measure, citing a past case involving the Richmond Housing Authority in which residents said complaints about unrepaired units went unaddressed for years, as an example of the kind of case the commission could have investigated. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### What's the Buzz: Cafe Gran Milan URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/whats-the-buzz-cafe-gran-milan/ Last updated: 2026-07-25T15:55:39.000Z In the midst of an urban jungle, an oasis emerges, alive with the aroma of Italy, offering authentic pastries and coffee so delicious you cannot believe you haven't been here before. This is Cafe Gran Milan, located on Jacuzzi Street — in a semi-industrial area you may think is El Cerrito, but is really Richmond. The cafe is tucked down a driveway and nestled between grey buildings; you think you've taken a wrong turn until lush greenery and a bright yellow structure emerge. Once inside, you are greeted by an expansive display of baked goods, leaving one pondering for longer than is practical. A barista appears to take our order, forcing us to choose among the many beautiful creations. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/07/cafe-gran-milan-italian-pastries-richmond-ca.webp) A selection of Italian pastries is displayed at Cafe Gran Milan in Richmond. Photo/ Soren Hemmila We ordered a classic cappuccino, vanilla latte, and cafe mocha. No one was unhappy with their choice. Our mocha man reported that this version of his preferred beverage varied from those previously ordered, in part because of the careful balance between the chocolate and the coffee, which might also have been a lighter brew. The latte was traditional and balanced, with pleasant notes of both coffee and vanilla rather than one fighting to overtake the other. One *Grandview* staffer feels the cappuccino is a specific drink that can only be constructed in one way. It's a you get what you get situation where the coffee-to-milk ratio of perfect thirds is integral to the drink. However, Gran Milan's cappuccino differed in that the ratio leaned more toward milk, making the drink closer to a latte. Good, but a little milky. The pastries. Oh wow, the pastries! Filled croissants, beignets, cannuccini – the choice was impossible, so we randomly picked three and sliced them up back at Grandview HQ so everyone could get a taste of the bounty. Filled with custard, dipped in chocolate or topped with fruit, if you are looking for a good, old-world European bakery, this is it. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/07/IMG_5813-1.jpeg) But wait, there's more... Did we mention the sandwiches? Yes, there are sandwiches, and there's pizza and salad too! In fact, Cafe Gran Milan's menu offers a little bit of everything; oh, and they cater too. *What's the Buzz* is surveying coffee shops around Richmond, which includes independent roasters and cafes staking a claim on a corner and making their case one cup at a time. The rule is simple: order what our staff normally drinks, document our findings to help you, the readers, decide whether it's worth the trip. Have a favorite cafe or coffee stop? Let us know! [What’s the Buzz: Point Richmond’s Roma Caffe and BarGrandview Independent · GrandEATS What’s the Buzz Reviewing coffee shops around Richmond, CA ☕ 0stops visited![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--73ced8d4-9c47-4a96-b68a-7c1d25efa4ea.png)Grandview IndependentLinda Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/IMG_5765-1-1-1-4574cb02-7ae3-407c-b870-817da82ffeed.jpeg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/whats-the-buzz-point-richmonds-roma-caffe-and-bar/) --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### What happened in Richmond: Attempted homicide, armed robberies and 11 stolen cars URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/what-happened-in-richmond-attempted-homicide-armed-robberies-and-11-stolen-cars/ Last updated: 2026-07-26T14:51:33.000Z An attempted homicide, two armed robberies and 11 vehicle thefts were among the incidents Richmond police logged between July 13 and 19, according to information released by the Richmond Police Department. The week's reports also included domestic violence, criminal threats, multiple DUI arrests and several suspects allegedly found carrying illegal firearms, including machine guns and an assault weapon. Grandview Independent Richmond Crime Incident Map Loading... From To Load Incident locations are approximate. RPD reports crimes by block, not exact address, to protect privacy. ## Filter by type All Loading... ### Monday, July 13 **Vandalism and parts theft:** Somewhere in the 94804 zip code. Someone stripped parts off a vehicle at midnight. **Visalia vehicle vanishing:** 1500 block of Visalia Avenue. A car went missing at 1:39 a.m. **Vehicle tampering:** 600 block of 31st Street. A vehicle was tampered with at 3:26 a.m. **Felon caught with a firearm:** 2300 block of Aberdeen Way. Officers arrested a felon on gun and parole violation charges, including illegal possession of an assault weapon and ammunition, at 8:21 a.m. **Vehicle recovered:** 4100 block of Ohio Avenue. A stolen car was recovered at 8:34 a.m. **Car theft:** 200 block of Tewksbury Avenue. Another car went missing at 9:09 a.m. **Parts theft:** Central Avenue. Another vehicle got picked over for parts at 11 a.m. **Sexual assault reported:** 800 block of Brookside Drive. A report of drugging and sexual assault was logged at noon. **Vandalism:** 5100 block of Creely Avenue. A felony-level vandalism report came in at 1 p.m. **Grand theft:** West Barrett Avenue. Someone reported items stolen from a building at 2:27 p.m. **Felon with guns:** 1000 block of South 47th Street. Police arrested a suspect carrying a concealed, loaded, unregistered handgun along with a machine gun and ammunition, resisting officers in the process, at 2:45 p.m. **Petty theft:** 4900 block of Macdonald Avenue. A theft report came in at 3:30 p.m. **Battery:** Somewhere in the 94801 zip code. Officers took a battery report at 3:53 p.m. **Drugs for sale:** Somewhere in the 94805 zip code. A suspect was arrested on suspicion of possessing controlled substances for sale at 4:23 p.m. **Public fight:** Somewhere in the 94804 zip code. A fight in a public place was reported at 4:50 p.m. **Domestic battery:** 900 block of Nevin Avenue. A late-night report of battery between spouses or dating partners came in at 10:35 p.m. ### Tuesday, July 14 **Trespassing arrest:** 200 block of 28th Street. Someone was arrested for refusing to leave a property at 7:47 a.m. **Threats and vandalism:** 2600 block of Hilltop Drive. A felony criminal-threats charge, along with vandalism, was reported at 9:56 a.m. **Criminal threats:** 6000 block of Giant Road. Another threat complaint followed at 11:29 a.m. **Hit-and-run:** Somewhere in the 94805 zip code. A driver failed to stop after a property-damage collision, reported at 11:53 a.m. **Open alcohol violation:** Macdonald Avenue. A quality-of-life alcohol violation was reported at 12:30 p.m. **Forgery:** 100 block of 2nd Street. A forgery report came in at 1 p.m. **Petty theft:** 4500 block of Macdonald Avenue. Another theft was reported at 1:29 p.m. **Grand theft:** 1100 block of 23rd Street. A theft report came in at 4 p.m. **Domestic violence with a weapon:** 400 block of 1st Street. Police arrested a suspect for injuring a spouse or cohabitant and for assault with a deadly weapon at 4:04 p.m. **Restraining order violated:** 5200 block of Gordon Avenue. An arrest followed a violation of a domestic violence protective order at 7 p.m. **Battery arrest:** 3700 block of Ohio Avenue. Officers arrested a suspect on battery charges at 9:15 p.m. **Firearm exhibited:** Somewhere in the 94804 zip code. Someone brandished a gun at 10:21 p.m. **Police evasion:** 900 block of 37th Street. A driver fled from officers with wanton disregard for safety at 11:38 p.m. ### Wednesday, July 15 **Criminal threats:** 1600 block of Butte Street. A threats complaint opened the day at 12:31 a.m. **Parts theft:** 5200 block of Clinton Avenue. Vehicle parts were stolen at 1:36 a.m. **Armed and evading:** Somewhere in the 94804 zip code. A driver carrying a loaded firearm fled from police at 2:13 a.m. **Commercial burglary:** 100 block of Harbour Way. Officers arrested a burglar for breaking into a business at 2:36 a.m. **Vehicle tampering:** 2000 block of Barrett Avenue. Another car was messed with at 6:46 a.m. **Vehicle recovered:** Somewhere in the 94805 zip code. A stolen car turned up at 10:53 a.m. **Stealership:** 3200 block of Auto Plaza. A car was reported stolen at 11:34 a.m. **Battery:** 3400 block of Regatta Boulevard. A battery report came in at 12:55 p.m. **Theft and threats:** 11900 block of San Pablo Avenue. A petty theft and a felony criminal-threats charge were reported together at 1:19 p.m. **Court order violated:** 1700 block of Regatta Boulevard. Someone violated a court order at 2:52 p.m. **Paraphernalia arrest:** Somewhere in the 94801 zip code. Officers arrested someone for possessing drug paraphernalia at 4:03 p.m. **Shoplifting arrest:** 4500 block of Macdonald Avenue. A shoplifting suspect was booked at 5:16 p.m. **Elder abuse and battery:** 500 block of 22nd Street. Police arrested a suspect on charges including battery, theft and causing harm to an elder or dependent adult, after the person resisted officers, at 6:41 p.m. **Petty theft:** 500 block of Marina Way. A theft report came in at 7 p.m. **Grand theft dog:** 200 block of South 2nd Street. Someone reported a stolen dog at 7:10 p.m. **Criminal threats:** 2500 block of Duke Avenue. A threats report followed at 8 p.m. **Grand theft arrest:** Somewhere in the 94804 zip code. A theft suspect was arrested at 8:03 p.m. **Attempted homicide:** 400 block of Wilson Avenue. Police logged an attempted homicide with a firearm at 8:15 p.m., alongside an aggravated assault charge involving a gun. [Two hurt in Wilson Avenue shooting, one airlifted for treatmentLast update: July 16, 2026, 9:57 a.m. Richmond police are investigating a shooting Wednesday evening in the 400 block of Wilson Avenue that left two people injured, one of whom was airlifted to a trauma center. Lieutenant Joe England, the Richmond Police Department’s public information officer, said![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--19bb3ac5-1999-4eee-ad64-93e5c02a8c47.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2026-07-15-at-9.33.20-PM-a60ae1b1-05c1-430d-a118-f3a8adecbcfb.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/two-hurt-in-wilson-avenue-shooting-one-airlifted-for-treatment/) **Vandalism:** 500 block of Marina Way. A minor vandalism report came in at 9 p.m. **DUI arrest:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. A drunk driver was arrested at 11:28 p.m. ### **Thursday, July 16** **Chanslor car caper:** 200 block of West Chanslor Avenue. A car was stolen at 12:43 a.m. **Court order violated, arrest made:** 3400 block of Macdonald Avenue. Someone was arrested for disobeying a court order at 1:55 a.m. **Car theft:** 300 block of South 26th Street. Another vehicle theft was reported at 6:26 a.m. **Missing Mullens motor:** 2900 block of Mullens Drive. A car went missing at 6:39 a.m. **Car theft:** 2500 block of Maricopa Avenue. Yet another car was stolen at 7:18 a.m. **Petty theft:** 1400 block of Hilltop Mall Road. A theft report came in at 8:13 a.m. **Domestic violence:** Somewhere in the 94805 zip code. A corporal-injury domestic violence report was filed at 8:31 a.m. **Vandalism:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. A felony vandalism report came in at 9:18 a.m. **Petty theft and vandalism:** 700 block of Nevin Avenue. Officers took a combined theft and vandalism report at 9:21 a.m. **Humphrey Avenue grab:** 2600 block of Humphrey Avenue. Another car theft was reported at 9:42 a.m. **Vandalism arrest:** 800 block of Castro Street. A vandalism and theft suspect was arrested at 1:58 p.m. **Domestic violence and child injury:** 2400 block of Aberdeen Way. Officers took a report of injury to both a domestic partner and a child at 5:19 p.m. **Battery arrest:** 4800 block of Santa Rita Road. A battery suspect was arrested at 5:40 p.m. **Assault with a firearm, arrest made:** Somewhere in the 94804 zip code. Police arrested a suspect on charges of assaulting someone with a firearm at 7 p.m. **Criminal threats:** 3100 block of Southampton Court. A threats report came in at 7 p.m. **Nevin car theft:** 400 block of Nevin Avenue. A car was stolen at 8 p.m. ### Friday, July 17 **Alamo autos absconded:** 300 block of Alamo Avenue. A car theft opened the day's log at 3:29 a.m. **Car theft:** 1600 block of Ohio Avenue. The swift street swindlers snatched another vehicle at 3:45 a.m. **Vandalism:** 2400 block of Aberdeen Way. Property damage was reported at 4 a.m. **Stalking arrest:** 2200 block of Barrett Avenue. Police arrested a stalking suspect at 2:42 p.m. **Custody violation:** 1700 block of Regatta Boulevard. A custody decree violation was reported at 4:59 p.m. **Gun drawn on a motorist:** Somewhere in the 94804 zip code. Someone exhibited a firearm at a vehicle occupant during what was also logged as an assault with a deadly weapon, at 5:29 p.m. **Vandalism:** 200 block of South Second Street. A felony vandalism report came in at 6 p.m. **Child abuse:** 4500 block of Florida Avenue. Officers took a report of injury to a child at 6:54 p.m. **Assault with a deadly weapon:** 900 block of West Cutting Boulevard. An assault report came in at 7:38 p.m. **Burglary and shoplifting:** 2100 block of Meeker Avenue. Officers responded to a commercial burglary and shoplifting complaint at 8:01 p.m. The offense log also lists a felony warrant arrest. **Vehicle recovered:** Somewhere in the 94801 zip code. A stolen car was recovered at 8:05 p.m. **Warrant arrest:** Somewhere in the 94801 zip code. A misdemeanor warrant was served at 8:22 p.m. **Shoplifting:** 2100 block of Meeker Avenue. Another shoplifting call came from the same stretch of Meeker Avenue at 9:07 p.m. **Criminal threats:** 700 block of Pennsylvania Avenue. A threats complaint came in at 9:24 p.m. **DUI arrest:** Somewhere in the 94801 zip code. A drunk driver was arrested at 10 p.m. **Machine gun possession:** 1800 block of Chanslor Avenue. Officers arrested a suspect for possessing a machine gun at 10:01 p.m. **Wall wheel walk-off:** 4700 block of Wall Avenue. The night's last car theft was reported at 10:40 p.m. ### Saturday, July 18 **Domestic battery, order violated:** 100 block of South 20th Street. A battery between spouses or exes, alongside a violation of a domestic violence protective order, was reported at 12:31 a.m. **Auto burglary and false ID, arrest made:** 300 block of 27th Street. Police arrested a suspect for auto burglary and giving false identification to an officer at 12:42 a.m. **Domestic battery arrest:** 500 block of South 47th Street. A battery suspect was arrested at 12:43 a.m. **Vandalism and burglary:** 3000 block of Hilltop Mall Road. Officers took a report of property damage and forced entry into a business at 6:02 a.m. **Vehicle recovered:** Somewhere in the 94804 zip code. A stolen vehicle was recovered at 8:36 a.m. **Theft from a vehicle:** 700 block of Virginia Avenue. A theft-from-auto report came in at 10:19 a.m. **Petty theft:** 800 block of 33rd Street. A theft was reported at 11:07 a.m. **Court order violated:** 2100 block of Nevin Avenue. A contempt-of-court report came in at 2:16 p.m. **Battery:** 1400 block of Hilltop Mall Road. A battery report came in at 3 p.m. **Loaded gun in public:** Somewhere in the 94804 zip code. Officers took a report of someone carrying a loaded firearm at 5:49 p.m. **Armed robbery:** Bissell Avenue. A robbery with a dangerous weapon was reported at 7:39 p.m. **Minor DUI :** Somewhere in the 94801 zip code. Officers reported a driver over the 0.08 legal limit along with a related charge for a driver under 21 with any measurable alcohol, at 9:29 p.m. **Domestic violence:** 800 block of 10th Street. A corporal-injury domestic violence report came in at 10 p.m. **DUI:** 4800 block of Potrero Avenue. Officers reportedly found a drunk driver at 10:27 p.m. ### Sunday, July 19 **Burglary, vandalism arrest:** 3600 block of Macdonald Avenue. Police arrested a suspect for breaking into a business by force, felony vandalism and resisting an officer at midnight. **Felon with a firearm:** 1400 block of Maine Avenue. Officers took a report of a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, along with felony narcotics possession at 1:45 a.m. **Armed robbery:** somewhere in the 94801 zip code. A robbery with a dangerous weapon was reported at 4:30 a.m. **McBryde Avenue disappearance:** 3600 block of McBryde Avenue. A car was stolen at 10:49 a.m. **Assault and domestic violence:** 600 block of South 31st Street. Officers took a report of an aggravated assault involving possible great bodily injury, along with a domestic violence charge, at noon. **Police evasion:** 3200 block of Pullman Avenue. A driver fled from officers with a wanton disregard for safety at 8:58 p.m. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### On the agenda: $120 million fire bond, ethics measure again pushed to the end, and a full slate of new business URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-agenda-120-million-fire-bond-ethics-measure-again-pushed-to-the-end-and-a-full-slate-of-new-business/ Last updated: 2026-07-18T02:44:03.000Z Richmond City Council faces its largest new business agenda of the summer on Tuesday, with six discussion items on the table. Two of the biggest, a $120 million fire station bond and a ballot measure creating an independent ethics commission, are both racing the same deadline to make the November ballot. ### [A $120 million fire bond heads to voters](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62501&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The council will vote on whether to ask Richmond voters this November to approve up to $120 million in general obligation bonds to repair and seismically retrofit the city's aging fire stations, some of which are roughly 80 years old. The money would also cover mold and asbestos abatement in firefighter living quarters, electrical and plumbing repairs, and upgrades to training facilities and apparatus bays. The measure needs two-thirds voter approval to pass. If it clears the council on Tuesday, it will be back on July 28 for a second reading and a resolution placing the measure on the November 3 ballot. The bond would be repaid through a new property tax, not the General Fund, at an [estimated average rate](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62504&ref=grandviewindependent.com) of $22.15 per $100,000 of assessed value, rising to a peak of $24.06 per $100,000 in 2028\. Total repayment, if the city issues the full $120 million, is projected at $249.7 million in principal and interest through 2060. That new tax would stack on top of what Richmond property owners already pay: a [combined rate of about 1.42 percent](https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/6572/Tax-Rates?ref=grandviewindependent.com) of assessed value, made up of the base countywide tax, the Richmond pension tax, and existing school, transit and community college bonds. On top of that, homeowners also pay several hundred dollars a year in flat fees for sewer, storm drain, and similar services. ### [GATE Act, still last on the agenda](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62450&ref=grandviewindependent.com) For the third meeting in a row, the Richmond GATE Act, a ballot measure that would create an independent Ethics Commission, is the final item on the agenda, once again placed behind five other discussion items and a budget session. Sponsors Cesar Zepeda, Soheila Bana, and Jamelia Brown need the council to adopt a resolution by July 28 directing the city attorney to begin drafting the ordinance and ballot language; otherwise, the measure misses the November ballot outright. The ethics proposal would create a seven-member commission with a full-time investigator empowered to subpoena records, a $1 million budget floor in year one that "may not be reduced under any circumstances," and jurisdiction over elected officials, city staff, lobbyists, contractors, and nonprofits doing business with the city. By year two, the minimum budget would grow to the greater of $1 million or 0.5 percent of General Fund revenue, an estimated $1.62 million based on projected revenue. The sponsors' report argues Richmond is an outlier among major California cities in lacking such a commission, noting Los Angeles, San Francisco, Oakland, San Diego, San Jose, Long Beach, and Sacramento all have one. ### [Military equipment report returns for a final vote](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62427&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The Richmond Police Department's 2025 Annual Military Equipment Use Report is back for the third time, after continuances in June and July. Public comment already closed at the July 7 meeting, so the council will now discuss and vote without further input. The report covers the required annual reauthorization of RPD's inventory under state law AB 481\. It reflects two changes the council previously requested: new tracking of when officers deploy patrol rifles, and an updated policy section on armored rescue vehicles borrowed from other agencies. [Richmond council leaves police equipment report unresolved after meetingRichmond City Councilmembers spent more than two hours Tuesday night hearing a detailed report on the police department’s rifles, drones, and other specialized gear, but time ran out before they could vote on it. Councilmember Cesar Zepeda asked the council to schedule a follow-up meeting next week to![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--b3967ae9-24d1-41f9-bb0f-5f8e3f9fbfa0.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-city-council-military-equipment-hearing-public-comment-july-7-2026-1-1-c326cb29-6981-4dd9-b71a-8b6d3d82e0b6.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-council-leaves-police-equipment-report-unresolved-after-meeting/) ### [Weed abatement enforcement gets a policy push](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62449&ref=grandviewindependent.com) A Bana-and Zepeda-sponsored item asks the council to formally adopt four recommendations from the city's Wildfire Preparedness Ad Hoc Committee, after a related May 19 report was placed on the consent calendar and never discussed. The recommendations: evaluate shortening the appeal timeline for defensible-space violations in wildfire hazard zones, set up an on-call vegetation management contract for parcels where owners don't comply, launch a one-year pilot program to help homeowners pay for defensible-space work near their homes, and require staff to report back within 60 days with costs and an implementation schedule. ### [Public Lands Policy would set labor standards for city land deals](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62505&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Councilmember Cesar Zepeda's resolution would establish a Public Lands Policy requiring project labor agreements on private development built on land the city leases, sells, or otherwise funds. The policy grew out of an October 2025 presentation from the Contra Costa Building and Construction Trades Council, after which the council directed staff to develop labor standards covering worker protections, job standards, enforceability and apprenticeship pathways for skilled trades workers, including those affiliated with the NorCal Carpenters Union. ### [Housing Equity Roadmap contract grows again, on its fourth try](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62431&ref=grandviewindependent.com) A second amendment to the city's contract with Just Cities LLC would raise the payment limit by $49,999, to a total of $209,994, and extend the consultant's work on the Housing Equity Roadmap through December 31, 2027\. The roadmap is a Housing Element-mandated planning document addressing fair housing, land use, and equitable development in Richmond. This is the item's fourth appearance on the agenda without a vote, after continuances from June 16, June 23, and July 7. ### [Glenn Avenue and McBryde Avenue closure aims to cut through traffic](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62441&ref=grandviewindependent.com) A Public Works item would close the direct vehicular connection between Glenn Avenue and McBryde Avenue as part of the McBryde Avenue Safe Routes to Park project, intended to reduce cut-through traffic and improve safety for people walking and biking to the park. The city of San Pablo submitted a letter of support for the project. This is the item's fourth appearance since June 16 without a vote. ### [23rd Street Ciclovía still awaiting a green light](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62447&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Council will get an update on the proposed 23rd Street Ciclovía pilot project, but rather than a vote to move forward, staff is asking for direction on whether the project should be prioritized at all within the current Public Works and Transportation work plan. The ask specifically weighs staffing capacity, cost, trade-offs against other council-directed priorities, and impacts on traffic safety and calming work, grant-funded project delivery, and other resident and council traffic requests already in the pipeline. This is also the item's fourth appearance since June 16 without resolution. ## The consent calendar Notable items include the county's [official certification of the June 2 primary election results](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62451&ref=grandviewindependent.com) for mayor and Districts 2, 3 and 4; a [proposed 2.9 percent rate increase and a full rewrite of the Port of Richmond's tariff schedule](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62473&ref=grandviewindependent.com), including a new $200-per-hour Clean Port and Clean Air fee; the [appointment of Amanda Campbell](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62455&ref=grandviewindependent.com) to the Richmond Fund for Children and Youth Oversight Board; and formation of an [ad hoc committee](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62457&ref=grandviewindependent.com), made up of the mayor, vice mayor, city attorney, city clerk and city manager, to revise the council's own rules of procedure within 60 days. A public hearing on new septic system permitting rules has been withdrawn from the agenda entirely. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent. All rights reserved.* ### Poll shows WCCUSD parcel tax renewal short of support needed to pass URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/poll-shows-wccusd-parcel-tax-renewal-short-of-support-needed-to-pass/ Last updated: 2026-07-17T18:43:02.000Z West Contra Costa Unified School District's board voted unanimously Wednesday night to put a renewal of its longstanding parcel tax on the November ballot. Its own pollster told trustees that voter support currently falls short of the two-thirds threshold needed to win. The board approved the resolution after a short public hearing, calling for a November 3 election consolidated with the statewide gubernatorial race. If approved, the measure would renew the existing parcel tax at its current rate of 7.2 cents per building square foot for another nine years, starting in July 2027, raising an estimated $10.2 million a year. The tax has been in place since voters first approved it in 2004 and renewed it in 2012 and 2016\. The current version, Measure T, expires at the end of the 2026-27 fiscal year. Before the vote, Bryan Godbe of Godbe Research detailed results from a survey of 709 likely voters conducted last November. Support for the measure, after voters heard the full ballot language, started at 62.6 percent. Support rose to nearly 70 percent after voters heard positive arguments for the measure, then dropped back to 61.6 percent once they'd also heard the case against it. Godbe told the board that averaging those two later tests puts support at 65.8 percent, still under the mark. "That's not where we need to be for a two-thirds parcel tax measure," Godbe said. Godbe said the survey tested ways to boost support, including dropping the measure's annual cost-of-living adjustment. That produced a bigger bump than shortening the tax's term did. He also pointed to voters' economic outlook: 62 percent of respondents said last fall they expected the economy to get worse, and Godbe said conditions since then, including higher gas and grocery prices, have only reinforced that pessimism. ### Opinion on Future Direction of the Economy ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/07/Opinion-Future-Direction-Economy.webp) Godbe recommended keeping the rate flat rather than push for an increase. "I think it is important to be cautious and not try to shoot for the moon," Godbe said. "We think that putting it on the ballot at the same 7.2 cents that it's been is probably the right way to go in this adverse economic climate." Trustee Leslie Reckler said the measure is filling a gap that state and federal funding doesn't cover. "Even though you're hearing in the press that there is record funding on education, that is true," Reckler said. "But it's restricted funding streams that are not giving us what we need to run our daily operations. Costs are outpacing what we're getting from the state, and that is just the bottom line." Reckler pointed to the district's sports programs, including CIF and state football championships, as an example of what the tax has funded, and closed with a direct appeal to voters. "I'm begging for community support again," she said. "So hopefully, this November, you'll support us and vote yes when you see it on the ballot." The board voted 5-0 to approve the resolution. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. 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All rights reserved.* ### Two hurt in Wilson Avenue shooting, one airlifted for treatment URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/two-hurt-in-wilson-avenue-shooting-one-airlifted-for-treatment/ Last updated: 2026-07-16T16:58:07.000Z *Last update: July 16, 2026, 9:57 a.m.* Richmond police are investigating a shooting Wednesday evening in the 400 block of Wilson Avenue that left two people injured, one of whom was airlifted to a trauma center. Lieutenant Joe England, the Richmond Police Department's public information officer, said Thursday the two victims, an adult male and an adult female, were inside their vehicle at the time of the shooting. "The victims are now in stable condition and there are no active threats to the community," England said. "This is still an active investigation and detectives are still working this case." The shooting was reported around 8 p.m. Wednesday, with numerous police vehicles, including units from the El Cerrito Police Department, responding to the scene where the street was taped off. The Richmond Police Department said in a statement that there are two victims, one of whom was airlifted for medical treatment. The department did not release the condition of either victim. Police were examining a white pickup truck near the scene that appeared to have bullet holes in its windshield. A man at the scene told the *Grandview Independent* he heard five gunshots, followed by a second series of about five more shots. Police have cordoned off the area and are asking the public to stay away while the investigation continues. Anyone who witnessed the shooting or has information is asked to call the Richmond Police Department at (510) 233-1214. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** ### Richmond's murals get a little TLC URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmonds-murals-get-a-little-tlc/ Last updated: 2026-07-15T02:15:22.000Z Two of Richmond's beloved murals, created in the 1990s by artist John Wehrle, are being restored in a collaboration with Caltrans and the City of Richmond, according to project lead Richard Muro Salazar. The work is being done by hand with the help of local artists who are diligently mixing paint and applying it to key places on the nearly 30-year-old murals. Salazar told *Grandview* that for the next few weeks, his team will be visible on San Pablo and Macdonald Avenues repairing the murals, which have suffered significant vandalism through the years, and there will be new murals as well. "One new design is from Jerarde Gutierrez, and we hope to have it installed by the end of the year," Salazar said. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/07/IMG_5139-1.jpeg) Photo from February 2024 shows fresh spray paint covering a significant portion of John Wehrle's mural. Photo/ Linda Hemmila Rebeca Garcia-Gonzalez, a Richmond artist who assembled the team working to carefully restore the murals, will create another new mural of her own design nearby. "We are very proud that this team is composed of Richmond artists," Garcia-Gonzalez said. "There will actually be two new murals: one designed by Jerarde Gutierrez and another on Macdonald Avenue designed by me, across the street from John's mural." The original murals, created in the 1990s by local artist John Wehrle, depict vivid scenes of Richmond's past. For years, the art remained remarkably graffiti-free, but recently the artwork has been marred by spray paint, something Salazar said is unusual in Richmond. "We see a lot of this in Oakland, but not usually in Richmond," Salazar said. Salazar said his team will be joined by Wehrle in the next few days as they work to complete the project, and then work on the new murals will begin. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### A rake, low tide, and a guy from Santa Cruz redrawing Keller Beach URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/a-rake-low-tide-and-a-guy-from-santa-cruz-redrawing-keller-beach/ Last updated: 2026-07-29T15:21:43.000Z Photos had been turning up online this week, huge looping patterns raked into the sand at Keller Beach, gone by the next tide. There was one obvious question. Who did this? Turns out the answer gets up before the sun does. His name is Brighton Denevan, and he'd only recently discovered our beach. He was caught at low tide, rake in hand, working a design he'd already half-planned in his head. He grew up in Santa Cruz. He recently moved to the East Bay. He's still finding his spots. ![Brighton Denevan](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/07/brighton-denevan-sand-art-keller-beach-richmond-ca3-1.webp) Brighton Denevan stands on the beach holding a rake, next to a spiral pattern raked into the sand at Keller Beach. "I just love the quality of the sand here, and the size of the beach," he said. "And it's low tide at sunrise." Most East Bay beaches are flat, he said. This one isn't. There's a hill behind it, so once the design is done, he can climb up and see the whole thing at once. The technique is simple, and it isn't. Shovel in the sand, string line tied to it, one perfect circle. Then more circles, invisible ones, mapped out freehand so the zigzags land right. Then he walks backward, staring at his own center point the whole time, because if he looks away, he loses the line. His dad taught him that trick. His dad has been doing this for almost 30 years. Denevan picked up the rake more recently. ![Brighton Denevan](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/07/brighton-denevan-sand-art-keller-beach-richmond-ca2-1.webp) A large geometric design, raked into the sand at Keller Beach in Richmond. Now they collaborate. Big projects, worldwide. Hundreds of raked pyramids and sand sculptures for a Phish show on a beach in Mexico. A similarly massive piece back in Santa Cruz. The thing that's actually blowing up online, though, is smaller and stranger. Time-lapse videos where song lyrics rise out of the sand in sync with the music. One of them, he said, is closing in on 2 million views. The Red Hot Chili Peppers shared it. The Violent Femmes collaborated with him on another. Tuesday morning, he was mid-rake on "Dancing in My Room," lyrics slightly modified, his own name worked into the verse for fun. "The people on the internet might complain," he said, laughing. "I'll do the regular lyrics next time." None of it lasts. A drawing that takes hours to plot will be underwater by the next high tide, sometimes sooner. Denevan has timed it before, on purpose, so the tide starts erasing the piece while he's still filming it. He's fine with that. "There's an AI person doing something vaguely like what I do," he said. "But I think there's potentially even more value in handmade stuff in a world full of fake stuff." > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DaqmiWQxAMK/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by Brighton Denevan (@brightondenevan)](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DaqmiWQxAMK/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) What sticks around is the archive. Roughly 10 terabytes of drone footage and photos, by his own estimate, years of work that otherwise leaves nothing behind but flattened sand. He spent a decade flying drones professionally before any of this. He's been raking beaches since 2020\. The two things still overlap. For a Santa Cruz show called "Shelter From the Storm," inspired by the Bob Dylan song, he flew a first-person-view drone straight off the beach, drawing through town, and in through the gallery door. Not everybody loves this. A guy kicked sand at him a couple of months back, furious that he was raking Bob Marley lyrics onto a public beach. Denevan tells it now like a punchline more than a grudge. Keller Beach has been kinder. Halfway through the interview, a neighbor wandered over in a top hat to talk shop, invite Denevan to rake a nearby gravel lot he takes care of, and generally welcome him to the block. "It's nice to feel welcome," Denevan told him. "I never really spent any time over here" He described himself as a small-town guy at heart, someone the pace of Oakland wears down. Keller Beach, so far, is the opposite of that. Quiet. Close enough to reach before sunrise. He hadn't expected that from Richmond. "I had no idea," he said, thinking back to his first drive along the shoreline. "I was like, oh, look at all those petroleum tanks." Now he's asking around about what's actually out here, including the old railroad that used to end near the point. He's thinking about raking a piece of that history into the sand eventually. For now, he's just testing the water, literally. "I'm testing it out, seeing if anyone's annoyed at me yet," he said. "But it seems like everyone's friendly so far." Denevan's work is on Instagram at @brightondenevan. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### What's the Buzz: Point Richmond's Roma Caffe and Bar URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/whats-the-buzz-point-richmonds-roma-caffe-and-bar/ Last updated: 2026-07-14T16:47:01.000Z *What's the Buzz* is surveying coffee shops around Richmond, which includes independent roasters and cafes staking a claim on a corner and making their case one cup at a time. The rule is simple: order what our staff normally drinks, document our findings to help you, the readers, decide whether it's worth the trip — this week's stop: Roma Caffe at 401 S Garrard Blvd, Point Richmond. Grandview Independent · GrandEATS What's the Buzz Reviewing coffee shops around Richmond, CA ☕ 0 stops visited Point Richmond has a lot to offer, from restaurants to arts and amazing local history. It is also home to a small cafe that serves a stellar cup of coffee and an internal battery recharge that can't be beat. Last week, the *Grandview* team, looking for a little liquid energy, visited Roma Caffe in picturesque Point Richmond and was not disappointed. Serving local favorite Peet's Coffee menu items and a nice selection of good tea, the family-run Point Richmond coffee spot offers the aforementioned caffeinated essentials along with bagels, salads, omelets, delectable panini sandwiches, and even a breakfast burrito. This little cafe has an impressive menu and a couple of big-screen televisions to gaze at while awaiting your order. Long-time patrons praise the cafe's assortment of "always fresh" pastries, and reviews on Yelp indicate the cafe is a solid choice to just grab a cup or for impromptu gatherings on the patio. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/07/3550D32A-2A32-452D-BB5B-22D0FFCA3565.jpeg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/07/B71EDB4A-A97E-45D5-8E77-412B8603345E.jpeg) Roma Caffe's Italian-inspired interior decor mixed with vintage pieces makes for a friendly, inviting experience. Photos/ Alexander Hemmila The first thing noticed when you enter is the welcoming interior, which blends nostalgia with an artsy Italian vibe. There is a smattering of indoor seating and more outside for those willing to brave the breeze that blows through this part of Richmond. A cheerful barista appears to take your order, then quickly goes to work. We ordered a doppio espresso con panna, a cafe mocha, and a strawberry tea shaker. Blender noises commence as berries are puréed, then are melded with green tea and ice in a hand-held shaker. This is an artful process, carefully crafted before it was handed over to our excited and thirsty *Grandview* staffer. The tea shaker was reportedly flavorful and very sweet. Our staffer found it to be similar to drinking jam — "but in an unexpected and very good way." The mocha was as expected; no complaints were expressed, and the espresso con panna was the perfect blend of Italian coffee flavors filtered through a generous dollop of whipped cream that held up right down to the very last sip. "Heaven in a cup" was the rating from this veteran coffee connoisseur. Bonus points to the barista who neither winced at our order nor substituted milk foam for the whipped cream in this not-very-complex, yet often misinterpreted beverage. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/07/IMG_5763.jpeg) Photo/ Linda Hemmila The cafe is across from Washington Elementary and down the street from Richmond's famous Plunge, with ample parking for your car or bicycle — it is also near the bike path and is a favorite of local cyclists who frequently stop by, sometimes in large numbers. You can also [order online](https://www.romacaffe.net/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) for a quick pickup. Roma Caffe has something for you, and it might be a little bit of heaven in a cup, or maybe just a good excuse to take that much-deserved break. Either way, you will likely visit again. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Trojan horse sculpture from Chevron protest now on view at Richmond Art Center URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/trojan-horse-sculpture-from-chevron-protest-now-on-view-at-richmond-art-center/ Last updated: 2026-07-14T01:04:51.000Z A towering Trojan horse sculpture that led hundreds of demonstrators to Chevron's refinery gates in May is now on display at the Richmond Art Center, visible above the courtyard walls. The piece, titled "The Gift of Pride and Purpose," was created by artist Graham LP, Princess Robinson and collaborators. It reimagines the Trojan horse as a symbol of environmental justice, covered in community-painted messages calling for a future beyond fossil fuels. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/07/richmond-anti-chevron-day-trojan-horse-parade3.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/07/richmond-anti-chevron-day-trojan-horse-parade1.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/07/richmond-anti-chevron-day-trojan-horse-parade2.webp) Demonstrators march through Point Richmond with the Trojan horse sculpture "The Gift of Pride and Purpose" during the 13th annual Anti-Chevron Day on Sunday, May 17, 2026\. Photos/ Soren Hemmila Robinson, executive director of Richmond Land, introduced the sculpture at the [13th annual Anti-Chevron Day march in May,](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-marchers-haul-giant-trojan-horse-to-chevrons-gates-on-anti-chevron-day/) calling it a follow-up to the Fencelines project, an installation of more than 1,000 painted fence slats along the Richmond Parkway that was removed before it could be completed. The horse is now part of "The Confluence," a group exhibition on view at the Richmond Art Center through August 15\. The show is free, with gallery hours Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### What happened in Richmond: Attempted murder, robberies, and 11 stolen vehicles URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/what-happened-in-richmond-attempted-murder-robberies-and-11-stolen-vehicles/ Last updated: 2026-07-13T15:28:32.000Z Richmond police logged an attempted murder on South Hampton Court, multiple robberies and aggravated assaults, several cases involving children or elders, and at least 11 vehicles reported stolen across the city between July 6 and 12\. Officers also made arrests for DUI, illegal firearms possession, commercial burglaries and drug-related offenses. Grandview Independent Richmond Crime Incident Map Loading... From To Load Incident locations are approximate. RPD reports crimes by block, not exact address, to protect privacy. ## Filter by type All Loading... ### Monday, July 6 **Aggravated assault:** 1300 block of Fred Jackson Way. A person was arrested on suspicion of assault with force, with possible great bodily injury, and vandalism under $400, at 12:10 a.m. **Disorderly conduct:** 3600 block of Sierra Ridge Avenue. Police arrested a person accused of making repeated harassing calls to 911 at 12:24 a.m. **Drug paraphernalia:** 300 block of 27th Street. Police took a report of possession of unlawful paraphernalia and a controlled substance at 7:25 a.m. **Grand theft:** 100 block of Santa Fe Avenue. A resident reported stolen motor vehicle parts or accessories at 8:57 a.m. **Domestic violence:** 600 block of 8th Street. A person was taken into custody on suspicion of corporal injury to a spouse or cohabitant and willful cruelty to a child at 9 a.m. **Drug possession:** Via Verdi and El Portal Drive. A person was arrested on suspicion of possessing a controlled substance, a stolen vehicle and unlawful paraphernalia at 10:20 a.m. **Reckless driving:** 94805\. A driver was cited for reckless driving on a highway at 10:20 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. A vehicle was reported stolen at 10:36 a.m. **Domestic battery:** 3100 block of Pullman Avenue. A person was arrested on suspicion of battery involving a spouse or ex-spouse at 12:05 p.m. **DUI:** 94804\. A driver was cited for driving with a license restricted for a prior DUI at 1:30 p.m. **Domestic battery:** 2800 block of Tulare Avenue. Police arrested a person on suspicion of battery involving a spouse or ex-spouse at 2:29 p.m. **Grand theft:** 1400 Hilltop Mall Road. A theft from a building was reported at 3:31 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 300 block of South 49th Street. A vehicle was reported stolen at 3:50 p.m. **Auto burglary:** 900 block of Cutting Boulevard. A report was filed for a vehicle break-in at 4:44 p.m. **Contempt of court:** 300 block of Marina Way South. Someone disobeyed a court order at 5:33 p.m. **Petty theft:** 400 block of Civic Center Street. Police logged a petty theft report at 6:24 p.m. **Vandalism:** 12th Street. A report of vehicle tampering came in at 8 p.m. **Child abuse:** 5100 block of Columbia Avenue. A person was arrested on suspicion of inflicting injury on a child at 9:18 p.m. **Grand theft:** 2400 block of Nevin Avenue. Police took a grand theft report at 11:48 p.m. ### Tuesday, July 7 **Vehicle theft:** 2400 block of Virginia Avenue. A vehicle was reported stolen at 1:35 a.m. **Shoplifting:** 2100 block of Meeker Avenue. A person was arrested on a grand theft charge following an alleged shoplifting incident at 2:39 p.m. **Domestic violence:** 3100 block of Garrity Way. A person was arrested on suspicion of corporal injury to a spouse, cohabitant or dating partner, and assault with force with possible great bodily injury, at 5:28 p.m. **Drug paraphernalia:** Harbour Way and Nevin Avenue. Police arrested a person on suspicion of possessing unlawful paraphernalia and a controlled substance at 5:35 p.m. **Torched:** Somewhere in the 94806 zip code. A stolen vehicle was recovered, and a report of arson came in at 7:02 a.m. **DUI:** 94804\. A driver was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol at 7:15 p.m. **Grand theft:** 5400 block of Highland Avenue. Someone reported a grand theft at 8 p.m. **Commercial burglary:** 1000 block of Market Avenue. A person was arrested on suspicion of a forced-entry break-in and vandalism causing $400 or more in damage at 9:25 p.m. **Drug possession:** 94804\. A person was arrested on suspicion of felony possession of a controlled substance and unlawful paraphernalia at 10:09 a.m. **Drug possession:** 900 block of Triangle Court. A report was filed for possession of a controlled substance and unlawful paraphernalia, along with disobeying a court order, at 10:38 p.m. **Domestic violence:** 300 block of South 15th Street. A report came in of corporal injury to a spouse, cohabitant, or dating partner at 11 a.m. **Vandalism:** 300 block of 28th Street. A person was arrested on suspicion of vandalism causing $400 or more in damage at 11:39 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 2800 block of Oxford Avenue. A vehicle was reported stolen, and items were taken from inside, though it was later recovered at midnight. ### Wednesday, July 8 **Petty theft:** 1400 Hilltop Mall Road. Police logged a petty theft report at 2:05 p.m. **Domestic violence:** 100 block of Commodore Drive. A report came in of a violation of a court order meant to prevent domestic violence at 3:04 p.m. **Elder abuse:** 100 block of Macdonald Avenue. A person was arrested on suspicion of causing harm to an elder or dependent adult, vandalism causing $400 or more in damage, and a criminal threat at 4:25 p.m. **Probation violation:** 94801\. A person was arrested on a felony probation violation, for giving false identification to a peace officer, and possessing burglary tools at 6:31 p.m. **Petty theft:** 2100 block of Meeker Avenue. Someone reported a petty theft at 7:37 p.m. **Drug possession:** Nevin Avenue and 24th Street. A report was filed for possession of unlawful paraphernalia and a controlled substance at 8:29 a.m. **Warrant arrest:** 4900 block of Fray Avenue. Someone was picked up on a misdemeanor warrant at 8:51 p.m. **Robbery:** 2100 block of Meeker Avenue. A report came in of an Estes robbery at 9:45 p.m. **Trespassing:** 2700 block of Humphrey Avenue. A person was arrested for refusing to leave a property after being asked at 10:06 a.m. **Criminal threats:** 200 block of Duboce Avenue. A criminal threat made with intent to terrorize was reported at 10:26 p.m. **Grand theft:** 900 block of Hensley Street. Police took a grand theft report at 10:51 a.m. **Residential burglary:** 3000 block of Florida Avenue. A report was filed for a forced-entry break-in, stalking, and a criminal threat at 11:40 p.m. **Vandalism:** 3100 block of South Hampton Court. Police logged a vandalism report, $400 or more in damage, at 12:20 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 800 block of 10th Street. A vehicle was reported stolen at 12:25 p.m. **Resisting arrest:** 94801\. A person was arrested on suspicion of obstructing or resisting a peace officer and driving without a license at 12:43 a.m. ### Thursday, July 9 **Vehicle theft:** 2400 block of Roosevelt Avenue. A vehicle was reported stolen at 1:33 a.m. **Petty theft:** 4500 block of Macdonald Avenue. A report came in of petty theft and someone exhibiting a deadly weapon at 1:36 a.m. **Contempt of court:** 5900 block of Alameda Avenue. Someone reported disobeying a court order at 1:45 p.m. **Attempted murder:** 3100 block of Southampton Court. A report was filed for attempted murder with a weapon, assault with force with possible great bodily injury, and corporal injury to a spouse or cohabitant at 1:53 p.m. **Domestic violence:** 3100 block of South Hampton Court. A report came in of corporal injury to a spouse, cohabitant or dating partner at 2 p.m. **Grand theft:** 5600 block of Van Fleet Avenue. Police logged a report of stolen motor vehicle parts or accessories at 3 p.m. **Probation violation:** 700 block of Bissell Avenue. A suspect was arrested on a felony probation violation, possession of burglary tools, conspiracy to commit a crime, and a no-force commercial burglary at 4:05 a.m. **Grand theft:** 2100 block of Meeker Avenue. Someone reported a grand theft at 5:01 p.m. **Robbery:** 1200 block of Macdonald Avenue. A report came in of a robbery involving a dangerous weapon at 5:22 p.m. **Domestic violence:** 200 block of 16th Street. A person was arrested on suspicion of corporal injury to a spouse, cohabitant, or girlfriend by a person with prior convictions, and assault with force with possible great bodily injury, at 6:51 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 600 block of 40th Street. A vehicle was reported stolen at 6:52 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 500 block of Berk Avenue. A vehicle was reported stolen at 7:15 a.m. **Drug paraphernalia:** 200 block of 15th Street. A report was filed for possession of unlawful paraphernalia at 7:53 p.m. **Vandalism:** 1200 block of South 54th Street. Police took a report of vehicle tampering at 8 a.m. **Contempt of court:** 1500 block of Hayes Street. A report came in of someone disobeying a court order at 10:33 p.m. **Hit and run:** 900 block of Dornan Drive. A resident reported a hit-and-run collision involving property damage at 11:40 a.m. **Harassment:** Bayside Court. A report was filed for harassment involving the public posting of someone's personal identifying information at 11:45 a.m. **Credit card fraud:** 400 block of Harbour Way. Police logged a report of theft using another person's access card information at 12:12 p.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 94801\. A stolen vehicle was recovered at 12:35 p.m. **Identity theft:** 1500 block of Fred Jackson Way. A report came in of someone obtaining credit using another person's identity at 12:37 p.m. ### Friday, July 10 **Residential burglary:** 3100 block of Southampton Court. A report was filed for a no-force break-in, and a violation of a court order meant to prevent domestic violence at 1 p.m. **Contempt of court:** 1700 block of Regatta Boulevard. Someone reported disobeying a court order at 2:42 p.m. **Vandalism:** 3200 block of Pierce Street. Police logged a vandalism report, $400 or more in damage, at 3:09 p.m. **Grand theft:** 5200 block of Fresno Avenue. Police took a grand theft report at 4:27 p.m. **Vandalism:** 200 block of Tunnel Avenue. A report came in of vehicle tampering at 5:21 p.m. **Disorderly conduct:** 800 block of Brookside Drive. A person was arrested on suspicion of making repeated harassing calls to 911 at 5:29 a.m. **Grand theft:** 5000 block of Hartnett Avenue. Someone reported a grand theft at 7:11 a.m. **Commercial burglary:** 3000 block of Hilltop Mall Road. A report was filed for a no-force break-in and vandalism under $400 at 7:33 p.m. **Commercial burglary:** 2100 block of Meeker Avenue. A person was arrested on suspicion of a no-force break-in and shoplifting at 9:48 p.m. **Petty theft:** 3200 block of Pierce Street. A report came in of theft from a motor vehicle at 9:52 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 5000 block of Whins Court. A vehicle was reported stolen at 10 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 3500 block of Andrade Avenue. A vehicle was reported stolen at 10 p.m. **DUI:** 94806\. A person was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol at 10:37 p.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 2nd Street. A stolen vehicle was recovered at 11:47 a.m. **Domestic violence:** 1600 block of Cutting Boulevard. A report was filed for obstructing or resisting a peace officer and a violation of a court order meant to prevent domestic violence at 12 a.m. **Petty theft:** San Pablo Avenue, El Cerrito. A person was arrested on a petty theft charge at 12:01 p.m. ### Saturday, July 11 **Firearms:** 94804\. A person was arrested on suspicion of carrying a loaded, unregistered handgun and a loaded firearm in a public place at 1:48 a.m. **Petty theft:** 600 block of 7th Street. Police logged a petty theft report at 2 a.m. **Battery:** 200 block of Macdonald Avenue. A report came in of a battery at 4:52 p.m. **Aggravated assault:** 900 block of Lincoln Avenue. A person was arrested on suspicion of battery involving a spouse or ex-spouse and assault with force with possible great bodily injury at 5:03 a.m. **Battery:** West Richmond Avenue. Someone reported a battery at 7 p.m. **Robbery:** 94804\. A report was filed for a strong-arm robbery at 8:32 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 2000 block of Visalia Avenue. A vehicle was reported stolen at 8:49 a.m. **Aggravated assault:** 200 block of South 16th Street. A person was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, not a firearm, at 11:46 p.m. **Domestic violence:** 1200 block of Fred Jackson Way. A report came in of corporal injury to a spouse, cohabitant or dating partner, assault with a deadly weapon, and willful cruelty to a child, at 12:17 p.m. **Child cruelty:** 2400 block of Lancaster Drive. A person was arrested on suspicion of willful cruelty to a child and battery involving a spouse or ex-spouse at 12:31 p.m. ### Sunday, July 12 **DUI:** 94801\. Police took a report of a driver suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol at 1:53 a.m. **Vandalism:** 94801\. A person was arrested on suspicion of property defacement at 3 a.m. **Domestic violence:** 500 block of South 31st Street. A report was filed for corporal injury to a spouse, cohabitant or dating partner, assault with force with possible great bodily injury, and false imprisonment involving violence, at 3:01 a.m. **Battery:** Richmond Parkway and Atlas Road. A battery was reported at 4:13 a.m. **Auto burglary:** 2600 block of Center Avenue. A person was arrested on suspicion of breaking into a vehicle at 5:50 a.m. **Grand theft:** 1700 block of Nevin Avenue. Police took a grand theft report at 9 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 400 block of 6th Street. A vehicle was reported stolen at 1:08 p.m. **Child cruelty:** 600 block of Chesley Avenue. A report came in of willful cruelty to a child and a criminal threat at 2:05 p.m. **Robbery:** 200 block of 16th Street. A report was filed for a strong-arm robbery at 4:50 p.m. **Shoplifting:** 4500 block of Macdonald Avenue. A shoplifting incident was reported at 8:45 p.m. **Petty theft:** 200 block of Willard Avenue. A report came in of theft of motor vehicle parts or accessories at 11:34 p.m. **Aggravated assault:** 100 block of Harbour Way South. A report was filed for assault with a firearm at 12 a.m. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent. All rights reserved.* ### Shields-Reid Park reopens in North Richmond after $11.9 million renovation URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/shields-reid-park-reopens-in-north-richmond-after-11-9-million-renovation/ Last updated: 2026-07-12T18:25:57.000Z North Richmond marked the completion of a nearly $12 million overhaul of Shields-Reid Park on Saturday, drawing city and county officials and the family of Charles Reid, the longtime park director for whom the site is named. The event combined a celebratory ribbon-cutting with the neighborhood's annual music festival — the first performances on the park's new stage. The finished park includes a new children's play area, a bike pump track, a performance stage, a fitness zone, a habitat garden, a zip line, a new restroom, and an artificial-turf multi-use sports field with new lighting and a scoreboard. The adjacent community center also received exterior repairs and upgraded furnishings. The project was funded by an $8 million grant that the city won in 2022 from the California State Parks Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program, tied to the "Outdoors for All" initiative, plus $3.9 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds added by the Richmond City Council. City staff said the design grew out of seven community meetings held in 2020, where more than 200 residents asked for a park that reflected North Richmond's own history, its blues and jazz scene, its sports tradition, and its sense of community. The neighborhood's history now shows throughout the park in commissioned public art, including a mosaic of Reid throwing a baseball, a "mini blues club" tribute to the neighborhood once known as the "Harlem of the West," and several sculptures and murals created with community input. Reid served as the park's superintendent and recreation director for about 30 years until his death in 1979\. Local officials said the renovation carries forward his legacy of using the park to serve area youth. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/07/shields-reid-park-ribbon-cutting-richmond-20262.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/07/shields-reid-park-ribbon-cutting-richmond-20263.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/07/shields-reid-park-ribbon-cutting-richmond-20264.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/07/shields-reid-park-ribbon-cutting-richmond-20265.webp) Mayor Eduardo Martinez offered some local history, explaining the park was originally called Shields Park, after the subdivision in which it was built, and that Reid's name was added later. "While it stands on historic ground, what we celebrate today is a completely transformed space, with new courts, a new playground, beautiful public art, modern amenities, and a new opportunity for the next generation of families to gather, to play, and to build a community," Martinez said. Reid's granddaughter, Rosalind Randle, spoke on behalf of the family. "Standing here in this beautiful space, looking out at all your faces, I'm overwhelmed with gratitude, and I know my grandfather would be too," Randle said. "He believed down to his core that no one should have to walk through life alone. He envisioned a place where kids could play safely, where neighbors could lean on one another, and where everyone, no matter their story, could find a sense of belonging. While he isn't here with us today to see his dream fully realized, I feel his spirit in this community." The celebration ended with a ribbon-cutting led by the Reid family, followed by North Richmond's annual music festival. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### County seeks court order to shut down popular El Sobrante taco stand URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/county-seeks-court-order-to-shut-down-popular-el-sobrante-taco-stand/ Last updated: 2026-07-27T00:52:45.000Z Contra Costa County is asking a judge to shut down a popular but unpermitted taco stand on San Pablo Dam Road after its operators ignored the county's lawsuit, according to court records. Even with the lawsuit pending, the stand keeps running. Most nights, a line stretches down the sidewalk. Workers shave al pastor from the trompo and work the grill, while customers gather in the nearby Walgreens parking lot to eat. [Walgreens parking lot, San Pablo Dam Road. This is the one.Here’s the thing about the Walgreens tacos. Here’s the thing. They’re not even open yet, and there’s already a line. It’s not six o’clock. The sun is still doing that golden hour thing over the hills to the east, that specific California evening light![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/EATS-icon3--2--4e6a12a8-6215-4d4e-8455-a3d20e204d87.png)GrandEATS!Soren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/san-pablo-dam-road-tacos2-1-405cc9f7-2c28-429c-8d75-b2aa1e7e5d6f.webp)](https://www.grandvieweats.com/walgreens-parking-lot-san-pablo-dam-road-this-is-the-one/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) The county filed a lawsuit against Tacos El Torito and three people, Erik Diaz-Ignacio, Hugo Martinez, and Filimon Jimenez-Marin, on May 27 in Contra Costa Superior Court. The lawsuit asks the court to officially designate the stand a public nuisance and permanently order its closure until it obtains a [health permit](https://www.cchealth.org/health-and-safety-information/food-safety-permits/faqs-for-mobile-food-facilities?ref=grandviewindependent.com). According to the lawsuit and a summary Supervisor John Gioia gave to the El Sobrante Municipal Advisory Council, county health inspectors have fielded complaints about Tacos El Torito since early 2024, when the stand first set up near Parker Avenue and Fourth Street in Rodeo. Inspectors found repeated problems there in March, May and October 2024, including unrefrigerated meat stored in plastic bags, raw meat kept in unsanitary ice coolers and no place for workers to wash their hands. The county wrote the operation up three times and ordered it to stop. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/07/tacos-el-torito-tortilla-preparation-el-sobrante-taco-stand-1.webp) A worker prepares fresh tortillas at Tacos El Torito in El Sobrante. According to the lawsuit, the stand moved to El Sobrante in November 2024, setting up near San Pablo Dam Road and El Portal Drive. Inspectors documented eight more violations there between December 2024 and September 2025, citing similar sanitation problems. Inspectors confiscated equipment and threw out food on multiple occasions, but the operators kept coming back. Gioia said the operators refused to apply for a permit and told inspectors they'd be back the next day, no matter what got taken or thrown away. He also wrote that the operators have gotten physical with health inspectors, seriously enough that sheriff's deputies have gone along on some inspections for safety. The county has fined the operation roughly $50,000 since June 2024\. None of it has reportedly been paid. Tacos El Torito actually faces two distinct legal problems, according to Gioia. The first is the health permit. "Under state law, food vendors need to pass an environmental health inspection," Gioia said, a requirement that exists because "there are many unpermitted vendors who don't follow healthy and sanitary procedures." County Health has tried repeatedly to get the operators to apply and get approved. "The vendor has refused to work with environmental health," Gioia said. Inspectors have been physically threatened on site, which is why sheriff's deputies have had to accompany them on some visits. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/07/tacos-el-torito-al-pastor-tacos-el-sobrante-1-1.webp) A plate of al pastor tacos from Tacos El Torito. The second issue is location. The stand operates on a sidewalk, which Gioia said isn't a legal place to run a food business. "They've set up tables and chairs on the sidewalk and operate like a restaurant," he said. Legal vendors instead arrange to operate on private property with the owner's permission, an arrangement Gioia called common practice. "They can still cease their unpermitted operation, work with environmental health to get a health permit, which involves an inspection and making any changes needed to comply with health requirements. Then they would need to work to find a suitable location on private property. We would welcome that," Gioia said. "They have not shown any willingness to cooperate." The operation's noncompliance also affects nearby businesses, Gioia said. "The local restaurants, which operate legally and spend money to maintain their facilities and meet health requirements, are being impacted by this operation, which pays no one for the right to use the sidewalk," he said. The county has received numerous complaints from residents and from the El Sobrante Municipal Advisory Council. If the county wins its default judgment, a sheriff's deputy would go to the stand and require it to close immediately, Gioia said, comparing the process to how deputies enforce a court-ordered eviction. "They go to the property and ask the tenant to vacate the premises," he said. The lawsuit names Tacos El Torito along with Diaz-Ignacio, Martinez, and Jimenez-Marin, who the county says run the business. It asks the court to declare the stand a public nuisance and order it permanently closed until it's properly permitted, plus cover the county's legal costs. All three individuals were served with the lawsuit in person on June 6 at the stand itself, 3730 San Pablo Dam Road, according to court filings. None of them filed a response. Because of that, the county is now asking the court to rule in its favor by default and issue the permanent closure order, which the Sheriff's Office would then be responsible for enforcing. Richmond took a different path from the county. After residents and merchants complained about unpermitted vendors blocking sidewalks and creating health concerns, the city council passed a sidewalk vending ordinance in mid-2024 that required permits, set size and placement rules, and created a Mobile Vendor Plaza program to give vendors a legal place to operate while helping them work toward proper permits. [Richmond City Council moves to regulate sidewalk vending, create food hubThe Richmond City Council unanimously agreed to move forward with an ordinance to regulate sidewalk vendors and establish a food hub at a yet to be decided downtown location at Tuesday night’s council meeting. City staff have received increasing complaints regarding vendors not having proper health permits and blocking![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--096468b1-a24a-4100-96c8-6d3dfe507ed7.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/23rd-street-richmond-food-vendor-1-4688f036-ac58-47aa-a9a3-1c5de6776ab2.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-city-council-moves-to-regulate-sidewalk-vending-create-food-hub/) A year in, the program had cut unpermitted vendor counts from 68 to under 30 a month, though it issued nearly 300 violation notices while collecting zero dollars in fines due to state law limits on enforcement. The approach isn't without friction: a longtime churro vendor was forced to relocate after two decades on the same corner because her family's trailer exceeded the city's new cart-size limit. [Super Churros trailer booted from sidewalk under Richmond’s new vendor ordinanceA family-owned mobile food business that has served the Richmond community for two decades is seeking city council intervention after being forced to relocate due to new regulations that restrict the size of vendor carts on sidewalks. Estephanie Sanchez, representing Super Churros, told the Richmond City Council that her![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--887a0782-d091-46a6-9330-5238e0e5afb3.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Richmond-super-churros-caed705e-cbf6-4793-9944-da710ce10d6c.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/super-churros-trailer-booted-from-sidewalk-under-richmonds-new-vendor-ordinance/) [](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/) Gioia contrasted the Richmond effort with the standoff in El Sobrante. "The difference is that the majority of those vendors wanted to be permitted and worked with environmental health," he said. "We would welcome the chance to help the El Sobrante vendor become permitted, but they have shown no willingness to cooperate." What concerns inspectors most, he added, isn't the missing permit itself but "the unhealthy food and sanitation practices that puts the public at risk." A hearing to check on the progress of the Tacos El Torito case is scheduled for November 2. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent. All rights reserved.* ### Richmond council leaves police equipment report unresolved after meeting URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-council-leaves-police-equipment-report-unresolved-after-meeting/ Last updated: 2026-07-09T00:25:51.000Z Richmond City Councilmembers spent more than two hours Tuesday night hearing a detailed report on the police department's rifles, drones, and other specialized gear, but time ran out before they could vote on it. Councilmember Cesar Zepeda asked the council to schedule a follow-up meeting next week to finish the agenda. That motion failed on a roll call vote. The equipment report is required every year under a 2021 state law, Assembly Bill 481, which requires local governments to review and approve what the law calls "military equipment," a broad category that for Richmond includes drones, rifles, flashbangs, tear gas, beanbag shotguns and similar gear. Police Chief Timothy Simmons opened the presentation by telling the council that despite the law's label, none of the department's equipment ever belonged to the military. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/07/richmond-police-captain-lopez-lieutenant-patchin-city-council-july-2026.webp) Lt. Donald Patchin, Capt. John Lopez and Police Chief Timothy Simmons field questions from the Richmond City Council about the police department's military equipment report. "The Richmond Police Department does not have any military equipment that was acquired through the Department of Defense 1033 program," Simmons said, adding that the department does not possess any equipment "that was previously owned by any branches of our military." Simmons said much of what the state law defines as military equipment is available to any member of the public. "You can go to Best Buy and buy a drone, which are the same drones that we have for the most part," Simmons said. "You can go to the flea market and buy the same drone, or you can go to an authorized firearm dealer and purchase the exact same firearms that the Richmond Police Department has as well." Capt. John Lopez walked the council through the department's equipment inventory and how it was used in 2025\. According to the report, the department logged 166 uses of equipment covered by the law last year, not counting a separate drone program that logged 766 additional flights. The most common category was drones, used 104 times. The department reported zero formal complaints and no policy violations tied to the equipment. Beyond what's already in service, the report also lays out something Richmond doesn't yet own: an armored rescue vehicle. The department describes wanting one as a "life safety tool," not an offensive one, and points to nearby sites such as the Chevron refinery, the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge, the BART and Amtrak station, Kaiser Permanente's Richmond hospital, and several schools as reasons it wants reliable access to one rather than relying on other agencies, which happened nine times in 2025. Total equipment spending for 2025 came to $405,425, according to the report. That does not include the cost of training officers to use the gear, which the department separately estimated at about $781,600 more for 2026, most of it for SWAT team training. Twenty-seven people signed up to speak, and the comments broke sharply into two camps. Several speakers defended the department, arguing officers need the equipment to safely handle armed suspects and large-scale incidents. A handful cited the department's response to Fourth of July gatherings and past shootings as evidence the equipment is used responsibly. [Richmond logs 264 fireworks calls over July Fourth weekendRichmond police say they kept additional officers on duty throughout the Fourth of July specifically to enforce the city’s ban on illegal fireworks, as officers repeatedly confronted crowds of people blocking roadways and setting off fireworks, according to a department statement. Officers remained at some scenes for extended periods![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--bae92644-772b-450e-a16b-15029b9ccf4a.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-police-fourth-of-july-enforcement-2026a-1-1-28865b29-8c85-47cc-bfc9-256976ecf8d5.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-logs-264-fireworks-calls-over-july-fourth-weekend/) A larger group of speakers, organized around the group Reimagine Richmond, was joined by community organizations and urged the council to reject the report and stop the department from adding equipment. Andrew Melendez, an organizer with Reimagine Richmond, asked the council to decline the department's request to spend city resources to acquire new military equipment. "After record lows in police-recorded crimes like homicide, larceny, and vehicle theft, the department asked this council for funding to expand its military stockpile," Melendez said. "The requested items include a $483,667 armored rescue vehicle. While the department claims the need is not theoretical, it cites situations that might call for an armored vehicle rather than occasions when such an item is needed. Alan Munguia, a member of the East Bay Coyotes RC, an anarchistic and inclusive riding club, told the council he spent 10 years as a U.S. Air Force security forces member, including deployments where he flew more than 20 missions as an armed security escort, and said he recognized much of the equipment in the report from his own training. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/07/richmond-council-alan-munguia-east-bay-coyotes-military-equipment-testimony-july-2026-1.webp) Alan Munguia, a member of the East Bay Coyotes Riding Club and a 10-year Air Force security forces veteran, urges the Richmond City Council to reject the police department's military equipment report during public comment. "I do not love seeing the equipment I was trained with being used on my neighbors, on my community," Munguia said. "To me, that's just egregious, unacceptable all the time." Several speakers also referenced the department's own demographic data, which, according to the report, found that among incidents where a suspect's race was known, Black residents made up a disproportionate share of equipment deployments compared with their share of Richmond's population, which is about 17 percent. Multiple speakers cited the fatal shooting of Angel Montaño Magallan, a 27-year-old Richmond man killed by two officers on Aug. 4, 2025, after his brother called 911\. The Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office cleared the officers in February, ruling the shooting was lawful self-defense. But several speakers on Tuesday cited the case as an example of the risks of arming officers with rifles. [DA clears Richmond officers in fatal 2025 shootingThe Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office on Friday cleared two Richmond police officers in the fatal shooting of a 27-year-old man experiencing a mental health crisis, ruling the use of deadly force was justified and closing a case that has roiled the city for nearly seven![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--9cfd3bde-1e9a-40e1-9f61-a7305e0e639f.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-police-shooting-angel-alexander-montano-magallan-august-4-2025-1-1-7e01fc3b-b683-4a9e-91cc-b0f5029d949d.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/da-clears-richmond-officers-in-fatal-2025-shooting/) Councilmember Bana asked Simmons directly which pieces of equipment on the list were truly optional and pressed him on why the inventory keeps growing. Simmons said none of the items were optional and the numbers are tied to hiring, training requirements, and the age of existing equipment, not stockpiling for its own sake. Because the council did not vote, the report has not been formally approved or rejected. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### What's the Buzz: Chismesito Cafe stands alone on Barrett Avenue URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/whats-the-buzz-chismesito-cafe-stands-alone-on-barrett-avenue/ Last updated: 2026-07-07T20:08:19.000Z Richmond has a coffee problem, in the sense that there's more of it than anyone's bothered to map. So *What's the Buzz* is mapping it: a running survey of coffee shops around Richmond, the independent roasters and cafes staking a claim on a corner and making their case one cup at a time. The rule is simple: order what the staff normally orders and report back straight on whether it's worth the trip — first stop: Chismesito Cafe at 1723 Barrett Avenue, in Richmond. Grandview Independent · GrandEATS What's the Buzz Reviewing coffee shops around Richmond, CA ☕ 0 stops visited Call it the loneliest coffee shop in Richmond. Chismesito Cafe sits by itself on a stretch of Barrett Avenue, in a squat little stucco building that used to be the Smart Set Beauty Salon before somebody turned it into a cafe about five months ago. It's right across the street from the closed-off BART lot. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/07/chismesito-cafe-interior-counter-richmond-ca1-1.webp) It's family-run, and it shows. Fresh baked goods, snacks from a local bakery, a little shelf of Mexican candies and chips next to the register. The menu leans hard into sweet, kind of goofy specialty drinks: a mazapán latte, a cocoa puffs latte, dulce de leche, strawberry horchata chai, a sugar-free hazelnut one with oat milk and cold foam. Regulars keep bringing up the mini pancakes, too, with three toppings including fresh fruit and syrup. A few drinks went into the comparison. The White Mocha and the Vanilla Latte both leaned mild, more about the syrup than any real coffee kick, and at least free of the bitter aftertaste that sometimes shows up in a vanilla latte. Probably a lighter roast, less bite, but the caffeine's still in there somewhere. The real surprise was the plain black coffee: genuinely strong, rich, and kind of bright-tasting for the *Grandview* staffer who likes to keep things simple. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/07/chismesito-cafe-interior-counter-richmond-ca2-1-1.webp) The specialty menu at Chismesito Cafe runs sweet, mazapán and dulce de leche lattes alongside a standard coffee menu. There's a little seating inside for anyone who wants to stay, but this is mostly a grab-it-and-go kind of place — a small space. What sticks more than the coffee, honestly, is the rooster that lives next door. He came strutting over as we arrived, very full of himself like he was posing for something, then wandered off to hunt around for food. Between coffee that's better than expected, a rooster with main character energy, and a building with a whole past life as a barbershop and a beauty salon, Chismesito Cafe earns its spot as the first stop on *What’s the Buzz.* New stops go up weekly, and there's already a handful lined up, but the list is always open; if there's a Richmond coffee shop worth the trek, send it our way. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond logs 264 fireworks calls over July Fourth weekend URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-logs-264-fireworks-calls-over-july-fourth-weekend/ Last updated: 2026-07-06T23:06:55.000Z Richmond police say they kept additional officers on duty throughout the Fourth of July specifically to enforce the city's ban on illegal fireworks, as officers repeatedly confronted crowds of people blocking roadways and setting off fireworks, according to a department statement. Officers remained at some scenes for extended periods to clear roadways and disperse crowds safely, the department said. Police also used a drone program to locate fireworks activity from the air. By the end of the night, officers had confiscated fireworks, issued six citations, and recovered a loaded firearm during the enforcement effort, according to the statement. Video/ Linda Hemmila City dispatch records show the volume of calls behind that response. Between July 3 and July 5, Richmond recorded 264 fireworks-related calls for service. By ZIP code, 94804 saw 133 calls, 94801 saw 80, 94805 saw 30, 94806 saw 13, and 94803 saw eight. The 94804 ZIP code accounted for half of all the calls. Most calls came in over the non-emergency line rather than as 911 calls. Records show 194 of the 264 calls came in through the non-emergency line, compared with 62 placed as 911 calls. ### Where Richmond's fireworks calls came from, July 3–5 *A map of the 264 fireworks-related calls Richmond police received between July 3 and July 5, 2026.* Officers were often unable to identify anyone responsible by the time they arrived. Of the 264 calls, 116 were closed as "unable to locate," and another 59 were logged as extra patrol passes rather than responses to a specific complaint. In cases where a unit was dispatched and arrived, the average response time was about eight minutes, though the slowest calls took more than two hours. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/07/richmond-police-fourth-of-july-fireworks-enforcement-2026-1.webp) Images released by the Richmond Police Department show the department's Fourth of July fireworks enforcement effort. Several blocks generated repeat calls over the three days. The 5000 block of Hartnett Avenue drew seven separate complaints, the most of any single location. The 200 and 700 blocks of 7th Street near downtown each drew four calls, while Gaynor Avenue, Santa Clara Street, and 26th Street each logged three. Images released by the Richmond Police Department show the department's Fourth of July fireworks enforcement effort. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent. All rights reserved.* ### What happened in Richmond: Attempted murder arrests, fireworks enforcement, and a grease spill URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/what-happened-in-richmond-attempted-murder-arrests-fireworks-enforcement-and-a-grease-spill/ Last updated: 2026-07-06T15:47:41.000Z Richmond police made two attempted murder arrests during the week of June 29 through July 5 as officers also investigated an armed robbery of an elderly or dependent adult, a reported negligent shooting, and dozens of other crimes. The week also saw a grease spill on Carlson Boulevard that caused multiple crashes, and 21 reported vehicle thefts. Grandview Independent Richmond Crime Incident Map Loading... From To Load Incident locations are approximate. RPD reports crimes by block, not exact address, to protect privacy. ## Filter by type All Loading... ### Monday, June 29 **Trespassing:** 2500 block of Duke Avenue. Police arrested someone for trespassing at 12:12 a.m. **Child cruelty and battery:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. Police arrested someone on charges of willful cruelty to a child and making unwanted physical contact with a spouse or dating partner at 1:53 a.m. **Vandalism:** 1000 block of Factory Street. Vandalism causing $400 or more in damage was reported around midnight. **Car theft:** 600 block of 30th Street. A car turned up missing right around midnight. **Vehicle recovery:** 500 block of 2nd Street. A stolen vehicle was recovered around midnight. **Car theft:** 5000 block of Hartnett Avenue. Another one gone by 4 a.m., before most of the block was even awake. **Vandalism:** 100 block of 12th Street. Someone tampered with a vehicle at 4:15 a.m. **Car theft:** 700 block of 18th Street. Half past four in the morning, and somebody's driveway came up empty. **Disorderly conduct:** Somewhere in the 94801 zip code. Someone was reportedly intoxicated and disorderly at 4:35 a.m. **Car theft:** 2800 block of Andrade Avenue. Richmond's overnight thieves keeping their usual hours, a car found missing at 5:46 a.m. **Car theft:** 600 block of South 26th Street. Same story eight minutes later. **Car burglary:** 100 block of Bishop Alley. A vehicle break-in was reported at 6:24 a.m. **Hit-and-run:** 900 block of Dornan Drive. A hit-and-run involving property damage was reported at 9:42 a.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 3000 block of Giant Road, San Pablo. A stolen vehicle was recovered at 10:40 a.m. **Car theft:** 2400 block of Foothill Avenue. A car was gone by 11 a.m. **Identity fraud:** 500 block of 9th Street. An identity fraud was reported at 12:12 p.m. **Car burglary:** 400 block of Golden Gate Avenue. A vehicle break-in was reported at 12:21 p.m. **Armed robbery:** 2000 block of Gaynor Avenue. An elderly or dependent adult was robbed with a weapon at 2:40 p.m.; the report also lists elder theft and the use of tear gas as a weapon. **Car theft:** 2300 block of Grant Avenue. In broad daylight, somebody's afternoon was ruined at 4 p.m. **Aggravated assault, attempted murder:** 3500 block of El Portal Drive. Police arrested someone at 4:55 p.m. on a set of charges including willful cruelty to a child, false imprisonment, residential burglary, assault with force likely to cause great bodily injury, criminal threats, corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant, attempted murder with a weapon other than a firearm, and driving without a license. **Battery:** 3200 block of Macdonald Avenue. A fight broke out in public and turned physical at 6:41 p.m. **Shooting:** 2500 block of Duke Avenue. Police arrested someone on an attempted-murder charge involving a firearm, along with resisting an officer, at 6:55 p.m. [Police investigate Monday evening Duke Avenue shootingRichmond police are investigating a shooting that left one person wounded Monday evening in the 2500 block of Duke Avenue. Police were dispatched at 6:55 p.m. to a report of a shooting with a victim, according to dispatch records. The case was logged as attempted murder with a![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--b312905d-6bf9-4039-a41d-03a0f725f920.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/duke-avenue-shooting-richmond-1-1-1-5acffd84-3740-405f-ba29-968a87f71ce7.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/police-investigate-monday-evening-duke-avenue-shooting/) **Car theft:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. Another one gone at 8 p.m. **Vandalism:** 2500 block of Macdonald Avenue. Police arrested someone for tampering with a vehicle at 10:51 p.m. ### Tuesday, June 30 **Resisting arrest:** Somewhere in the 94801 zip code. Police arrested someone for obstructing or resisting a peace officer at midnight. **Car burglary:** 3200 block of Rheem Avenue. A vehicle break-in was reported at 1:16 a.m. **Car theft:** 4600 block of Overend Avenue. Police arrested someone for taking a vehicle without consent at 1:29 a.m. **Car burglary:** 2900 block of Atlas Road. A vehicle break-in was reported at 2:57 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 2600 block of Hilltop Drive. A theft from a motor vehicle was reported at 4 a.m. **Domestic violence:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. Police arrested someone at 5:02 a.m. on charges of inflicting corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant and assault with force likely to cause great bodily injury. **Burglary, grand theft:** 200 block of Nevin Avenue. Police arrested someone at 7:01 a.m. on charges including grand theft, residential burglary, and possession of drug paraphernalia. **Car burglary:** 300 block of South 47th Street. A vehicle break-in was reported at 9:54 a.m. **Fraud:** 900 block of Triangle Court. A fraud case involving impersonation for money or property was reported at 10:47 a.m. **Vandalism:** 3000 block of Shane Drive. Someone tampered with a vehicle at 12:22 p.m. **Stolen property, hit-and-run:** Somewhere in the 94805 zip code. Police arrested someone at 12:48 p.m. on charges including hit-and-run involving property damage, possession of a stolen vehicle, and hit-and-run resulting in injury. **Weapons violation:** 2400 block of Nevin Avenue. Someone was exhibiting a deadly weapon at 1:03 p.m. **Domestic battery:** 2200 block of Nevin Avenue. Police arrested someone for battery at 1:53 p.m. **Battery:** 1000 block of Canal Boulevard. Someone was reported using unlawful force against another person at 9:45 p.m. **Car theft:** 2600 block of Hilltop Drive. The second time this stretch of Hilltop shows up this week at 10:45 at night. **Grand theft:** 3200 block of Klose Way. A grand theft was reported at 11:40 p.m. ### Wednesday, July 1 **Burglary tools:** 300 block of 28th Street. Police arrested someone for possession of burglary tools around midnight. **Rocket-fueled driver:** Somewhere in the 94806 zip code. Police arrested a driver suspected of being under the influence at 1:20 a.m. **Car theft:** 1400 block of Hilltop Mall Road. Another vehicle disappeared at 9 a.m. **Car theft:** 1800 block of Coalinga Avenue. At 10:12 a.m., another one off the books. **Contempt of court:** 1700 block of Burbeck Avenue. Police arrested someone for disobeying a court order at 10:19 a.m. **Grand theft:** 500 block of Marina Way. A grand theft was reported at 12:28 p.m. **Grand theft:** 1300 block of Fred Jackson Way. A grand theft was reported at 12:33 p.m. **Petty theft:** 6200 block of Baywood Drive. A petty theft was reported at 12:52 p.m. **Car burglary:** 3700 block of Nevin Avenue. A vehicle break-in was reported at 2:30 p.m. **Domestic violence, assault:** 500 block of Harbour Way. Police arrested someone at 4:48 p.m. on charges of inflicting corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant and assault with a deadly weapon. **Armed robbery:** 400 block of 23rd Street. A robbery involving a firearm, an assault, and criminal threats was reported at 5:23 p.m. **Aggravated assault:** 11900 block of San Pablo Avenue. An assault with a deadly weapon was reported at 6 p.m. **Car theft:** 2800 block of Barnard Street. Another car was lost to the night at 8 p.m. **Evading police:** Somewhere in the 94801 zip code. Police arrested someone for trying to evade a peace officer at 8:34 p.m. **Battery:** 2200 block of Macdonald Avenue. Police received a report of a physical assault at 9 p.m. **Assault, DUI:** Macdonald Avenue and 4th Street. Police arrested someone at 10:52 p.m. on charges of driving the wrong way on a divided highway and DUI. **Domestic violence:** 500 block of Ripley Avenue. Police arrested someone for reportedly inflicting corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant at 11 p.m. ### Thursday, July 2 **Battery:** 1200 block of Filbert Street. Another report of a physical assault at 2 a.m. **Vehicle recovery:** Somewhere in the 94804 zip code. A stolen vehicle was recovered at 4:13 a.m. **Car burglary:** Somewhere in the 94801 zip code. Police arrested someone for auto burglary at 4:32 a.m. **Weapons violation:** 100 block of West Nevin Avenue. Someone was reportedly exhibiting a firearm at 6:33 a.m. **Vandalism:** 4800 block of Potrero Avenue. Someone tampered with a vehicle at 7:45 a.m. **Illegal dumping:** Somewhere in the 94804 zip code. A commercial-quantity dumping violation, along with a hazardous material spill, was reported at 11:50 a.m. **Vandalism:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. Someone tampered with a vehicle at 1:29 p.m. **Car theft:** 200 block of West Chanslor Avenue. A car was reported missing at 2:27 p.m. **Drug sales:** 200 block of West Macdonald Avenue. Police arrested someone for possessing marijuana for sale at 4:42 p.m. **Car theft:** 3200 block of Clinton Avenue. Another vehicle disappeared at 5:30 p.m. **Car theft:** 2500 block of Pine Avenue, San Pablo. Yet another one went missing 30 minutes later at 6 p.m. **Petty theft:** 2100 block of Nevin Avenue. A petty theft was reported at 6 p.m. **Elder abuse:** Somewhere in the 94805 zip code. A case involving harm to an elder or dependent adult, along with property vandalism, was reported at 6:35 p.m. **Grease spill closes Carlson Boulevard:** A spill of what police believe was kitchen grease closed Carlson Boulevard in both directions at Interstate 80 for several hours at 6:35 p.m. The substance caused multiple vehicles to slide, including a Tesla that struck the overpass wall and at least two other cars that collided. Commenters on social media said two motorcyclists also went down. RPD said the substance was deemed non-hazardous. **Contempt of court:** 1700 block of Regatta Boulevard. A contempt of court case was reported at 7 p.m. **Car theft:** 700 block of Amador Street. A car went missing. **Tired and emotional:** Somewhere in the 94804 zip code. Police arrested someone for disorderly conduct involving alcohol at 8:13 p.m. ### Friday, July 3 **Firearm assault:** Somewhere along Nevin Avenue, zip code 94801\. An assault with a firearm was reported at 1:27 a.m. **Assault, contempt of court:** 400 block of C Street. Police arrested someone at 3:54 a.m. on a broad set of charges: disobeying a fireman or public officer's order, a probation violation, criminal threats, and inflicting corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant. **Car theft:** 2600 block of Moyers Road. Richmond's early risers again at 4:36 a.m. **Vehicle recovery:** Somewhere in the 94804 zip code. A stolen vehicle was recovered at 7:21 a.m. **Residential burglary:** 2200 block of San Mateo Street. Two separate forced-entry residential burglaries at the same address were reported at 11 a.m. and again at 1:46 p.m. **Fraud:** 4800 block of Bissell Avenue. A fraud case involving false pretenses was reported at 1:48 p.m. **Vandalism:** Somewhere in the 94801 zip code. Property vandalism was reported at 6:09 p.m. **Petty theft:** 600 block of Key Boulevard. A petty theft was reported at 8 p.m. **Domestic battery:** 500 block of 19th Street. Police made an arrest after responding to a domestic violence call at 10:25 p.m. ### Saturday, July 4 **Warrant arrest:** 600 block of 32nd Street. Police arrested someone on a bench warrant for failing to appear on a misdemeanor charge, around midnight. **Fireworks:** 1700 block of Regatta Boulevard. Fireworks were seized around midnight. **Firearm assault:** Somewhere in the 94804 zip code. An assault with a firearm was reported around midnight. **DUI:** Somewhere in the 94801 zip code. Police arrested someone for DUI at 12:01 a.m. **Domestic violence:** 600 block of 3rd Street. Police arrested someone for inflicting corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant at 12:30 a.m. **Disorderly conduct:** 300 block of 25th Street. Police arrested someone for disorderly conduct involving alcohol at 12:31 a.m. **Grand theft:** 700 block of McLaughlin Street. A grand theft was reported at 5:22 a.m. **Vehicle recovery:** Somewhere in the 94801 zip code. A stolen vehicle was recovered, and, separately, another vehicle was reported taken without consent at 3:22 p.m. **Fireworks:** Somewhere in the 94804 zip code. A fireworks violation was reported at 8:34 p.m. **Reckless driving:** 200 block of 1st Street. Police arrested someone at 10 p.m. on charges of reckless driving, an open container violation, and driving without a license. **Fireworks:** Somewhere in the 94801 zip code. Police arrested someone for illegal fireworks possession, use, or sale at 11:42 p.m. **Resisting arrest:** Somewhere in the 94804 zip code. Police arrested someone for resisting or obstructing an officer during what began as a DUI stop at 11:55 p.m. ### Sunday, July 5 **Resisting arrest:** 2300 block of Garvin Avenue. Someone reportedly resisted or obstructed an officer at midnight. **Assault on an officer:** 2300 block of Garvin Avenue. Fifteen minutes later, police arrested someone at the same address on charges of resisting a peace officer and assaulting an officer. **Car theft:** 2700 block of Sheldon Court. A car went missing at 1:32 a.m. **Firearm discharge:** 300 block of 4th Street. Someone was reportedly firing a gun in a grossly negligent manner at 2:36 a.m. **Petty theft:** 5800 block of Panama Avenue. A petty theft was reported at 7 a.m. **Car theft:** Florida Avenue and South 33rd Street. Another one gone at 9:25 a.m. **Vandalism:** 100 block of Schooner Court. Vandalism under $400 was reported at 9:49 a.m. **Domestic battery:** 2400 block of Lancaster Drive, San Pablo. A battery involving a spouse or dating partner was reported at 10:36 a.m. **Vandalism:** 400 block of 35th Street. Vandalism under $400 was reported at 12:50 p.m. **Petty theft:** 200 block of South 21st Street. Someone reported a dog stolen at 1:35 p.m. **Harassing calls:** 700 block of Nevin Avenue. An obscene or threatening phone call was reported at 1:38 p.m. **Hit-and-run:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway, San Pablo. A hit-and-run involving property damage was reported at 3:23 p.m. **Vandalism:** 2000 block of Visalia Avenue. Vandalism of $400 or more was reported at 7:07 p.m. **Vandalism:** 2600 block of Hilltop Drive. Vandalism under $400 was reported at 8:10 p.m. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond's annual July 3rd event brings joy URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmonds-annual-july-3rd-event-brings-joy/ Last updated: 2026-07-04T14:36:25.000Z Richmond's July 3 celebration – one of the city's largest annual events – brings thousands of excited locals to the waterfront each year for a day at the marina and a 20-minute fireworks spectacular, and this year was no exception. Every conceivable parking space, and some that weren't meant to be, was filled with more groups briskly walking blocks to get close enough to view the annual display, braving the cold and blowing fog at or near Richmond's Marina Bay Park. [Richmond’s July 3rd celebration draws a crowdResidents came from all parts of the city, braving the wind and typical cold temperatures on Thursday to partake of Richmond’s own, city-sponsored Independence Day celebration along the waterfront at Marina Bay Park, which, in a nod to the city’s uniqueness, occurs on July 3rd — or what![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--0a712c32-4f36-47ff-8b4d-dfd9f73a76c9.png)Grandview IndependentLinda Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/IMG_1221-1-1-1-5b31f499-84ea-41b8-bdbd-5611e7f4e920.jpg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmonds-july-3rd-celebration-draws-a-crowd/) The event, which dates back to the late 1990s, draws groups, families, and an array of vendors to Richmond's picturesque marina each year for a day of fun in the sun, concluding with fireworks and serving as a kickoff to Fourth of July celebrations. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** ### Plaque celebrates Santa Fe Market's place in Richmond's founding story URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/plaque-celebrates-santa-fe-markets-place-in-richmonds-founding-story/ Last updated: 2026-07-04T02:22:09.000Z A small group of history enthusiasts gathered at the corner of West Richmond and Washington Avenues on Friday afternoon to celebrate the placing of a plaque telling the story of the 100-year-old Santa Fe Market in Point Richmond. The plaque, a project of the Point Richmond History Association, recognizes the market and the buildings that came before it as among the first structures in Richmond. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/07/IMG_5651.jpeg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/07/IMG_5669.jpeg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/07/IMG_5660-1.jpeg) The market, which welcomed its first customers in 1925, was one of the few grocery stores in the burgeoning village, serving early residents who helped build the neighborhood around it and eventually the city that would become an industrial powerhouse. Point Richmond History Association works to commemorate buildings and tell stories that help to preserve history for future generations. The group maintains a small museum at the Point Richmond Triangle with a few artifacts, photos, and many interesting stories. For more information, visit: [https://www.pointrichmondhistory.org/](https://www.pointrichmondhistory.org/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** ### Richmond firefighters knock down house fire on Shane Drive URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-firefighters-knock-down-house-fire-on-shane-drive/ Last updated: 2026-07-04T00:34:53.000Z Richmond firefighters battled a house fire in the 2800 block of Shane Drive on Friday afternoon. Crews reported the fire had spread into the attic, and live power lines complicated the response, according to Richmond Fire Department radio traffic. Crews arriving around 4 p.m. connected to a water supply and began fighting the fire from inside the house, then found a fire in the attic. Firefighters reportedly cut holes in the roof to release smoke and heat and called for an additional hose line to attack the attic fire. Video posted to social media showed thick black smoke and flames on the roof of the home as the fire burned. Fire officials later reported the fire was knocked down and the house was clear on all floors, though crews continued dealing with a live electrical hazard as PG&E worked to shut off power to the area. A large plume of smoke was visible miles away in North and East Richmond as crews worked the fire. ![Shane Drive fire](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/07/richmond-shane-drive-house-fire-2026a-1.webp) Smoke from a house fire drifts across Shane Drive in Richmond on Friday, July 3, 2026. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### On the agenda: an ethics commission ballot measure, military equipment, and street closures URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-agenda-an-ethics-commission-ballot-measure-military-equipment-and-street-closures/ Last updated: 2026-07-03T17:34:51.000Z The Richmond City Council will meet Tuesday, July 7, to consider placing a government ethics measure on the November ballot, review the Richmond Police Department's annual military equipment report, and vote on closing a street segment near Alvarado Park. ### [GATE Act would create an independent ethics commission](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62416&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Councilmembers Cesar Zepeda, Soheila Bana and Jamelia Brown want the city attorney to draft an ordinance creating an independent Ethics Commission, under a proposal called the Richmond Government Accountability, Transparency and Ethics Act, or Richmond GATE Act. According to the agenda report, Richmond is one of the few Bay Area cities, and among the largest in California, without an independent body to investigate ethics complaints against officials. The proposal states that currently, any complaints regarding city officials go through the city attorney, human resources, or both, who ultimately answer to the city manager. The city attorney reports directly to the council, which in certain circumstances could be the source of the complaint. The new commission would have seven members and be up and running by June 1, 2027\. It would have a dedicated investigator, who must be a licensed California attorney and would report only to the commission, not to the city manager or city attorney. The commission could subpoena records and, if someone refused to comply, ask a judge to enforce that. Its authority would cover elected officials, appointees, contractors, lobbyists, and nonprofits doing business with the city. Funding starts at $1 million in year one, rising in later years to somewhere between half a percent and one percent of the city's general fund revenue, an amount the investigator would set directly rather than negotiate through the city manager. The council could only reduce that funding with five of its seven members voting yes and a written explanation on the record. The $1 million floor could never be cut, even during a declared fiscal emergency. The ordinance would also bar officials from conducting city business via personal email or apps that delete messages and would require that records be kept for 7 years after someone leaves office. The three sponsors tried something similar in May 2025, pushing for an outside investigation of the city’s Community Police Review Commission after that panel's independent investigator resigned, citing ethical concerns. [Resigning investigator criticizes police commission’s ability to review complaints against officersThreet said he no longer believes the commission can be relied upon to reach a valid finding on allegations of officer misconduct based on an objective, unbiased view of the evidence.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--b1d8e96b-eb28-45c8-a3e8-186c5ddac246.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/jerry-threet-richmond-police-1-749e7778-dba8-45c6-a3f5-f6e979eae9c7.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/resigning-investigator-criticizes-police-commissions-ability-to-review-complaints-against-officers-2/) [On the agenda: CPRC probe, fee hikes, and park upgradesAt its May 20 meeting, the Richmond City Council will consider a call by two councilmembers to launch an independent legal investigation into potential ethical breaches and bias within the Community Police Review Commission. Also on the agenda: updates to the city’s Master Fee Schedule projected to raise $373,![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--eecb2979-c184-467b-a4f1-94cece19390f.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/wendell-park-richmond-1-b4072ba6-cf3f-41d3-8527-5f9f9b1f8535.jpg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-agenda-cprc-probe-fee-hikes-and-park-upgrades/) The GATE Act would be just one of several measures Richmond voters could see this fall. Also up for consideration is a citizen-led measure backed by the Richmond Police Officers Association, the Richmond Public Safety Funding and Minimum Staffing Charter Amendment, which would require the city to reach a staffing level of 187 sworn officers and dedicate a growing share of city revenue. [Ballot measure would mandate 187 officers, lock half of Richmond’s local revenue for public safetyA Richmond resident has filed a ballot initiative that would require the city to dedicate up to half of its locally generated revenue to public safety and maintain a minimum of 187 sworn police officers, a base that sits 40 officers above where the department stands today. Michael Taylor Caine,![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--212fcd61-9c13-425c-9e64-19b0b7901b95.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2026-05-22-at-5.24.34-PM-1-b4c83630-e66d-459c-a820-8f628697fdb4.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/ballot-measure-would-mandate-187-officers-lock-half-of-richmonds-local-revenue-for-public-safety/) The city is also weighing whether to place its own measure on the ballot to fund upgrades to the Richmond Fire Department to provide paramedic-level care, something other fire departments in Contra Costa County already provide. Councilmembers reviewed polling on a bond versus a parcel tax in June, after funding a study into the idea earlier in the year. [Richmond considers tax measures to address decades-old fire department needsThe funds would be a first step toward overhauling aging facilities and below-standard levels of care, longtime concerns for both city officials and residents.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/32x32-mercury-news-white-610aaee1-b9fa-4c18-b59a-e2b9e04a2a62.png)The Mercury NewsSierra Lopez![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/20140522__0525crisis4-823e98ae-3f39-400b-887c-6fdcf96e6451.jpg)](https://www.mercurynews.com/2026/06/30/richmond-considers-tax-measures-to-address-decades-old-fire-department-needs/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) Separately, a regional transit tax has already qualified for the November ballot across five Bay Area counties, not just Richmond or Contra Costa. The Connect Bay Area measure would add a half-cent sales tax in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo, and Santa Clara counties, and a one-cent tax in San Francisco, to help fund BART, Muni, Caltrain, AC Transit, and other transit agencies facing budget shortfalls. ### Other notable items The council will consider the Richmond Police Department's [2025 military equipment report](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62346&ref=grandviewindependent.com), a state-required annual accounting of equipment, such as armored vehicles. This item was continued from June 16. Councilmembers Sue Wilson, Doria Robinson, and Cesar Zepeda are asking the council to [back a cleanup plan for the United Heckathorn Superfund site](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62380&ref=grandviewindependent.com), a former industrial site along the Richmond shoreline, developed by the Richmond Shoreline Alliance, San Francisco Baykeeper, and the Sierra Club's local chapter. ### Wildfire prevention rules Councilmembers Bana and Zepeda are asking the council to adopt [recommendations from the city's Wildfire Preparedness Ad Hoc Committee](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62415&ref=grandviewindependent.com). The plan would direct the city attorney's office to consider shortening the appeals process for property owners cited for fire-hazard violations in high-risk zones, set up an on-call contractor to clear vegetation on noncompliant properties, and create a one-year pilot program to help homeowners clear brush within 30 feet of their homes. Staff would report back within 60 to 90 days with cost estimates and next steps. ### Routine business is also up for a vote A [second contract change with Just Cities, LLC](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62355&ref=grandviewindependent.com) to finish the city's Housing Equity Roadmap, adding $49,999 to the contract for a new total of $209,994 and extending it through December 2027, has been carried over from the June 16 and June 23 meetings. A [roadway change closing the connection between Glenn Avenue and McBryde Avenue](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62365&ref=grandviewindependent.com), part of a project meant to make the area safer for people walking and biking to Alvarado Park, has also been carried over from June 16 and June 23. [Packed open house reviews long-awaited McBryde Avenue safety fixRichmond residents packed into Café McBryde on Saturday morning to review long-planned safety and street improvements for the corridor, a project the city says will add bike lanes, repair pavement, and slow traffic on a stretch many neighbors describe as feeling more like a freeway than a neighborhood street.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--ac2b35e7-0a16-43f5-ac3b-5457af094f1b.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/McBryde-Safe-Routes-Parks-Project.1-08fa1747-4bfc-49bd-b9d3-dbba27566a09.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/packed-open-house-reviews-long-awaited-mcbryde-avenue-safety-fix/) The council will hold a [public hearing on new rules for septic systems](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62350&ref=grandviewindependent.com), continued from June 16\. The ordinance itself carries no cost to the city; it sets construction standards and a permitting process for temporary sewage holding tanks, tied to a years-long moratorium on new sewer hookups in the Keller Beach area, where limited sewer capacity has frozen development and, in some cases, continued occupancy of existing properties. The rules are written to apply citywide and would provide the city a standard process to fall back on if similar sewer capacity problems come up elsewhere, without lifting the Keller Beach moratorium itself. The council will also hold its [annual public hearing on sewer and stormwater fees](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62385&ref=grandviewindependent.com) for the coming fiscal year. The hearing authorizes the collection of approximately $32.75 million in wastewater fees and $1.975 million in stormwater fees on the 2026-27 property tax rolls, money that pays for running and maintaining those systems and doesn't touch the city's general fund. Rates aren't changing: single-unit residential properties pay $1,121 a year for sanitary sewer service and $32 for stormwater; multi-unit residential pays $964 and $32\. The last rate increase took effect in fiscal year 2024-25. Two smaller continued items round out the list: an [update on a proposed car-free street event on 23rd Street](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62371&ref=grandviewindependent.com), where staff is asking the council whether it's worth pursuing given competing demands on public works crews, and a [contract with All Star Painting KD Inc. to remove graffiti](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62358&ref=grandviewindependent.com) from the historic General Warehouse Building, not to exceed $87,777. ### On the consent calendar These routine items are typically approved together without discussion. The council will consider a [contract change with iManage, LLC](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62339&ref=grandviewindependent.com) for legal document storage software, increasing the total cost to $73,680.01 and extending it through September 2027. A [fourth change to a landscaping contract with CSW/ST2](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62390&ref=grandviewindependent.com) would add $266,514 for work on the Miraflores Project's historic buildings and signage, bringing the total to $637,941.50\. The council would also accept a $50,000 grant that the Rotary Club of Richmond gave the city back in 2019 to help pay for that work. [Miraflores project not dead yet, city in negotiation with new ownerRichmond Councilmember Doria Robison reported the new owner of the former Miraflores property is possibly interested in picking up the bankrupt housing project near I-80\. Miraflores is the former site of the historic Sakai and Oishi nurseries, founded by Japanese immigrants in the early 1900s. The proposed project consisted![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--98372fc0-b458-459d-a6e7-48ebf5e049d2.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Miraflores-project-richmond-1-8151f6ce-e5f1-4747-98fe-5cf3f9bda748.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/miraflores-project-not-dead-yet-city-in-negotiation-with-new-owner/) The council will approve a [spending plan for waste fees collected in North Richmond](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62394&ref=grandviewindependent.com), and a [contract with Definitive Networks, Inc.](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62373&ref=grandviewindependent.com) to manage emergency medical data, worth up to $216,834 over three years plus two optional one-year extensions. The mayor's office is appointing [Gage Eda](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62404&ref=grandviewindependent.com) and [Samuel Goldheim](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62400&ref=grandviewindependent.com) to open seats on the Richmond Youth Council. The Police Department is seeking approval of a [contract with Contra Costa County](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62406&ref=grandviewindependent.com) to expand homeless outreach to six days a week, worth up to $1,660,150 over three years, and a [three-year contract with the Richmond Rod and Gun Club](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62343&ref=grandviewindependent.com) for use of its shooting range, up to $75,000 with two optional one-year extensions. The council will also receive the [monthly crime report for May 2026](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62378&ref=grandviewindependent.com). Public Works is asking the council to [renew the city's sewer system maintenance plan](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62396&ref=grandviewindependent.com), a state-required update, and to [approve an agreement with Contra Costa County's flood control district](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62410&ref=grandviewindependent.com) to keep collecting stormwater fees. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent. All rights reserved.* ### On the Richmond Burrito Trail: El Jardín de los Sueños breakfast edition URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-richmond-burrito-trail-el-jardin-de-los-suenos-breakfast-edition/ Last updated: 2026-06-30T19:07:18.000Z A banner will get you every time. It was flapping along San Pablo Avenue, bright and impossible to miss, promising BREAKFAST BURRITOS with absolute confidence. No qualifiers. No fine print. We were already pulling in. El Jardín de los Sueños, at 12411 San Pablo Avenue, occupies a sprawling space almost under the freeway overpass once occupied at various times by an indoor playground business, a storefront church, and, we think, a real estate office. A covered walkway lined with palm trees leads to picnic tables set on artificial turf, while one side of the building is painted with a colorful mural that catches your eye before you even park. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/06/el-jardin-de-los-suenos-richmond-breakfast-burrito5.webp) Inside El Jardín de los Sueños, with menus and a deep lineup of bagels, smoothies, and sandwiches. Inside, there's a little bit of everything: string lights, pink walls, a display case of bagels, chalkboard menus pointing in every direction, a kids' play area, Richmond merchandise, candy, and a "Richmond Trinket Trade" cabinet filled with magnets and odds and ends. Yelp reviewers call it a treasure and a community gem. After walking around, it's easy to see why. We ordered the chorizo breakfast burrito. Twelve dollars and six cents. It came out in foil, impossibly hot. We brought it back to *Grandview* Headquarters and put it on the scale. Three hundred and fifty-five grams. To put that in context: the Bacon Breakfast Burrito at Angel's Restaurant down the street, $11.28, eggs, potatoes, beans, crispy bacon, melted cheese, piping hot home fries, weighed 561 grams. [On the Richmond Burrito Trail: Angel’s Restaurant breakfast editionWe were greeted with a question. Do you want a burrito? Yes, but how did she know? She knew. It was a cold morning, but we were motivated to venture out into the world and find something warm and tasty. A sandwich board placed on the sidewalk out front lured![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--7114a720-73a1-47ed-b259-6c660c17f800.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Angels-Restaurant-richmond-san-pablo-avenue-1-1-8b6cbaa2-7c9b-45af-aed3-6b9b5dcf9605.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-richmond-burrito-trail-angels-restaurant-breakfast-edition/) The Taco Bell Cantina Chicken Burrito, which we have said unkind things about in print, weighed 406 grams. The smallest burrito we have logged on the Richmond Burrito Trail to date was a Taco Bell Supreme at 287 grams, and we ordered that one as a joke. [On the Richmond Burrito Trail: 23rd Street’s cantina burritoThe Richmond Burrito Trail is back on 23rd Street, exploring a fast-food staple serving Mexican-inspired food. We’ve long been curious how this outpost of the multinational restaurant chain survives in a food mecca populated with authentic Mexican food. With our preconceived opinions firmly in check and our![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--ec1511fc-2f87-4cc9-ac11-cff3deb188eb.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/taco-bell-richmond-1-1-1-7338a51d-2551-47d6-8cc0-c35d28f19043.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-richmond-burrito-trail-23rd-streets-cantina-burrito/) The chorizo itself was fine, a loose crumble, nice and spicy, doing what chorizo does. But the tortilla was dried out and chewy, the texture of something reheated rather than cooked. And everything inside was too hot in that particular way that only happens when something is reheated, not assembled with love. For $12.06, 355 grams feels like a tough sell. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/06/el-jardin-de-los-suenos-richmond-breakfast-burrito-review.webp) El Jardín de los Sueños' Chorizo Breakfast Burrito, weighed in at 355 grams and cost $12.06\. We're willing to concede we may have picked the wrong item. El Jardín's menu is enormous, with bagels, crepes, smoothies, sandwiches, and plenty of other options. Maybe the breakfast burrito simply isn't what regulars come for. The bagels looked good. The pastries looked even better. El Jardín de los Sueños clearly fills an important role in the North and East Gourmet Ghetto. It's a welcoming community gathering place, and it feels like the kind of business people genuinely enjoy supporting. But the banner out front advertises BREAKFAST BURRITOS. The *Grandview Independent* is working its way through Richmond's taquerias, food trucks, and restaurants in search of the city's best burritos. Follow along as we continue the Richmond Burrito Trail, one stop at a time. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Police investigate Monday evening Duke Avenue shooting URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/police-investigate-monday-evening-duke-avenue-shooting/ Last updated: 2026-06-30T15:46:10.000Z Richmond police are investigating a shooting that left one person wounded Monday evening in the 2500 block of Duke Avenue. Police were dispatched at 6:55 p.m. to a report of a shooting with a victim, according to dispatch records. The case was logged as attempted murder with a firearm. Fire and ambulance radio traffic indicated the victim suffered a gunshot wound to the chest. An air ambulance was requested, and crews established a landing zone nearby. Neighbors reported the shooting happened near the staircase leading to Highland Elementary School. Lieutenant Joe England, Richmond public information officer, confirmed there was one shooting victim. England said the investigation remains active and the department had no additional information to release. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Attempted murder arrest, stolen guns seized, 11 vehicles stolen URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/attempted-murder-arrest-stolen-guns-seized-11-vehicles-stolen/ Last updated: 2026-06-29T15:45:46.000Z According to incident data released by the Richmond Police Department, a felon was arrested on West Macdonald Avenue Monday afternoon carrying multiple firearms, including two loaded, stolen guns and a large-capacity magazine, as Richmond police logged a robbery, 11 vehicle thefts, and a violent week that included an attempted murder reported on Via Verdi between June 22 and June 28. Grandview Independent Richmond Crime Incident Map Loading... From To Load Incident locations are approximate. RPD reports crimes by block, not exact address, to protect privacy. ## Filter by type All Loading... ### **Monday, June 22** **Criminal threats:** 900 block of Marina Way South. A person reported receiving threats serious enough to constitute a crime at 2:10 a.m. **Commercial burglary:** 1900 block of Meeker Avenue. A business was found broken into at 6:18 a.m. **Fraud:** 12800 block of San Pablo Avenue. Someone obtained money under false pretenses, reported at 10 a.m. **Five-finger discount:** 2100 block of Meeker Avenue. A shoplifter was reported at 10:40 a.m. **Vehicle burglary:** 500 block of Roosevelt Avenue. A parked car was found broken into at 10:45 a.m. **Suspended license:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. A driver was stopped at 11:10 a.m. with a license suspended for a prior DUI. **Felon in possession of multiple firearms:** 100 block of West Macdonald Avenue. Police arrested a suspect found carrying two stolen and loaded firearms, a concealed weapon, and prohibited large-capacity magazines, while on probation at 12:28 p.m. **Car theft, vandalism:** 700 block of 26th Street. A car was reported stolen and property was damaged in the same incident at 12:50 p.m. **Shoplifting, drug possession:** 2100 block of Meeker Avenue. Police arrested a suspect at 1:50 p.m. caught shoplifting and found with drugs and paraphernalia. **Vandalism, court order violation:** 2300 block of Clinton Avenue. Property was damaged, and a court order reportedly violated at 1:52 p.m. **Sex crime, kidnapping:** 200 block of Marina Way. A sexual assault was reported at 4:41 p.m. **Misuse of 911:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. A caller made harassing calls to 911 at 5 p.m. **Vehicle burglary:** 3300 block of Parkgate Court. A parked car was found broken into at 7:45 p.m. **Vandalism:** 200 block of 15th Street. Property was damaged at 8:21 p.m. **Drug possession:** 5000 block of Hartnett Avenue. Police arrested a suspect found with drugs and paraphernalia at 8:45 p.m. **Commercial burglary, vandalism:** 700 block of 23rd Street. Burglars hit a business and damaged property at 9:28 p.m. ### **Tuesday, June 23** **Petty theft:** 3400 block of Jetty Drive. Something small was taken, reported at 12:17 a.m. **Trespassing:** 100 block of 22nd Street. Police arrested a suspect found on property they had no right to be on at 1:18 a.m. **Contraband in jail, warrant arrest, trespassing, drug paraphernalia:** 1700 block of Regatta Boulevard. Police arrested a suspect found trespassing and carrying drugs and paraphernalia and discovered an outstanding warrant in the process at 1:31 a.m. **Mail theft:** 2300 block of Carlson Boulevard. Mail was reported stolen at 5:15 a.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 4200 block of Berk Avenue. A stolen car was found at 5:26 a.m. **Reckless driving:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. A driver was reported driving recklessly at 6:23 a.m. **Criminal threats:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. Police arrested a suspect for making criminal threats at 10:40 a.m. **Sex crime:** 5700 block of Clinton Avenue. A sexual crime was reported at 11:47 a.m. **Suspended license:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. A driver was stopped at 12:28 p.m. with a license suspended for a prior DUI. **DUI:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. Police arrested a driver impaired by drugs at 4:36 p.m. ### **Wednesday, June 24** **Drug possession for sale, resisting arrest:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. Police arrested a suspect at 12:51 a.m., found with drugs for sale and narcotics, with prior convictions, who was said to have refused to cooperate with officers. **Utility theft, drug possession, fire alarm tampering:** Undisclosed location in 94806\. Police arrested a suspect who had been stealing utility services, tampering with a fire alarm, and was found with a controlled substance at 1:45 a.m. **Warrant arrest:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. Police arrested a suspect at 1:49 a.m. on an outstanding misdemeanor warrant. **Hit-and-run:** Undisclosed location in 94805\. A driver struck property and left the scene at 1:50 a.m. **Grand theft, vandalism:** 1000 block of Factory Street. A significant theft and property damage were reported at 3:10 a.m. **Trespassing:** 1000 block of Canyon Oaks Drive. A person was found on property they had no right to be on at 7:02 a.m. **Sex crime:** 500 block of Tewksbury Avenue. A sex crime was reported at 7:03 a.m. **Kidnapping, domestic violence, false imprisonment:** 500 block of 33rd Street. Police arrested a suspect at 8:52 a.m. after a person was reportedly held against their will, physically harmed, and subjected to domestic violence. **Rape:** 1700 block of Nevin Avenue. A sexual assault was reported at 10:18 a.m. **DUI:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. An over-the-legal-limit driver was stopped at 10:23 a.m. **Petty theft:** 12000 block of San Pablo Avenue. Something was taken at 11:42 a.m. **DUI, suspended license:** 1000 block of Cutting Boulevard. A driver was stopped at 12:10 p.m. with alcohol in their system and a license already suspended for a DUI. **Criminal threats, exhibiting a deadly weapon:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. Police arrested a suspect at 1:44 p.m. who made criminal threats and brandished a weapon. **Attempted murder, rape, domestic violence:** 3800 block of Via Verdi. Police arrested a suspect at 2 p.m. on multiple charges after a violent domestic incident. **Mail theft:** 5200 block of Colusa Avenue. Mail was reported stolen at 3:38 p.m. **Robbery:** 1600 block of Macdonald Avenue. A person was robbed at 6:12 p.m. ### **Thursday, June 25** **Arson, explosive device:** 1800 block of Ohio Avenue. Police are investigating a report that an explosive device was used to set fire to an occupied structure at 12:06 a.m. **Drug paraphernalia, trespassing:** 2400 block of Aberdeen Way. Police arrested a suspect at 2 a.m. who was found on property they had no right to be on and carrying drug paraphernalia. **Vandalism:** 2000 block of Macdonald Avenue. Police arrested a suspect after property was damaged at 2:22 a.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 500 block of 33rd Street. A stolen car was found at 3:25 a.m. **Car theft:** 200 block of Willard Avenue. A car was reported stolen at 4 a.m. **Vandalism, throwing object at vehicle:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. Police arrested a suspect at 6:38 a.m. who had damaged property and hurled an object at a vehicle with intent to cause serious injury. **Grand theft:** 2400 block of Nevin Avenue. A significant theft was reported at 9 a.m. **Warrant arrest:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. Police arrested a suspect at 9:14 a.m. on an outstanding felony warrant. **Battery:** 900 block of Triangle Court. A person was attacked at 10:18 a.m. **Shoplifting, trespassing:** 2100 block of Meeker Avenue. Police arrested a suspect at 11 a.m. who was caught shoplifting and on property they were not allowed to be. **Indecent exposure:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. Police arrested a suspect for indecent exposure at 12:21 p.m. **Drug paraphernalia:** 2300 block of Aberdeen Way. Someone was found with drug paraphernalia at 2:28 p.m. **Court order violation:** 900 block of Triangle Court. A court order was seemingly violated at 3:16 p.m. **Domestic battery:** 0 block of West Richmond Avenue. Police arrested a suspect after a domestic dispute turned physical at 4:30 p.m. **Felon in possession of firearms:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. Police arrested a convicted felon at 4:53 p.m. and found him carrying a loaded handgun, a concealed weapon, large-capacity magazines, and prohibited ammunition. ### **Friday, June 26** **Car theft:** 900 block of Yuba Street. A car was reported stolen at 1 a.m. **Car theft:** 400 block of 2nd Street. Another car was reported stolen at 1:08 a.m. **Aggravated assault with a deadly weapon:** 800 block of Brookside Drive. Police arrested a suspect at 3:02 a.m. after a person was attacked with a deadly weapon. **Vandalism:** 900 block of Triangle Court. Property was damaged at 6:08 a.m. **Car theft:** 4300 block of Jenkins Way. Police arrested a suspect after a car was reported stolen at 7:37 a.m. **Kidnapping, domestic battery:** 600 block of 34th Street. Police arrested a suspect at 9:18 a.m. after a person was abducted and physically harmed in a domestic incident. **Car theft:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. A car was reported stolen at 10:27 a.m. **Car theft:** 600 block of 21st Street. Another car was reported stolen at 11 a.m. **Car theft:** 200 block of South 17th Street. A car was reported stolen at 12:11 p.m. **Car theft:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. A car was reported stolen at 12:30 p.m. **Shoplifting:** 2100 block of Meeker Avenue. A shoplifter was reported at 12:57 p.m. **Vandalism:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. Property was damaged at 6:17 p.m. **Car theft:** 2600 block of Barrett Avenue. A car was reported stolen at 11:16 p.m. ### **Saturday, June 27** **Battery, vandalism:** 4800 block of Central Avenue. A person was attacked, and property was damaged in the same incident at 7:25 a.m. **Drug paraphernalia, battery on a peace officer, trespassing:** 3400 block of Macdonald Avenue. A suspect was found on property they had no right to be on, carrying drug paraphernalia, and physically attacked an officer during the encounter at 7:40 a.m. **Vehicle parts theft:** 4100 block of Wall Avenue. Parts were stripped from a vehicle, reported at 8:03 a.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 2600 block of Hilltop Drive. A stolen car was found at 8:50 a.m. **Car theft:** 1800 block of Santa Clara Street. A car was reported stolen at 9:04 a.m. **Resisting arrest, false identification:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. A suspect gave false identification to officers and resisted arrest at 10:02 a.m. **Possession of a stolen vehicle, car theft, false identification:** 1300 block of Burbeck Avenue. Police arrested a suspect at 2:44 p.m. who was found in a stolen car and gave officers a false name. ### **Sunday, June 28** **Domestic battery:** Bayside Court. A domestic dispute turned physical at midnight. **Vandalism:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. Property was damaged at 1 a.m. **DUI:** Undisclosed location in 94806\. A driver was stopped at 1:46 a.m. over the legal limit. **Court order violation:** 700 block of 33rd Street. A court order was found to have been violated at 5:56 a.m. **Petty theft:** 500 block of Harbour Way. Something was taken, reported at 6:44 a.m. **Car theft:** 2800 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue. A car was reported stolen at 6:59 a.m. **Vehicle tampering:** 7th Street. A vehicle was found tampered with at 7:56 a.m. **Indecent exposure, battery on a peace officer, resisting arrest:** 100 block of Macdonald Avenue. A suspect was reported for indecent exposure at 8:59 a.m. and physically attacked an officer during the encounter. **Car theft:** 200 block of South 45th Street. A car was reported stolen at 1:01 p.m. **Domestic battery, court order violation:** 2300 block of Lancaster Drive. A domestic dispute turned physical, and a court order was found to have been violated at 7:32 p.m. **Court order violation, domestic violence:** 700 block of Pennsylvania Avenue. A court order tied to a domestic violence case was found to have been violated at 6:16 p.m. **Vehicle recovery:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. A stolen car was found at 11:08 p.m. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond's electricity provider under fire after grand jury report, CEO departure URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmonds-electricity-provider-under-fire-after-grand-jury-report-ceo-departure/ Last updated: 2026-06-25T17:00:59.000Z The public agency that provides electricity to most Richmond residents lost its founding chief executive last week, one day after a county grand jury found that the agency had been mismanaged for years and that its board had repeatedly failed to oversee it. Dawn Weisz, who co-founded MCE in 2010 and led it as it grew from a small Marin County experiment into an agency serving 1.8 million customers across four Bay Area counties, left June 17\. MCE announced the departure the following day in a brief press release that gave no reason for her exit. "The Board of Directors is confident in the agency's ability to seamlessly continue operations during this transition," the release said. [MCE appoints acting leader with chief executive on leaveThe renewable power agency has not released details about Dawn Weisz’s leave or when it might end.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/cropped-MIJ2_SI-1-d43258c0-9402-4251-b251-acbeab64f7ec.png)Marin Independent JournalSteven Rosenfeld![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/MIJ-L-MCE-1014-03-96cbfedf-e852-468b-9f5b-cda49ae73437.jpg)](https://www.marinij.com/2026/05/25/mce-appoints-acting-leader-with-chief-executive-on-leave/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) The departure came one day after the Marin County Civil Grand Jury released a 49-page report finding that MCE's board had failed to adequately oversee the $840 million agency and that management had taken advantage of the situation. The report found that staff repeatedly approved energy contracts without following the agency's own authorization rules, discouraged board members who sought financial information, and appointed a general counsel without required board approval. ![MCE Solar One i](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/06/mce-solar-one-richmond-high-voltage-1.webp) Solar panels at MCE Solar One in Richmond, a 60-acre solar farm. "We found a Board of Directors that rarely asserted its responsibility of governance, and management that appeared to be taking advantage of this situation," the report said. "We also found that controls for contract approval and other internal processes were not being followed." The governance failures had direct financial consequences. MCE's audited financial statements show its electricity costs rose from $571 million in fiscal 2024 to $768 million in fiscal 2025, a 34 percent increase that turned a $144 million operating gain into a $12 million loss. MCE purchased a large volume of energy contracts in fall 2024 when prices were at their peak, and must charge customers those higher prices until the contracts expire. A comparison by Marin's Coalition of Sensible Taxpayers, a watchdog group, found MCE's energy costs rose 30 percent that year while nine comparable California agencies averaged a 4 percent increase. MCE's cost per unit of electricity was the highest in the group. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/06/Change-Energy-Costs.webp) Staff compensation rose 18 percent during the same fiscal year. The agency approved a further 12.5 percent increase for the following year before its board had passed that year's budget. Those higher costs flow directly to customers. Most Richmond residents are enrolled in MCE by default, and a typical residential customer on MCE's standard plan is currently paying $196.86 a month, compared to $179.26 for an equivalent PG&E customer, a difference of about $211 a year, according to figures MCE publishes on its own website. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/06/compare-rates-and-options-mce-pge.webp) **MCE's rate comparison with PG&E is available at mcecleanenergy.org/compare-rates-and-options.* MCE communications director Jenna Tenney said the gap opened in January when PG&E cut its own generation rates and simultaneously raised the fees it charges customers who left for MCE. MCE's board responded in April with a 14 percent rate reduction of its own. "MCE does not guarantee that our rates will be lower than PG&E's," Tenney said in a written statement, "but we do our best to remain cost competitive while providing local programs and renewable energy generation that directly benefits our customers." For lower-income customers, MCE said it offers a bill credit of $20 a month stacked on top of existing state discount programs for eligible households. The current funding runs through March 2027. Separately, internal materials prepared for a June 24 MCE board workshop show that during hours when renewable generation is low, particularly mornings and evenings, the gap between MCE's contracted supply and actual customer demand is filled by power the agency's own documents describe as "probably natural gas." MCE said this is a standard condition shared by all electricity providers and that it is working to replace natural gas backup contracts with battery storage. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/06/Index-Contracts-Portfolio-Implications.webp) The California Public Utilities Commission found in its most recent report that 16 percent of MCE's backup power capacity comes from clean sources, compared to more than 30 percent for most of its Bay Area peers. The same June 24 workshop materials listed options for the board to consider, including scaling back MCE's standard plan renewable target from 60 percent to whatever its existing long-term contracts can deliver, or to the minimum required by state law. Richmond customers are enrolled in the standard plan by default. Richmond's seat on MCE's 34-member board is held by a city representative who does not sit on any of the agency's three standing committees, where decisions on rates, budgets, and energy contracts are worked through before reaching the full board. The grand jury named the Richmond City Council among the governing bodies invited to formally respond to its findings. Mayor Eduardo Martinez and Councilmember Cesar Zepeda, listed in city records as Richmond's representative and alternate on the MCE board, did not respond to requests for comment. Chief Operating Officer Vicken Kasarjian, who has held that role since 2018, will serve as acting CEO while the board searches for a permanent replacement. MCE said it is reviewing the grand jury report and will respond within 90 days as required by state law. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### School district property committee tours shuttered school sites, hears new zoning data URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/school-district-property-committee-tours-shuttered-school-sites-hears-new-zoning-data/ Last updated: 2026-06-23T18:35:19.000Z A West Contra Costa Unified School District advisory committee toured two long-vacant school properties Monday evening before hearing new information about zoning changes that could significantly alter the value and development potential of both sites, then voted to table action. The WCCUSD 7-11 Committee, a citizen panel charged with recommending what the district should do with four shuttered school sites, walked the former Adams Middle School property in East Richmond and the former Portola Middle School site in El Cerrito before convening at Serra Campus to take up formal recommendations. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/06/wccusd-7-11-committee-adams-portola-site-tour-zoning-2026.wccusd-7-11-committee-adams-portola-site-tour-zoning-20265.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/06/wccusd-7-11-committee-adams-portola-site-tour-zoning-2026.wccusd-7-11-committee-adams-portola-site-tour-zoning-20261.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/06/wccusd-7-11-committee-adams-portola-site-tour-zoning-2026.wccusd-7-11-committee-adams-portola-site-tour-zoning-20264.webp) Members of the WCCUSD 7-11 Committee tour the former Adams Middle School site in East Richmond on Monday, June 22, 2026. The committee has been meeting since early 2024 to develop a report on four district properties no longer used. Monday's session took up the Adams and Portola sites. The Harmon Knolls and Seaview properties are scheduled for future meetings. Contra Costa County Supervisor John Gioia joined the Adams tour and later addressed the committee, telling members the county has updated its general plan and zoning for the site since the committee did its initial analysis two years ago. The Adams site, on Patterson Circle in unincorporated Contra Costa County east of Richmond, had previously been evaluated under assumptions of roughly six units per acre, producing an estimate of about 36 homes and an appraised value of $6 million to $8.6 million. Gioia told the committee the site is now zoned for 10 to 30 units per acre and allows mixed-use development, including neighborhood-serving commercial uses, making it likely more valuable than earlier estimates. Several committee members noted the property appraisals are now roughly two years old and called for updated figures before any final recommendations are made. The site tour gave newer committee members their first look at the property, and according to the committee's own records, the damage goes deeper than what is visible from outside. The buildings have been severely vandalized, with most or all of the wiring and plumbing stripped out. At a previous meeting, Chair Jim Sanders said the buildings are no longer structurally sound. Committee members were told they could not enter the buildings during the tour for liability reasons. Today, broken and boarded-up windows line the facades of Adam's school building. Piles of chairs appear to have been tossed from inside. Broken glass lay shattered on the ground below the windows. Ivy crawls up the exterior walls. In several places, the buildings show signs of forced entry. The committee discussed whether demolition costs, which would be elevated by the presence of asbestos and lead-based paint, should be factored into any updated appraisal. Neighbors who attended public comment pushed back on a straightforward sale to market-rate developers, urging the committee instead to pursue workforce housing for district employees, incorporate green space and community amenities, and engage more actively with surrounding residents. Committee members echoed those concerns, with several saying the existing recommendations are too vague and that the district should issue a detailed request for proposals with clear parameters rather than simply offering the land to the open market. The committee voted to table the Adams discussion until the next meeting. The Portola site drew its own cluster of stakeholders. Dawn Kooyumjian, coordinator of the UC Master Gardener Program of Contra Costa County, told the committee that her volunteers have been operating a water conservation garden on a portion of the site and have contributed more than 33,000 hours of volunteer time, valued at over $1 million, in service to Contra Costa residents. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/06/wccusd-7-11-committee-adams-portola-site-tour-zoning-2026.wccusd-7-11-committee-adams-portola-site-tour-zoning-20266-1.webp) The UC Master Gardener Program of Contra Costa County operates a water conservation garden on the former Portola Middle School site in El Cerrito. Program coordinator Dawn Kooyumjian spoke during the tour on Monday, June 22, 2026\. Sarah Butler, a member of the Contra Costa County Board of Education, noted that Invictus Academy of Richmond, a charter school the county board authorizes, currently occupies land adjacent to the lower Portola site under a three-year facilities use agreement with WCCUSD, with two years remaining. She noted the long-term situation depends on factors the district controls. The committee ran out of time on Portola and tabled action there as well. The committee set its next meeting for Monday, July 6\. Members said they expected a legal presentation on recent state legislation governing surplus school property and workforce housing, updated enrollment data, and fresh property appraisals before the committee finalizes any recommendations. The committee still needs to confirm recommendations for the Harmon Knolls and Seaview sites before it can publish its draft report and schedule a public hearing. That report ultimately goes to the WCCUSD Board of Education, which makes the final decisions on whether to declare the properties surplus and how to dispose of them. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### What happened in Richmond: A homicide on Potrero Avenue and a felon found carrying multiple firearms URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/what-happened-in-richmond-a-homicide-on-potrero-avenue-and-a-felon-found-carrying-multiple-firearms/ Last updated: 2026-06-22T16:00:06.000Z According to incident data released by the Richmond Police Department, a person was killed on Potrero Avenue on Tuesday evening as Richmond police logged a murder, three robberies, and 13 vehicle thefts between June 15 and June 21. ### **Richmond crime incident map** Grandview Independent Richmond Crime Incident Map Loading... From To Load Incident locations are approximate. RPD reports crimes by block, not exact address, to protect privacy. ## Filter by type All Loading... ### **Monday, June 15** **Grand theft:** 3100 block of Southampton Court. Something of value was taken in the early hours of the morning at 12:30 a.m. **Car theft:** 3100 block of Pullman Avenue. A thief came for it before sunrise at 3:50 a.m. and left with a car that wasn't theirs. **Battery:** 800 block of 6th Street. A person was attacked at 3:52 a.m. **Disorderly conduct:** 2400 block of Aberdeen Way. Police arrested a suspect found publicly intoxicated at 4:20 a.m. **Commercial burglary:** 1000 block of Factory Street. A business was found broken into at 8 a.m., **Car theft:** 300 block of South 6th Street. A car owner learned someone had driven away with their car at 8:10 a.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 5300 block of Bayview Avenue. A stolen car turned up at 8:52 a.m. **Domestic battery:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. A domestic dispute turned physical at 1:25 p.m. **Public intoxication:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. Police arrested a suspect at 1:32 p.m. **Petty theft, drug possession:** 1000 block of Market Avenue. Police arrested a suspect found stealing and in possession of a controlled substance at 2:32 p.m. **Court order violation:** 2900 block of McKenzie Drive. Police arrested a suspect for violating a court order at 3:26 p.m. **Mail theft:** 500 block of Key Boulevard. Mail was reportedly stolen at 3:37 p.m. **Drug possession, trespassing:** 2500 block of Roosevelt Avenue. Police arrested a suspect found on property they had no right to be on, carrying drugs, at 4:51 p.m. **Car theft:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. A car was taken at 5 p.m. **DUI:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. Police arrested a driver at 5:45 p.m. in no condition to be behind the wheel. **Robbery:** 4800 block of Central Avenue. A person was robbed at 6:20 p.m. **Identity fraud:** 2300 block of Roosevelt Avenue. Someone was using another person's identity at 7:03 p.m. **Grand theft:** 3800 block of Lakeside Drive. A significant theft was reported at 9 p.m. **False imprisonment, exhibiting a deadly weapon, criminal threats:** 2600 block of Hilltop Drive. A person was reportedly held against their will, threatened, and a weapon was brandished at 11:23 p.m. **DUI:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. A driver was stopped at 11:23 p.m. **Drug paraphernalia:** 3400 block of Macdonald Avenue. Drug paraphernalia was found just before midnight at 11:59 p.m. ### **Tuesday, June 16** **Residential burglary:** 2100 block of Nevin Avenue. A home was found to have been broken into at 2 a.m. **Domestic battery, child abuse:** 600 block of 3rd Street. Police arrested a suspect after a domestic dispute turned violent, and a child was harmed at 3:49 a.m. **Car theft:** 700 block of Bradford Drive. A thief took it at 3:54 a.m. **Vandalism:** 5400 block of Solano Avenue. Property was damaged at 5:30 a.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 300 block of South 38th Street. A stolen car was found at 8:46 a.m. **Drug paraphernalia:** Undisclosed location in 94805\. Police arrested a suspect with drug paraphernaliaat 8:50 a.m. **Drug possession:** 12800 block of San Pablo Avenue. Police arrested a suspect found with a controlled substance at 11:08 a.m. **Drug possession for sale, contraband in jail, drug possession, drug paraphernalia:** 1700 block of Regatta Boulevard. A person was found with drugs for sale, paraphernalia, and contraband at 12:03 p.m. **Vehicle embezzlement:** 2900 block of Hilltop Mall Road. A vehicle was not returned at 12:41 p.m. **Car theft:** 700 block of 15th Street. A car was taken at 3 p.m. **Forgery:** 5000 block of Nevin Avenue. A forged check was passed at 3:59 p.m. **Criminal threats, trespassing, drug paraphernalia, drug possession:** 2400 block of Aberdeen Way. Police arrested a suspect found on property they shouldn't have been on, making criminal threats, and carrying drugs and paraphernalia at 4:18 p.m. **Drug paraphernalia, drug possession:** 3600 block of Macdonald Avenue. Police arrested a suspect found with drugs and paraphernalia at 4:21 p.m. **Possession of a stolen vehicle:** Undisclosed location in 94806\. Police arrested a suspect found in a stolen car at 7:48 p.m. **Armed robbery:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. Police arrested a suspect after a person was robbed at gunpoint at 8:03 p.m. **Vehicle burglary:** 3000 block of Belfast Way. Police arrested a suspect after a vehicle was broken into at 8:11 p.m. **Murder:** 4500 block of Potrero Avenue. A person was killed at 8:25 p.m., and a suspect was arrested. [Richmond man arrested in fatal beating of his brother on Potrero AvenueRichmond police arrested a 61-year-old man Tuesday night on suspicion of murdering his older brother following a fight at a Potrero Avenue residence, authorities said. Jerome Timmons, 68, of Richmond, was found unresponsive at a home in the 4500 block of Potrero Avenue at approximately 9:09 p.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--054a51e3-4808-429c-9959-32639f8ea6db.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Richmond-ca-police-investigating-homicide--potrero-Avenue1-1-7aa0248a-da5a-4408-ac5a-fcc93c8e8f21.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-man-arrested-in-fatal-beating-of-his-brother-on-potrero-avenue/) **Shoplifting:** 15500 block of San Pablo Avenue. A shoplifter was caught and arrested at 9:20 p.m. **Criminal threats:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. Threats serious enough to constitute a crime were reported at 10:03 p.m. **Disorderly conduct:** 3700 block of Ohio Avenue. Police arrested a suspect at 10:45 p.m. **Vandalism:** 200 block of 4th Street. Property was damaged at 11:35 p.m. ### **Wednesday, June 17** **Commercial burglary, shoplifting, trespassing:** 2100 block of Meeker Avenue. Police arrested a suspect after Meeker Avenue's most-burglarized block was hit again at midnight. **Theft of vehicle parts:** 1000 block of Florida Avenue. Parts were stripped from a vehicle at midnight. **Noise disturbance:** 400 block of 18th Street. A noise complaint rose to the level of a formal report at 2:47 a.m. **Commercial burglary:** 3000 block of Cutting Boulevard. A business was broken into at 3:49 a.m. **Domestic battery:** 200 block of South 47th Street. Police arrested a suspect after a domestic dispute turned violent at 5:53 a.m. **Vehicle burglary:** 2000 block of Macdonald Avenue. A parked car was broken into at 8:28 a.m. **Vandalism:** 600 block of 18th Street. Property was damaged at 8:40 a.m. **Robbery:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. A person was robbed at 9:56 a.m. **Identity fraud:** 600 block of Rock Rose Way. Someone was using another person's identity at 12:07 p.m. **Commercial burglary:** 300 block of Carlson Boulevard. A business was broken into at 12:32 p.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 800 block of 6th Street. A stolen car was recovered at 2:26 p.m. **Criminal threats:** 2400 block of Lancaster Drive. Threats were made at 3:22 p.m., serious enough to bring a police report. **Petty theft, possession of stolen property, drug possession:** 2100 block of Meeker Avenue. Police arrested a suspect at 3:27 p.m. found stealing, carrying stolen property, and in possession of drugs. **Grand theft:** 2500 block of Ohio Avenue. A significant theft was reported at 3:51 p.m. **Court order violation:** 300 block of Summit Place. A court order was violated at 4 p.m. **Court order violation:** 1700 block of Regatta Boulevard. Another court order was violated at 4 p.m. **Criminal threats:** 600 block of 18th Street. Police arrested a suspect for making criminal threats at 5:12 p.m. **Warrant arrest:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. Police arrested a suspect on an outstanding warrant at 6 p.m. **Vehicle burglary:** 1900 block of Coalinga Avenue. A parked car was broken into at 11:30 p.m. ### **Thursday, June 18** **Petty theft:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. A theft was reported just after midnight. **DUI:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. Police arrested a driver stopped at 12:37 a.m. with too much in them to be driving. **Car theft:** 600 block of South 37th Street. A thief took it at 3:30 a.m. while the block was asleep. **Vandalism:** 3700 block of Wall Avenue. Property was damaged at 5:25 a.m. **Vehicle burglary:** 1900 block of Coalinga Avenue. The same block as Wednesday night's burglary was hit again at 6 a.m. **Battery:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. A person was physically attacked at 8:06 a.m. **Vandalism:** 1500 block of Chanslor Avenue. Police arrested a suspect after property was damaged at 8:37 a.m. **Vandalism:** Undisclosed location in 94806\. Property was damaged at 9:15 a.m. **Car theft:** 1800 block of Gaynor Avenue. A thief took it at 10 a.m. while the morning went on. **Car theft:** 1900 block of Esmond Avenue. Another car was taken ten minutes later on the next block at 10:10 a.m. **Court order violation:** 100 block of 16th Street. A court order was violated at 11:01 a.m. **Drug possession for sale, marijuana possession for sale:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. Police arrested a suspect found with drugs for sale at 2:58 p.m. **Battery:** 1900 block of Stenmark Drive. A person was attacked at 3:49 p.m. **Vehicle burglary:** 200 block of South 16th Street. A parked car was broken into at 4:30 p.m. **Car theft:** 200 block of Marina Way South. A thief took a car at 7 p.m. as the evening came on. **Drug possession:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. A drug-related incident was reported at 9:45 p.m. **Aggravated battery:** 500 block of 8th Street. A person was seriously beaten at 10:46 p.m. **Criminal threats:** 3700 block of Florida Avenue. Threats were made at 11:19 p.m. ### **Friday, June 19** **Car theft:** 600 block of 19th Street. A thief took it before sunrise at 2:30 a.m. **DUI (under 21):** Undisclosed location in 94805\. Police arrested a driver under 21 stopped at 2:50 a.m. **Car theft:** 1700 block of Rheem Avenue. Another car gone at 6:30 a.m. **Car theft:** 600 block of S. 22nd Street. A third car was taken before 8 a.m. **Court order violation:** 100 block of Commodore Drive. A court order was violated at 9:17 a.m. **Trespassing:** 300 block of 28th Street. A person was found somewhere they had no right to be at 9:30 a.m. **Battery, court order violation:** 1000 block of Lassen Street. A person was attacked, and a court order was found to have been violated in the same incident at 2:16 p.m. **Felon in possession of a firearm, illegal firearm possession, child abuse:** Undisclosed location in 94805\. Police arrested a convicted felon found at 2:43 p.m. carrying multiple concealed firearms, a loaded handgun, and prohibited ammunition, while a child was present. **Child abuse:** 3200 block of Moran Avenue. Police arrested a suspect after a child was harmed at 11:29 p.m. ### **Saturday, June 20** **DUI:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. Police arrested a driver just after 1:37 a.m. **Sex crime, sexual battery:** 200 block of 18th Street. A sexual assault involving multiple charges was reported at 3:21 a.m. **Petty theft:** 3400 block of Barrett Avenue. Something small was taken at 3:26 a.m. **Vehicle burglary:** 4500 block of Utah Drive. A parked car was broken into at 4:13 a.m. **Commercial burglary:** 3200 block of Jacuzzi Street. A business was broken into at 1:55 p.m. **Hit-and-run, evading police, reckless driving, drug possession, drug paraphernalia:** 12200 block of San Pablo Avenue. A driver seemingly hit a vehicle at 3:58 p.m., fled, drove recklessly, tried to outrun officers, and was found with drugs and paraphernalia. **Battery:** 1000 block of Market Avenue. A person was attacked at 5:04 p.m. **Domestic battery:** 2800 block of Lincoln Avenue. A domestic dispute turned physical at 5:17 p.m. **Exhibiting a deadly weapon:** 300 block of South 36th Street. Police arrested a suspect reported for brandishing a weapon at 6:33 p.m. **Car theft:** 2400 block of Esmond Avenue. A thief took a car at 7 p.m. while Saturday evening settled in. **Aggravated battery:** 500 block of S. 26th Street. A person was seriously injured in an assault at 8:42 p.m. ### **Sunday, June 21** **Vehicle recovery:** 1800 block of Alice Street. A stolen car was found at 11:36 a.m., returned to the world, if not the owner's driveway just yet. **Arson:** 1700 block of Dunn Avenue. A fire was deliberately set at 12:31 p.m. on a Sunday afternoon. **Vandalism:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. Property was damaged at 12:56 p.m. **Petty theft:** 900 block of Triangle Court. Something was taken at 2:44 p.m. by someone who felt entitled to it. **Petty theft:** 4500 block of Macdonald Avenue. A theft was reported at 7:19 p.m. **DUI:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. A driver was cited at 9:31 p.m. for operating under the influence to close out the week. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond Juneteenth parade winds through city; festival honors community members URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-juneteenth-parade-winds-through-city-festival-honors-community-members/ Last updated: 2026-06-20T23:29:55.000Z The city's Juneteenth parade moved through Richmond on Saturday morning before giving way to an afternoon festival at Nicholl Park, where organizers inducted six people into a newly created Juneteenth Hall of Fame and named the event's first youth royal court. On the main stage, Michelle Milam, crime prevention manager for the Richmond Police Department and a lead organizer of the event, presented awards to the year's honorees before turning attention to the new Hall of Fame. "Juneteenth is about celebration. It's about remembering our past. It's about celebrating our future," Milam told the crowd. "But more than all that, Juneteenth is about remembering why we're doing what we do." Grand Marshal Marena Brown, executive director of the Contra Costa Youth Service Bureau since 2023, was among the first Hall of Fame inductees. Milam cited her work across Richmond's civic landscape, including the Youth Services Bureau and Shields Reed Neighborhood Council. Fred Franklin, a graphic artist and cartoonist who has donated work to community organizations in the Iron Triangle for more than 35 years, was also named grand marshal and inducted into the Hall of Fame. Three people were inducted posthumously. Abigail Sims, a literacy teacher who volunteered at the city services tent at Juneteenth events for years. Johnnie George-Towns, a longtime Juneteenth committee member, was honored alongside her daughter, Juanita Towns, who accepted the award. Jose Davis worked in facilities maintenance for the City of Richmond for more than 30 years. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/06/richmond-california-juneteenth-20267.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/06/richmond-california-juneteenth-20264.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/06/richmond-california-juneteenth-20265.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/06/richmond-california-juneteenth-20263.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/06/richmond-california-juneteenth-20266.webp) Joe L. Fisher Sr., associate publisher of the Richmond Post and a real estate broker who has served on the Coronado Neighborhood Council and other civic bodies for decades, received the Lifetime of Service Award. The committee also named its first youth grand marshals and inaugural royal court, a group of honor-roll students from across the West Contra Costa Unified School District who marched in the parade. Ivan, a Richmond-born dancer and artist with a following on social media, and Xa'viar Bennett, who runs youth workshops on self-esteem and has written and produced her own short film, were named youth grand marshals. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/06/richmond-juneteenth-2026-youth-grand-marshals-xaviar-bennett-ivan-3.webp) Genesis Johnson, a recent Hercules High School graduate, was crowned Miss Juneteenth. Zachariah, an incoming eighth-grader, was crowned Mr. Juneteenth. Performers scheduled for the day included Dede Simon, Atia Carroll, Sharonda G, and the Dwayne Patton Leather Band. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### On the agenda: budget adoption, a paramedic ballot measure and a street closure URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-agenda-budget-adoption-a-paramedic-ballot-measure-and-a-street-closure/ Last updated: 2026-06-20T00:31:35.000Z The Richmond City Council will meet on Tuesday to adopt the city's final budget for fiscal year 2026-27, review polling on a potential November ballot measure to fund paramedic-level fire service, and revisit five items continued from its June 16 meeting. Those include a proposed permanent street closure near the San Pablo border, a drone light show proposal for Hilltop Mall, and a letter supporting state legislation aimed at refinery cleanup. Also on the agenda are two annual landscaping assessment hearings, a new policy governing disruptions at public meetings, and a lengthy list of contracts and funding agreements. ### [Survey results land on a paramedic funding measure](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62229&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The council will receive results from a voter survey testing support for transitioning the Richmond Fire Department to Advanced Life Support, the paramedic-level care the department currently lacks. Pollsters with SCI Consulting Group and Evitarus surveyed 800 likely voters in May on two options: a $120 million bond measure carrying an estimated average tax rate of $40 per $100,000 of assessed valuation, and a $67 annual parcel tax projected to raise about $2.15 million a year for 20 years. Initial support landed at 65 percent for the bond and 66 percent for the parcel tax, with 28 percent and 27 percent, respectively, saying they'd "definitely" vote yes. After hearing arguments for and against, the parcel tax support fell to 64 percent, while the bond measure held closer to its starting point. One opposition argument, as effective as a general affordability message, reminded voters that Richmond already received "over half a billion dollars" from its settlement with Chevron. The strongest messages in favor centered on bringing Richmond's paramedic service up to the same standard as the rest of Contra Costa County. Staff is asking the council to approve the findings and direct work toward "Phase 2" ballot preparation, with an August 7 filing deadline for a possible November measure. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/06/glenn-avenue-mcbryde-richmond-street-closure-1.webp) Glenn Avenue at its connection to McBryde Avenue in Richmond, where the city plans to permanently close vehicle access between the two streets. Photo/ Linda Hemmila ### [A quiet end to the Glenn-McBryde cut-through](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62190&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Council will consider a Public Works recommendation, continued from June 16, to permanently close the direct vehicle connection between Glenn and McBryde avenues as part of the McBryde Avenue Safe Routes to Park project. City staff says the unusual intersection configuration, limited sight lines, and years of cut-through traffic from drivers avoiding the McBryde-Amador signal have created safety concerns. Access to the neighborhood would remain available via Yuba Avenue, and the closure was coordinated with Richmond police and fire officials to maintain emergency access. [Big street changes planned for McBryde AvenueThe City of Richmond Public Works is working to create a safe and comfortable walking and biking route on McBryde Avenue by removing traffic lanes and adding bike lanes from 37th Street to Wildcat Regional Park. The McBryde Avenue Safe Routes to Parks project will reduce the street’s four![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--70cc78d1-ceb7-4387-8c4d-b66c5ce9e34a.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/McBryde-avenue-gets-a-road-diet-399f4ab6-5888-45e7-82bf-1da9d195b4ac.jpg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/big-changes-planned-for-mcbryde-avenue/) The project crosses into San Pablo, which supported the closure in writing, with conditions including encroachment permits for any ADA ramp work on its side of the boundary. A November open house at Café McBryde drew about 70 attendees against a target of 40 to 50, and staff described the feedback as generally positive. [Packed open house reviews long-awaited McBryde Avenue safety fixRichmond residents packed into Café McBryde on Saturday morning to review long-planned safety and street improvements for the corridor, a project the city says will add bike lanes, repair pavement, and slow traffic on a stretch many neighbors describe as feeling more like a freeway than a neighborhood street.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--852910de-f8cd-4044-aa30-e8097a35a20a.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/McBryde-Safe-Routes-Parks-Project.1-fb9c0e42-bee2-40aa-a645-08dea1575cca.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/packed-open-house-reviews-long-awaited-mcbryde-avenue-safety-fix/) ### [A $637 million budget, built on a vacancy rate](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62231&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The city is set to adopt the 2026-27 Operating Budget and the 2026-27 to 2030-31 Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan. The general fund side projects $324.7 million in revenue against $276.2 million in expenditures, while non-general fund activity adds $271.6 million in revenue and $360.9 million in expenditures, for an all-funds total of $637 million. The roughly $48.5 million gap on the general fund side reflects the Chevron settlement money landing in the fund this year, net of the city's required set-aside to the voter-approved Kids First Initiative. [Richmond unions say city is choosing not to fill vacant positionsUnion leaders told the Richmond City Council Tuesday that the city’s persistent staffing shortages are the result of a deliberate choice, not a hiring pipeline problem, escalating a public dispute over whether Richmond is using vacant positions as a budget tool at the expense of city services. The accusation![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--6bf6dcf8-1feb-49c7-8526-f2d8ea0ac164.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/ben-therriault-rpoa-richmond-city-council-vacancy-hearing-2026-1-1-2dfceb6d-8e5b-4efc-b44d-193142858c98.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-unions-say-city-is-choosing-not-to-fill-vacant-positions/) The budget leans on a vacancy rate to stay balanced. Personnel costs have risen $54 million since fiscal year 2021-22, and the city is counting on a roughly 12 percent vacancy rate to generate about $16.4 million in savings for FY 2026-27\. On the capital side, council closed a $2.7 million shortfall across the Richmond Wellness Trail Phase II, the San Francisco Bay Trail at Point Molate, and change orders at Shields-Reid and Wendell parks by deferring $650,000 in planned 2026-27 fleet replacements, including $470,000 the Fire Department would have been charged for a scheduled vehicle replacement. The Wendell Park shortfall traces back to the city's roughly $433,000 Sourcewell contract for a modular restroom there, placing modern sanitation infrastructure near a stretch of 24th Street long associated with prostitution. [City manager says Richmond may be unable to add staff without retirementsCity Manager Shasa Curl told the Richmond City Council on Tuesday that the city can no longer afford to hire new employees unless an existing employee retires first due to increasing workforce costs. “In the absence of retirements, we are at a point where new personnel cannot be added because![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--c939d03b-0d21-4316-a9d8-650958695a95.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-city-manager-shasa-curl-budget-study-session-june-2026-1-1-ec08d33f-ccdf-4e1d-a8eb-0d0998e5dffc.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/city-manager-says-richmond-may-be-unable-to-add-staff-without-retirements/) ### [Refinery accountability, again](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62138&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Also continued from June 16 is Councilmember Claudia Jimenez's request that the city send a letter of support for Senate Bill 1259, which would require oil refiners to file decommissioning and remediation plans with cost estimates attached. ### [Hilltop's drone show idea returns](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62135&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Councilmember Soheila Bana's push to explore a July 3 drone light show at Hilltop Mall is back on the agenda, continued from June 16\. The item directs the city manager to contact neighboring municipalities, such as Pinole and San Pablo, to see whether Richmond can piggyback on an existing regional vendor contract for discounted pricing. ### [A car-free pilot still waiting for a green light](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62136&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Council will also revisit the proposed 23rd Street Ciclovía pilot, modeled on a Bogotá, Colombia tradition of opening car-free space for walking, biking, and community events. Staff pegged the cost of a pilot event at $79,000 to $145,000 and are asking council whether to prioritize it within the current Public Works work plan. ### [Finishing the Housing Equity Roadmap](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62226&ref=grandviewindependent.com) A second amendment to the city's contract with Just Cities, LLC, continued from June 16, would add $49,999 for a new total payment limit of $209,994 and extend the term through December 2027\. Just Cities previously authored the fair-housing appendix to Richmond's 6th Cycle Housing Element and is now developing the Housing Equity Roadmap, an implementation plan that addresses fair-housing access, land-use compatibility, and housing production. ### [Removing graffiti from the General Warehouse](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62128&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The council will consider an $87,777 contract with All Star Painting KD Inc., continued from June 16, to remove graffiti from the exterior concrete of the General Warehouse Building at the Port of Richmond's Point Potrero Marine Terminal, where the former Historic Shipyard Number Three ships were built during World War II. The Port has already added fencing, security gates, and K-rail around the vacant building, and staff describe graffiti removal as the next step in protecting its historic character. ### [A policy for when the internet goes down](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62167&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The is expected to adopt a new policy governing what happens if telephonic or internet service fails during a public meeting, required under state Senate Bill 707\. The policy lays out when the city must pause and recess a meeting, for how long, and what findings the council must make before reconvening if service isn't restored. ### [Two routine assessment hearings](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62209&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Council will hold public hearings on annual three percent assessment increases for the Marina Bay and [Hilltop](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62164&ref=grandviewindependent.com) landscaping and lighting maintenance districts. Marina Bay's total assessment for 2026-27 would rise to $780,780, including $62,036 set aside for the district's reserve fund; Hilltop's would rise to $570,454.87. ## The rest of the business The council is set to approve $100,000 for the city's legal services contract with [Best, Best & Krieger](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62177&ref=grandviewindependent.com) to help negotiate a new wastewater operator agreement. It will also sign off on a [$110,000 subscription to Westlaw and CoCounsel](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62172&ref=grandviewindependent.com) legal research tools from Thomson Reuters, add [$75,000 to the Meyers Nave contract](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62161&ref=grandviewindependent.com) for confidential personnel investigations, and add [$200,000 to the Aleshire & Wynder contract](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62223&ref=grandviewindependent.com) that staffs the Community Police Review Commission. The City Clerk's Office will ask council to formally call the [Nov. 3, 2026, general municipal election](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62196&ref=grandviewindependent.com), a routine step required to place city races and measures on the ballot. Public Works will [pay Veolia $586,532 to replace sodium hypochlorite tanks](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62218&ref=grandviewindependent.com) at the wastewater treatment plant, send a [$24,000 settlement payment](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62204&ref=grandviewindependent.com) to the state's water pollution cleanup fund, and pay $39,000 to Earth Island Institute's KIDS for the BAY program as part of a Water Board settlement. The department will also close out its [feasibility study on an automated transit network](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62158&ref=grandviewindependent.com), redirecting leftover funds toward solar lighting along bus routes, pay [Oakley & Oakley $21,500](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62213&ref=grandviewindependent.com) to remodel an ADA-accessible restroom at the Corporation Yard, formally accept the finished [Yellow Brick Road Phase II street lighting project](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62198&ref=grandviewindependent.com), and remove the $200,000 annual caps on the city's [paratransit contracts with Lyft and Uber](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62187&ref=grandviewindependent.com), raising the combined ceiling to $920,000. The [Rent Program will set the 2026-27 rental housing fee](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62170&ref=grandviewindependent.com) at $261 per fully covered unit and $149 per partially covered unit. The Police Department will accept a [$73,227 federal grant](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62182&ref=grandviewindependent.com) for safety equipment. The Mayor's Office will bring forward board and commission appointments, including the reappointment of [Myrtle Braxton](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62147&ref=grandviewindependent.com) to the Commission on Aging, the appointment of [Paula Navin Burnett](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62149&ref=grandviewindependent.com) to the same board, the appointment of [Catherine Bae](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62151&ref=grandviewindependent.com) to the Community Crisis Response Program Advisory Board, and the reappointment of [Karlyn C. Neel](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=62153&ref=grandviewindependent.com) to the Design Review Board. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond unions say city is choosing not to fill vacant positions URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-unions-say-city-is-choosing-not-to-fill-vacant-positions/ Last updated: 2026-06-18T00:54:12.000Z Union leaders told the Richmond City Council Tuesday that the city's persistent staffing shortages are the result of a deliberate choice, not a hiring pipeline problem, escalating a public dispute over whether Richmond is using vacant positions as a budget tool at the expense of city services. The accusation came at a state-mandated annual hearing on city vacancies, where representatives from two unions told council members that the city has the means to hire but has chosen not to, while City Manager Shasa Curl defended the city's pace as a financial necessity driven by rising personnel costs and unresolved labor contracts. [City manager says Richmond may be unable to add staff without retirementsCity Manager Shasa Curl told the Richmond City Council on Tuesday that the city can no longer afford to hire new employees unless an existing employee retires first due to increasing workforce costs. “In the absence of retirements, we are at a point where new personnel cannot be added because![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--482ad643-e1fe-434c-b9b8-fef160fcd036.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-city-manager-shasa-curl-budget-study-session-june-2026-1-1-d3dd6987-7b03-45b9-ac9c-9554c4fb328d.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/city-manager-says-richmond-may-be-unable-to-add-staff-without-retirements/) "This is a hiring issue, not a performance issue," said Kevin Tisdale, chapter president of SEIU Local 1021, which represents the city's general employees. The union ended 2025 with a 19 percent vacancy rate, just below the 20 percent threshold that triggers additional state reporting requirements. Richmond Police Officers Association President Ben Therriault echoed the concern from a public safety angle, telling the council that unfilled officer positions generate budget savings on paper while driving up overtime costs and accelerating turnover. "The vacancy savings is booked as budget savings, but the cost is paid for in overtime, recruitment, and lost training investment whenever officers leave," Therriault said. When the city budgets for a position but leaves it unfilled, the unspent salary money becomes vacancy savings, a gap between what the city planned to spend on staff and what it actually spent. Richmond's FY2026-27 budget is balanced in part by assuming a 12 percent vacancy rate, which the city projects will generate roughly $16.4 million in savings. But several councilmembers questioned whether that assumption is realistic, given that the city ran an 18 percent vacancy rate throughout all of 2025\. Vice Mayor Doria Robinson pressed Curl on why the budget assumes 12 percent when the city has consistently operated at a much higher rate. Curl said unresolved labor contract negotiations make a firm number impossible for now, and that the 12 percent figure represents a goal rather than a guarantee. Councilmember Sue Wilson asked where the unspent salary money goes when positions are budgeted but not filled. Curl acknowledged that in practice, the surplus has flowed to infrastructure projects the council has requested, including park renovations, library improvements, and street projects. "Some cities decide to have a lower headcount because they want to prioritize the built environment," Curl said. Curl also told the council that the city is realistically planning to employ around 670 workers, well below the roughly 800 positions it has budgeted for. For context, she noted that Concord, a comparable Bay Area city, employs 439 full-time workers, though unlike Richmond, it does not operate its own fire department. Last week, Curl warned the council that the city may be unable to add staff without corresponding retirements, citing pension costs and salary obligations that have pushed total personnel spending up more than $54 million since FY2021-22. [Ballot measure would mandate 187 officers, lock half of Richmond’s local revenue for public safetyA Richmond resident has filed a ballot initiative that would require the city to dedicate up to half of its locally generated revenue to public safety and maintain a minimum of 187 sworn police officers, a base that sits 40 officers above where the department stands today. Michael Taylor Caine,![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--3056fdce-befd-4a28-a39a-7dab242b2eab.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2026-05-22-at-5.24.34-PM-1-76a35116-aacb-4646-8902-078c1332e088.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/ballot-measure-would-mandate-187-officers-lock-half-of-richmonds-local-revenue-for-public-safety/) The police vacancy rate has taken on added significance with a ballot measure now in circulation that would require Richmond to employ a minimum of 187 sworn officers. The department ended 2025 with 129 filled positions out of 147 authorized, a 17.8 percent vacancy rate. Therriault noted that RPD currently sits at 0.91 officers per 1,000 residents, well below the national benchmark of 1.6, and that a civil grand jury called for a concrete police staffing plan by January 2023 that the city has yet to produce. [Report: Richmond Police staffing levels ‘seriously deficient’ to meet the needs of the publicA report on public safety staffing requested by the Richmond City Council has called the current police staffing levels ‘seriously deficient’ to meet the needs of the public and said officer turnover at the Richmond Police Department was an “unsustainable crisis.” The report by Matrix Consulting Group created a data![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--a750d635-a590-4538-9c2f-9c4d2ed4e9da.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/DSC_2727-6beff093-16d4-49b4-adb8-f9d69e8b4fbb.jpg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/report-richmond-police-staffing-levels-seriously-deficient-to-meet-the-needs-of-the-public/) The ballot measure, filed in May by Richmond resident Michael Taylor Caine with RPOA support, would require the city to reach 187 sworn officers beginning in the second fiscal year after voter approval. A 2023 study commissioned by the city, by Matrix Consulting Group, called Richmond's police staffing levels "seriously deficient" and recommended adding 40 officers to reach 185. Citywide, Richmond carried an average of nearly 144 vacancies throughout 2025, an 18 percent vacancy rate against roughly 800 budgeted positions. The city hired 91 employees and saw 75 separations during the year, for a net gain of 16 filled positions. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond man arrested in fatal beating of his brother on Potrero Avenue URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-man-arrested-in-fatal-beating-of-his-brother-on-potrero-avenue/ Last updated: 2026-06-17T23:29:23.000Z Richmond police arrested a 61-year-old man Tuesday night on suspicion of murdering his older brother following a fight at a Potrero Avenue residence, authorities said. Jerome Timmons, 68, of Richmond, was found unresponsive at a home in the 4500 block of Potrero Avenue at approximately 9:09 p.m. after officers responded to assist fire and medical personnel on a medical call. Paramedics were already performing life-saving measures when officers arrived and determined Timmons' injuries appeared to be the result of an assault. He was pronounced dead at the scene. [Richmond police investigate homicide on Potrero AvenueRichmond police are investigating a homicide in the 4500 block of Potrero Avenue, the department announced Tuesday. Crime scene tape cordoned off the area around a home Tuesday evening, with officers stationed in the driveway and the front door open as investigators worked. A small group of people had gathered![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--2895bc6f-316b-46ff-8c40-ba8741092b5a.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Richmond-police-investigating-homicide--potrero-Avenue-ae80ba44-2018-495c-9d74-d155b7359d60.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-police-investigate-homicide-on-potrero-avenue/) Officers quickly identified Victor Blacknell, 61, also of Richmond, as the suspect. Investigators determined the two men were brothers. "The preliminary investigation indicates Timmons and Blacknell were involved in a verbal argument that escalated into a physical altercation," said Lt. Joseph England in a statement. Following the assault, Blacknell fled the scene. Officers tracked him to a residence in the 1500 block of Maine Avenue, where he was taken into custody without incident. "Officers quickly developed information regarding Blacknell's whereabouts," England said. Blacknell was booked on one count of murder in violation of California Penal Code 187(a) and is being held on $1 million bail. Detectives from the RPD Homicide Unit are continuing to investigate what led to the altercation. "The investigation remains in its early stages," England said. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Richmond Police Department Investigations Bureau at (510) 621-1288. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond police investigate homicide on Potrero Avenue URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-police-investigate-homicide-on-potrero-avenue/ Last updated: 2026-06-17T14:14:51.000Z Richmond police are investigating a homicide in the 4500 block of Potrero Avenue, the department announced Tuesday. Crime scene tape cordoned off the area around a home Tuesday evening, with officers stationed in the driveway and the front door open as investigators worked. A small group of people had gathered outside the residence. Police records show officers were dispatched to the block at 9:09 p.m. Tuesday after receiving a 911 call reporting an assault and battery. Detectives remained on scene, gathering evidence and following up on leads. The department said it would release more details "as they become available and when it is appropriate to do so without compromising the investigation." Anyone with information is asked to contact the Richmond Police Department or submit an anonymous tip through the department's tip line. *This story will be updated as more information becomes available.* --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Pollo Con Papas: Two Guatemalan fried chicken stands, one Richmond parking lot URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/pollo-con-papas-two-guatemalan-fried-chicken-stands-one-richmond-parking-lot/ Last updated: 2026-06-16T23:07:03.000Z There are two of them. That’s the first thing you notice. Same block on Macdonald Avenue, same blue tents strung with bare bulbs, same red tiered shelves holding steel pans and squeeze bottles. Same clamshell containers. Same prices. **Pollo Con Papas** and **Pollo Con Papas Fritas**, two families who, workers at The Lot said, know each other. Set up maybe fifty yards apart on a Tuesday afternoon in downtown Richmond, both frying chicken in open air next to Richmond's Main Street. Both flying the same banner underneath their stand names: Estilo Chapín. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/06/chicken_closeup.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/06/clamshell_full.webp) Twelve dollars: two pieces of chicken, fries, ketchup, green chile salsa, mayo. The Lot, downtown Richmond. Eleven dollars gets you one piece of chicken and fries. Twelve gets you two pieces and fries. You stand there doing the math, then order the two-piece because you’re already here. In the back of the tent, someone is cutting russet potatoes by hand with what looks like an industrial French fry press, pushing whole potatoes through in a single motion. The fries that come out are thick, almost steak-cut. You can taste the difference. Before they come out of the oil, red chile powder goes in. Not on top afterward. Into the oil itself. Both stands do it. The fries arrive golden and substantial, still crackling when the three sauces go on: red first, then bright green chile salsa, then white mayo, zigzagged across the container in quick succession. The chicken is fried but not overdone, with enough craggy crust to catch the sauces. The banner on the front of the tent reads *Pollo Tradicional*. The back wall says *Estilo Chapín*. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/06/chicken-fries-closeup-1.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/06/other-stand-frying-2.webp) Pollo Con Papas Fritas stand at The Lot in Downtown Richmond. "It's chicken and fries," a man waiting for his order tells us. "It's Guatemalan food." We went twice. Both stands are family operations, and we're not going to rank one above the other here. But we know which one we'd visit first. Cutting Boulevard has its menudo. San Pablo Avenue has its [Baja California border food](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/decoding-the-burrito-grandview-independent-hits-the-richmond-burrito-trail/): handmade tortillas, adobada and cheese-pull mulitas. Twenty-third Street has its [birria](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-richmond-burrito-trail-tacos-el-rulas-warehouse-cathedral/) and, a few blocks away, Nicaraguan fritanga. Richmond has been collecting cuisines and traditions for a long time that don't replace one another so much as pile up side by side. Sitting there with sauce on your fingers and thick fries spilling from a clamshell container, it's easy to start tracing the route south. Through Mexico and into Guatemala, the same continent all the way down. Richmond has a way of putting those journeys in a single parking lot. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### What happened in Richmond: A weapon at school, a felon found with a loaded gun and 42 noise complaints in a busy week URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/what-happened-in-richmond-a-weapon-at-school-a-felon-found-with-a-loaded-gun-and-42-noise-complaints-in-a-busy-week/ Last updated: 2026-06-15T15:47:20.000Z According to incident data released by the Richmond Police Department, Richmond logged 14 vehicle thefts, three robberies and 100 reported incidents between June 8 and June 14, a week that included a weapon brought to Richmond High School, a felon found carrying a loaded firearm with intent to commit a felony, and a noise ordinance callout that prompted police to remind residents of the city's limits on loud music. ### A note on noise Officers responded to 42 music and party calls between June 8 and June 14, with noise abated at 17 locations across the city. Saturday night was the busiest. Calls came in from Duboce Avenue, Barrett Avenue, S. 38th Street, Florida Avenue, and more than a dozen other locations between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m. Following one call involving multiple complaints about loud music, officers confirmed the volume exceeded the city's legal limit using a decibel meter at the property line. The department claims they enforce strict exterior noise limits: residential zones max out at 60 decibels during the day, dropping to 50 after 10 p.m. If a car stereo or portable speaker can be heard clearly from 25 feet away, it is an automatic violation. Commercial zones are capped at 70 decibels during the day and 60 at night. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/06/richmond-police-noise.jpg) Grandview Independent Richmond Crime Incident Map Loading... From To Load Incident locations are approximate. RPD reports crimes by block, not exact address, to protect privacy. ## Filter by type All Loading... ### Monday, June 8 **Warrant arrest:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. Police arrested a suspect on an outstanding misdemeanor warrant at 12:44 a.m. **Vehicle burglary:** 1800 block of Burbeck Avenue. A parked car was broken into just after midnight. **Obstruction, vehicle tampering, possession of burglary tools:** 800 block of Bissell Court. Police arrested a suspect found with burglary tools and tampering with a vehicle at 1:29 a.m. **Disorderly conduct:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. Police arrested a suspect at 8:05 a.m. for public intoxication and providing false identification to officers. **Warrant arrest:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. Police arrested a suspect on an outstanding felony warrant at 10:14 a.m. **Warrant arrest:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. Police arrested a suspect on an outstanding misdemeanor warrant at 11:30 a.m. **Car theft:** 100 block of 18th Street. A thief took it at 8:47 a.m. while the morning was still settling. **Residential burglary:** 2300 block of Aberdeen Way. A home was broken into at 9:40 a.m. **Fraud:** 700 block of 5th Street. Someone obtained money under false pretenses at 11 a.m. **Robbery:** 2300 block of Cutting Boulevard. Police arrested a suspect after a person was robbed at 1:37 p.m. **Car theft:** 300 block of S. 37th Street. A car was taken at 2:07 p.m. **Illegal firearm possession:** Richmond Parkway & Atlas Road, 94806\. Police arrested a suspect found carrying a concealed weapon at 2:50 p.m. **Shoplifting:** 2100 block of Meeker Avenue. A shoplifting was reported at 8:49 p.m. **Car theft:** 3600 block of Sierra Ridge Avenue. A thief took a car at 9 p.m. as the evening closed in. ### Tuesday, June 9 **Vehicle recovery:** 2700 block of Jo Ann Drive. A stolen vehicle turned up at midnight. **Theft of vehicle parts:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. Parts were stripped from a parked vehicle at 12:31 a.m. **Vandalism:** 5300 block of Sierra Ridge Avenue. Property was damaged at 3:06 a.m. **Car theft:** 100 block of S. 35th Street. A car was taken at 6:56 a.m. **Criminal threats:** 1500 block of Potrero Avenue. Threats were made at 7:17 a.m., serious enough to bring a police report. **Weapon on school grounds, assault with a stun gun:** 1200 block of 23rd Street. Police arrested a suspect after a weapon was reportedly brought onto the grounds of Richmond High School, and a person was assaulted with a stun gun at 10 a.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 700 block of W. Gertrude Avenue. A stolen car was found at 11:03 a.m. **Car theft:** 100 block of W. Barrett Avenue. A car was taken at 1:55 p.m. **Identity fraud:** 4500 block of Macdonald Avenue. Someone used another person's identity at 6:08 p.m. **Fraud:** 300 block of S. 38th Street. Money was obtained under false pretenses at 6:28 p.m. **Assault with a deadly weapon, domestic battery, robbery:** 1000 block of Canal Boulevard. A domestic dispute at 9:30 p.m. escalated to a person being assaulted with force likely to cause serious injury and robbed. **Drug possession, drug paraphernalia:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. Police arrested a suspect found with drugs and paraphernalia at 11:24 p.m. **Under 21, and over the legal limit.:** 1300 block of Canal Boulevard. Police arrested a driver who was drunk and had assaulted a domestic partner at 6:53 p.m. **Driving on a suspended license:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. Police arrested a driver at 8:30 p.m., who was found to have had their license revoked for a prior DUI. **Trespassing:** 3600 block of Nevin Avenue. Police arrested a suspect found where they had no right to be at 6:49 p.m. **Drug possession, drug paraphernalia:** 600 block of La Paloma Road. Police arrested a suspect found with drugs and paraphernalia at 2:50 p.m. **Car theft:** Undisclosed location in 94806\. A car was taken at 11 p.m. ### Wednesday, June 10 **Identity fraud:** San Pablo Towne Center, 94806\. Police arrested a suspect found in possession of the identification of ten or more people with the intent to defraud at 1:01 a.m. **Possession of stolen property:** Shoreline Court, 94804\. Stolen property was found at 2:45 a.m. **Car theft:** 3000 block of Shane Drive. A car was taken at 6:05 a.m. **Grand theft of vehicle parts:** Central Avenue, 94804\. Parts were stolen from a vehicle at 2 a.m. **BB device discharge:** 4200 block of Fran Way. A BB device was fired recklessly at midnight. **Car theft:** 1300 block of Esmond Avenue. A car was taken at 8 p.m. **Criminal threats:** 100 block of Bayside Court. Threats were made at 3:41 p.m. that rose to the level of a crime. **Assault with a deadly weapon, criminal threats, exhibiting a deadly weapon:** 100 block of Marina Way S. Police arrested a suspect after a person was attacked with a weapon, threatened, and the weapon was brandished at 5:11 p.m. **Drug paraphernalia:** 400 block of Civic Center Plaza. Police arrested a suspect at 6 p.m. **Domestic battery:** Via Verdi & Mozart Drive, 94803\. Police arrested a suspect after a dispute turned physical at 7:38 p.m. **Aggravated battery, assault with a deadly weapon:** 3200 block of Pullman Avenue. Police arrested a suspect after a person was seriously injured in an assault at 8:56 p.m. **Extortion:** 600 block of 36th Street. Someone made demands backed by threats at 10:30 p.m. **Nonconsensual intimate image distribution:** 700 block of 22nd Street. A person was reported for distributing intimate images without consent at 10:51 p.m. **Vehicle recovery:** W. Nevin Avenue, 94801\. A stolen vehicle was recovered at 10:31 p.m. **Vandalism:** 2300 block of Maricopa Avenue. Property was damaged at 6 p.m. ### Thursday, June 11 **Warrant arrest:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. Police arrested a suspect on an outstanding misdemeanor warrant at midnight. **Domestic battery:** 1300 block of Fred Jackson Way. A domestic dispute turned violent at 12:54 a.m. **Court order violation:** 2900 block of McKenzie Drive. A court order was violated at 12:25 a.m. The same block that would see two more violations before the week was out. **Disorderly conduct:** 100 block of 5th Street. Police arrested a suspect found intoxicated on drugs and alcohol at 2:41 a.m. **Car theft, vehicle tampering:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. A car was broken into and taken at 4:04 a.m. **Petty theft:** 6100 block of Plumas Avenue. A theft was reported at midnight. **Grand theft of vehicle parts:** 12200 block of San Pablo Avenue. Parts were stripped from a vehicle at 2 a.m. **Court order violation:** 2900 block of McKenzie Drive. The same block, a different report, another court order violated at 10:46 a.m. **Assault with a deadly weapon, robbery:** 3800 block of Fleming Avenue. A person was robbed and attacked with a weapon at 10:55 a.m. **Theft from vehicle:** 2400 block of Lancaster Drive. Property was taken from inside a parked car at 3:47 p.m. **Warrant arrest:** 300 block of S. 36th Street. Police arrested a suspect on an outstanding felony warrant at 2:05 p.m. **Felon in possession of a firearm, illegal firearm possession:** Undisclosed location in 94806\. Police arrested a convicted felon found with a concealed weapon, a large-capacity magazine, and prohibited ammunition at 5:10 p.m. **Petty theft:** 400 block of 6th Street. A theft was reported at 5:04 p.m. **Car theft:** 700 block of 39th Street. A car was taken at 6:45 p.m. **Domestic battery:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. A dispute turned violent at midnight. **Criminal threats:** W. Richmond Avenue, 94801\. Police arrested a suspect for making criminal threats at 5:55 p.m. **Car theft:** 100 block of W. Bissell Avenue. Police arrested a suspect after a car was stolen at 6:30 p.m. **Obstruction:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. Police arrested a suspect for failing to obey a lawful order at 6:37 p.m. **Court order violation:** 2900 block of McKenzie Drive. The block was back in the log at 6:06 p.m. A third court order violation. **Car theft:** 3100 block of Garrity Way. A car was taken at 7:45 p.m. **Vandalism:** 700 block of Griffin Drive. Property was damaged at 10:02 p.m. **Vandalism:** 1600 block of Atlas Road. Property was damaged at 10:30 p.m. **Theft of vehicle parts:** 500 block of S. 37th Street. Parts were stripped from a vehicle at 9 p.m. **Car theft:** 2000 block of Rheem Avenue. A car was taken at 11 p.m. to close out a long day. ### Friday, June 12 **Drug possession, drug paraphernalia:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. Police arrested a suspect found with drugs and paraphernalia at 12:18 a.m. **Car theft:** 400 block of S. 24th Street. A car was taken at 5:15 a.m. **Vehicle recovery, possession of a stolen vehicle:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. Police arrested a suspect found in possession of a stolen vehicle at 1:55 p.m. **Assault with a deadly weapon:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. Police arrested a suspect after a person was attacked with a weapon at 12:45 p.m. **Battery:** 1400 block of Harbour Way S. A person was physically attacked at 2:07 p.m. **Fraud:** 300 block of S. 38th Street. Money was obtained through deception at 7:26 p.m. **Vandalism:** 200 block of 8th Street. Property was damaged at 4 p.m. **Court order violation:** 2600 block of Lancaster Drive. Police arrested a suspect for violating a court order at 6:10 p.m. **Car theft:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. A car was taken at 7:06 p.m. **Car theft:** 200 block of Macdonald Avenue. Another car taken at 8:14 p.m. **Grand theft, domestic battery:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. A person was robbed of their property and beaten by a partner at 10:54 p.m. **Theft from vehicle:** 2700 block of Sheldon Drive. Property was taken from inside a parked car at 11 p.m. ### Saturday, June 13 **Vandalism:** 4400 block of Santa Rita Road. Property was damaged at 1:43 a.m. **Domestic battery:** 2100 block of Nevin Avenue. Police arrested a suspect after a domestic dispute turned violent at 2:30 a.m. **Car theft:** 200 block of 16th Street. A car was taken at 2:26 a.m. while the street was quiet. **Commercial burglary:** 2900 block of Atlas Road. A business was broken into at 5 p.m. **A short-lived theft:** 4100 block of Lakeside Drive. A car was stolen at 6 p.m. and recovered on the same evening at Crestwood Drive. **Assault with a firearm, exhibiting a firearm:** Undisclosed location in 94806\. A person was assaulted with a firearm, and a weapon was brandished at 6:13 p.m. **Exhibiting a deadly weapon, domestic battery:** 900 block of McLaughlin Street. A person pulled out a weapon during a dispute at 2:21 p.m. **DUI, driving on a suspended license:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. Police arrested a driver, reportedly drunk, and with a license already revoked for a prior DUI, at 9:01 p.m. **Theft of vehicle parts:** 3500 block of El Portal Drive. Parts were taken from a parked vehicle at 7:37 p.m. **Domestic battery, criminal threats:** Undisclosed location in 94805\. Police arrested a suspect after a domestic dispute turned violent and threatening at 11:47 p.m. ### Sunday, June 14 **Domestic battery:** 3500 block of El Portal Drive. A domestic dispute turned physical at 1:50 a.m. **Grand theft, vandalism:** 3200 block of Leona Avenue. Someone's early Sunday work included theft and damage at 7:06 a.m. **Felon in possession of a firearm, carrying a loaded firearm with intent to commit a felony, illegal firearm possession, court order violation, probation violation:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. A convicted felon was found at 10:15 a.m. carrying a loaded firearm with intent to commit a crime, a large-capacity magazine, and additional firearms, all while violating both a court order and their probation. **DUI:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. Police arrested a driver who stopped at 10:25 a.m. **Vehicle tampering:** 2800 block of Garvin Avenue. Someone was found working over a parked vehicle at 10:25 a.m. **Car theft:** 5100 block of Panama Avenue. A car was taken at 11:23 a.m. **Court order violation:** 2900 block of McKenzie Drive. A fourth court order violation on that block, this time on Sunday at 12:10 p.m. **Sexual battery:** 4800 block of Central Avenue. A sexual battery was reported at 12:43 p.m. **Battery, assault with a deadly weapon:** 3700 block of Nevin Avenue. A person was beaten and attacked with a weapon at 2:41 p.m. **Battery:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. A person was attacked at 3:30 p.m. **Vandalism:** 5000 block of Fleming Avenue. Property was damaged at 12:23 p.m. **DUI:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. A driver was cited for operating under the influence at 6:50 p.m. **Aggravated battery:** 12000 block of San Pablo Avenue. A person was seriously injured in an assault at 8:13 p.m. to end the week. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### On the agenda: budget, ballot measure, and police equipment review URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-agenda-budget-ballot-measure-and-police-equipment-review/ Last updated: 2026-06-14T00:05:02.000Z The Richmond City Council meets Tuesday taking up a full budget session ahead of a June 23 adoption deadline, an annual review of the police department's military equipment inventory, a potential November tax measure tucked into the consent calendar, a $2.6 million homeless services contract, and direction items on a street closure festival, a Chevron cleanup bill, and an Independence Day drone light show, all in a single night. ### [Testing the politics of a new tax measure](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61894&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The council is set to approve a $247,000 contract Tuesday with a trio of consulting firms to explore whether voters would support a new local revenue measure on the November ballot. The Finance Department recommends that the council approve a sole-source contract with SCI Consulting Group to lead a team that would also include political strategy firm CliffordMoss and public opinion research firm EVITARUS. Phase 1 work began on April 28. The work would be carried out in two phases. The first, costing $97,000, would survey up to 500 Richmond voters to measure support for a potential tax or assessment. The second, at $150,500, would only proceed if the first phase shows favorable results and would move the city closer to a possible ballot measure. City staff cited a compressed timeline as justification for skipping competitive bidding and authorizing both phases upfront. The deadline to place measures on the November 2026 ballot is August 7. Budget session materials presented to council on June 9 identify the likely purpose: the city is evaluating a parcel tax or a general obligation bond to fund the transition to Advanced Life Support first responder services, a shift the city says will require a stable, long-term revenue source. Polling results on both options are expected to be presented to the council in July. The timing is tricky. [Bay Area voters rejected ](https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/election-taxes-transit-funding-bart-22288916.php?ref=grandviewindependent.com)a wave of new tax measures, including a Contra Costa County sales tax to offset federal cuts to medical care and an Oakland property tax to fund emergency services. SCI Consulting Group has previously worked with the city under an on-call contract approved in February. The Fairfield-based firm claims to have guided more than 300 Proposition 218-compliant funding measures statewide. ### [Richmond takes stock of its police toolkit](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61983&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The Richmond City Council will consider reauthorizing the Richmond Police Department's military equipment use policy Tuesday night, following the release of the department's annual report covering 2025. The report, required under California Assembly Bill 481, documents RPD’s inventory, deployments, and fiscal spending. For the first time, it includes demographic and location data on suspects involved in military equipment deployments, added at the council's direction after last year's hearing. RPD deployed military equipment in 166 incidents during the year. Drones dominated, accounting for 104 deployments or 63 percent of the total. Flashbangs were used 26 times, less lethal impact devices and kinetic energy projectiles 13 times, a borrowed armored personnel carrier 9 times, breaching shotguns and projectiles 8 times, chemical agents 5 times, and patrol rifles once, during an August 4 officer-involved fatal shooting in the 400 block of 1st Street. [Richmond police fatally shoot armed man outside home, investigation underwayRichmond police officers fatally shot a man Monday evening who they say confronted them with at least one knife outside a home where he had allegedly been threatening to kill people, authorities said. Officers responded just after 5 p.m. to a 911 call reporting an armed individual inside a![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--9c9ddbaf-9086-429d-8203-8a8330e048e6.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-08-04-at-9.33.17-PM-1-70a699d3-d9c6-4ddd-8ea3-28b859a915b2.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-police-fatally-shoot-armed-man-outside-home-investigation-underway/) The mobile command center and tactical robot were not deployed. A separate Drone as First Responder program launched in May logged an additional 766 automated flights through December. Patrol rifles were staged or made ready 333 times between February and December, the first year RPD has tracked the figure. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/06/richmond-police-drones-1.webp) The report also includes new demographic data on suspects involved in military equipment deployments, a figure the department notes is partial, covering only the incidents in which a suspect was identified. Race was unknown in 28.3 percent of cases. Among incidents with known suspects, 32.6 percent were Black and 29.7 percent were Latino. ### [Deferrals, grants and difficult choices](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61995&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The council will receive a direction session on the proposed 2026-27 operating budget and five-year capital improvement plan ahead of final adoption June 23\. Tuesday's session focuses on $2.6 million in identified capital improvement project shortfalls: Richmond Wellness Trail Phase II ($1 million), the San Francisco Bay Trail at Point Molate ($1 million), and anticipated change orders at Shields-Reid Park ($196,000) and Wendell Park ($435,000). Staff are presenting options to close the gap through vehicle replacement deferrals, project scope reductions, and future grant pursuit rather than service cuts. [City manager says Richmond may be unable to add staff without retirementsCity Manager Shasa Curl told the Richmond City Council on Tuesday that the city can no longer afford to hire new employees unless an existing employee retires first due to increasing workforce costs. “In the absence of retirements, we are at a point where new personnel cannot be added because![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--cc2c8422-e52e-48d3-9825-64621b75d718.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-city-manager-shasa-curl-budget-study-session-june-2026-1-1-a1888a66-1eea-40b2-86fa-89d7f0fe616e.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/city-manager-says-richmond-may-be-unable-to-add-staff-without-retirements/) ### [A second Independence Day spectacle enters the conversation](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61870&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Councilmember Soheila Bana wants the city to explore hosting a drone light show at Hilltop Mall on July 3, the same night the city is already paying $106,500 for a fireworks show at the Richmond Marina. The item asks staff to contact neighboring municipalities to identify existing regional vendor contracts that Richmond could piggyback onto for discounted pricing, with findings due back to council by June 23\. The fireworks contract with Pyro Spectaculars North Inc. is on the same agenda for consent calendar approval. ### [A festival, a street closure, and a question of priorities](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61930&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The council will receive an update on a proposed Ciclovia event on 23rd Street and decide whether to proceed with planning. The proposal would temporarily close a 0.8-mile stretch of 23rd Street between Barrett and Rheem avenues to vehicle traffic, opening it instead for walking, biking, and community activities. Organizers are considering holding the event alongside the Fiestas Patrias Parade and Festival on September 12\. Staff estimates the cost of a pilot event at between $79,000 and $145,000 and cautions that adding it to this year's Public Works workload could require delaying or scaling back other council-directed projects. ### [Planning for the day after refining](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61980&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Councilmember Claudia Jimenez wants the city to send a letter of support for Senate Bill 1259, authored by Sen. Catherine Blakespear, which would require oil refiners to file decommissioning and remediation plans with associated cost estimates. The staff report frames the bill as a transparency measure in an industry the report says is badly under-regulated, and notes that with refining in decline nationally, cleanup obligations need to be planned and disclosed before refineries close, rather than after. ### Fees, vacancies, and unfinished business Two public hearings postponed from earlier meetings are back on the agenda. One would update the city's [fee schedule](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61833&ref=grandviewindependent.com) and introduce an ordinance setting revised fees. The other is the city's [annual vacancy report](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61838&ref=grandviewindependent.com), which outlines the number of unfilled positions and reviews Richmond's hiring and retention efforts over the past year. ### [What comes after people leave the encampments](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61877&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Richmond is set to extend a $2.6 million contract with Contra Costa County to manage the city's Encampment Resolution Funding Round 2 program through August 2027, another consent calendar item set to pass without discussion. The contract pays for a county-managed program that includes a project manager, access to five beds at Brookside Shelter, case management, help finding housing, and rental assistance. Funding comes from an $8.6 million state grant awarded to Richmond in 2023 and does not use city general fund dollars. So far, the program has helped 47 people move into housing. The current phase focuses on helping those residents remain housed after the grant ends. ### [Betting again on Richmond's violence prevention model](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61976&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The council will accept a $2 million state violence prevention grant through 2029 to continue the Office of Neighborhood Safety's Operation Peacemaker Fellowship, which funds street outreach workers, mentoring, life skills training, and subsidized employment for 520 youth and young adults aged 14 to 35\. The Richmond Police Activities League would receive $450,000 over three years; Evident Change, a research nonprofit that has evaluated the program for over a decade, would receive $100,000 for evaluation services. ### [Richmond trades a network specialist for a jailer](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61907&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The council will approve a staffing change converting one vacant technology position in the Police Department into a Jailer role, saving the city roughly $99,530 annually. The staff report flags that the department's temporary holding facility is at risk of intermittent closure due to staffing gaps from employees on long-term leave, a problem that would force patrol officers to make extended booking trips to the Martinez Detention Facility and pull them off city streets. ### The millions of dollars in routine business In infrastructure, the council will approve a [$3.5 million construction contract ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61925&ref=grandviewindependent.com)with FBD Vanguard Construction for safety and accessibility improvements at the Richmond Art Center; a [Joint Powers Agreement](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61967&ref=grandviewindependent.com) for participation in the Contra Costa County Regional Alternative Compliance System for stormwater management; a [$5.44 million task authorization ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61961&ref=grandviewindependent.com)to Veolia for two miles of sewer pipe rehabilitation; and [$700,000 in fleet vehicle purchases ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61951&ref=grandviewindependent.com)for Port, Parks, and Abatement operations. Two consent calendar items involve transportation projects. One updates an agreement with Caltrans that spells out maintenance responsibilities for new [bicycle and pedestrian improvements ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61932&ref=grandviewindependent.com)at the Central Avenue and Interstate 80 interchange. The other permanently closes the direct vehicle connection between Glenn and McBryde avenues as part of the city's[ Safe Routes to Park project](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61944&ref=grandviewindependent.com). The council is also expected to formally accept the completed [Shields-Reid Park ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61917&ref=grandviewindependent.com)soccer field renovation project. The action includes approval of roughly $750,000 in combined contract increases for the two construction firms involved and authorizes the release of contractor bonds and retained funds. In Community Development, the council will approve a fourth amendment to an [environmental consulting contract](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61871&ref=grandviewindependent.com) with NV5 for the Miraflores Property, increasing the contract by $250,000 to a total of $686,300 through December 2027, and a second amendment to a contract with Just Cities, LLC for implementation of the [Housing Equity Roadmap](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61874&ref=grandviewindependent.com), adding $49,999 for a total of $209,994. Also on consent: a fourth amendment extending Liebert Cassidy Whitmore's [labor and employment legal services](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61859&ref=grandviewindependent.com) contract through June 2027 at a total not to exceed $1.965 million; a three-year sole-source software contract with [eScribe for agenda management](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61865&ref=grandviewindependent.com) at up to $56,251 in the first year; a BNSF [railroad crossing construction and maintenance agreement ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61937&ref=grandviewindependent.com)for safety improvements at Harbour Way South and Wright Avenue; authorization to place liens for [unpaid garbage collection fees](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61897&ref=grandviewindependent.com) on county property tax records; a [$70,000 public art mural contract ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61880&ref=grandviewindependent.com)with Deonta Allen for the Civic Center Apartments; and an $87,777 contract with All Star Painting for [graffiti removal](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61887&ref=grandviewindependent.com) from historic concrete at the General Warehouse Building. Board appointments include [Courtney Bulletti to the Human Relations Commission](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61849&ref=grandviewindependent.com), a nominee who resides within a councilmember's orbit, [Sherwin Harris to the Macdonald Avenue Corridor Task Force](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61850&ref=grandviewindependent.com), along with a correction adding one additional seat to the task force, [Lorene Holmes Dees reappointed to the Commission on Aging,](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61853&ref=grandviewindependent.com) and [Ysela Lopez to the Richmond Youth Council](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61855&ref=grandviewindependent.com). The council will also receive the [April 2026 monthly crime report](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61916&ref=grandviewindependent.com) and adopt a proclamation recognizing [National Gun Violence Awareness Day.](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61857&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The council meeting begins at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday with a closed session on labor negotiations, followed by the regular meeting at 6 p.m. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### City manager says Richmond may be unable to add staff without retirements URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/city-manager-says-richmond-may-be-unable-to-add-staff-without-retirements/ Last updated: 2026-06-12T17:21:27.000Z City Manager Shasa Curl told the Richmond City Council on Tuesday that the city can no longer afford to hire new employees unless an existing employee retires first due to increasing workforce costs. “In the absence of retirements, we are at a point where new personnel cannot be added because of the cost,” Curl said at a special budget meeting on the proposed fiscal year 2026-27 spending plan. “It is not sustainable for the city to continue to hire unless there are retirements.” Curl said salaries, health care, and pension costs have all risen sharply, with total personnel spending up more than $54 million since fiscal year 2021-22. The warning came as Curl highlighted that the city has added 92 employees since fiscal year 2020-21, which she called a "sign of progress." The proposed $274.7 million general fund budget is balanced in part by counting on roughly $16.4 million in savings from jobs that are approved but vacant, about 12 percent of the workforce. Finance Director Emily Combs described the budget as “everything we have already committed to doing, and nothing new.” “It’s kind of like gas,” Curl said. “Gas used to be four something, then it was five something, now it’s six something. That’s essentially what’s happening with our city budget.” Councilmember Claudia Jimenez pushed back, saying the city should first study whether adding staff in key areas could generate enough new revenue or service improvements to pay for themselves before accepting the constraint. “Without an analysis, maybe by bringing some more people, that will allow us to get more revenue or increase the service, it’s hard for me to think about not advocating for the hiring that we need,” Jimenez said. A large share of that increase comes from the city’s annual payments to CalPERS, the state pension system, to pay down a retirement debt that has built up over the years. Those payments cover the gap between what the pension fund holds and what it has promised to pay retirees. A chart presented at the meeting showed the city’s combined pension debt payments, covering both general city employees and public safety workers, climbing from about $26.9 million in fiscal year 2021-22 to a projected $44.3 million by fiscal year 2030-31, a roughly 65 percent increase over a decade. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/06/richmond-calpers-ual-payments-2021-2031-1.png) Curl pointed to the chart, noting that payments continue to rise even in years when the pension fund’s investments perform well. Staff presented two options to the council ahead of the final budget. The first would keep the budget exactly as presented, with no changes to existing programs or services. The second would allow the council to shift funds from lower-priority programs to cover shortfalls in several capital projects, including $1.045 million for the Richmond Wellness Trail Phase II, $1 million for a Bay Trail segment at Point Molate, and about $631,000 in cost overruns at Shields-Reid and Wendell parks. The council did not vote on either option or on any of the other questions staff asked for guidance on, including whether to end the city’s electric bikeshare program. [Richmond weighs shutting down e-bike share programRichmond’s citywide electric bike share program could be shut down by the end of the month after city staff recommended the council move to conclude it and redirect remaining funding to a competing e-bike lending library. According to Richmond public works staff, the Today bike share program has![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--184367d7-c518-4aa6-94be-1cdd64d8f7bf.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-ebike-share-today-bikes-hub-1-1-29d8ea9f-1d9c-4ccd-aa25-d79f3bc895f7.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-weighs-shutting-down-e-bike-share-program/) Staff is scheduled to return June 16 with a summary of outstanding decisions before the budget is set for final adoption June 23. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond weighs shutting down e-bike share program URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-weighs-shutting-down-e-bike-share-program/ Last updated: 2026-06-11T17:32:17.000Z Richmond’s citywide electric bike share program could be shut down by the end of the month after city staff recommended the council move to conclude it and redirect remaining funding to a competing e-bike lending library. According to Richmond public works staff, the Today bike share program has cost the city nearly $3 million since its launch in August 2022, and the program is not financially sustainable without ongoing grants or a city subsidy. Current funding is expected to run out at the end of June. But the company operating the system told the council last week the program is closer to success than failure, and that two changes requiring no new spending could quickly shift the trajectory. [Richmond’s electric bike-share program is backRichmond has relaunched its defunct electric bike-share program with a new operator and freshly rebranded bikes. Residents can now rent bikes from several bike hubs around town. The new bikeshare contractor, Today Bikes, will manage the system. The city’s previous bike-share shut down in 2022 when the![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--1d12e0da-303b-4da9-8ead-00969e80718c.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Richmond-bike-share3-2-1-0740c42e-3abd-4dee-b26a-71bdd66a3457.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmonds-reimagined-5-million-electric-bike-share-program-is-back/) “Without spending any more money, you’ve already done this: you stamp these encroachment permits, our team goes out and installs 10 more racks, and I bet you start to see utilization change,” said Sean Flood, CEO of Today, which operates the bike share system on the city’s behalf. The city owns the bikes and racks outright. Today is the operator, not the owner. Gabino Arredondo, the public works project manager overseeing the program, presented the staff’s recommendation to conclude the program. He cited low ridership, high cost per trip, and a lack of sustainable funding. "This program is not financially sustainable without any ongoing grants or funding from a city subsidy," Arredondo said. The program currently has 13 stations, all concentrated in the southern half of Richmond. Today submitted encroachment permits for 10 additional stations roughly a year ago. Arredondo said staff held off approving them because they were uncertain about the program's future. "We want to know what the future was for the program before we expand," he said. Councilmember Cesar Zepeda pressed on that reasoning. "If we would have had 10 more, we could have had no cost," he said. City Manager Shasa Curl acknowledged Zepeda's point but said the broader calculus hadn't changed. "The grant funds have run out. We do not have general fund dollars for this program," she said. "It looks like, thank you for evaluating the pilot. It's time to move on." The per-ride cost cited by staff drew pushback from Today's representatives. David Touwsma, a co-founder of Today, said the figures included roughly $1 million in upfront hardware acquisition costs, an accounting approach he said skews the numbers. "If you reduce or remove that from the calculation, it shows material improvement," Touwsma said. During periods of active outreach with ride vouchers, Touwsma said, the cost per ride dropped to around $150, and repeat usage jumped significantly. "Voucher users went from 2.25 rides on average to over seven rides per user," he said. "We've issued over 2,000 vouchers throughout the time we've been working with the system." According to city budget documents, the program cost the city $641.03 per trip since Today took over operations in September 2023 through March 2026, with total expenditures of $2,989,761\. In fiscal year 2026 alone, the cost per trip was $479.90, with the city spending $512,049 over nine months. Ridership data presented at the meeting showed 4,664 total trips taken by 4,560 registered users since launch, an average of one trip per registered user. Only 18 percent of registered users took more than one trip. Today also pointed to the program's $80-per-month subscription cost as a fixable problem, one that the city controls rather than the operator. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/06/richmond-ebike-share-today-bikes-1.webp) "If tomorrow you want this to be free to all members of your community, it can be," Flood told the council. He said changing the pricing structure would require only a software update. "It's a technology shift, where you can see it in the app, and then it's advertising it to the general public," he said in a follow-up interview. "It's an almost no lift change that could be very transformative." Curl did not directly respond to the pricing proposal; instead, she reiterated the funding constraints. "We don't negotiate contracts in open session," she said when Zepeda raised the possibility of a no-cost expansion. One of the sharper exchanges of the meeting concerned grant-seeking. Arredondo said that despite working with Today for over a year, he had received no grant applications from the company. "I've been working with them for a year and four months, and I have not gotten one grant application," he said, contrasting that with the city's micro-mobility program, Richmond Moves, for which staff had already submitted four grants. Flood disputed that account. "In February, we sent a very long detail of bike share, how the system's going, how other systems are funded, and a list of different grant opportunities that we should pursue," he said. He said Today's team is currently drafting language for a Metropolitan Transportation Commission grant due June 22 that could fund expansion of the system, and that the city technically has to submit it. "Here we are in June having the conversation, as opposed to in February," Flood said. "I think that's the important part." Staff's recommended alternative is the e-bike lending library, a separate program under development that would allow residents to check out bikes for longer periods. Funding a construction gap for the facility would unlock $2.5 million in Transportation Climate Communities grant money, including $1.2 million in construction funds and $1.3 million in operating support. Lina Velasco, Richmond's director of community development, said the program would operate differently from bike share. “You would check out a bike, so you don't have to return it the same day, similar to a book,” Velasco said. Councilmember Jamelia Brown was not convinced the alternative had proven its case. "Given the poor utilization of one program, the high subsidy levels, the taxpayer cost per ride, it demonstrates that the existing program model doesn't work," Brown said. "So I'm just saying, what evidence do you have that would support the lending library performing materially better?" Brown also raised concerns about asset protection, noting that some of the city's existing e-bikes had already been stripped. "How are we going to protect our assets?" Brown asked. [Richmond e-bike share shortens hours, removes batteries overnight to prevent theftRichmond’s electric bike share program has reduced its operating hours and begun removing batteries from bikes overnight in response to increasing vandalism and theft, according to city officials. The program now operates from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and noon to 6 p.m. on![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--f68340ae-9822-493d-9a9e-8afe94debe96.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/today-bike-vandalism-richmond-tacos-eltucan-8a4c85a1-639f-474b-9929-93461b0b4419.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-e-bike-share-shortens-hours-removes-batteries-overnight-to-prevent-theft/) Velasco said staff would return with more details on theft mitigation at the next council meeting. Vice Mayor Doria Robinson recused herself from the portion of the meeting concerning the lending library. Robinson's partner, Najari Smith, is the executive director of Rich City Rides, which will operate the bike lending library. Flood said Today planned to meet with city staff and individual council members in the days following the meeting. "I think the city's closer to success in execution on what they originally wanted two and a half, three years ago, than folding it up," he said. "But I think it just takes a little proactive collaboration." A follow-up budget session is scheduled for June 16\. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Martinez thanks Richmond, congratulates Jimenez and Anderson as mayoral bid ends URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/martinez-thanks-richmond-congratulates-jimenez-and-anderson-as-mayoral-bid-ends/ Last updated: 2026-06-10T23:56:58.000Z Mayor Eduardo Martinez issued a statement Wednesday thanking Richmond residents and congratulating the two candidates who will compete for his seat in November, marking his first public remarks since finishing third in the June 2 primary. “I would like to congratulate the two successful candidates who have advanced to the November election, Claudia Jimenez and Ahmad Anderson,” Martinez said. "I wish them both the very best as they continue their campaigns and seek to serve the people of Richmond." [Richmond incumbents claim victory as mayoral race heads to November runoffClaudia Jiménez led a five-candidate field in Tuesday’s Richmond mayoral primary, according to unofficial results posted Friday by the Contra Costa County Elections Division. Jiménez collected 6,915 votes, or 37.55 percent of votes cast, with all precincts reporting. Ahmad Anderson finished second with 5,306 votes,![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--03161336-5461-48db-9b1f-e2328f5b047e.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Richmond-city-council-election-1-1-9eb7c6ab-88cc-4e5b-863b-fab9898a5967.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-incumbents-claim-victory-as-mayoral-race-heads-to-november-runoff/) Martinez, who has served as mayor since 2023, reflected on his years in office and addressed whoever succeeds him. "To my successor, I hope you find the same fulfillment and sense of purpose that I have experienced while working alongside the dedicated staff of our City," he said. Martinez said he intends to remain engaged through the end of his term. "As I continue serving through the remainder of my term until January 2027, I look forward to working with our City staff, community partners, and residents to keep advancing the work Richmond deserves," he said. [Candidate Interview: Eduardo Martinez seeks a second term as Richmond mayorEduardo Martinez did not set out to be a politician. A retired elementary school teacher who had also taught at juvenile hall, years earlier, he marched from Downer Elementary School to Sacramento to demand relief from a debt the state had saddled the district with. The Richmond Progressive Alliance had![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--e99a3b72-1eb9-4e18-8eeb-148e80087d8b.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2026-04-01-at-9.00.46-AM-1-1-1-1-ccdaacfa-e484-4ffb-b85e-07f4030b5e7d.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/candidate-interview-eduardo-martinez-seeks-a-second-term-as-richmond-mayor/) Martinez closed by calling his time in office "the honor of a lifetime." Jimenez and Anderson will face each other in the November 3 general election. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Planning commission approves townhomes on Central Avenue site that sat vacant for two decades URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/planning-commission-approves-townhomes-on-central-avenue-site-that-sat-vacant-for-two-decades/ Last updated: 2026-06-09T19:42:13.000Z The Richmond Planning Commission voted 4-0 last week to approve a 47-unit townhome development on Central Avenue, clearing the way for housing on a 2.58-acre lot near Interstate 80 that has sat vacant for more than two decades and cycled through a half-dozen failed proposals since the Dolan Lumber Company closed in the early 2000s. The commission approved a design review permit, tentative parcel map, and creek setback waiver for the Cascade Townhomes project at 5620 Central Avenue, proposed by AMG & Associates of Encino. Commissioners Timmons and Benitez were absent. The vote came near 10 p.m. after a hearing in which no one spoke in opposition. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/06/cascade-aerial-site-map-1.webp) A 2026 aerial view of the 2.58-acre site at 5620 Central Avenue. Image/ AMG & Associates/Dahlin Group. Gene Broussard, a principal with AMG, told commissioners his firm has been pursuing a buildable project on the site for a decade. "I've been with AMG for 20-plus years. I've worked on this project for 10 of the 20 years," Broussard said. "It's just, unfortunately, one of those projects that has morphed through the years. I think I first got it approved in 2015 and then again in 2019, like three, four different times, and so we're just trying to evolve with the times." The site, straddling the Richmond and El Cerrito city limits just east of I-80, has been through a series of dramatically different schemes. An earlier AMG proposal for 46 units was reviewed by the Design Review Board in December 2018 but failed to advance. A 393-unit apartment building was approved under Senate Bill 35 in 2023, but that project also stalled. The current proposal, far more modest at 47 three-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bath townhomes priced for ownership, was submitted in November 2024 and was previously before the Design Review Board in January. [Richmond considers housing development for long-vacant Central Avenue siteA vacant lot on Central Avenue that has cycled through multiple failed housing proposals over the past decade, including a 393-unit apartment building approved in 2023, is back before city planners, this time with a far more modest development plan. The Richmond Design Review Board will consider a 46-unit townhome![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--71bc70ab-9428-4758-800e-6a076afcdeb5.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/IMG_3707-1-9857122d-b2e6-4f9f-83e9-99a0198d283b.jpeg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-considers-housing-development-for-long-vacant-central-avenue-site/) "It's Bay Area, it's difficult from a structural foundation standpoint," Broussard said. "It's four feet into the flood zone, there's the channel, there's the water board, there's this ongoing dedication, so there's a lot of constraints with this site that have been kind of a challenge for us." The project would span eight buildings of contemporary design using stucco, lap siding, and metal finishes, with 94 parking spaces, including two covered spaces per unit in ground-floor garages and six shared surface spaces near a central recreation area. Five of the units would be priced affordably to moderate-income households, qualifying the project for density bonus concessions and waivers under state law. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/06/Sign-up-for--4-.png)](https://www.grandvieweats.com/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) Planning Manager Avery Stark and planner Dana Ayers presented the project to commissioners, with Ayers noting during the presentation that the site is protected under Senate Bill 330, the Housing Accountability Act, so only objective standards can be applied to the review. The project also qualified for an exemption from the California Environmental Quality Act under a state law adopted in July 2025. Because the site was previously listed in Richmond's housing element as capable of accommodating 393 units, the city was required to make a "no net loss" finding, documenting that other sites elsewhere in Richmond can absorb the difference. Ayers said the large pipeline of projects in the Hilltop area provides sufficient capacity to satisfy that requirement. [Planner unveils Hilltop Horizon vision, residents voice concerns over density“We do not support high-density housing,” said Bhavin Khatri, president of the Hilltop District Neighborhood Council. “What we need is more retail, entertainment, and open space. All we have in this area is housing.”![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--58ffb660-eb2f-4026-b416-ab8170a9372a.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/IMG_0145-2-1-cd1ca9c1-f6dd-4d89-88d8-b918fa65fa8d.jpg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/planner-unveils-hilltop-horizon-vision-residents-voice-concerns-over-density/) The project's eastern boundary runs along a concrete-lined drainage channel, and Commissioner Bruce Brubaker pressed staff on what would happen to it. "What is the worst-case scenario for the creek channel for this development?" Brubaker asked. "Is it that nothing happens there?" Stark confirmed that it was one possibility. "One option would be that nothing happens. It maintains its current status, other than general maintenance and upkeep," Stark said. "The alternative would be through partnership with the city, and potentially other organizations. With the applicant, we would apply for funding to do continued daylight within that creek, which would also require other subsequent permits from, like, the Army Corps of Engineers." Brubaker said the ambiguity troubled him, noting that several units would face the channel directly. "That seems problematic for this development, that it's at least possible that nothing happened there, because there's a whole building that has units facing that muddy channel that's filled with trash," Brubaker said. “The site plan is strange; much of it is good, but in that case, the buildings face away from the center, which is where they park, and the doors are lined along that channel.” The project also involves a right-of-way dedication along both Central Avenue and San Mateo Street to accommodate the planned I-80/Central Avenue interchange improvement project, a multi-agency effort involving Richmond, El Cerrito, and Caltrans that would widen the roadway, relocate an AC Transit bus stop, and add wider sidewalks. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/06/cascade-streetscene-view2-central-avenue-1.webp) A conceptual rendering of the Cascade Townhomes project. Stark told commissioners that Richmond Public Works is on track to secure construction approvals by the end of this year and begin work in the spring of 2027, and that the Cascade project's land dedication is essential to the interchange's success. Because the right-of-way dedication reduces the buildable footprint, the project was granted a zoning waiver, reducing the required 30-foot creek setback to 27 feet, a 10 percent reduction allowed under Richmond Municipal Code. Staff said the reduction was appropriate given the circumstances. Brubaker noted the combined dedications along both street frontages made it difficult to ask more of the developer. "There's a lot of dedication, a lot of right-of-way dedication, because there's San Mateo Street as well as Central, so it's really hard to try and exact anything else out of this process," he said. The project also includes a condition requiring the first building permit application to go to El Cerrito for an initial conformance review, since the property falls within both cities’ jurisdictions. Under a joint agreement between Richmond and neighboring cities, the city containing more than half of a project site’s land area is responsible for handling entitlements. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### What happened in Richmond: Police investigate robberies, car thefts and early morning gunfire URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/what-happened-in-richmond-police-investigate-robberies-car-thefts-and-early-morning-gunfire/ Last updated: 2026-06-08T16:36:55.000Z According to incident data released by the Richmond Police Department, Richmond logged three robberies, 18 vehicle thefts, and multiple reported incidents between June 1 and June 7\. The week was marked by a string of commercial burglaries, a teargas arrest, a felon taken into custody with a loaded gun, and a gunshot fired on a residential street before sunrise on Sunday. Grandview Independent Richmond Crime Incident Map Loading... From To Load Incident locations are approximate. RPD reports crimes by block, not exact address, to protect privacy. ## Filter by type All Loading... ### Monday, June 1 **Car theft:** 2100 block of Costa Avenue. A thief was at it before the sun came up, taking a car at 5:30 a.m. **Vehicle burglary:** 4100 block of Klose Way. A parked car was broken into at 10 a.m. **Vandalism:** 6000 block of Giant Road. Police arrested a suspect after property was damaged at 11:12 a.m. **Vehicle burglary:** 300 block of S. 28th Street. A car was broken into at noon. **Sex crime:** Undisclosed location in 94805\. Police arrested a suspect at 12:10 p.m. **Vehicle tampering:** 4100 block of Klose Way. Someone was found working over a parked vehicle at 12:42 p.m. This is the same block as the morning’s car burglary. **Vehicle tampering:** 300 block of S. 28th Street. Another vehicle tampering, same block as the noon burglary, at 12:51 p.m. **Drug paraphernalia:** Harbour Way & Chanslor Avenue. The trappings of a habit turned up at 1:01 p.m. **Vandalism:** 400 block of 8th Street. Property was damaged at 2:17 p.m. **Battery:** 100 block of 22nd Street. A person was attacked at 3:48 p.m. **Trespassing:** 2400 block of Aberdeen Way. Someone was found where they had no right to be at 4:05 p.m. **Obstruction:** 11900 block of San Pablo Avenue. Police arrested a suspect who made themselves difficult with officers at 5:46 p.m. **Car theft:** 200 block of S. 3rd Street. A thief took someone’s ride as evening came on at 7:45 p.m. **Car theft:** 3600 block of Sierra Ridge Road. Another car gone at 9 p.m ### Tuesday, June 2 **Commercial burglary:** 1900 block of Meeker Avenue. Someone broke into a business just after midnight. It would not be the last time this block was hit this week. **Commercial burglary:** 12800 block of San Pablo Avenue. Another San Pablo Avenue business was broken into at 2:21 a.m. **Commercial burglary:** 4000 block of Macdonald Avenue. A third business was broken into before dawn, at 4:48 a.m. **Car theft:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. A car was taken at 5:28 a.m. **Car theft:** 200 block of S. 12th Street. Another car gone at 6:47 a.m. **Grand theft:** 900 block of Pennsylvania Avenue. A significant theft was reported at 8:21 a.m. **Commercial burglary:** 400 block of Harbour Way. A fourth commercial burglary of the day, at 8:34 a.m. **Drug possession:** 500 block of 4th Street. Police arrested a suspect found with a controlled substance at 9:13 a.m. **Vehicle burglary:** 900 block of 7th Street. A parked car was broken into at 9:15 a.m. **Hit-and-run:** 4100 block of Klose Way. A driver hit a vehicle and kept going at 9:18 a.m. **Identity fraud:** 1500 block of Carlson Boulevard. A fraud was reported at 12:05 p.m. **Car theft:** 4000 block of Coleman Circle. A car was taken at 3:30 p.m. **Unlawful use of tear gas:** 1000 block of 23rd Street. Police arrested a suspect found with tear gas at 4:45 p.m. **Car theft:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. A car was taken at 6 p.m. **Vehicle burglary:** 100 block of 4th Street. A parked car was broken into at 6:51 p.m. **Car theft:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. Another car from the same block, gone at 7 p.m. — two in an hour. **Vandalism:** 4100 block of Jenkins Way. Property was damaged at 7 p.m. **Hit-and-run:** 1700 block of San Benito Street. A driver struck a vehicle and drove away at 8:20 p.m. **Car theft:** 700 block of Lassen Street. A thief took it at 8:21 p.m. as the evening wound down. **Drug possession:** 500 block of Mclaughlin Street. Police arrested a suspect found with a controlled substance at 9:05 p.m. **Drug paraphernalia, drug possession:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. Police arrested a suspect found with drugs and the tools of the habit at 10 p.m. **DUI:** Cutting Boulevard & Carlson Boulevard. Police arrested a driver stopped at 10:39 p.m. with too much in them to be driving. **Drunk, on drugs, and on the road:** Undisclosed location in 94806\. Police arrested a driver for driving under the influence at 10:44 p.m. **Vehicle burglary:** 1700 block of Rheem Avenue. A car was broken into at 11:30 p.m. to close out the night. ### Wednesday, June 3 **Vehicle tampering:** Lakeshore Court. Someone was found working over a parked vehicle just after midnight at 12:35 a.m. **Vehicle burglary:** 2700 block of Sheldon Court. A parked car was broken into at 1:24 a.m. **Court order violation:** 5200 block of Gordon Avenue. Police arrested a suspect found to have violated a court order at 1:40 a.m. **Battery:** 800 block of Johnson Drive. A person was attacked at 2:47 a.m. **Car theft:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. A car was taken at 4:31 a.m. This was the third taken from this stretch in three days. **Commercial burglary:** 1900 block of Meeker Avenue. Burglars were back on Meeker Avenue at 9:34 a.m. **Exhibiting a deadly weapon:** Undisclosed location in 94805\. A person was reported for brandishing a weapon at 9:48 a.m. **Theft of vehicle parts, vehicle tampering:** 400 block of Spring Street. Parts were stripped off a parked vehicle at 11:03 a.m. **Theft of vehicle parts:** 200 block of Piedmont Place. Parts were taken from a parked vehicle at 11:04 a.m. **Commercial burglary:** 1900 block of Meeker Avenue. Meeker Avenue was hit for the third time in four days at 11:21 a.m. **Drug paraphernalia:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. Drug paraphernalia was reported at 1:31 p.m. **Trespassing:** 300 block of S. 50th Street. A person was found somewhere they had no business being at 3:29 p.m. **Vandalism, trespassing:** 1500 block of Carlson Boulevard. Someone trespassed and damaged property at 3:41 p.m. **Car theft, possession of a stolen vehicle, hit-and-run:** 1300 block of Fred Jackson Way. Police arrested a suspect found in a stolen car that had been involved in a hit-and-run at 4:38 p.m. **Felon in possession of a firearm, court order violation:** 2900 block of McKenzie Drive. Police arrested a convicted felon found armed and in violation of a court order at 6 p.m. **Car theft, possession of stolen property:** 500 block of 18th Street. A car was taken at 6:05 p.m., and the suspect was found with additional stolen property. **Court order violation:** 12200 block of San Pablo Avenue. A court order was violated at 7:11 p.m. **Criminal threats, battery:** 1500 block of Chanslor Avenue. Someone made threats and then backed them up by attacking a person at 8:38 p.m. **Hit-and-run, evading police, obstruction:** I-580 W. & Buchanan Street. A driver hit a vehicle at 10:17 p.m., tried to run from officers on the freeway, and then made themselves as difficult as possible. **DUI:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. A driver was stopped at 11:03 p.m. in no condition to be on the road. ### Thursday, June 4 **Car theft, vehicle recovery:** 2500 block of Gaynor Avenue. A car was taken at 2:51 a.m. and found recovered at the same address. **Criminal threats:** 2800 block of Cutting Boulevard. Threats were made at 8 a.m., serious enough to bring the police. **Drug paraphernalia:** 2500 block of Florida Avenue. Police arrested a suspect found with drug paraphernalia at 10:35 a.m. **Hit-and-run:** 5000 block of El Portal Drive. A driver struck a vehicle and left at 10:35 a.m. **Possession of stolen property, illegal firearm possession:** Undisclosed location in 94806\. Police arrested a suspect found with stolen property and a gun they had no right to carry at 11:40 a.m. **Vandalism:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. Property was damaged at 2 p.m. **DUI:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. A driver was cited at 2:29 p.m. **Theft of vehicle parts:** Schooner Court. Parts were stripped from a vehicle at 5 p.m. **Hit-and-run, DUI:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. Police arrested a driver at 5:34 p.m. who had hit another vehicle and was drunk. **Sex crime:** 2300 block of Downer Avenue. A sex crime was reported at 5:36 p.m. **Court order violation, drug paraphernalia, drug possession:** 900 block of Triangle Court. Police arrested a suspect found violating a court order and in possession of drugs and paraphernalia at 7:23 p.m. **Mail theft:** 1100 block of Ells Street. Mail was stolen at 9:40 p.m. **Shoplifting:** 2100 block of Meeker Avenue. A shoplifting was reported at 9:53 p.m. **Vehicle embezzlement, drug paraphernalia:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. Police arrested a suspect who had failed to return a rented vehicle and was found with drug paraphernalia at 11:10 p.m. ### Friday, June 5 **Sex crime:** 2700 block of Maricopa Avenue. A sex crime was reported at midnight. **Car theft:** 300 block of Summit Place. A thief took it at 2 a.m. **Car theft:** 600 block of 5th Street. Another car was taken thirty minutes later at 2:30 a.m. on a different block. **Vehicle burglary:** 3100 block of Center Avenue. A parked car was broken into at 2:30 a.m. **Assault with a deadly weapon, car theft:** 1600 block of Garvin Avenue. A person was attacked with a weapon, and a car was stolen in the same incident at 3:19 a.m. **Battery:** 900 block of Nevin Avenue. A person was attacked at 5:35 a.m. **Assault with a deadly weapon:** 600 block of Bradford Drive. Police arrested a suspect after a person was attacked with a deadly weapon at 7:39 a.m. **Petty theft:** 600 block of 40th Street. A theft was reported at 7:58 a.m. **Domestic battery, false imprisonment:** 2400 block of Lancaster Drive. Police arrested a suspect after a domestic dispute turned violent, and a person was held against their will at 9:41 a.m. **Assault with a deadly weapon, residential burglary:** 1400 block of Esmond Avenue. Police arrested a suspect after a home was broken into and a person was attacked with a weapon at 11:53 a.m. **Vandalism:** 3000 block of Richmond Parkway. Property was damaged at 12:17 p.m. **Arson, drug paraphernalia, drug possession:** 400 block of Cutting Boulevard. Police arrested a suspect who deliberately set a fire and was found with drugs and paraphernalia at 12:19 p.m. **Domestic battery:** 2000 block of Ohio Avenue. Police arrested someone after a domestic dispute turned physical at 2:28 p.m. **Residential burglary:** 5200 block of Fresno Avenue. A home was broken into at 3:19 p.m. while the afternoon went on outside. **Theft of vehicle parts:** 1000 block of Essex Avenue. Parts were taken from a parked vehicle at 4:43 p.m. **False imprisonment, battery:** 3200 block of Auto Plaza. A person was attacked and held against their will at 4:59 p.m. **Vandalism:** 12200 block of San Pablo Avenue. Property was damaged at 5:04 p.m. **Hit-and-run:** 700 block of Wilson Avenue. A driver struck a vehicle and kept moving at 7:30 p.m. **Robbery:** 900 block of Virginia Avenue. A person was robbed at 8:16 p.m. **Solicitation:** 14800 block of San Pablo Avenue. Police arrested a suspect near the Rodeway Inn at 9:51 p.m. **Domestic battery:** 900 block of 8th Street. A domestic dispute turned physical at 11:05 p.m. ### Saturday, June 6 **Vehicle recovery:** 1300 block of Garvin Avenue. A stolen car turned up at midnight, recovered if not explained. **Illegal firearm possession:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. A person was found at 3:21 a.m. carrying a loaded handgun that they had no legal right to have. **First-degree robbery, robbery, battery:** 600 block of S. 37th Street. Police arrested a suspect after a person was robbed and beaten at 8:27 a.m. **Commercial burglary:** 2500 block of Spinnaker Way. A business was broken into at 9:37 a.m. **Car theft:** 3000 block of Center Avenue. A car was taken at 10:04 a.m. **Theft of vehicle parts:** 2nd Street. Parts were stripped from a vehicle at 12:31 p.m. **Theft of vehicle parts:** 600 block of Sonoma Street. More parts were taken from a parked vehicle at 1 p.m. **Domestic battery:** 600 block of 23rd Street. A domestic dispute turned violent at 1:35 p.m. **Residential burglary, vandalism:** 1400 block of Esmond Avenue. The same block that saw Friday’s assault and burglary was hit again. This time, a home was broken into, and property was damaged at 2:20 p.m. **Theft of vehicle parts:** 100 block of 6th Street. Parts were taken from a vehicle at 8 p.m. **Hit-and-run, DUI:** 2900 block of Groom Drive. A drunk driver hit another vehicle at 8:31 p.m. and left. **DUI:** Undisclosed location in 94806\. Police arrested a driver who stopped at 9:30 p.m. **Reckless burning, drug paraphernalia:** 3400 block of Macdonald Avenue. Police arrested a suspect who negligently started a fire and was found with drug paraphernalia at 10:21 p.m. **Criminal threats:** 300 block of Washington Avenue. Threats were made at 10:30 p.m., serious enough to bring a police report. ### Sunday, June 7 **Theft of vehicle parts:** 2600 block of Center Avenue. Parts were stripped from a vehicle just after midnight at 12:40 a.m. **Negligent firearm discharge:** 600 block of S. 26th Street. A gun was fired carelessly at 6:02 a.m., the neighborhood quiet and suddenly less so. **Battery:** 2200 block of Nevin Avenue. A person was attacked at 11:07 a.m. **Shoplifting:** 2100 block of Meeker Avenue. A shoplifting was reported at 12:56 p.m. **Car theft:** Undisclosed location in 94530\. A car was taken at 2:29 p.m. **Robbery, exhibiting a deadly weapon:** 11900 block of San Pablo Avenue. A person was robbed at 6:53 p.m. by someone who made sure they could see the weapon. **Felon in possession of a firearm, illegal firearm possession, probation violation:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. A convicted felon was found at 8:23 p.m. with multiple firearms, in violation of their probation. **Residential burglary:** 2400 block of Aberdeen Way. A home was broken into at 8:54 p.m. **Arson:** 1900 block of Virginia Avenue. A fire was deliberately set at 9:15 p.m. to end the week on an ugly note. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### On the agenda: Richmond council to weigh budget priorities at special Tuesday session URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-agenda-richmond-council-to-weigh-budget-priorities-at-special-tuesday-session/ Last updated: 2026-06-06T15:48:56.000Z The Richmond City Council will meet Tuesday afternoon for a special budget session focused on the proposed 2026-27 operating budget, rising costs tied to park renovations, and the future of the city’s electric bikeshare program ahead of final budget adoption on June 23. The session allows council members to provide direction to staff before the budget is locked in. The central question before the council is straightforward: adopt the budget as proposed, or reshuffle a portion of discretionary spending to cover a set of emerging project shortfalls. City staff is presenting two options. Option one would adopt the proposed budget without changes. The General Fund is balanced at $274,670,119 in revenues and expenditures, maintained using a citywide vacancy rate of 12 percent, roughly $16.4 million. It does not draw on reserves and does not fund more than $29 million in departmental requests that were submitted but left out of the draft. Option two would keep the budget balanced while shifting about $3.1 million in discretionary General Fund spending to higher-priority needs. City staff identified several programs, including the Black Resiliency Project, immigration legal services, arts funding, and reparations and equity initiatives, as discretionary because they are not tied to existing contracts, permanent staff positions, or core city operations. The council could choose to cut, delay, or redirect some of that funding. The shortfalls staff want the council to consider filling are not small. The Richmond Wellness Trail Phase II project is $1.04 million short. The San Francisco Bay Trail at Point Molate is $1 million short. Shields-Reid Park is facing $196,000 in anticipated construction change orders, and Wendell Park another $435,000. ![Wendell Park](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/06/richmond-wendell-park-improvements-construction2-copy.webp) Renovations underway at Wendell Park include upgrades to the park’s field and surrounding amenities. The city has already allocated millions on upgrades at Wendell Park, the 2.2-acre neighborhood park on 24th Street. In May 2025, the council approved a $1.54 million contract with Bauman Landscape and Construction for soccer field and restroom improvements, along with a 10 percent contingency that brought the total to about $1.7 million. The city later approved another $432,936 restroom contract through Sourcewell, a national purchasing cooperative. The proposed $435,000 in change orders would push the project’s total cost beyond $2.5 million. [On the agenda: CPRC probe, fee hikes, and park upgradesAt its May 20 meeting, the Richmond City Council will consider a call by two councilmembers to launch an independent legal investigation into potential ethical breaches and bias within the Community Police Review Commission. Also on the agenda: updates to the city’s Master Fee Schedule projected to raise $373,![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--a1ed88d3-5faa-406d-a27c-b766d92a0b83.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/wendell-park-richmond-1-2389c31c-f867-4f82-9897-b185cceaad0d.jpg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-agenda-cprc-probe-fee-hikes-and-park-upgrades/) The session also takes up the future of the city's electric bikeshare program. Staff recommends shutting it down. The program has cost roughly $3 million in Environmental and Community Investment Agreement funds and other grants to operate 12 e-bike hubs across the city, and the ECIA transportation funds that have sustained it are in their final year. City staff is proposing a three-month phaseout of the program and recommends redirecting remaining ECIA funding toward the construction of an E-Bike Lending Library at Unity Park, where residents could borrow e-bikes and take bicycle safety and maintenance workshops. The project still faces a $2.2 million funding gap, and closing it would unlock roughly $1.2 million in Transformative Climate Communities grant money. [Richmond e-bike share shortens hours, removes batteries overnight to prevent theftRichmond’s electric bike share program has reduced its operating hours and begun removing batteries from bikes overnight in response to increasing vandalism and theft, according to city officials. The program now operates from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and noon to 6 p.m. on weekends,![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--64494af6-69ce-4dc3-9b9e-b777a3947fe1.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/today-bike-vandalism-richmond-tacos-eltucan-5391e915-15e7-40ea-952a-3aa9b331c6dc.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-e-bike-share-shortens-hours-removes-batteries-overnight-to-prevent-theft/) The council is also being asked to weigh in on a proposed Initiative Evaluation Framework, a structured process for assessing future council referrals and program requests. Staff notes that since January 2025, the council has directed 37 separate work efforts in open session, and that 104 boards, commissions, ad hoc committees, and regional agencies currently require staff time for agenda preparation, public noticing, and follow-up. Tuesday's budget session comes as a pending ballot measure backed by the Richmond Police Officers Association would, if it qualifies and passes, lock up to half of the city's locally generated unrestricted revenue into a dedicated public safety fund and require the city to maintain a minimum of 187 sworn officers, 40 more than the department currently has. The measure was filed last month by Richmond resident Michael Taylor Caine. [Ballot measure would mandate 187 officers, lock half of Richmond’s local revenue for public safetyA Richmond resident has filed a ballot initiative that would require the city to dedicate up to half of its locally generated revenue to public safety and maintain a minimum of 187 sworn police officers, a base that sits 40 officers above where the department stands today. Michael Taylor Caine,![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--3b3abcd2-cfea-4e80-9dc6-1fa981ea0866.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2026-05-22-at-5.24.34-PM-1-f6bc6d1c-4428-449e-8a2d-6f707983d864.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/ballot-measure-would-mandate-187-officers-lock-half-of-richmonds-local-revenue-for-public-safety/) The meeting begins at 3:30 p.m. at Richmond City Hall, 450 Civic Center Plaza. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond incumbents claim victory as mayoral race heads to November runoff URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-incumbents-claim-victory-as-mayoral-race-heads-to-november-runoff/ Last updated: 2026-06-06T02:53:00.000Z Claudia Jiménez led a five-candidate field in Tuesday's Richmond mayoral primary, according to unofficial results posted Friday by the Contra Costa County Elections Division. Jiménez collected 6,915 votes, or 37.55 percent of votes cast, with all precincts reporting. Ahmad Anderson finished second with 5,306 votes, or 28.82 percent. Eduardo Martinez placed third with 3,590 votes, or 19.50 percent. Grandview Independent — Election Results ## Richmond Mayor Primary Results Claudia Jiménez 6,915 votes 37.55% ▲ Advances to November Ahmad Anderson 5,306 votes 28.82% ▲ Advances to November Eduardo Martinez 3,590 votes 19.50% Demnlus Johnson III 1,820 votes 9.88% Mark Wassberg 783 votes 4.25% --- Total votes cast 18,414 All precincts reporting \~55,200 ballots uncounted countywide Next update: Wed. June 10, 4 p.m. \`\`\` No candidate received 50 percent of the votes cast, and so the top two finishers will advance to the November general election. About 55,200 ballots remain uncounted countywide. The county's next results update is expected on Wednesday, June 10. Anderson said he has no plans to slow down. [Candidate Interview: Ahmad Anderson runs for mayor of RichmondAhmad Anderson has lived in Richmond’s Laurel Park neighborhood for more than 55 years and built a career in community advocacy and workforce development. He is running for mayor on a platform that ties public safety, housing, and economic opportunity into what he calls a “people-centered” vision for the![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--17019046-be11-4b64-b980-d2a9e065333e.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/ahmad-anderson-richmond-mayor-candidate-2026-1-685bfcf1-2152-4132-9f49-7fb9fc65a2f2.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/candidate-interview-ahmad-anderson-runs-for-mayor-of-richmond/) "We ran a very good race, and that was based upon us listening to the people, and we look forward to moving forward in November," Anderson said. He urged voters to stay engaged. "Not only does your voice count, but your actions count as well, and that action is demonstrated by voting. Please get out to vote in November." Jiménez did not respond to a request for comment. Her campaign said in a social media post that it was confident she would advance. [Candidate Interview: Claudia Jimenez runs for mayor of RichmondClaudia Jimenez arrived in the United States in 2007 without speaking a word of English, enrolled in ESL classes in Berkeley, passed a language proficiency exam, and gained admission to UC Berkeley’s College of Environmental Design. By then, she had already spent a decade in the mountains of southwestern Colombia![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--e0277669-7142-4611-8624-154399f65405.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/claudia-jimenez-speaking-no-kings-protest-richmond-032826-1-bd251bef-c98f-417b-b66f-eac45eb7e479.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/candidate-interview-claudia-jimenez-runs-for-mayor-of-richmond/) "While there are still thousands of votes left to count and a few weeks until the election is certified, Claudia's healthy lead over second-place finisher Ahmad Anderson gives us confidence that Claudia will be one of the two candidates on the ballot in the general election in November," the post said. In District 3, incumbent Doria Robinson received 69.76 percent of the vote over challenger Brandon Evans, with all precincts reporting. [Candidate Interview: Doria Robinson runs for re-election in Richmond’s District 3Doria Robinson grew up on Fifth and Nevin in the 1980s, when the crack epidemic was tearing through her neighborhood, and drive-by shootings were routine. “My friends I grew up with did not make it,” she said. “Most of them.” Now a sitting Richmond City Councilmember seeking a second term![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--f0a5be55-fcc3-461d-8784-b38fd22cc415.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/doria-robinson-richmond-city-council-district-3-incumbent-2026a-3973f9b4-814c-40ee-b4e8-7850a1ecc2f7.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/candidate-interview-doria-robinson-runs-for-re-election-in-richmonds-district-3/) Robinson said the win belonged to the community. "This victory belongs to all of us," she said. "Richmond raised me. It shaped my values. It taught me that real change happens when neighbors work together, take care of each other, and refuse to give up on the place we call home." In District 4, incumbent Soheila Bana received 67.03 percent of the vote over two challengers, with all precincts reporting. [Candidate Interview: Soheila Bana seeks a second term on Richmond City Council District 4Richmond City Councilmember Soheila Bana is seeking a second term representing District 4, pointing to her work on wildfire preparedness and public safety while drawing on a personal history shaped by political repression in Iran. Bana came of age during the 1979 Iranian revolution, part of a generation that found![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--469d3df1-d9a9-43b2-8196-232fbbea5c66.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/soheila-bana-richmond-city-council-district-4-candidate-2026-1-e0edf806-2b60-4dc8-97bb-8be656a990f3.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/candidate-interview-soheila-bana-seeks-a-second-term-on-richmond-city-council-district-4/) "I am humbled by the trust and support of our community and deeply honored by the opportunity to serve Richmond for another term," Bana said. "I look forward to continuing our work together to build a safer and more united Richmond." Cesar Zepeda ran uncontested in District 2 and will return to the council. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Murder charge filed against suspect in West Nevin Avenue shooting URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/murder-charge-filed-against-suspect-in-west-nevin-avenue-shooting/ Last updated: 2026-06-03T17:26:33.000Z The Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office has charged the man arrested last week in connection with a fatal shooting in Richmond with first-degree murder. Jabari Armon Fontenot, 31, was charged Tuesday with the murder of Melvin Murphy, who was shot and killed May 30 on the 200 block of West Nevin Avenue. The complaint includes a firearm enhancement alleging that Fontenot discharged a weapon causing great bodily injury and Murphy's death. [Richmond homicide suspect arrested within hours of fatal shootingRichmond police arrested a murder suspect within hours of a fatal shooting Friday evening, crediting swift investigative work and a partnership with a neighboring police department. Officers responded at approximately 6:27 p.m. to the 200 block of West Nevin Avenue after reports of gunshots and a person down.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--1607b133-e415-4369-8b7e-2d11ba663da7.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-police-crime-tape-1-1-89780d3d-5c1a-4e78-b0f8-6baeb751ce08.jpg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-homicide-suspect-arrested-within-hours-of-fatal-shooting/) Fontenot is scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. in Department 6 at the A.F. Bray Courts Building Annex in Martinez. If convicted, he faces 50 years to life in prison. Richmond police arrested Fontenot hours after the shooting, using Flock Safety license plate reader technology to track his vehicle from Richmond into Concord, where officers from the Concord Police Department took him into custody. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/06/melvin-murphy-papa-smurf-richmond-homicide-memorial-1.png) A memorial graphic circulating on social media identifies Melvin Murphy, known in the community as "Papa Smurf," who was born July 8, 1961 and killed May 29, 2026\. Image/ @hookerboyfilmz510 Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact the Richmond Police Department Investigations Bureau at (510) 621-1288. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Jimenez, Anderson lead mayor's race, Robinson and Bana lead council contests: early results URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/jimenez-anderson-lead-mayors-race-robinson-and-bana-lead-council-contests-early-results/ Last updated: 2026-06-03T16:41:42.000Z Claudia Jimenez and Ahmad Anderson were the top two vote-getters in early results from Richmond's first-ever June primary Tuesday night, according to initial returns from Contra Costa County. Doria Robinson and Soheila Bana led their respective council races. The numbers reflect only a fraction of the total vote and are expected to shift in the days ahead. The Contra Costa County Elections Division released its first results shortly after 8 p.m., including vote-by-mail ballots counted before Election Day and ballots cast at regional early voting sites. A second report with results from in-person polling places is expected around 9:30 p.m., with updates at least once an hour after that. The county's final Election Night report is expected by midnight. Even that full tally represents only about half of the total votes the county expects to ultimately receive. The first post-election update, adding mail ballots received on or after Election Day as long as they were postmarked by June 2, will be posted by 5 p.m. Friday, June 5\. Additional results will follow twice a week until the canvass is complete. Final results, including any signature cures, will be certified July 2, 2026. Under Measure J, the Richmond Election Reform Act, a candidate must win more than 50 percent of the vote to claim a seat outright. If no one clears that threshold, the top two vote-getters advance to a November runoff. The rule applies to the mayor's race and the two contested council seats on the ballot. ### Mayor's Race: Early Results In the five-way mayor's race, Claudia Jimenez led with 3,048 votes, or 34 percent. Ahmad Anderson was second with 2,633 votes, or 29 percent. Eduardo Martinez was third with 1,964 votes, or 22 percent. Demnlus Johnson III had 827 votes, or 9 percent, and Mark Wassberg had 494 votes, or 6 percent. If the standings hold, Jimenez and Anderson would advance to a November runoff. *All results preliminary.* ### City Council: District 3 In District 3, incumbent Doria Robinson led with 611 votes, or 69 percent, to challenger Brandon Evans's 275 votes, or 31 percent. ### City Council: District 4 In District 4, incumbent Soheila Bana led the three-way race with 1,491 votes, or 67 percent. Jamin Pursell was second with 579 votes, or 26 percent, and Keycha Gallon had 150 votes, or 7 percent. ## City Council: District 2 Incumbent Cesar Zepeda ran unopposed in District 2 and will return to his seat. ### What Comes Next If no mayoral candidate clears 50 percent, the top two finishers will meet again in November. The same rules apply in Districts 3 and 4\. The next update comes Friday, June 5 by 5 p.m. Updates will continue twice weekly until the canvass is done, with certification on July 2. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### What happened in Richmond: A fatal shooting, sexual assaults and stolen vehicles URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/what-happened-in-richmond-a-fatal-shooting-sexual-assaults-and-stolen-vehicles/ Last updated: 2026-06-01T15:19:30.000Z Richmond police logged a homicide, a sexual assault on the Bay Trail and a shooting at an occupied building between May 25 and May 31, a week that also included 22 vehicle thefts across the city, according to department data. Grandview Independent Richmond Crime Incident Map Loading... From To Load Incident locations are approximate. RPD reports crimes by block, not exact address, to protect privacy. ## Filter by type All Loading... ### Monday, May 25 **Car theft:** 2600 block of Esmond Avenue. A thief came for it in the quiet of the night and was gone before the street stirred at 3:07 a.m. **Carjacking, assault with a deadly weapon, car theft, possession of a stolen vehicle:** 500 block of Duboce Avenue. Police arrested a suspect after a person was forced from their vehicle at gunpoint, assaulted, and the car taken at 6:40 a.m. The stolen vehicle was later recovered with the suspect still in it. **Vehicle tampering:** 500 block of S. 18th Street. Someone was found with their hands on a parked vehicle at 9:19 a.m. **Illegal firearm possession:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. Police arrested a suspect found carrying a firearm they had no legal right to have at 10:14 a.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 2600 block of Wendell Avenue. A stolen car turned up at 10:44 a.m. **Domestic battery, vandalism:** 5100 block of Mulligan Court. Police arrested a suspect after a domestic dispute turned violent and property was damaged at 11:02 a.m. **Commercial burglary:** 1900 block of Meeker Avenue. Someone broke into a business at 11:41 a.m. **Battery:** 100 block of 4th Street. A person was attacked at 1:59 p.m. **Car theft:** 600 block of 5th Street. Someone drove away with a car that wasn't theirs at 5 p.m. **Criminal threats:** 600 block of 26th Street. Words were spoken that crossed from angry into criminal at 5:35 p.m. **Robbery:** 1300 block of Garvin Avenue. A person was robbed late in the evening at 11:43 p.m. ### Tuesday, May 26 **Identity fraud:** 2600 block of Foothill Avenue. Someone was using another person's identity at midnight. **Assault with a deadly weapon, domestic battery, child abuse:** 3800 block of Fleming Avenue. Police arrested a suspect after a dispute at 3:18 a.m. **Vandalism:** 1300 block of Esmond Avenue. Just ahead of dawn, someone left damage on property that wasn't theirs at 5:25 a.m. **Vehicle tampering:** 3100 block of Southampton Court. A person was found working over a car at 8:26 a.m. **Car theft:** 600 block of 24th Street. A thief found a car unattended and decided to keep it moving at 8:40 a.m. **Vandalism:** 700 block of Juliga Woods Street. Someone's morning contribution to the block was property damage reported at 9 a.m. **Car theft:** 100 block of 4th Street. Another car taken, same street as the day before's battery, at 9:11 a.m. **Criminal threats:** 600 block of Berk Avenue. Threats were made at 10:59 a.m. that rose to the level of a crime. **Vandalism:** 1700 block of Regatta Boulevard. Property was damaged at 1 p.m. **Petty theft:** 2100 block of Nevin Avenue. Something small was taken at 3:20 p.m. **Vandalism:** 2300 block of Clinton Avenue. Someone damaged property at 4:02 p.m. **Drug paraphernalia:** Carlson and Cutting boulevards. Police arrested a suspect found with the tools of a habit at 4:37 p.m. **Exhibiting a firearm:** Undisclosed location in 94806\. A person was reported for brandishing a weapon at 4:43 p.m. **Vandalism:** 900 block of W. Cutting Boulevard. Property was damaged at 4:56 p.m. **Car theft:** 100 block of S. 33rd Street. A thief took it as the evening came on at 5 p.m. **Drug paraphernalia, trespassing:** 900 block of W. Cutting Boulevard. Police arrested a suspect found on property they had no right to be on, carrying drug paraphernalia, at 6:39 p.m. **Domestic battery:** 100 block of Marina Way. Police arrested a suspect after a domestic dispute turned physical at 7:51 p.m. **Vandalism:** 2900 block of San Luis Street. Property was damaged at 8 p.m. **Car theft:** 100 block of 17th Street. A thief helped themselves to a car at 8:20 p.m. **Kidnapping, unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor, domestic battery, false imprisonment:** Brickyard Cove Road. Police filed charges, including kidnapping, unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor, domestic battery, and false imprisonment, in connection with an incident reported at 8:40 p.m. **Kidnapping, domestic battery, child abuse, obstruction:** 2700 block of Jo Ann Drive. Police arrested a suspect after a person was reportedly kidnapped, a child was harmed, and the suspect fought with officers at 9:24 p.m. ### Wednesday, May 27 **Disorderly conduct:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. Someone caused a disturbance at 12:46 a.m. and made it everyone else's problem. **Sexual assault:** San Francisco Bay Trail. A person was reportedly sexually assaulted on the Bay Trail at 1 a.m. **Vehicle burglary:** 1800 block of Santa Clara Street. A parked car was broken into at 4:17 a.m. while the neighborhood slept. **Vandalism:** 500 block of S. 30th Street. Property was damaged at 6 a.m., just as the day was starting. **Vandalism:** 2900 block of San Luis Street. The same block as Tuesday's vandalism, hit again at 6:30 a.m. **Petty theft:** 11900 block of San Pablo Avenue. Something was taken at 9 a.m. **Criminal threats, disorderly conduct:** 1500 block of Cutting Boulevard. Police arrested a suspect after threats were made and a disturbance created at 10:50 a.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 10400 block of San Pablo Avenue. A stolen car surfaced at 12:53 p.m. **Grand theft:** 300 block of W. Macdonald Avenue. A significant theft was reported at 1:51 p.m. **Vandalism:** Railroad Avenue. Property was damaged at 2:45 p.m. **Car theft:** 200 block of Curry Street. A thief took a car at 5 p.m. and drove it somewhere it didn't belong. **Theft of vehicle parts:** 5700 block of Highland Avenue. Parts were stripped from a parked vehicle at 5 p.m. **Drug possession, trespassing:** 2600 block of Lancaster Drive. Police arrested a suspect found on property they had no right to be on, with drugs, at 7:18 p.m. **DUI:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. Police arrested a driver found behind the wheel in no condition to be there at 8:07 p.m. **Domestic battery:** 1500 block of Wright Avenue. Police arrested a suspect after a domestic dispute turned physical at 9:05 p.m. **Car theft:** Monterey Street. A car disappeared from the street at 10 p.m. **Robbery, battery:** 2600 block of Hilltop Drive. A person was robbed and beaten at 11:02 p.m. ### Thursday, May 28 **Car theft:** 2700 block of Gaynor Avenue. A thief took it at midnight. **DUI:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. A driver was stopped at 1:37 a.m. still on the road and over the limit. **Vandalism:** 2500 block of Macdonald Avenue. Property was damaged at 3:01 a.m. **Vehicle burglary:** 4500 block of Fran Way. A parked car was broken into at 7:09 a.m. **Vandalism:** 5000 block of Cutting Boulevard. Someone left their mark on property at 8:51 a.m. **Car theft:** 600 block of 15th Street. A thief took it at 9:14 a.m. **Petty theft:** 4700 block of Hartnett Avenue. Something was taken at 9:28 a.m. **Domestic battery, car theft:** 100 block of Marina Way. A domestic dispute at 10 a.m. ended with someone hurt, and the other party leaving in a stolen car. **Vandalism:** 2100 block of Nevin Avenue. Property was damaged at 10:15 a.m. **Drug paraphernalia:** Macdonald Avenue. Police arrested a suspect found with drug paraphernalia at 10:53 a.m. **Theft of vehicle parts:** 300 block of 9th Street. A thief stripped parts off a parked vehicle at 11:01 a.m. **Vehicle recovery:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. A stolen vehicle turned up at 11:26 a.m. **Grand theft:** 100 block of W. Macdonald Avenue. A theft of consequence was reported at 6:22 p.m. **Court order violation:** 1700 block of Regatta Boulevard. Someone violated a court order at 7:36 p.m. **Domestic battery:** 400 block of Marina Way S. Police arrested a suspect after a domestic dispute turned violent at 8:30 p.m. **Convicted felon with guns and intentions:** 12500 block of San Pablo Avenue. Police arrested a suspect found armed with multiple firearms, making criminal threats at 9:55 p.m. **Vehicle burglary, vandalism:** 3200 block of Pierce Street. A car was broken into and damaged at 10:08 p.m. **Shooting at an inhabited dwelling, assault with a firearm:** 300 block of Marina Way S. Someone opened fire on an occupied building at 10:24 p.m. ### Friday, May 29 **Car theft:** 2400 block of Aberdeen Way. A thief worked in the early dark at 1:30 a.m. and left with a car that wasn't theirs. **Car theft:** 800 block of 34th Street. Another car taken in the hours before dawn at 4:03 a.m. **Vehicle tampering:** 1300 block of Cherry Street. A person was found at 4:45 a.m. with their hands on a vehicle that didn't belong to them. **Vandalism:** Harbour Way. Property was damaged at 10:54 a.m. **Battery:** 5000 block of Valley View Road. A person was attacked at 1 p.m. **Trespassing:** 12400 block of San Pablo Avenue. Police arrested a suspect found where they had no right to be at 1:08 p.m. **Drug paraphernalia, disorderly conduct:** 2300 block of Macdonald Avenue. Police arrested a suspect who caused a disturbance and was found with drug paraphernalia at 3:12 p.m. **Court order violation:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. A court order was violated at 5:13 p.m. — quietly, as these things often are. **Murder:** 200 block of W. Nevin Avenue. Police arrested a suspect after a person was killed at 6:26 p.m. The homicide is under investigation. [Richmond homicide suspect arrested within hours of fatal shootingRichmond police arrested a murder suspect within hours of a fatal shooting Friday evening, crediting swift investigative work and a partnership with a neighboring police department. Officers responded at approximately 6:27 p.m. to the 200 block of West Nevin Avenue after reports of gunshots and a person down.![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-police-crime-tape-1-1-e3093b1a345d09988eb81f7948fa4cfaa4e4f8f93064850da68f3d77a9f2e424.jpg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-homicide-suspect-arrested-within-hours-of-fatal-shooting/) **Car theft:** 2700 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue. A car was taken at 6:52 p.m. **Assault with a deadly weapon:** 900 block of W. Cutting Boulevard. A person was attacked with a weapon at 8:32 p.m. **Grand theft:** 100 block of Park Place. A significant theft was reported at 10 p.m. **Battery:** 600 block of Griffin Drive. A person was attacked at 11:34 p.m. ### Saturday, May 30 **Domestic battery:** 3600 block of Wall Avenue. A household dispute turned physical at midnight. **Car theft:** 400 block of S. 20th Street. A thief took it at 1 a.m. **Car theft:** 1200 block of 28th Street. Another car went missing at 6 a.m. **Car theft:** 3600 block of Ohio Avenue. A thief had it gone by 8:05 a.m. **Possession of stolen property:** 800 block of Wilson Avenue. Property reported stolen elsewhere turned up at 9:02 a.m. **Domestic battery:** 3600 block of Bissell Avenue. Police arrested a suspect after a domestic dispute turned violent at 9:54 a.m. **Car theft:** 400 block of S. Garrard Boulevard. A car was taken at 10:16 a.m. **Car theft:** 900 block of 18th Street. Someone drove away with a car that didn't belong to them at 11:20 a.m. **Theft of vehicle parts:** 3300 block of Cutting Boulevard. Parts were stripped from a parked vehicle at 1:22 p.m. **Sexual assault:** 12000 block of San Pablo Avenue. A sexual assault was reported at 4:11 p.m. **Battery:** 4300 block of Potrero Avenue. A person was attacked at 4:45 p.m. **Vandalism:** Washington Avenue. Property was damaged at 5:50 p.m. ### Sunday, May 31 **Sexual battery, battery, disorderly conduct:** 2400 block of Aberdeen Way. Police arrested a suspect after a sexual battery and physical assault were reported at 1:19 a.m. **DUI, driving on a suspended license:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. Police arrested a suspected drunk driver who was also driving on a suspended license at 2:56 a.m. **Petty theft:** 1200 block of Macdonald Avenue. Something small was taken at 7:20 a.m. from someone it belonged to. **Car theft:** 1700 block of Hellings Avenue. A thief took it early Sunday morning at 8:30 a.m. **Vehicle burglary:** 200 block of Ohio Avenue. A parked car was broken into at 10:02 a.m. **Theft from building:** 1200 block of Melville Square. Someone took property from inside a building at 10:45 a.m. **Criminal threats, stalking:** 2900 block of Humphrey Avenue. Police arrested a suspect found to have been stalking a person and making criminal threats at 11:56 a.m. **Vandalism:** 3800 block of Waller Avenue. Property was damaged at 1:58 p.m. **Vehicle recovery:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. A stolen car was found at 3:09 p.m. **Car theft:** 2800 block of Rheem Avenue. A thief spotted an opening in the afternoon at 4 p.m. **Robbery:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. A person was robbed at 6:02 p.m. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Hilltop Mall becomes evacuation hub during Richmond emergency preparedness drill URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/hilltop-mall-becomes-evacuation-hub-during-richmond-emergency-preparedness-drill/ Last updated: 2026-06-11T19:16:52.000Z On a quiet weekend morning, a hundred or so El Sobrante residents simultaneously stopped what they were doing and fled their homes upon receiving a single text message. Richmond's third evacuation drill was held Saturday, providing neighborhoods in El Sobrante an opportunity to practice what they would do in the event of a local wildfire or other emergency. Multiple teams were on hand to facilitate the evacuation's test-run, including the County’s Community Warning System, Office of Emergency Services, Richmond Fire Department, CERT & EmComm, and West Contra Costa Fire Safe Council, along with Councilmember Soheila Bana, who helped organize the event and is the founder and chair of WCCFSC. The drill began shortly after 9 a.m. when registered participants received a message to follow the evacuation route to Hilltop Mall. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/05/GES_0315-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/05/GES_0318.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/05/GES_0290.jpg) Councilmember Soheila Bana and members of the community, including local Ham Radio operators participated in an emergency preparedness event in Richmond Saturday. Some residents packed up their dogs, and others toted even more interesting pets, like snakes and geckos, as the group made its way to the mall's northwest parking lot, where participants were greeted by volunteers who invited them to park and receive preparedness resources from partners onsite. All drill-related activity was complete by 11:00 a.m. Bana said the event was a success, and plans are already in the works for another drill next year. "Overall, it was a great success, as every drill is, since we raise public awareness and learn about what needs to be improved. I am glad that San Pablo Police said they would collaborate on the next drill," Bana said. "Con Fire has agreed to organize the next drill in El Sobrante Valley, as many residents live in unincorporated county. I hope that we will invite the Cities of Richmond and San Pablo to participate, too." Bana said it is important for residents to learn about traffic congestion during an evacuation and to take the next steps for preparation. "While hundreds of people participated in the drill and tried the traffic simulation so far, we expect the numbers to be in the thousands," Bana said. [](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly)"We had Team Rubicon with many volunteers from Sacramento who came here to help, along with CERT volunteers, some community volunteers, and our WCCFSC volunteers." - **English Link:** [https://www.wuigo.ai/podcasts/may\_valley](https://www.wuigo.ai/podcasts/may%5Fvalley?ref=grandviewindependent.com) - **Español:** [https://www.wuigo.ai/podcasts/may\_valley?lang=ES](https://www.wuigo.ai/podcasts/may%5Fvalley?lang=ES&ref=grandviewindependent.com) --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond homicide suspect arrested within hours of fatal shooting URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-homicide-suspect-arrested-within-hours-of-fatal-shooting/ Last updated: 2026-05-31T15:00:23.000Z Richmond police arrested a murder suspect within hours of a fatal shooting Friday evening, crediting swift investigative work and a partnership with a neighboring police department. Officers responded at approximately 6:27 p.m. to the 200 block of West Nevin Avenue after reports of gunshots and a person down. "Upon arrival, officers located an adult victim suffering from gunshot wounds," Lt. Donald Patchin, department spokesman, said. "Officers immediately rendered aid and initiated life-saving measures; however, despite their efforts, the victim succumbed to their injuries at the scene." During the investigation, officers identified a possible suspect and vehicle. Using Flock Safety Automated License Plate Reader technology, investigators tracked the suspect vehicle as it traveled from Richmond into Concord. [Richmond’s Flock cameras back online after months-long shutdownRichmond police reactivated the city’s Flock Safety license plate reader cameras on Friday, after the system was turned off last year over data-sharing concerns, according to Richmond Police Chief Tim Simmons. The cameras were taken offline in October 2025 after a “national lookup” feature had been running in the background,![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2026-05-11-at-12.21.19-PM-1-1-c06e2fcec60217b299fe43bc958406e5f705c8a8a41c85698c4a62ad6c6af28d.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmonds-flock-cameras-back-online-after-months-long-shutdown/) "Working in coordination with the Concord Police Department, Concord PD officers located the suspect and took him into custody late Friday night without incident," Patchin said. "The suspect was subsequently booked into jail on charges of murder." The arrest came roughly eight hours after the shooting. "The technology allowed investigators to rapidly track the suspect vehicle and contributed significantly to the suspect being identified and arrested within approximately eight hours of the shooting," Patchin said. Patchin said the case illustrated the value of regional cooperation. "This case demonstrates how technology, combined with outstanding investigative work and regional law enforcement partnerships, can help bring violent offenders into custody quickly," he said. Detectives are continuing to investigate the motive and circumstances surrounding the shooting. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Richmond Police Department Investigations Bureau at (510) 621-1288. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Vegetation fire breaks out at Point Molate, multiple agencies respond URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/vegetation-fire-breaks-out-at-point-molate-multiple-agencies-respond/ Last updated: 2026-05-28T05:36:15.000Z A vegetation fire broke out Wednesday evening along Stenmark Drive, prompting a multi-agency response that included aerial water drops before firefighters brought the blaze under control, officials said. The fire burned on Chevron property but is believed to have originated on a public street, according to Mike Davis, battalion chief of the Chevron Fire Department. "We had a vegetation fire that appeared to start here on Stenmark Drive, and through mutual aid with Richmond, El Cerrito and Chevron, we made efforts to put the fire out, and at this time things are looking pretty good," Davis said. Crews from Richmond and El Cerrito joined Chevron's department under a mutual aid agreement to battle the blaze. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond council moves to crack down on illegal fireworks URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-council-moves-to-crack-down-on-illegal-fireworks/ Last updated: 2026-05-31T16:58:27.000Z The Richmond City Council voted Tuesday to draft tougher penalties for illegal fireworks, including holding party hosts liable for fireworks set off on their property. The item, sponsored by Councilmembers Cesar Zepeda, Jamelia Brown, and Soheila Bana, passed on the consent calendar with only Councilmember Sue Wilson voting no. It directs the city attorney and city manager to propose amendments to Richmond’s fireworks ordinance within 90 days, including a social host liability provision and administrative fines of up to $1,000 per device for a first offense and $2,500 for repeat offenders within a year. [On the agenda: budget session, fireworks crackdown, housing overhaul, and moreThe Richmond City Council meets Tuesday for two back-to-back meetings, opening at 3:30 p.m. with a special budget study session before shifting to a packed regular meeting at 6 p.m. that includes a push to crack down on illegal fireworks, housing density changes, and a reckoning over![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Richmond-cracking-down-fireworks-hosts-fines-1-11000086deec771e0ce4fb93fece1e3b7560df9783ac42902aefdfe0c72c53f8.gif)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-agenda-budget-session-fireworks-crackdown-housing-overhaul-and-more/) Mayor Eduardo Martinez, who moved the item to the consent calendar before the vote, added his reservation. “I’m not sure that staff will have the capacity to return it within 90 days,” he said. Wilson, who said she came to the meeting prepared to debate the item, had additional concerns she said she never got to voice. “I did research that shows that raising fines does not deter behavior, but it does increase hunger and housing instability for the people who are unfortunate enough to get hit with those fines,” Wilson said, adding that she could not in good conscience vote yes. She ultimately cast her no vote on the fireworks item alone while voting yes on the rest of the consent calendar. City Manager Shasa Curl acknowledged the deadline could be difficult to meet, pointing to what she described as a "significant development" the previous Friday. “On Friday, we had a significant change,” Curl said. “We just need time to make sure the council has information in June on that.” Curl appeared to be referring to a ballot initiative filed days earlier that would require the city to maintain at least 187 sworn officers and dedicate up to half of locally generated revenue to public safety. [Ballot measure would mandate 187 officers, lock half of Richmond’s local revenue for public safetyA Richmond resident has filed a ballot initiative that would require the city to dedicate up to half of its locally generated revenue to public safety and maintain a minimum of 187 sworn police officers, a base that sits 40 officers above where the department stands today. Michael Taylor Caine,![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/size/w1200/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-22-at-5.24.34-PM-1.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/ballot-measure-would-mandate-187-officers-lock-half-of-richmonds-local-revenue-for-public-safety/) The vote came after public comments from residents who said illegal fireworks have made summers in Richmond increasingly unbearable. Janice Haugen, a Richmond resident, called on the council to create separate fine tiers for fireworks: one for smaller devices like sparklers, and another for items like aerial devices or M-80s. Haugen noted that current enforcement tools have improved. “Last summer, using drones as first responders, over a dozen violators were cited, and over $10,000 worth of fireworks was seized,” Haugen said. “The problem is that Richmond’s current fine for a first-time offense is only $250\. A violator could discharge dozens, even hundreds of fireworks, and that’s the highest fine they could get. It’s not enough of a deterrent.” Haugen also laid out how the proposed host liability provision would work in practice. “I reserve a picnic area in a park. My friend at the picnic shoots off fireworks. I would be held liable as the host, unless I called the police to report them,” she said. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/05/richmond-fireworks-debris-fourth-of-july-illegal2.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-27-at-12.00.22-PM.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/05/richmond-fireworks-debris-fourth-of-july-illegal3.webp) Fireworks debris left on a Richmond street the morning after Fourth of July. Julie Freestone, a Richmond resident and member of the group [Stop Illegal Fireworks](https://sites.google.com/view/stop-illegal-firework-richmond/home?ref=grandviewindependent.com), said the city has already begun to make a dent. “Last year we worked with the city police department, fire department, and public works to make sure everyone in Richmond knew that fireworks are illegal,” Freestone said. “Our survey after July 4 last year reported people felt we had made a dent in reducing the noise and danger, and we still have a lot more work to do.” Freestone also echoed the concern that San Pablo’s tougher ordinance, adopted last year, could push the problem into Richmond. “People in our neighboring city can come here because they see it’s a safer, cheaper place to celebrate,” she said. “That’s not okay.” Nancy Powell, a nine-year resident of the North and East neighborhood, described one particularly bad stretch around the Fourth of July in recent years. [From Christmas to New Year’s: tracking fireworks and gunfire in RichmondTo keep you up-to-date on firework and celebratory gunfire issues in the city and your neighborhood, The Grandview Independent has created an interactive map of calls for service regarding fireworks and gunshots, organized by Richmond City Council Districts. From Christmas Eve, December 24, 2024, to New Year’s Day, January![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-fireworks-2023-1-1-dd7eb7fa1b22f2b63fc9adb18cdea8dd508d3f6141dffd8af86450abfed82712.jpeg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/from-christmas-to-new-years-tracking-fireworks-and-gunfire-in-richmond/) “It was like a week or 10-day process of living in a fire zone,” Powell said. “The more impunity there is for people who engage in setting off the explosives, the illegal fireworks, the more sense of impunity there is for other crimes like speeding, reckless driving.” Powell also called on the city to dedicate a separate phone line for fireworks complaints, saying she could not get through when she tried to report fireworks in previous years. Staff is expected to return with proposed ordinance language within 90 days. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### One injured in Memorial Day shooting on I-80 in Richmond URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/one-injured-in-memorial-day-shooting-on-i-80-in-richmond/ Last updated: 2026-05-26T20:40:45.000Z A person was injured in a Memorial Day shooting on eastbound Interstate 80 near the Hilltop Drive exit in Richmond, prompting authorities to shut down the freeway for more than an hour Monday evening. The California Highway Patrol responded around 7:30 p.m. to reports of a shooting west of Hilltop Drive, according to Officer Adib Zeid. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-26-at-1.30.45-PM-1-1.png) Image/ Caltrans "One person sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported for medical treatment," Zeid said. Officers shut down all eastbound lanes at El Portal Drive at approximately 8 p.m. Traffic was restored by 9:30 p.m., about 90 minutes after the closure began. The CHP did not release information about a suspect or a possible motive. The investigation is ongoing. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### What Happened in Richmond: A look at the city's weekly crime incidents and arrests URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/what-happened-in-richmond-a-look-at-the-citys-weekly-crime-incidents-and-arrests/ Last updated: 2026-05-25T17:09:27.000Z According to incident data released by the Richmond Police Department, Richmond saw 16 vehicle thefts, five robberies, and dozens of reported crimes between May 18 and May 24 as officers responded to assaults, burglaries, DUIs, and vandalism cases across the city. Grandview Independent Richmond Crime Incident Map Loading... From To Load Incident locations are approximate. RPD reports crimes by block, not exact address, to protect privacy. ## Filter by type All Loading... ### Monday, May 18 **DUI:** Undisclosed location in 94805\. Someone drove with more in them than the law allows at 2:13 a.m. They were arrested. **Car theft:** 2200 block of Nevin Avenue. A thief moved through the block at 3 a.m. and left with a car that wasn't theirs. **Vandalism:** 2300 block of Macdonald Avenue. Someone was up before the sun at 5 a.m., doing damage. **Theft of vehicle parts:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. A thief was at work stripping parts off a vehicle at 6:20 a.m. **Petty theft:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. Small-time thieving at 8:57 a.m. **Vehicle tampering:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. Someone had their hands on a parked vehicle at 9:01 a.m. **Trespassing:** 2000 block of Roosevelt Avenue. Someone was found somewhere they had no invitation to be at 9:21 a.m. **Trespassing:** 1200 block of York Street. A person showed up on property that wasn't theirs at 9:39 a.m. and couldn't offer a good reason. **Grand theft:** 2300 block of Lancaster Drive. Something of significant value went missing at 10:59 a.m. **Driving on a suspended license:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. A driver whose license was suspended was stopped at 11:20 a.m. Their willingness to drive was unaffected. **Identity fraud:** 600 block of Pennsylvania Avenue. Someone spent the midday hours at 12:22 p.m. being someone they weren't. **Commercial burglary:** 2700 block of Maricopa Avenue. Burglars broke into a business at 1:29 p.m. **Assault with a deadly weapon:** 400 block of 22nd Street. A weapon was used on a person at 1:50 p.m. An arrest was made. **Car theft:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. Someone spotted someone's wheels and drove away at 4 p.m. **Petty theft:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. Someone helped themselves to property at 4:16 p.m. without being invited. **Robbery, domestic battery:** 3700 block of Wall Avenue. A dispute at 4:53 p.m. didn't stay domestic, and it ended in a robbery. **Obstruction:** 900 block of Nevin Avenue. Someone made an officer's job harder than it needed to be at 5:50 p.m. **Vandalism:** 1300 block of Macdonald Avenue. Someone decided at 6:15 p.m. that what wasn't theirs was still worth destroying. **Car theft:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. The car was there until it wasn't at 7 p.m. **Car theft:** 100 block of S. 6th Street. As the evening came on, a thief drove off with someone else's car at 7:17 p.m. **Vandalism:** 700 block of Griffin Drive. Someone's evening contribution to the block was property damage at 7:55 p.m. **Vandalism:** 800 block of 7th Street. The night was young enough at 10:15 p.m. for someone to go out and break things. ### Tuesday, May 19 **Assault with a deadly weapon, robbery:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. A person was robbed and attacked with a weapon at 12:20 a.m. **Felon in possession of a firearm, assault with a deadly weapon, domestic battery:** 5100 block of Gately Avenue. A domestic dispute in the early hours led to an arrest. Officers found a convicted felon with a gun who had also used force likely to cause serious injury at 1 a.m. **Car theft:** 1200 block of Chanslor Avenue. A thief took a car at 5:54 a.m., just before the street woke up to find it gone. **Vandalism:** 200 block of South 41st Street. The sun was barely up at 6 a.m. when someone left their mark on property that wasn't theirs. **Grand theft:** 100 block of Murdock Street. Something substantial was stolen at 6:25 a.m. **Residential burglary:** 1400 block of Monterey Street. Someone forced their way into a home at 7:58 a.m. **Fraud:** 200 block of Barrett Avenue. Someone was taken for money at 9:24 a.m. **Reckless burning:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. A fire broke out at 10:18 a.m. through someone's carelessness. **Assault with a deadly weapon, exhibiting a firearm, obstruction, vandalism:** 4800 block of Hartnett Avenue. A person pulled out a weapon, assaulted someone, made themselves difficult with officers, and left damage behind, all at 2:18 p.m. **Obstruction:** 4900 block of Hartnett Avenue. A person decided at 3:10 p.m. that cooperation wasn't on the agenda. **Criminal threats:** 4900 block of San Pablo Dam Road. Words were spoken at 4:40 p.m. that crossed the line into criminal territory. **DUI:** Undisclosed location in 94806\. A driver was pulled over at 5:33 p.m. and found to be in no condition to be behind the wheel. **Robbery:** 4500 block of Macdonald Avenue. A person was robbed at 6:56 p.m. The suspect didn't get far. **Car theft:** 200 block of Willard Avenue. Whoever took it did so with the easy confidence of someone who had done it before, at 7 p.m. **Obstruction, evading police:** Undisclosed location. Someone made a point of being difficult with officers at 8:27 p.m. and then tried to run. **Criminal threats:** 100 block of 22nd Street. An individual made threats at 9 p.m. that left the people who heard them shaken enough to call the police. **Obstruction:** Undisclosed location in 94806\. A person pushed back against officers at 9:55 p.m. They were arrested for it. **Vandalism, domestic battery:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. A night that turned ugly, property was damaged, and someone was hurt at 10:18 p.m. **Car theft:** 200 block of 3rd Street. The block was quiet enough at 10:18 p.m. for a thief to take a car and slip away unnoticed. ### Wednesday, May 20 **Robbery, domestic battery:** 3000 block of Pullman Avenue. What started as a domestic dispute at midnight became a robbery before it was over. **Vehicle burglary:** 3100 block of Jo Ann Drive. A parked car was found broken into at 1:17 a.m. **Arson:** 500 block of 20th Street. A fire was set deliberately at 3:10 a.m. **Car theft:** 100 block of 12th Street. The owner stepped out at 7:22 a.m. and found nothing where their car had been. **Grand theft:** 1600 block of Atlas Road. A theft of some consequence was reported at 8:04 a.m. **Commercial burglary:** 200 block of Marina Way South. A business was found pried open at 8:42 a.m. **Trespassing, drug paraphernalia:** 500 block of Nevin Avenue. A person was found where they didn't belong at 9:25 a.m., and they hadn't come empty-handed. **Drug paraphernalia:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. A person was arrested midday at 12:19 p.m. with the trappings of a habit they couldn't hide. **Fraud:** 2200 block of Nevin Avenue. A fraud came to light at 1:30 p.m. **Residential burglary:** 3300 block of Wall Avenue. A home was broken into at 2:30 p.m. **Petty theft:** 500 block of 20th Street. Property went missing at 3 p.m. **Theft from vehicle:** 200 block of S. 20th Street. A thief slipped into a parked car at 3:50 p.m. and left with what they found inside. **Assault with a deadly weapon:** 3000 block of Barkley Drive. Someone was attacked with a weapon at 5:45 p.m. An arrest followed. **Theft from building, residential burglary:** 700 block of 10th Street. A home was broken into and property taken from inside at 6:30 p.m. **Grand theft, conspiracy:** 900 block of S. 34th Street. Something worth taking was taken at 6:45 p.m. Police believe it wasn't a solo operation. **Battery:** 400 block of 20th Street. A person was attacked at 6:48 p.m. An arrest was made. **Shooting at inhabited dwelling, marijuana possession for sale:** 1000 block of Campbell Street. Someone fired a gun at an occupied building at 7:28 p.m. A person was also found in possession of marijuana for sale. **Marijuana possession for sale:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. A person was arrested at 7:28 p.m. found with more marijuana than personal use could explain. **Armed robbery, negligent firearm discharge:** 3100 block of Hilltop Mall Road. Someone robbed a person at gunpoint at 10:10 p.m. and fired the weapon before fleeing. **Petty theft:** 5400 block of Sutter Avenue. Something small was taken from someone it belonged to at 10:30 p.m. **Vehicle burglary:** 300 block of Barrett Avenue. A car was broken into at 10:47 p.m. **Obstruction, disorderly conduct:** 1300 block of Fred Jackson Way. Someone caused a disturbance at 10:48 p.m. and made themselves no easier to deal with when officers arrived. ### Thursday, May 21 **Court order violation:** 800 block of Brookside Drive. Someone saw fit to violate a court order at midnight. **Vandalism:** 600 block of 37th Street. The new day arrived at midnight to find property already damaged. **Obstruction, DUI:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. A driver stopped at 12:23 a.m. was drunk and uncooperative about it. **Vandalism:** 600 block of 37th Street. The block was hit again at 1:49 a.m. on the same stretch of street, a different hour, same story. **Vandalism:** 2200 block of Ohio Avenue. Someone was still at it at 2:33 a.m. They were arrested. **Residential burglary:** 2600 block of Hilltop Drive. Burglars were at a home by 7 a.m. **Identity fraud:** 700 block of Barrett Avenue. Someone had borrowed another person's identity without asking at 7:31 a.m. **Grand theft:** 6000 block of Giant Hwy. A theft of note was reported at 10:57 a.m. **Criminal threats:** 200 block of Barrett Avenue. Threats were made at 11:11 a.m., serious enough to bring out a police report. **Grand theft:** 1000 block of W. Cutting Boulevard. Something of value disappeared from the block at 1:20 p.m. **Vehicle burglary:** 300 block of South 4th Street. A car was broken into at 3:30 p.m. **Illegal firearm possession:** 3100 block of Pullman Avenue. A person was found with a gun they had no legal right to carry at 3:32 p.m. They were arrested. **Car theft:** 6100 block of Tehama Avenue. A thief picked it out in the afternoon light at 4:21 p.m. and drove it off like it was already theirs. **Battery:** 300 block of 24th Street. A physical altercation was reported at 6:43 p.m. **Battery:** 2100 block of Nevin Avenue. A person was attacked at 10:52 p.m.The person who did it was arrested. ### Friday, May 22 **Theft of vehicle parts:** 300 block of 44th Street. In the quiet of the night at 1:11 a.m., a thief picked a parked car apart. **Vehicle tampering:** 100 block of Lakeshore Court. Deep in the night at 2:16 a.m., someone was found working over a parked car. **Vandalism:** 400 block of South Street. Someone passed through at 2:17 a.m. and left damage in their wake. **Vehicle burglary:** 200 block of S. 41st Street. A thief was at a parked car before dawn at 5:20 a.m., getting in and taking what they could. **Car theft:** 100 block of 13th Street. It was gone at 5:57 a.m. while the street was still dark and still. **Theft from vehicle, vandalism:** 3200 block of Humphrey Avenue. A thief got into a car at 6 a.m., took what they wanted, and left the rest worse than they found it. **Vehicle tampering:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. A person was found with their hands where they didn't belong at 6:43 a.m. **Vehicle burglary:** 500 block of 19th Street. Someone broke into a car at 7:53 a.m. **Assault with a deadly weapon, domestic battery, kidnapping:** 600 block of S. 31st Street. A domestic dispute turned dangerous at 12:09 p.m., a weapon was used and a person was held against their will. **Car theft:** 5600 block of Central Avenue. In the middle of the afternoon at 12:41 p.m., a thief walked up and drove someone's car away. **Car theft:** 300 block of Beck Street. A thief helped themselves to it at 2:32 p.m. **Illegal firearm possession:** 3100 block of Pullman Avenue. A person was found carrying an illegal firearm at 4:46 p.m. and was also arrested. **Criminal threats:** 1500 block of Seawind Drive. Someone said things at 8:03 p.m. that they shouldn't have. **Exhibiting a firearm, criminal threats:** 500 block of S. 17th Street. A person made threats and put a gun in the conversation at 8:18 p.m. **Assault with a deadly weapon:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. A person was attacked with a weapon at 9:07 p.m. **Car theft:** 1600 block of Coalinga Avenue. Someone came for it after dark and was long gone by 11 p.m. **Possession of stolen vehicle, conspiracy:** 700 block of Lassen Street. A stolen vehicle was recovered at 11:59 p.m., and a person was arrested. Police suspected they weren't working alone. ### Saturday, May 23 **Grand theft:** 5400 block of Fresno Avenue. A grand theft was reported at 12:17 a.m. **DUI:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. A driver was still out at 2:28 a.m. and in no shape to be. **Arson:** 4100 block of Nevin Avenue. Something was set on fire at 5:37 a.m. **Battery:** 3400 block of Collins Avenue. The morning was barely underway at 7:49 a.m. when a person was attacked. **Vehicle burglary:** 1700 block of Ohio Avenue. A car was picked out, pried open, and picked over at 9:03 a.m. **Assault with a deadly weapon, vandalism:** 1200 block of York Street. A person was attacked with a weapon at 9:27 a.m. and property was damaged in the same incident. An arrest was made. **Car theft:** 2800 block of Gaynor Avenue. A thief sized it up at 10:23 a.m. and drove it away. **Assault with a deadly weapon, domestic battery, criminal threats:** 300 block of Harbour Way. A weapon was used, threats were made, and someone was hurt at 10:40 a.m. **Battery:** 3100 block of Garrity Way. An assault was reported at 4 p.m. in the middle of the afternoon. **Domestic battery:** 500 block of S. 31st Street. A dispute inside a home became violent at 7:40 p.m. ### Sunday, May 24 **Assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated battery:** 200 block of 23rd Street. A person was attacked with a weapon at 1 a.m. An arrest was made. **Disorderly conduct:** 1700 block of Garvin Avenue. Someone caused a disturbance at 1:06 a.m. **Domestic battery:** 600 block of 8th Street. A domestic battery was reported at 1:35 a.m. **DUI:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. A driver was cited at 2:02 a.m. for operating under the influence. **Car theft:** 5200 block of Clinton Avenue. The owner came back to nothing but an empty curb at 9:24 a.m. **Drug paraphernalia:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. Someone was taken into custody on a drug charge at 9:44 a.m. **Car theft:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. Someone took a car while the block went about its day at 10 a.m. **Child abuse, assault with a deadly weapon:** 100 block of S. 20th Street. A weapon was used during a domestic dispute in which a child was also harmed at 1:19 p.m. **Theft from building:** 11900 block of San Pablo Avenue. Someone took property from inside a building at 2 p.m. and left. **Assault with a firearm, criminal threats:** 300 block of 28th Street. Someone made threats and then backed them up with a gun at 3 p.m. **Battery, assault with a deadly weapon:** 2600 block of Hilltop Drive. A person was beaten and attacked with a weapon at 5:56 p.m. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### On the agenda: budget session, fireworks crackdown, housing overhaul, and more URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-agenda-budget-session-fireworks-crackdown-housing-overhaul-and-more/ Last updated: 2026-05-24T20:51:41.000Z The Richmond City Council meets Tuesday for two back-to-back meetings, opening at 3:30 p.m. with a special budget study session before shifting to a packed regular meeting at 6 p.m. that includes a push to crack down on illegal fireworks, housing density changes, and a reckoning over the city's staffing. ### [Richmond weighs cracking down on fireworks hosts, fines as summer nears](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61596&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Richmond could soon hold party hosts liable for illegal fireworks set off on their property under a proposal three city councilmembers are bringing before the council Tuesday that would also impose fines of up to $2,500 per device on repeat offenders. Councilmembers Cesar Zepeda, Jamelia Brown, and Soheila Bana are asking the council to direct staff to draft tougher amendments to Richmond's fireworks law, pointing to a gap in current enforcement that leaves property owners and party hosts largely off the hook when illegal fireworks go off on their watch. "Fireworks have been a constant danger to our community in the City of Richmond," the three wrote in their report. "City Council needs to amend our ordinance to discourage and disincentivize people from using fireworks." The proposed "social host liability" provision would make it a public nuisance for any property owner or person in control of property to allow fireworks to be used "irrespective of whether the property owner or person in control of the property or event had the intent or knowledge of such violation or otherwise acted negligently." Anyone who sets off fireworks in a public street would still face fines under the city's existing prohibition; however, the host liability provision would not apply without a property or event host to hold accountable. The sponsors point to neighboring San Pablo, which adopted a similar strict-liability ordinance in 2025, as a model, and argue that without tougher penalties Richmond could become a magnet for people trying to avoid San Pablo’s steeper fines. “Due to their ordinance being stricter than the current Richmond fireworks ordinance,” the report states, “it could encourage people to come to Richmond to discharge their fireworks since our current ordinance lacks the same penalty structure.” Under the San Pablo framework, the report cited as a guide for Richmond's proposal, the first offense would carry a $1,000 administrative citation per discharge. Second and subsequent offenses within a year would jump to $2,500 per discharge. Staff would also be asked to explore whether Richmond could require violators to reimburse the city for public safety response costs. If the council approves the direction on Tuesday, the city attorney and city manager would have 90 days to return with specific proposed amendments. ### [Budget study session](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61610&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Before the regular meeting begins, councilmembers will sit through a special session on the proposed fiscal year 2026-27 operating budget and the city's five-year capital improvement plan covering 2026 through 2031\. Presentations from the City Attorney's Office, City Clerk's Office, City Manager's Office, and Fire and Internal Services are on tap. Council will be asked to provide direction to staff before the final budget is adopted. ### [Housing and zoning overhaul](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61476&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The council will hold a first reading of an ordinance that would rewrite Richmond's zoning and general plan rules to bring the city in line with the state's housing law. The changes, recommended by the Planning Commission, implement 11 programs from Richmond's 6th Cycle Housing Element, which the city adopted in January 2023, and the state certified eight months later. Among the proposed changes: raising minimum density standards in several residential and mixed-use zones to 20 dwelling units per acre, and eliminating parking minimums for residential and commercial projects within a half-mile of public transit as required under state law. The item was continued from May 19. ### [Staffing vacancies](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61492&ref=grandviewindependent.com) State law requires the city to hold a public hearing on vacancies before adopting its final budget each year, and the numbers going into Tuesday's hearing are sobering. In 2025, Richmond had an average of 802.4 authorized full-time positions but filled only 658.8, leaving 143.6 positions vacant and an average vacancy rate of 18 percent. The city completed 68 recruitments and brought on 91 new hires last year while recording 49 promotions. The Service Employees International Union Local 1021 and the Richmond Police Officers Association have both elected to make presentations at the hearing. The item was continued from May 19. The hearing comes as a Richmond resident filed a ballot initiative last week that would require the city to maintain a minimum of 187 sworn police officers and dedicate up to half of its locally generated revenue to public safety, a proposal the police officers' association has endorsed. [Ballot measure would mandate 187 officers, lock half of Richmond’s local revenue for public safetyA Richmond resident has filed a ballot initiative that would require the city to dedicate up to half of its locally generated revenue to public safety and maintain a minimum of 187 sworn police officers, a base that sits 40 officers above where the department stands today. Michael Taylor Caine,![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2026-05-22-at-5.24.34-PM-1-3822f9a143e8b21bafec8f9bfb0c66abc1f70f572478b8d2eecdb988e26d5fc3.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/ballot-measure-would-mandate-187-officers-lock-half-of-richmonds-local-revenue-for-public-safety/) ### [Fee increases and liens](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61487&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The council is set to hold a public hearing on a proposed update to the city’s master fee schedule that would increase most fees by 4.1 percent, in line with growth in the Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Cost Index since the last update in June 2025\. Staff estimates the increase would bring in roughly $459,321 a year in additional revenue. Councilmembers can vote fees up or down individually, but they cannot change the proposed amounts. The council will also consider a special assessment on properties with [unpaid code enforcement fines](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61483&ref=grandviewindependent.com) and nuisance abatement bills. The liens total $231,737.34 and cover unpaid fees and abatement warrants from May 2023\. Both items were continued from the May 19 meeting. ### [Landscape assessment districts](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61602&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The council will vote to approve engineer's reports for the Marina Bay Landscape and Lighting Maintenance District and the Hilltop Landscape Maintenance District for fiscal year 2026-27, and will declare its intent to increase annual assessments in both districts. A public hearing on the proposed increases is set for June 23. ### [Richmond Promise and Neighborhood Safety](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61495&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Vice Mayor Doria Robinson is bringing the Richmond Promise before the council to make the case for renewed city support. Launched in 2016 as part of a Chevron settlement, the organization provides college scholarships and wraparound support to Richmond students pursuing post-secondary education. The council will be asked to direct staff to explore funding options for scholarships, with any commitment coming in a future budget action. Separately, the council will vote on accepting a [$35,000 grant from the Chevron](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61473&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Community Engagement Foundation for the Office of Neighborhood Safety to fund street outreach, case management, and mobile crisis response, including basic necessities such as groceries, emergency housing, and transportation for residents in need. Both items were continued from May 19. ### [The Abigail Sims-Evelyn Literacy Center](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61570&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Three council members are asking staff to explore dedicating a space inside the remodeled Richmond Public Library in honor of Abigail Sims-Evelyn, who spent more than 40 years with Richmond's Literacy for Every Adult Program. Possible names include "The Abigail Sims-Evelyn Literacy Center." Staff would have 120 days to return with recommendations on naming, costs, signage and community engagement. ### Proclamations The council will issue four proclamations Tuesday night, including one honoring [Abigail Sims-Evelyn for her literacy work ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61509&ref=grandviewindependent.com)and another recognizing the [Richmond United Soccer Club](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61521&ref=grandviewindependent.com) on its 30th anniversary and its role in helping push local homicide rates to historic lows. The council will also recognize [National Bike Month](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61515&ref=grandviewindependent.com) and declare May 2026 as [Affordable Housing Month.](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61523&ref=grandviewindependent.com) ### Consent calendar The routine consent calendar includes 28 items. Public safety spending includes a five-year $1.24 million contract renewal with SoundThinking Inc. for the [ShotSpotter gunshot detection system](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61581&ref=grandviewindependent.com), purchases of replacement[ ballistic armor plates](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61545&ref=grandviewindependent.com) and vests for police officers, and contracts worth up to $600,000 per firm with three companies for [on-call fire prevention](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61541&ref=grandviewindependent.com) plan review and inspection services. The Fire Department is also seeking up to $750,000 per purchase order with Municipal Emergency Services for[ firefighting equipment](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61559&ref=grandviewindependent.com), protective gear and breathing apparatus. Infrastructure items include a [$3 million construction contract](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61534&ref=grandviewindependent.com) with Myers and Sons Construction for bridge preventive maintenance, funded largely by state grants, and a [backflow inspection](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61590&ref=grandviewindependent.com) and repair contract for up to $250,000 over five years. Youth and community funding items include [$497,000 in grants](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61571&ref=grandviewindependent.com) from the Richmond Fund for Children and Youth to 14 nonprofit and public organizations, and a [$255,000 CalTrans Clean California](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61622&ref=grandviewindependent.com) grant for a Richmond cleanup and employment program. Administrative items include a [$110,000 contract with Thomson Reuters](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61469&ref=grandviewindependent.com) for legal research services, a library cataloging contract with OCLC Inc. for up to [$150,000 over three years](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61575&ref=grandviewindependent.com), transcription service contracts for public meetings and the Community Review Police Commission, a fifth contract amendment for architectural consulting at the historic [Winehaven and Shipyard No. 3 sites ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61525&ref=grandviewindependent.com)at the Port of Richmond, a [side letter with the Richmond Fire Management](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61578&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Association on retirement compensation, and a second reading of the[ pension tax override rate](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61497&ref=grandviewindependent.com) of 0.14 percent for fiscal year 2026-27. The mayor is seeking approval of three board appointments: [Javier Cabra ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61508&ref=grandviewindependent.com)to the Library Commission, [Kiran Agarwal ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61505&ref=grandviewindependent.com)to the Commission on Aging, and [Jay Krohnengold](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61518&ref=grandviewindependent.com) to the Richmond Arts and Culture Commission, along with [acknowledgment of current vacancies](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61502&ref=grandviewindependent.com) on city boards and commissions. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### TRAC pushes Bay Trail expansion through Richmond’s long-closed Point San Pablo URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/trac-pushes-bay-trail-expansion-through-richmonds-long-closed-point-san-pablo/ Last updated: 2026-05-23T17:50:59.000Z On five Saturday mornings this spring, small groups of Bay Area residents are getting a rare look at one of the bay's most overlooked places: Point San Pablo, a scenic headland at the northern tip of Richmond where San Francisco Bay meets San Pablo Bay, a place normally locked behind a gate and closed to the public. The walks are organized by TRAC (Trails to Richmond Action Committee), the group that has spent 25 years working to complete the Bay Trail in Richmond. But the tours are about more than a trail. TRAC wants the city and East Bay Regional Park District to consider incorporating Terminal 4, the former industrial port that occupies the peninsula, into plans for a new regional shoreline park at the adjacent Point Molate site, with the Bay Trail as the link connecting the two areas all the way to Point San Pablo Harbor. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/05/point-san-pablo-terminal-4-richmond-1940-aerial.webp) Point San Pablo Peninsula seen from the air, where San Francisco Bay meets San Pablo Bay. The former Terminal 4 port occupies the headland, with Point San Pablo Harbor visible at center and Point Molate at right. East Bay Regional Park District recently acquired Point Molate as the first step toward a new regional shoreline park. "The best and most efficient way to carry out park and open space plans for the Point San Pablo Peninsula would be to fold Point San Pablo into the planning for a Regional Shoreline at Point Molate," said Bruce Beyaert, TRAC chair, "with the SF Bay Trail linking the sites and extending to Point San Pablo Harbor." The entrance is easy to miss, and almost nobody is looking for it. Past the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge, past Point Molate, there is a gate on the road that most drivers would only notice if they took a wrong turn or overshot the turnoff to Point San Pablo Harbor. On the other side of the gate is Good Hot, a sauna business. A little further, Terminal 4, and a history most residents have never heard of. "The idea is to get people aware of this area, to get an understanding of what's here, what happened here in the past, and to think about what could happen here in the future," said TRAC Vice Chair Bruce Brubaker, addressing a group of about 20 participants at the start of one recent walk. Point San Pablo, at the northern edge of Richmond’s shoreline, was once the city’s busiest and most diverse port. Its natural advantage came from a 115-foot-deep underwater canyon between the point and East Brother Island, carved during the last Ice Age and deep enough to accommodate large draft vessels. "This is the deepest water of any port on the whole bay," Brubaker said. "No dredging necessary." The East Shore Company recognized that advantage in 1903, building the Richmond Belt Line Railroad to link the transcontinental rail network with the headland and immediately constructing a wharf and warehouse. What followed was more than a century of overlapping industrial uses. Wooden warehouses on the wharf shipped barrels of Winehaven wine and thousands of cases of Standard Oil kerosene to Asia and the South Sea Islands. Starting in 1917, Dorward Terminals imported coconut and tung oils from the Philippines for soap and paint manufacturers. In 1929, Pacific Molasses Company arrived with a contract for the entire molasses output of the Hawaiian Islands, an operation that ran for more than 60 years. The boiler house from that era still stands on the property, now used as offices by Good Hot, one of the businesses on the site. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/05/point-san-pablo-peninsula-richmond-bay-trail-aerial.webp) Point San Pablo in 1940, when the headland was one of the busiest industrial ports on the bay. Dozens of fishing vessels crowd the wharf, where fish reduction plants, molasses storage tanks, and cannery operations employed hundreds of workers. In 1937, Point San Pablo became home to one of the most concentrated fishing industry booms in Bay Area history. Twelve fish reduction plants were constructed within four months, employing upward of 500 workers processing sardines, herring, and other fish into high-protein meal and oil. The collapse of the sardine run in the late 1940s ended most of that industry, echoing the same fate that befell Cannery Row in Monterey. The area also hosted what was, until 1971, the last operating whaling station in the United States. Beginning in 1956, crews of 40 men processed an average of 175 humpback, finback, and sperm whales annually, reducing a full whale to oil, poultry meal, and pet food in approximately 90 minutes. The station closed when federal law banned commercial whaling. It was later converted to a meat rendering plant and burned down in 1995. Between the fishing and the whaling, the peninsula hosted a hotel and, during Prohibition, a notably lively roadhouse. Oral histories describe it as "an excellent restaurant. Wine, women, and song were available there in quantity. Very few sailors ever went any further than that particular point." Today, Terminal 4 is owned by the City of Richmond and leased to a master tenant who subleases storage and limited industrial space to a handful of businesses. The area is closed to the public except for access to Good Hot and the nearby Point San Pablo Harbor marina. Inside the gate, the walk through Terminal 4 is unlike anything else on the bay. Tour participants make their way up a road and trail past junked cars, RVs, a line of old school buses, and shipping containers, the accumulated debris. One road climbs to a hilltop overlook with a panoramic view of San Francisco and San Pablo Bays that Brubaker says almost no one has ever seen. Eight islands are visible on a clear day. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/05/trac-point-san-pablo-walk-climbing-terminal-4-ridge-2026.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/05/trac-point-san-pablo-walk-harbor-richmond-2026-b-1.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/05/trac-point-san-pablo-walk-hilltop-discussion-richmond-2026.webp) Participants climb the old port road to a hilltop overlook above San Pablo Strait, where East Brother Island lighthouse has marked the channel since 1873. Along the way, the remains of a short-lived glamping and RV camping business sit idle, signage still up, Airstreams parked in place, the venture apparently shut down after a brief run on HipCamp. Brubaker noted that a fire department objection may have ended it. A second locked gate marks Chevron property and the edge of Point San Pablo Yacht Harbor. The harbor is open to the public; you can reach it via this shoreline route or a narrow road over the ridge. Once there, it is its own world. The Sailing Goat puts on live music. There is a large-scale artwork, a houseboat community, and a bar. On busy nights, cars park in the overflow parking, which is accessible along the old rail corridor, and lights along the tracks help people find their way in the dark. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/05/trac-point-san-pablo-walk-terminal-4-richmond-2026-e-1-1.webp) Bruce Brubaker addresses the group along the old rail corridor, where overgrown ornamental tobacco and decades of accumulated vegetation have reclaimed the grounds of the former Terminal 4 port. The trail toward the harbor passes through an unexpected wildness: blooming ornamental tobacco plants and stands of scotch broom line the path, giving the walk a slightly surreal, overgrown quality. The huge Terminal 4 wharf, a hazard and environmental liability, was demolished by the city during 2024 and 2025 at a cost exceeding $9 million, funded by grants. The site has since been partially restored with native plantings and oyster reef balls placed in the bay. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/05/trac-point-san-pablo-walk-rail-corridor-airstream-2026.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/05/trac-point-san-pablo-walk-terminal-4-richmond-2026-f-1.webp) The interior of Terminal 4 today: shipping containers, old vehicles, and faded signage line the road through a former industrial port that once processed molasses, sardines, and whale oil. As the lease deadline looms, the current master sublease expires in 2030\. What happens next is undetermined. "This lease is up in three and a half years," Brubaker told tour participants. "What happens after that is not determined." TRAC was formed specifically to complete the Bay Trail in Richmond, and the peninsula is its biggest remaining gap. Richmond already has more completed Bay Trail mileage than any other city on the bay, including San Francisco, but a spur connecting the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge to Point San Pablo Harbor remains unbuilt. The first half of that connection is underway. The East Bay Regional Park District is currently constructing a 2.5-mile Bay Trail segment from the bridge to Point Molate, including the historic Winehaven building, expected to open in 2027\. The second half, through Terminal 4 to the harbor, is not yet planned or funded. That is where the trail question and the park question converge. The East Bay Regional Park District recently acquired a large portion of Point Molate, including the historic Winehaven property, and is expected to begin planning a new shoreline regional park there. TRAC argues that Terminal 4 should be included in that process as well, using the Bay Trail as the link connecting Point Molate, Terminal 4, and Point San Pablo Harbor into one continuous stretch of public shoreline. [East Bay Regional Park District announces purchase of 82 acres at Point MolateAfter decades of debate over the future of Point Molate, the East Bay Regional Park District has finalized the purchase of 82 acres of shoreline property on the Point San Pablo Peninsula, clearing the way for a new regional park. The $40 million deal, completed Tuesday, transfers the land from![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/winehaven-point-molate-richmond-1-1-4ed5168078138ff77db2126f752ba99ad713b9eab9aae67ecef61e44b8a1244a.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/east-bay-regional-park-district-announces-purchase-of-82-acres-at-point-molate/) "Should this be included in that planning effort?" Brubaker asked the group. "I think it's really important to do the planning before something happens here that wouldn't be good for the city." A key obstacle to the trail is the old railroad right-of-way running through the peninsula. Union Pacific and BNSF (formerly Santa Fe) jointly own the 20-foot corridor, in places the only viable route for the trail. Chevron, which owns adjacent land, has granted easements for different portions of the Bay Trail near the Richmond Bridge. Getting the railroads to engage has been another matter. [Point Molate Bay Trail extension breaks ground in RichmondOfficials and community members gathered Friday at Point Molate Beach Park to celebrate the start of construction on a 2.5-mile extension of the San Francisco Bay Trail. The new segment will connect the park to the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge and include a 600-foot boardwalk, interpretive panels on cultural and![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Point-Molate-Bay-Trail-extension-breaks-ground-Richmond1-1-538acf4a202895cd3b6d860498a0026568ac7e32cbe6e22f27c1ed4dfb51e4d2.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/point-molate-bay-trail-extension-breaks-ground-in-richmond/) "You have to kind of drag them into court to get them to pay attention," Brubaker said. TRAC is conducting several tours of the peninsula, limited to about 20 participants each, as part of an effort to generate public support for incorporating Terminal 4 into regional park and Bay Trail planning. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Ballot measure would mandate 187 officers, lock half of Richmond's local revenue for public safety URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/ballot-measure-would-mandate-187-officers-lock-half-of-richmonds-local-revenue-for-public-safety/ Last updated: 2026-05-23T02:25:50.000Z A Richmond resident has filed a ballot initiative that would require the city to dedicate up to half of its locally generated revenue to public safety and maintain a minimum of 187 sworn police officers, a base that sits 40 officers above where the department stands today. Michael Taylor Caine, a Richmond resident, submitted the petition to the City Clerk's office Friday, triggering a process that requires the City Attorney to prepare an official ballot title and summary. If enough signatures are gathered to qualify it, the measure would go before Richmond voters. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/05/richmond-public-safety-funding-minimum-staffing-charter-amendment-1.png) The initiative, called the "Richmond Public Safety Funding and Minimum Staffing Charter Amendment," would embed two new articles directly into the city's charter, making them harder to undo than ordinary city ordinances. The filing comes as Police Chief Timothy Simmons has been publicly describing a department struggling to meet basic operational demands with the staff it has. Presenting to the City Council on May 5, Simmons said the department is fielding roughly 92,000 calls for service each year, about 252 per day, while carrying 18 sworn vacancies out of 147 authorized positions. Nine officers are still completing academy training and are not yet on the street. Simmons also disclosed that 40 percent of the patrol bureau is still in its probationary period, meaning nearly half the patrol force is new enough to require intensive oversight from senior officers. "It's high supervision right now," he said. The issue of police staffing has been documented by two studies commissioned by the city of Richmond. A 2023 report by Matrix Consulting Group called Richmond's police staffing levels "seriously deficient" and recommended adding 40 officers to reach 185\. A 2024 workforce analysis by Raftelis Financial Consultants recommended adding a dozen more sworn officers as part of a broader citywide staffing increase. [Report: Richmond Police staffing levels ‘seriously deficient’ to meet the needs of the publicA report on public safety staffing requested by the Richmond City Council has called the current police staffing levels ‘seriously deficient’ to meet the needs of the public and said officer turnover at the Richmond Police Department was an “unsustainable crisis.” The report by Matrix Consulting Group created a data![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/DSC_2727-7138c268410b8d615d0ed4cc6555a257ac7a3875159c0b379444b0184a9fa2c6.jpg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/report-richmond-police-staffing-levels-seriously-deficient-to-meet-the-needs-of-the-public/) Under the initiative, the city would be required to create a dedicated "Public Safety Fund" and funnel a growing share of locally generated unrestricted revenue into it: 25 percent in the first year after adoption, 40 percent in the second, and 50 percent from the third year onward. Those funds could only be spent on public safety purposes as defined in the measure, including police services, emergency medical response and paramedics, emergency preparedness, and violence prevention and community safety programs. The council would retain authority to decide how the money is distributed among those categories. The second article would require the city to budget for and make best efforts to maintain at least 187 full-time sworn police officers, beginning in the second fiscal year after voter approval. The measure acknowledges that vacancies caused by retirements, resignations, disability leave, or hiring shortfalls would not constitute a violation as long as the city is making good-faith efforts to comply. City budget documents show Richmond's general fund for FY2025-26 is budgeted at roughly $306 million in total revenues, but much of that includes one-time funds, state money, grants, and transfers that the measure would exclude from its calculation. The locally generated unrestricted revenue base is estimated at roughly $200 million, built primarily from property taxes, sales and use tax, and the utility users tax. At full implementation in year three, fifty percent of that estimated sum, roughly $100 million, would flow into the Public Safety Fund. Backers of the measure say that figure overstates what it would actually require. The term "Locally Generated Unrestricted Revenues" is narrowly defined in the measure, and allocations occur only after the city has met all its legal obligations. The city, not the initiative's backers, would calculate the actual number. Caine, a Richmond resident, filed the petition. In his cover letter to the City Clerk, Caine appointed the attorneys of the Kaufman Legal Group, a Los Angeles-based firm, as his representatives, naming George M. Yin, Elizabeth Harte, Haley Rosenspire, and Robert Farewell. He also appointed Ben Therriault and his designee. Therriault is the president of the Richmond Police Officers Association, the union representing rank-and-file officers, and has been one of the most vocal critics of the city's handling of police staffing. In a press release issued Friday, the RPOA said it supports the measure. "For more than five years, every independent study commissioned by the city has reached the same conclusion: Richmond is dangerously understaffed," Therriault said. "The council has the studies. The community has the data. What's been missing is a stable framework. This measure gives Richmond voters the chance to put one in place." [On the agenda: Richmond facing staffing challenges, needs dozens of new employees, says reportA workforce analysis by Raftelis Financial Consultants to be presented at the May 28 Richmond City Council meeting recommends filling vacancies and adding 74 new positions, including a dozen more police officers, to meet current service level expectations for all of the city’s existing programs and services for $12.![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-city-staffing-1-2646a013f454219bc098a31d224908032acffc68a7ee60ed01239fa0731c2c1d.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-facing-staffing-challenges-needs-dozens-of-new-employees/) The filing is not the first time the RPOA has used the citizen initiative process to reshape Richmond's city charter. The union was a major financial backer of Measure J, the Richmond Election Reform Act, which voters approved in November 2024 by nearly 58 percent. That measure, also placed on the ballot through a petition drive, changed how Richmond elects its mayor and city councilmembers by introducing a top-two primary system. The measure includes provisions designed to protect the city from being legally cornered. On the funding side, the required allocation kicks in only after the city has covered all legally required expenditures, including debt service, pension obligations, and collectively bargained contracts. The City Council can also declare a fiscal emergency by a two-thirds vote to temporarily reduce or suspend the funding requirement; however, any suspension would expire after one fiscal year unless renewed. The staffing mandate can be suspended with a four-fifths council vote, findings of a severe fiscal emergency or catastrophic circumstances, and evidence that the city has exhausted reasonable alternatives. Neither provision, the measure states, can be used to require the deployment of officers in any specific manner or to limit the police chief's operational discretion. Under the California Elections Code, the City Attorney must now prepare an official ballot title and summary. Caine would then need to gather a sufficient number of valid signatures from registered Richmond voters to qualify the measure for the ballot. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### 'Loudest party on the bay' heads to Richmond’s historic Craneway Pavilion Saturday night URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/loudest-party-on-the-bay-heads-to-richmonds-historic-craneway-pavilion-saturday-night/ Last updated: 2026-05-20T18:22:41.000Z The Craneway Pavilion, a historic waterfront venue at the center of a recent dispute, will open its doors Saturday night for what organizers are calling the "biggest hip-hop and R&B party in the Bay Area." Noise Complaints, a DJ collective celebrating its second anniversary, is bringing multi-platinum producer London On Da Track to Craneway Pavilion on May 23 for an event that has already sold through its lowest-priced ticket tier. General admission tickets start at $50, with VIP and on-stage access options reaching $123. > [@noise\_complaints](https://www.tiktok.com/@noise%5Fcomplaints?refer=embed&ref=grandviewindependent.com "@noise_complaints") > > Bay Area May 23rd! Tickets and more info in bio 🩵 Tickets going fast! > > [♬ original sound - Noise Complaints](https://www.tiktok.com/music/original-sound-7641808094485416717?refer=embed&ref=grandviewindependent.com "♬ original sound - Noise Complaints") The show comes as the future of the 45,000-square-foot venue remains uncertain. A restored 1931 Ford Assembly Plant set along 25 waterfront acres on the Richmond shoreline, the Craneway Pavilion was the subject of an April Richmond City Council vote that rejected a proposal to accept the donated leasehold interests from current leaseholder Orton Entertainment LLC, citing an estimated $12.7 million in deferred maintenance costs and projected annual operating deficits of up to $2.5 million. The 3-4 vote left the fate of the bay-front property uncertain, with Orton indicating he intended to transfer the leasehold interests to an unidentified marine-use entity if the city declined the offer. [Council rejects donation of historic Craneway PavilionThe Richmond City Council voted Tuesday to reject a proposal to accept the donated leasehold interests of the historic Craneway Pavilion, a waterfront event venue at the former Ford Assembly Building, after a debate over the facility’s long-term financial obligations. The council voted down the donation agreement with Orton Entertainment,![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/craneway-pavilion-donation-orton-entertainment-1-dccc875a677ca16f669683839a6e682b6dc10e42e0785fd1d9dd65e3817d92c1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/council-rejects-donation-of-historic-craneway-pavilion/) For now, the show goes on. London On Da Track, known for production credits with Drake, Future, and Young Thug, headlines a lineup that also includes Miles Medina, alongside DJs Babyvaye, Kaos, and Edel. Doors open at 5 p.m. for the 21-and-over event, which runs through 11 p.m. [2-Year Anniversary · May 23, 2026 · Noise ComplaintsHeadlined by London On Da Track. Craneway Pavilion · Bay Area. Tickets on sale now.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/apple-touch-icon-d25610deb34e49060a1fd7e876b915f9ad08788f176cb73437e50e2e3d62bdf4.png)Noise Complaints![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/teaser-bay-area-7a1573944bedb5451c337756f21a112e2f430c39f6ca76da6d19b95c49e5062d.jpg)](https://noisecomplaintsmusic.com/anniversary?ref=grandviewindependent.com) The property sits on city-owned land at 1414 Harbour Way South, part of the former Ford Assembly Building complex that produced nearly 49,000 vehicles during World War II and was redeveloped in the early 2000s with nearly $20 million in public and grant funds. Saturday's event is being billed as the loudest party on the bay. Whether the building remains a venue for many more like it is a question Richmond has yet to answer. Tickets are available through [OvationTix](https://ci.ovationtix.com/36995/production/1276034?performanceId=11809612&ref=grandviewindependent.com). --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Council backs Muslim community after San Diego mosque attack URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/council-backs-muslim-community-after-san-diego-mosque-attack/ Last updated: 2026-05-20T16:43:01.000Z The Richmond City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to express condolences and solidarity with the Muslim community following a deadly shooting at a San Diego mosque the day before, adding a resolution to its consent calendar less than 24 hours after the attack killed three people. Councilmember Soheila Bana, who introduced the item, said swift action was needed to reassure vulnerable residents. "Our vulnerable communities and residents need us to assure them that we watch out for them, we're here for them, any protection that they need," Bana told the council. She added that hate-fueled attacks often trigger further violence: "Whenever a crazy act of horrendous terrorism happens, there is more online radicalism, and a wave of such acts starts. We would like to put a stop to it in our community." [What to know about a deadly attack by teen gunmen on a San Diego mosqueAn attack by two teenagers on a San Diego mosque left a community mourning its victims, Muslim leaders calling for increased security and investigators parsing white supremacist writings by the suspects.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/apple-touch-icon-23573dba0752d2357dbff63e4d0d17a3d4c25073b3c0744adcc8e705f25b7f2f.png)AP NewsGene Johnson![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/90-89f757f5a2dd4545361adea5df9cc05d892ecce3e7a81cb9e0c64653c6106d4e)](https://apnews.com/article/san-diego-islamic-center-shooting-7f74a37a58116f40e852a303ea23230d?ref=grandviewindependent.com) The resolution formally endorses a joint statement already signed by a broad coalition of Richmond faith leaders, including the city's two mosques, Masjid Al-Noor and Masjid Al-Rahman, alongside Hillcrest Baptist Church, Easter Hill United Methodist Church, and Christian Home Baptist Church, the Sikh Center of the San Francisco Bay Area, Temple Beth Hillel, Muktinath Dham, and the Tibetan Association of Northern California. "We have to live together. We have to listen to each other. We have to love one another," the statement reads. "Violence is never the answer. Period." The shooting on May 18 targeted a San Diego facility that serves as both a mosque and a school, affecting children, teachers, and families. City Attorney Shannon Moore clarified the procedural basis for fast-tracking the item, explaining that it qualified as an urgency measure because the need to act arose after the agenda had already been published. The resolution also pledges that the city will work to protect all faith communities and invites religious and secular organizations to contact Richmond directly with security needs or concerns. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Body found in harbor believed to be victim of solo-vehicle fatal collision URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/body-found-in-harbor-believed-to-be-victim-of-solo-vehicle-fatal-collision/ Last updated: 2026-05-20T15:21:42.000Z Richmond police have determined that a body found in the water near Canal Boulevard last Saturday is believed to be the victim of a solo-vehicle fatal collision, following a multi-agency investigation that located a submerged truck. During the investigation, detectives used the department's Flock Safety camera system and located footage showing what appeared to be a vehicle entering the water near Canal Boulevard at approximately 1 a.m. Saturday morning, roughly ten hours before the body was discovered. Based on that footage, the Richmond Police Department requested assistance from the San Francisco Police Department Marine Unit, the Oakland Police Department Marine Unit, and the Alameda County Sheriff's Office Dive Team. All three agencies responded, and using specialized sonar equipment and marine resources, personnel located a submerged vehicle. Dive teams, including members of the volunteer California Recovery Divers, then assisted in recovering the vehicle and confirmed there were no additional occupants inside. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/05/Body-found-richmod-harbor-dive-team.jpg) --- Officers responded at approximately 11:17 a.m. on Saturday, May 16, 2026, to reports of a possible deceased person in the water near the 1300 block of Canal Boulevard, according to the Richmond Police Department. Upon arrival, officers located a deceased individual, and detectives were called to the scene. Lt. Donald Patchin, a department spokesman, said the case is being treated as a suspicious death pending autopsy results, but said there is no active threat to public safety. “At this time, there are no signs of foul play, and the incident is being investigated as a suspicious death as we await the results of the autopsy,” Patchin said. “Due to the body being found in the water and the cause of death being unknown, we have to treat it in this manner.” The identity of the deceased has not been released. Anyone with information is asked to contact Richmond Police Department Dispatch at 510-233-1214. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### On the Richmond Burrito Trail: Tacos El Pueblo serves a super steak URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-richmond-burrito-trail-tacos-el-pueblo-serves-a-super-steak/ Last updated: 2026-05-19T19:08:44.000Z We had our bike out and a brand new Bike-to-Work bag, which we use almost exclusively for transporting burritos. We pointed our wheels toward 23rd Street, Richmond’s undeniable corridor of serious eating, for Tacos El Pueblo, a new taco truck that turned up a few weeks back. At the Tacos El Pueblo window, we let ourselves get talked into the Super Steak Burrito, which turned out to be a monument to grilled meat, refried beans and survival-level caloric density. ![traditional style burrito](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/05/richmond-burrito-trail-tacos-el-pueblo-super-steak-burrito-bike-to-work-day-23rd-street1.webp) The hefty traditional style burrito came packed with charred steak, creamy refried beans, crema and just enough rice to stay out of the way, still steaming hot by the time it made it home. From where we stood, in the empty parking lot — a former used-car dealership — we could hear the burrito artist before we could see anything, the rhythmic chop, the hiss of the flat top, the sound of someone who knew exactly what she was doing and didn't need an audience. Good. We had our own show. Across the way at the gas station, voices suddenly got loud. A car shot out of the lot too fast, tires squealing as it swung onto 23rd and barely missed another car coming up the street, three left turns, and it is gone. Everyone kind of paused for a second after that, then went back to pumping gas, whatever they were doing before. Our burrito arrived. We tucked it into our bike-to-work tote bag and rode back to Grandview HQ. It was still hot to the touch when we got there. Cut it open: steam poured out like we had conjured something interesting. This isn’t a Mission burrito, and it’s better not to think about it that way. This is the older traditional style. Rice, beans, crema, and meat wrapped up without trying to impress anybody. No tricks, not overloaded for our cross-section photo, no need for a personality. Just a heavy, deeply practical burrito that feels built to keep someone going through a long day. It weighed in at 779 grams, which is usually around the point where a burrito risks turning into mostly rice with a little bit of everything else tucked in between. That wasn’t the case here. The steak was clearly the main event. The steak was excellent. Plenty of it, nicely charred, chopped into small pieces without turning into mush or mystery meat. Every bite had some beef in it, and you could taste the grill the whole way through. That smoky grilled flavor carried the burrito. The refried beans were smooth and creamy, the crema blended in without taking over, and the rice mostly stayed in the background. It came with a grilled pepper on the side. At first, we were taking confident bites out of it like we had something to prove. Halfway through, those bites got noticeably smaller and more cautious. Is the music too loud? Are the peppers too hot? Sigh. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/05/richmond-burrito-trail-tacos-el-pueblo-super-steak-burrito-bike-to-work-day-23rd-street3-1.webp) A little pico de gallo would have helped somewhere in the middle, something fresh and crunchy to cut through all the richness. Nothing fancy. Just a little chopped tomato, onion, and cilantro mixed in would have taken it even further. Consider this a formal request. The vinegary green and red sauces came with it. Use them. They're doing what they're supposed to. Fifteen dollars. Paid in the parking lot where Richmond Eats and Carnitas El Canelo operated for a while, and where the Golden Gate Bistro Food Truck sign still stands. The spot carries some culinary memory, but also feels like a Bermuda Triangle of food trucks, where good setups appear, vanish, and reappear under different names without much warning. We couldn't finish it. We're not embarrassed about that. You don't always have to win. Tacos El Pueblo, 602 23rd Street, Richmond. Get the Super Steak. Bring a friend or bring the whole afternoon. Either way, bring a bike. 0 stops reviewed 0 food trucks 0 restaurants 0 market delis 0 breakfast All stops Restaurants Food trucks Market delis Breakfast ✕ Hide Restaurant Food truck Market / deli Breakfast All Stories — Burrito Trail Loading stories… --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.*exclusively ### Police: No signs of foul play in Richmond waterfront death investigation URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/police-no-signs-of-foul-play-in-richmond-waterfront-death-investigation/ Last updated: 2026-05-20T14:59:35.000Z Richmond police say there are no signs of foul play after a body was found in the water near Canal Boulevard last Saturday, though the case remains under investigation pending an autopsy. Officers responded at approximately 11:17 a.m. on Saturday, May 16, 2026, to reports of a possible deceased person in the water near the 1300 block of Canal Boulevard, according to the Richmond Police Department. Upon arrival, officers located a deceased individual, and detectives were called to the scene. Lt. Donald Patchin, a department spokesman, said the case is being treated as a suspicious death pending autopsy results, but said there is no active threat to public safety. “At this time, there are no signs of foul play, and the incident is being investigated as a suspicious death as we await the results of the autopsy,” Patchin said. “Due to the body being found in the water and the cause of death being unknown, we have to treat it in this manner.” The identity of the deceased has not been released. Anyone with information is asked to contact Richmond Police Department Dispatch at 510-233-1214. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### What happened in Richmond: Body found in water near Canal Boulevard and an attempted murder reported URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/what-happened-in-richmond-body-found-in-water-near-canal-boulevard-and-an-attempted-murder-reported/ Last updated: 2026-05-18T15:34:52.000Z An unidentified person was found dead in the water near Canal Boulevard on Saturday, as Richmond police logged an attempted murder, vehicle thefts and robberies between May 11 and May 17. Grandview Independent Richmond Crime Incident Map Loading... From To Load Incident locations are approximate. RPD reports crimes by block, not exact address, to protect privacy. ## Filter by type All Loading... ### Monday, May 11 **Theft of vehicle parts:** 100 block of South 33rd Street. Vehicle parts were taken at 1 a.m. **Assault with a deadly weapon:** 800 block of 7th Street. A person was attacked with a weapon at 1:42 a.m. **Vandalism:** 2900 block of Gilma Drive. Someone damaged property at 2:04 a.m. **Car theft:** 300 block of W. Cutting Boulevard. A thief took it early in the morning at 6:15 a.m. **Identity fraud:** 4500 block of Potrero Avenue. An identity fraud was reported at 8:35 a.m., and another was reported at 9:10 a.m. **Arson:** 600 block of Ventura Street. Someone torched property at 9:56 a.m. **Vehicle tampering:** 2500 block of Gaynor Avenue. Someone was found tampering with a parked vehicle at 12:27 p.m. **Robbery:** 1400 block of Bissell Avenue. A person was relieved of their belongings by force at 3:30 p.m. **Theft of vehicle parts:** 200 block of S. 12th Street. Someone helped themselves to parts off a parked car at 3:36 p.m. **Residential burglary, vehicle tampering:** 2600 block of Hilltop Drive. Someone broke into a home at 4:34 p.m. **Vandalism:** 800 block of Dornan Drive. Property was damaged at 5:20 p.m. **Court order violation:** 100 block of Seacliff Court. A court order violation was reported at 5:52 p.m. **Vehicle burglary:** 600 block of South 19th Street. Someone forced their way into a vehicle at 6 p.m. **Criminal threats:** 1400 block of Kelsey Street. A person was reported for making criminal threats at 8:05 p.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 400 block of C Street. Officers located a stolen vehicle at 11:51 p.m. ### Tuesday, May 12 **Attempted car theft:** 800 block of 37th Street. A crew broke into a parked car and attempted to steal it while one member stood watch with a gun drawn. They were unable to take the vehicle and fled on foot at 1:43 a.m. **Vehicle burglary:** 300 block of Seaview Drive. A parked car was broken into at 4:10 a.m. **Car theft:** 200 block of Collins Street. The owner returned to find nothing but an empty curb at 7:19 a.m. **Vandalism, vehicle burglary, theft from vehicle:** 400 block of 2nd Street. A vehicle was broken into and stripped of property at 8:50 a.m. **Vandalism:** 4400 block of Sycamore Avenue. A vandal left their mark at 9:32 a.m. **Theft of vehicle parts:** 1100 block of Cutting Boulevard. A thief stripped parts from a parked vehicle at 9:36 a.m. **Vehicle burglary:** 900 block of Barrett Avenue. A parked car was broken into at 10:47 a.m. **Domestic battery:** 3300 block of Klose Way. A dispute at home turned physical at 12 p.m. **Shoplifting:** 12800 block of San Pablo Avenue. Someone left a store without paying at 2:13 p.m. **Trespassing:** 3100 block of Southampton Court. A trespasser was reported at 2:48 p.m. **Car theft:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. A thief found an unattended car and didn't hesitate at 4 p.m. **False imprisonment:** 600 block of S. 31st Street. A person was reportedly confined against their will at 4:03 p.m. **Vandalism:** 700 block of S. 40th Street. Property was damaged at 4:10 p.m. **Theft from vehicle:** 3000 block of Belfast Way. Someone got into a parked car and helped themselves at 4:15 p.m. **Vehicle burglary:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. A parked car was broken into at 6 p.m. **Petty theft:** 3600 block of Solano Avenue. A theft was reported at 8 p.m. **Drug paraphernalia, driving on a suspended license:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. A driver was arrested for DUI and drug paraphernalia at 9:02 p.m. **Hit-and-run:** 2300 block of Bissell Avenue. Someone hit a car and drove away at 10 p.m. **Petty theft:** 3500 block of El Portal Drive. Someone made off with property that wasn't theirs at 11:54 p.m. **Assault with a deadly weapon:** 2300 block of Aberdeen Way. Someone was assaulted with a deadly weapon at 11:55 p.m. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/05/Sign-up-for--4--2.png)](https://www.grandvieweats.com/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) ### Wednesday, May 13 **Vehicle tampering:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. Someone was found tampering with a parked vehicle at midnight. **Arson:** 700 block of 14th Street. Someone torched property at 12:35 a.m. **Assault with a firearm, armed robbery:** 900 block of Ventura Street. Someone was robbed and assaulted at 12:44 a.m. **Drug possession:** Undisclosed location in 94805\. A drug-related incident was reported at 1:41 a.m. **Theft of vehicle parts:** 3500 block of Florida Avenue. Vehicle parts were taken at 2:04 a.m. **Drug possession:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. A drug arrest was made at 2:15 a.m. **Vehicle tampering:** 900 block of 37th Street. Someone was found tampering with a parked vehicle at 3 a.m. **Vandalism:** 3300 block of Garvin Avenue. Someone damaged property at 3:01 a.m. **Drug possession:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. A drug arrest was made at 12:47 p.m. **False imprisonment, domestic battery:** 3100 block of Garrity Way. Police arrested someone after a person was attacked and prevented from leaving at 3:36 p.m. **Drug paraphernalia:** Undisclosed location in 94806\. Someone was taken into custody on a drug charge at 4:12 p.m. **Criminal threats, domestic battery:** 2900 block of Hilltop Mall Road. A domestic dispute turned violent and threatening at 5:13 p.m. **Vehicle burglary:** 600 block of Florida Avenue. A parked car was broken into at 5:26 p.m. **Obstruction:** Undisclosed location in 94805\. A person was arrested for obstructing officers at 10:22 p.m. **Assault with a firearm:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. A firearm assault was reported at 11:17 p.m. **Court order violation, battery:** 2300 block of Rheem Avenue. A court order violation was reported at 11:19 p.m. ### Thursday, May 14 **Battery:** 1000 block of Lassen Street. A battery was reported at 12:02 a.m. **Vehicle tampering:** 400 block of 2nd Street. Someone was found tampering with a parked vehicle at 1:30 a.m. **Battery:** 500 block of Marina Way. A person was assaulted at 2:14 a.m. **Petty theft:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. Someone made off with property that wasn't theirs at 3:13 a.m. **Drug paraphernalia:** 4900 block of Macdonald Avenue. A drug-related incident was reported at 5:57 a.m. **Vehicle tampering:** 2600 block of Humphrey Avenue. Someone was found tampering with a parked vehicle at 6:59 a.m. **Vehicle burglary:** 3200 block of Ohio Avenue. Someone forced their way into a vehicle at 7 a.m. **Vandalism:** 2400 block of Aberdeen Way. Someone damaged property at 8 a.m. **Residential burglary:** 600 block of 11th Street. Someone broke into a home at 8:47 a.m. **Drug paraphernalia, drug possession:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. A person was taken into custody on multiple drug charges at 11:53 a.m. **Grand theft:** 1400 block of Marina Way S. A significant theft was reported at 1 p.m. **Vehicle burglary:** 1000 block of Hensley Street. A vehicle was targeted and broken into at 1:35 p.m. **Battery:** 1400 block of Marina Way S. Someone was attacked at 2 p.m. **Battery:** 500 block of Marina Way. An arrest was made after a person was attacked at 3:09 p.m. **Domestic battery:** 2700 block of Cutting Boulevard. A domestic battery arrest was made at 3:13 p.m. **Domestic battery:** 2500 block of Duke Avenue. A domestic battery arrest was made at 3:44 p.m. **Petty theft:** 3200 block of Macdonald Avenue. Someone made off with property that wasn't theirs at 5:30 p.m. **DUI:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. A driver was arrested on a DUI charge at 6 p.m. **Drug possession:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. A drug-related incident was reported at 8:39 p.m. **Vehicle tampering:** 3000 block of Shane Drive. Someone was found tampering with a parked vehicle at 10:50 p.m. ### Friday, May 15 **Attempted murder, Child abuse:** 3500 block of El Portal Drive. A person was attacked with a weapon in an incident that also involved a child at 12:27 a.m. **Car theft:** 2000 block of Gaynor Avenue. A thief slipped away with it before anyone noticed at 1 a.m. **Car theft:** 3100 block of Pullman Avenue. Someone took it quietly in the small hours at 2:30 a.m. **Car theft:** 2300 block of Lowell Avenue. A thief had it gone before the neighborhood woke up at 5:52 a.m. **Car theft:** 2300 block of Humphrey Avenue. It was there at sunup and gone shortly after at 6:53 a.m. **Vehicle recovery:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. A car reported missing turned up at 8:49 a.m. **Grand theft:** 5600 block of Bayview Avenue. A grand theft was reported at 9:25 a.m. **Vandalism:** 4900 block of San Pablo Dam Road. Property was damaged at 10:30 a.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 4600 block of Olive Court. A stolen car was found at 10:53 a.m. **Grand theft:** 12000 block of San Pablo Avenue. A grand theft was reported at 3:18 p.m. **Domestic battery:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. A domestic battery arrest was made at 3:53 p.m. **Car theft:** 3100 block of Southampton Court. A thief saw an opening in the afternoon and took it at 3:58 p.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 100 block of 5th Street. A car reported missing turned up at 6:39 p.m. **Car theft:** 200 block of Bissell Avenue. A thief made off with it as the evening settled in at 7 p.m. **Car theft:** 3200 block of Nevin Avenue. Someone drove it away without the owner's knowledge at 7 p.m. **Battery:** 4800 block of Valley View Road. An arrest was made after a person was attacked at 7:43 p.m. **Grand theft:** 400 block of Harbour Way. A grand theft was reported at 8 p.m. **Obstruction, hit-and-run:** 800 block of 6th Street. An officer was obstructed at 9:34 p.m. **Vandalism:** 300 block of S. 15th Street. An arrest was made after property was damaged at 9:37 p.m. **Vandalism:** 2400 block of Lancaster Drive. Property was damaged at 11 p.m. ### Saturday, May 16 **Domestic battery:** 400 block of Stege Avenue. A domestic battery arrest was made at 12 a.m. **Domestic battery:** 600 block of 11th Street. An arrest followed a domestic dispute that turned physical at 1 a.m. **Vandalism:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. Property was damaged at 3 a.m. **Assault with a deadly weapon:** 400 block of 20th Street. An arrest was made after a person was assaulted with a deadly weapon at 3 a.m. [Saturday morning car crash shakes up neighborhoodA Saturday morning crash at one of Richmond’s notorious intersections was the result of a speeding driver fleeing in a stolen vehicle, according to witnesses. Neighbors say the crash occurred when the two cars collided at the intersection of 26th Street and Gaynor Avenue in the city’s North and East![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--9cc94c129dd4e99a4b05b78f566e998076cb9a50d632808bd59574530e9d5d1b.png)Grandview IndependentLinda Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2026-05-16-at-9.03.47-AM-75fc38b2ec53e724045a4563ace7f1d4a31347ec84652620c39020d1a660713d.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/saturday-morning-car-crash-shakes-up-neighborhood/) **Theft from building:** 3000 block of Belfast Way. Someone made off with property from inside a building at 7:40 a.m. **Car theft:** 1600 block of Butte Street. A thief took it off the street mid-morning at 9:48 a.m. **Car theft:** 3600 block of Waller Avenue. Someone drove it away in broad daylight at 10:14 a.m. **Battery:** 3100 block of Southampton Court. Someone was attacked at 10:50 a.m. **Suspicious death:** 1300 block of Canal Boulevard. Officers found a deceased person in the water at 11:17 a.m. The incident is being investigated as a suspicious death, according to the Richmond Police Department. Anyone with information is asked to call RPD dispatch at 510-233-1214. **Domestic battery:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. A domestic battery was reported at 12:02 p.m. **Residential burglary:** 600 block of Lucas Avenue. Burglars forced their way into a residence at 12:17 p.m. **Vandalism, domestic battery:** 1400 block of Esmond Avenue. Someone damaged property at 3:20 p.m. **Car theft:** 1300 block of Dunn Avenue. The owner returned to find the spot empty at 5:30 p.m. **Theft of vehicle parts:** 3200 block of Pierce Street. A thief stripped parts from a parked vehicle at 6 p.m. **DUI:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. A driver was arrested on a DUI charge at 8:28 p.m. **Car theft:** 900 block of 18th Street. A thief came for it after dark and was gone by 9:45 p.m. **Domestic battery:** 1200 block of Macdonald Avenue. A dispute reportedly turned physical at 10:45 p.m. **Domestic battery:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. An arrest followed a domestic dispute that turned physical at 10:50 p.m. **Car theft:** 3100 block of Fairmede Drive. Someone helped themselves to a car late in the evening at 11 p.m. **Car theft:** 2400 block of Gaynor Avenue. A thief took it while the street was quiet at 11 p.m. **Car theft:** 2800 block of Andrade Avenue. It was gone from the curb by midnight. ### Sunday, May 17 **Car theft:** 3100 block of Henderson Drive. A thief made off with another vehicle as Sunday turned to Monday at midnight. **DUI:** 800 block of 10th Street. Officers stopped and arrested a driver for DUI at 12:19 a.m. **Exhibiting a firearm:** 5000 block of Hartnett Avenue. A person was reported for brandishing a weapon at 1:36 a.m. **Battery:** 3400 block of Collins Avenue. A battery was reported at 7:16 a.m. **Domestic battery, child abuse:** 600 block of 22nd Street. A dispute turned physical at 11 a.m. **Child abuse, criminal threats:** 400 block of 2nd Street. A domestic dispute turned violent and threatening at 11:34 a.m. **Vehicle recovery:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. Someone's stolen vehicle resurfaced at 4:57 p.m. **Drug possession, warrant arrest:** 4500 block of Macdonald Avenue. A drug-related incident was reported at 5:13 p.m. **Driving on a suspended license:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. A driver was cited for operating on a suspended license at 8:39 p.m. **Car theft:** 4500 block of Florida Avenue. Someone took it in the early evening while the block wasn't watching at 8:39 p.m. **DUI, driving without a license:** 700 block of 39th Street. A driver was pulled over for operating under the influence at 9:21 p.m. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond marchers haul giant Trojan horse to Chevron's gates on Anti-Chevron Day URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-marchers-haul-giant-trojan-horse-to-chevrons-gates-on-anti-chevron-day/ Last updated: 2026-05-18T01:22:55.000Z A Trojan horse rumbled through the streets of Point Richmond on Sunday, hauled on a flatbed truck past businesses and refinery fences while hundreds of marchers drummed and chanted behind it. The procession, part street theater, part protest, part block party, was the 13th annual Anti-Chevron Day, and it paused at the gates of the Chevron refinery. Princess Robinson, executive director of Richmond Land and the march's MC, set the tone before the crowd left Judge Carroll Park. "We come out here every year to honor our indigenous land, our water protectors, and all the environmental justice organizations and leaders that are out here trying to move us towards a fossil-free future," Robinson said, grabbing a microphone in front of the towering sculpture. "We want a fossil-free future, and when do we want it? We want it now." Robinson called the horse itself "The Gift of Pride and Purpose," a follow-up to the Fencelines project, an installation of more than 1,000 hand-painted slats along the Richmond Parkway. [Richmond Art Center to host a forum on missing Fencelines artworkThe Richmond Art Center is inviting the community to learn about a missing public artwork during a Fencelines Community Forum at the center today at noon. The Fencelines – A Collective Monument to Resilience artwork is made up of hundreds of painted fence slats with messages from the community. It was![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--282.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/fenceline-artwork-earth-day.jpeg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-art-center-forum-missing-fencelines-artwork/) "It was stolen," Robinson said of the original project. "So all those individual custom messages and voices are gone now. So we're back with part two. We ain't gonna lay down, we ain't gonna stop." This year's event was bigger in scope than previous marches. Ilonka Zlatar of the Oil and Gas Action Network said organizers had spent the previous two days hosting a gathering at the Richmond Arts Center that drew environmental justice advocates from Texas, Washington State, New Mexico, Canada, and Ecuador, all of them, Zlatar said, connected by Chevron's reach. "We are living in a system of corporate welfare, we are living in a system of corporate socialism, taking the money from the people and flowing it up to the few billionaires that own the rest of us," Zlatar told the crowd. Zlatar urged the crowd to think past the refinery's century-long presence in the city. "The Chevron refinery has been here for over 100 years, the Chevron refinery has been here before Richmond was Richmond," she said. "It's not a matter of if there will be an after-Chevron. It's a matter of when." ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/05/anti-chevron-day-richmond-refinery-protest-marchers3-1.webp) Donald Moncayo, a community organizer from Lago Agrio in Ecuador’s Amazon region, addresses demonstrators during Anti-Chevron Day in Richmond. The furthest-traveled voice belonged to Donald Moncayo, a community organizer from Lago Agrio in the Ecuadorian Amazon who said he was born 200 meters from the second oil well Texaco ever drilled in the jungle, the same company, later absorbed by Chevron, that he has spent his life fighting. Speaking through Zlatar as translator, Moncayo described what Texaco left behind when it pulled out of Ecuador in 1990 after nearly three decades of operations: 880 open oil pits across the Amazon, more than 600 billion liters of contaminated water dumped into rivers and streams, and 1,700 kilometers of roads sprayed regularly with petroleum-laced runoff the company called dust suppression. "They didn't do this because there wasn't better technology," Zlatar translated. "They did it because it was cheaper. And they didn't do this somewhere where there was nothing, we had indigenous tribes, we had farmers, we had living land, we had living rivers." The Cofán nation, Moncayo said, were the first people driven from their land. Another tribe, last seen in 1967 shortly after drilling began in their territory, is believed to be entirely gone. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/05/anti-chevron-day-richmond-refinery-protest-marchers1-1.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/05/anti-chevron-day-richmond-refinery-protest-marchers6.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/05/anti-chevron-day-richmond-refinery-protest-marchers2.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/05/anti-chevron-day-richmond-refinery-protest-marchers5.webp) Marchers carry banners and drums through Point Richmond during Anti-Chevron Day, an annual environmental justice demonstration targeting the Chevron refinery in Richmond. Moncayo's closing words drew the loudest response of the morning. "You may hide behind the rocks," Zlatar translated, "but we're gonna find you. We're gonna make you pay." Richmond has its own grievances with Chevron, and former City Councilmember Melvin Willis was there to remind the crowd of the 2012 fire when thousands of residents flooded area hospitals in the days that followed, reporting respiratory symptoms, headaches, and chest pain. "That was our moment to get organized," Willis said. "It doesn't matter how big Chevron is; it doesn't matter if they are worldwide. You cause harm to our community, and you will be held accountable." Willis and Robinson pointed to a $550 million settlement secured through the Make Polluters Pay campaign as evidence that the accountability was real, urging the crowd to pressure city officials to steer that money toward a transition away from fossil fuels. "I say Richmond doesn't need Chevron," Willis said. "Richmond needs to have more faith in this resilient community and invest in the potential that is already right here." At Robinson's direction, women and children led the march out of the park, with men behind them. Richmond police provided an escort. Marchers carried banners reading "Water Is Life," "People vs. Fossil Fuels," and "Overthrow Fossil Fueled Fascism" through streets closed to traffic, drums marking their pace in the midday sun. More than a dozen organizations co-sponsored the event, including Amazon Watch, which helped bring Moncayo from Ecuador, and the Oil and Gas Action Network. "If we really want to see change in our communities, we need to be organizing together," Zlatar said as the crowd prepared to march. "We need your skill set, whatever it is you love to do, whatever your jam is. Bring your jam. Mix it with our jam." --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### On the agenda: The draft budget, a CO2 pipeline vote, housing law changes, and more URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-agenda-the-draft-budget-a-co2-pipeline-vote-housing-law-changes-and-more/ Last updated: 2026-05-17T00:58:31.000Z Tuesday's Richmond City Council meeting includes the next round of draft budget presentations from three city departments, a vote on opposing a regional CO2 pipeline project, a public hearing on zoning and changes tied to the city's state-mandated housing goals, and a packed consent calendar covering everything from animal control to e-bikes to sidewalk vendors. ### [The draft budget](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61456&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Richmond's City Council gets another round of budget presentations Tuesday, hearing from the Community Services, Economic Development, and Fire departments as the city works toward a June 23 adoption. The draft budget is balanced in part through a 12 percent vacancy rate, roughly $6.4 million in savings generated by leaving positions unfilled. The city is proposing 684 positions for 2026-27, but Curl said the number of authorized positions has grown over time, creating a gap between what the city has authorized and what it can afford to fill. "The vacancy factor is not a long-term strategy," Finance Director Emily Combs told the council at the May 5 session. "It simply reflects that we can't afford the amount of positions that we have allocated." Personnel costs are rising. CalPERS medical premiums have reached nearly $21 million. A pending increase to pension contribution formulas for public safety employees is expected to add roughly $1 million. Final labor agreements with police and fire management are still being negotiated and are not included in the draft figures; Combs said the budget will need to be rebalanced once those deals are complete. Revenue is growing modestly across property tax, sales tax, and utility users tax. Combs said all three remain sensitive to energy prices and inflation. Combs also outlined costs not yet in the draft: the pending labor agreements, Contra Costa County funding for homelessness programs that is not guaranteed, and Fire Department infrastructure needs without a dedicated funding source. Staff flagged potential longer-term costs from Home Key operations that may become the city's responsibility in roughly seven years. ### [CO2 pipeline opposition](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61333&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Councilmember Claudia Jimenez has been trying to bring a resolution opposing the Montezuma Carbon Sequestration Hub to a vote since late April. Continued twice, from the April 28 and May 5 meetings, it's back on the agenda. The proposal would formally oppose a project that would capture CO2 from Bay Area industrial facilities, pipe it through Richmond and across Contra Costa and Solano Counties, and store it underground beneath the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. The presentation was already delivered at the May 5 meeting; Tuesday is for public comment and council deliberation only. ### [Housing element zoning changes](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61372&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The council will hold a public hearing on proposed General Plan and zoning changes meant to bring Richmond’s rules into line with the state housing laws tied to the city’s Housing Element. The Planning Commission has already recommended updates affecting housing density, allowed uses and design standards in several zoning districts. Cities that fail to stay compliant can lose some local control over development approvals. ### Public hearings In addition to the housing element hearing, the council will hold two others on Tuesday. One covers a levy of [special assessments ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61353&ref=grandviewindependent.com)against properties with unpaid administrative citation and nuisance abatement invoices. The other is on updates to the city's [Master Fee Schedule.](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61426&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Human Resources will also present on the city's recruitment and retention efforts in 2025 at the[ annual vacancies hearing](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61453&ref=grandviewindependent.com). ### [Richmond Promise](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61443&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Vice Mayor Doria Robinson is asking the council to hear a presentation from Richmond Promise, the scholarship and college access organization that has served Richmond youth for nearly a decade. The item asks the council to direct staff to explore city funding for Promise scholarships. ### On the consent calendar *Items on the consent calendar are considered routine and typically pass in a single vote without discussion.* ### Legal services The City Attorney's Office is asking for approval of three outside legal agreements: a $75,000 increase to the existing contract with Nevers, Palazzo, Packard, Wildermuth and Wynner for the ongoing[ Winehaven Legacy litigation](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61445&ref=grandviewindependent.com), bringing the total to $450,000; a new [$150,000 agreement with Ellis Investigations](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61351&ref=grandviewindependent.com) for confidential personnel investigations; and a [$110,000 contract with Thomson Reuters](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61422&ref=grandviewindependent.com) for Westlaw and CoCounsel legal research services. ### [E-bikeshare](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61340&ref=grandviewindependent.com) For the third time, the council is being asked to add money to its contract with bikeshare operator Charleston Mobility to keep the city's electric bikeshare program running. The ask is $390,000, bringing the total contract to $3.54 million. Staff acknowledges that the program cannot sustain itself without city support and that its primary funding source is in its final year. The council will decide the program's long-term future during the budget process. ### [Sidewalk vendor ordinance](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61337&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The council will take a first reading of an ordinance updating Richmond's sidewalk vendor rules, including administrative procedures, waiver provisions, and enforcement mechanisms. As with the e-bike item, this has been continued twice, from the April 28 and May 5 meetings. ### Animal control A [$7.2 million contract extension ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61329&ref=grandviewindependent.com)with Contra Costa County Animal Services, continued from May 5, is back for a vote. The agreement would run through June 30, 2030. ### Police Department The Police Department is asking for a [$150,000 contract with Verizon Connect](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61361&ref=grandviewindependent.com) for GPS tracking of police vehicles, and a [$75,000 three-year deal ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61344&ref=grandviewindependent.com)with the Richmond Rod and Gun Club for shooting-range rentals used for officer training. ### Public Works Public Works has the final acceptance of the [Lincoln Elementary School Safe Routes to School project](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61344&ref=grandviewindependent.com), approval of a funding plan for [Complete Streets improvements](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61431&ref=grandviewindependent.com), and adoption of the city’s SB 1[ road maintenance project list, ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61392&ref=grandviewindependent.com)which allocates $3.25 million for street repairs. The council will also consider funding transfers for the [Santa Fe Avenue Slope Stabilization Project.](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61379&ref=grandviewindependent.com) ### Fire Department The Fire Department is asking the council to approve extending its agreement with Contra Costa County Health Services for[ emergency medical services ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61364&ref=grandviewindependent.com)through June 2027, along with an additional $229,462 in Measure H funding. The council will also receive a report from the [Wildfire Preparedness Ad Hoc Committee](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61325&ref=grandviewindependent.com) and give direction on priorities ahead of upcoming budget discussions. ### Mayor's Office The Mayor’s Office is bringing forward several board and commission appointments, including [Darcy A. Wheeler](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61407&ref=grandviewindependent.com) to the Richmond Fund for Children and Youth Oversight Board, [Aleena Ornelas ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61410&ref=grandviewindependent.com)to the Richmond Youth Council, [Cameron Smith ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61412&ref=grandviewindependent.com)to the Design Review Board, and [Coach Sam](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61414&ref=grandviewindependent.com) for reappointment to the Recreation and Parks Commission. The council will also consider expanding the Macdonald Avenue Corridor Task Force with[ four additional stakeholder seats](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61420&ref=grandviewindependent.com) and issue a proclamation recognizing [National Public Works Week, May 17-23.](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61415&ref=grandviewindependent.com) ### Grants, contracts, and administrative items The council will also consider a [$35,000 grant from the Chevron Community Engagement Foundation ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61417&ref=grandviewindependent.com)for the Office of Neighborhood Safety to support street outreach and mobile crisis response, and a $60,000 increase to the city's contract with the Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center for its [Small Business Beautification Facade Improvement Program](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61402&ref=grandviewindependent.com), bringing that total to $400,000 through June 2027\. The Community Development Department is also seeking approval of [on-call contracts with two outside hearing officers](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61383&ref=grandviewindependent.com), Nastich Law and Robert M. Snider, at up to $300,000 per firm over three years, to handle administrative hearings. The council will also be asked to appoint an ad hoc committee to propose [amendments to the City Council's Rules of Procedure](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61421&ref=grandviewindependent.com) within 60 days. ### [Write-off of uncollectible accounts receivable](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61387&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The council will OK writing off [$535,499 in accounts](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61388&ref=grandviewindependent.com) the city has deemed unrecoverable. The largest single entry, $121,674, is the remaining balance from a 2021 cyber fraud in which a city wire payment intended for two law firms was intercepted. Insurance covered $75,000 of the loss. The Community Services bucket totals $201,000 and includes a range of nonprofit and youth sports organizations. Maya's Music Therapy Fund, which serves adults and children with developmental disabilities, owes $61,451\. UC Berkeley's Haas Institute for a Fair and Inclusive Society is listed for $12,679\. Richmond Premier SC owes $36,519 across two invoices. Urban Tilth, the North Richmond urban farming nonprofit, appears twice for a combined $4,883\. The 21st Fleet Foundation owes $10,323. PG&E is listed as owing about $47,000 in unpaid permit and encroachment fees, with some charges dating back to 2007\. T-Mobile also appears on the list, with nearly $38,000 owed to the General Fund. ## Other consent items The council will vote on waiving auditorium fees for the[ West Contra Costa Unified School District's Latino/x Graduation Ceremony](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61451&ref=grandviewindependent.com) at the Richmond Memorial Auditorium, a request from Councilmember Jimenez. The Finance Department is asking the council to set the 2026-27 [pension tax override rate ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61390&ref=grandviewindependent.com)at 0.14 percent and adopt a new [Donation Acceptance Policy.](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61396&ref=grandviewindependent.com) ### Closed session Before the regular meeting, the council will meet in closed session to discuss labor negotiations with six employee organizations, including SEIU Local 1021, IFPTE Local 21, the Richmond Police Officers Association, Richmond Police Management Association, IAFF Local 188, and the Richmond Fire Management Association, and a liability claim filed by Todd Kaiser against the city. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Saturday morning car crash shakes up neighborhood URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/saturday-morning-car-crash-shakes-up-neighborhood/ Last updated: 2026-05-17T00:23:52.000Z A Saturday morning crash at one of Richmond's notorious intersections was the result of a speeding driver fleeing in a stolen vehicle, according to witnesses. Neighbors say the crash occurred when the two cars collided at the intersection of 26th Street and Gaynor Avenue in the city's North and East neighborhood, leaving both cars damaged and one of the vehicle's occupants shaken, but not seriously injured. Security camera video shows the crash and two smashed cars left along the side of the road, as one of the car's occupants runs away from the scene. Barbara Gorin, who lives nearby, said the car appeared to have been stolen because it had been hot-wired prior to the crash. "The blue car was stolen, and after the crash, it was still running," Gorin said. "They couldn’t turn it off because it was hotwired." Gorin also said she had to call for help multiple times before first responders arrived at the scene. "I had to call three times," Gorin said. "It took an hour and a half for the police, and two hours for the fire department to show up." ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-16-at-10.35.25-AM.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-16-at-9.17.20-AM.png) Resident Janis Mara told *Grandview* that there have been many crashes at this intersection for years, most recently in December, when a driver ran a stop sign and hit a school bus. [Emergency crews respond to crash between school bus and Subaru on Gaynor AvenueThis story was updated on May 9, 2025, at 11:29 a.m. An accident involving a school bus and an SUV at the corner of 26th Street and Gaynor Avenue brought first responders and neighbors to the scene just after 9 a.m. Friday. Neighbors say a White Subaru![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--281.png)Grandview IndependentLinda Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-05-09-at-10.02.55-AM-1-3.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/emergency-crews-respond-to-crash-between-school-bus-and-subaru-on-gaynor-avenue/) "We’ve asked the city repeatedly for traffic calming measures to no avail. We’re hoping Claudia Jimenez will help us, especially since she’s running for mayor. It would be a demonstration of her commitment to all Richmond residents," Mara said. Dylan Ortiz, whose camera caught the crash, shares the neighborhood sentiment that the city needs to do more to mitigate the number of car crashes on their block. "This is the last straw; the city has to take better care of the neighborhood," Ortiz said. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Eight Great things to do in Richmond URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/eight-great-things-to-do-in-richmond-29/ Last updated: 2026-05-15T21:37:33.000Z Each week, *Grandview Independent* highlights the best, not-to-be-missed events and offerings from around the city. This week's best of Richmond events include: last chance to see The Gods of Comedy at the Masquer's Playhouse in their final weekend, plenty of live music, an art gallery event, and a spring concert at Hilltop Community Church. ## The Gods of Comedy @Masquer's Playhouse ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-15-at-2.18.19-PM.png) **THE GODS OF COMEDY** by Ken Ludwig directed by Ronnie Anderson May 15 – May 17 Daphne and Ralph are young classics professors who have just made a discovery that's sure to turn them into academic superstars. But something goes disastrously wrong, and Daphne cries out in a panic, "Save me, gods of ancient Greece!" …and the gods actually appear! General admission tickets $35; senior and student ticket discount at $30\. First Thursday has special $15 dollar night pricing for all seats. [**info@masquers.org**](mailto:info@masquers.org)[**105 Park Place, Point Richmond**](https://maps.app.goo.gl/CL174ahVbQD9whne8?ref=grandviewindependent.com) ## Third Friday @ Windchaser Wine Co. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-15-at-9.47.48-AM-1-1-1-1.png) **Third Friday music series: Chris James and The Showdowns** Friday, May 15, 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. With Pickles N Smoke BBQ **1352 S 49th Street, Richmond** ## Design Day @Nicholl Park ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/05/671687382_815386464962503_1537238417422949905_n.jpg) **Join your neighbors and community to design our dream Nicholl Park**. Bring the family and share your vision for a new playground, sports fields, and other park areas. Let’s transform Nicholl Park together! **Nicholl Park, 3230 Macdonald Ave, Richmond** # Essence & Gold Country @Sailing Goat at Point San Pablo Harbor ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-15-at-9.52.48-AM.png) **May 16, 2026, 5 – 8 p.m.** Sixth-generation San Francisco-born singer-songwriter-instrumentalist Essence grew up in Haight-Ashbury, the daughter of two flower children, beginning her musical journey when gifted a notebook by her father. She put that to good use, along with a ubiquitous Walkman, learning her craft from classic story-telling singer-songwriters like John Prine, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Carole King, Tom Petty, Stevie Nicks, Emmylou Harris, and Bob Dylan, to current tunesmiths Lucinda Williams and Gillian Welch. “All my songs come from life—I write what I know’ through feast and famine, the highs and lows. Music is my North Star. It’s my prayer and the path I walk, until my last breath." [www.essenceandgoldcountry.com](http://httpswww.essenceandgoldcountry.com/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) **Sailing Goat at Point San Pablo Harbor, 1900 Stenmark Dr, Richmond, CA 94801, USA**, ## Tom Zizzo @Point Richmond Gallery ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-15-at-9.42.13-AM-1.png) **ARTIST TALK & RECEPTION, SUNDAY, MAY 17, 1—3 p.m. at Point Richmond Gallery.** Come meet Bay Area-basedpainter **TOM ZIZZO** and learn about his process and his work. 145 West Richmond Avenue ## West County Winds @ Hiltop Community Church ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/05/685360154_1487682970037107_3518746545594620606_n-1.jpg) **Sunday, May 17, 3 p.m.,** a Spring Concert performed by West County Winds, a community concert band. Wonderful music, free admission, and plentiful free parking. **Hilltop Community Church, 3118 Shane Drive, Richmond**. ## Boozy Brunch @The Factory Bar ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-03-13-at-8.40.10---PM.webp) Enjoy Mimosas, Bloody Marys, Michelada, Mimosas and more delightful cocktails in combination with our good friend [Chef Henrik](https://www.instagram.com/cheff%5Fhenrik/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) and his amazing Brazilian BBQ breakfasts. All in our sunny patio this Sunday from 11-2 p.m.**The Factory Bar** [**(map)**](http://maps.google.com/?q=12513%20San%20Pablo%20Avenue%20Richmond,%20CA,%2094805%20United%20States&ref=grandviewindependent.com) **12513 San Pablo Avenue Richmond, CA, 94805** ## Laughs by the glass @ Kaleidoscope Coffee & Wine ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/05/518354497_1319795770150083_2897594139315013378_n.jpg) **Join us every Monday evening for Wine & Comedy Mondays** — a weekly reset with great pours, local comics, and laid-back vibes, at Kaleidoscope Coffee & Wine, where community meets flavor and fun. Whether you're gathering with friends or flying solo, you'll find good company, electric energy, and something to smile about. Unwind. Laugh. Sip Smarter. No tickets. No cover. Just good times, every Monday. [**Kaleidoscope Coffee**](https://www.facebook.com/KaleidoscopeCoffee) **109 Park Pl, Richmond, CA,** --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Cyclists hit the streets for Bike to Wherever Day URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/cyclists-hit-the-streets-for-bike-to-wherever-day/ Last updated: 2026-05-14T16:49:57.000Z Richmond residents swapped car keys for helmets Thursday as the Bay Area marked its 32nd annual Bike to Wherever Day, the region's largest cycling celebration. Demand ran high at the energizer station at Richmond BART, which ran out of the event's signature tote bags. While over at Unity Park, volunteers say they counted more than 60 cyclists by 8 a.m. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-14-at-9.42.26-AM.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/05/richmond-bike-to-wherever-day-2026-unity-park-bart-cyclists4.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/05/richmond-bike-to-wherever-day-2026-unity-park-bart-cyclists2.webp) Riders stop at the Richmond BART and Unity Park energizer stations during Bike to Wherever Day on Thursday as cyclists across the East Bay took part in the Bay Area’s annual biking celebration. Najari Smith, founder and executive director of Rich City Rides, was on hand at Unity Park and called the day a chance to rethink how people get around. "Bike to Wherever Day is an awesome day where we encourage people to choose cycling as a green, active mode of transportation, a day where you can leave your car at home and embrace getting there the bike way," Smith said. The event is presented regionally by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, with local coordination handled by Bike East Bay. Thursday was the only day riders across the East Bay could visit Energizer Stations to collect free tote bags, with over 120 stations drawing more than 12,100 participants last year. Organizers say more than a million Bay Area residents live within five miles of their workplace, making cycling a practical option for many. Participants who pledge to ride are entered to win prize bundles and receive maps of Energizer Station locations. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond's Flock cameras back online after months-long shutdown URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmonds-flock-cameras-back-online-after-months-long-shutdown/ Last updated: 2026-05-12T02:45:08.000Z Richmond police reactivated the city's Flock Safety license plate reader cameras on Friday, after the system was turned off last year over data-sharing concerns, according to Richmond Police Chief Tim Simmons. The cameras were taken offline in October 2025 after a "national lookup" feature had been running in the background, which made Richmond's license plate data accessible to law enforcement agencies across the country. Simmons said technicians are testing each of the city's cameras individually to verify that batteries and firmware are current before bringing units back online, a process expected to take about a week. [Richmond police halt license plate readersThe Richmond Police Department has shut down its automated license plate reader system after discovering that a configuration error allowed some outside law enforcement agencies to run limited searches of Richmond’s data, the department said in a social media post. Police said Flock Safety had notified the department that![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/size/w1200/2025/12/flock-plate-reader.jpg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-police-halt-license-plate-readers/) "The delay has been ensuring all of the contract language and intentions requested by the council were accurately reflected in the contract, so there was some back and forth with the vendor to do that," Simmons said. The Richmond City Council voted 4-3 in March to extend Flock Safety's contract through December 31, 2026, directing the city attorney to negotiate stronger data protections before the cameras were restored. [Richmond council votes to reinstate Flock Safety license plate readersThe Richmond City Council voted Tuesday night to extend the city’s contract with Flock Safety through December 31, 2026, reinstating the company’s automated license plate reader system that had been disabled since November amid a data sharing scandal, while directing the city attorney to negotiate stronger data protections![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/flock-richmond-city-council-meeting.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-council-votes-to-reinstate-flock-safety-license-plate-readers/) Richmond is reactivating its cameras while neighboring cities head in the opposite direction. El Cerrito's city council voted 3-2 on May 5 to let its contract expire, meaning the city's 40 cameras will go dark on June 7\. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/05/Grandview-Independent--17--1.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/tag/election26/) In Berkeley, the council voted 8-1 on May 7 to reject a proposed surveillance expansion that would have added drones and fixed cameras, but narrowly agreed to extend its existing lease of 52 Flock plate readers for one more year. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### What happened in Richmond: Car thefts, assaults and burglaries reported across city neighborhoods URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/what-happened-in-richmond-car-thefts-assaults-and-burglaries-reported-across-city-neighborhoods/ Last updated: 2026-05-11T18:33:13.000Z Richmond police recorded vehicle thefts, multiple burglaries, assaults and a string of DUI arrests, according to department records. Car thefts were reported across neighborhoods from the Iron Triangle to North and East Richmond, while officers also responded to domestic violence calls, commercial break-ins and weapons-related offenses throughout the week. Grandview Independent Richmond Crime Incident Map Loading... From To Load Incident locations are approximate. RPD reports crimes by block, not exact address, to protect privacy. ## Filter by type All Loading... ### **Monday, May 4** **Car theft:** 400 block of S. 23rd Street. Someone drove a car into the dark at 5:15 a.m. and didn't look back. **Battery:** 1200 block of 23rd Street. A physical altercation was reported at 8:15 a.m. **Drug paraphernalia & possession:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. Police arrested someone on drug charges at 8:45 a.m. **Criminal threats:** 500 block of 16th Street. A person was reported for making criminal threats at 9 a.m. **Residential burglary:** 900 block of Amador Street. Burglars forced their way into a residence at 10 a.m. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/05/Sign-up-for--4--1.png) **Court order violation, drug possession, and paraphernalia:** 900 block of Triangle Court. An arrest was made for violating a court order at 10:56 a.m. **Petty theft:** 900 block of Nevin Avenue. A theft was reported at 11:30 a.m. **Battery:** 3000 block of Hilltop Mall Road. Someone was attacked at 12:40 p.m. **Vehicle burglary:** 600 block of Sonoma Street. A vehicle was broken into and property was taken at 3:58 p.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 600 block of 27th Street. Someone's stolen vehicle resurfaced at 5:52 p.m. **Car theft:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. A thief made a decision and acted on it at 7 p.m. **Theft of vehicle parts:** 1400 block of Harbour Way South. Someone helped themselves to parts off a parked car at 7 p.m. **DUI:** Undisclosed location in 94806\. A driver was arrested on a DUI charge at 8:48 p.m. **Residential burglary:** 100 block of Macdonald Avenue. A home was burglarized at 10:58 p.m. **Vandalism:** 3600 block of Macdonald Avenue. An arrest was made after property was damaged at 11:11 p.m. **Petty theft:** 5400 block of Esmond Avenue. A theft was reported at 11:58 p.m. ### **Tuesday, May 5** **Vehicle tampering:** 600 block of 33rd Street. Someone was found tampering with a parked vehicle at 2 a.m. **Vehicle tampering:** 3100 block of Nevin Avenue. Someone was found tampering with a parked vehicle at 3:28 a.m. **Domestic battery:** 1700 block of Regatta Boulevard. An arrest followed a domestic dispute that turned physical at 4:14 a.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 200 block of S. 39th Street. A car reported missing turned up at 9:27 a.m. **Grand theft:** 1400 block of Harbour Way South. A grand theft was reported at 9:59 a.m. **Petty theft:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. A theft was reported at 10:01 a.m. **Grand theft:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. A grand theft was reported at 10:59 a.m. **Petty theft:** 300 block of 3rd Street. A petty theft was reported at 11 a.m. **Vehicle burglary, drugs and paraphernalia:** 5300 block of Creely Avenue. An arrest was made after a vehicle was broken into at 1:04 p.m. **Grand theft:** 1900 block of Meeker Avenue. A grand theft was reported at 2:20 p.m. **Criminal threats:** 900 block of S. 46th Street. A person was reported for making criminal threats at 4:09 p.m. **Trespassing:** 2900 block of Hilltop Mall Road. Trespassing was reported at 4:48 p.m. **Petty theft:** 100 block of Harbour Way. Someone made off with property that wasn't theirs at 5 p.m. **Criminal threats:** 900 block of Nevin Avenue. A person was reported for making criminal threats at 5:34 p.m. **Car theft:** 600 block of South 26th Street. Someone took a car without permission and without much hesitation at 7 p.m. **Child abuse:** 500 block of S. 28th Street. A child abuse incident was reported at 9 p.m. **Drug possession:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. An arrest on drug charges was made at 9:15 p.m. **Domestic battery:** 800 block of Payne Drive. A domestic battery arrest was made at 10:03 p.m. **Assault with a deadly weapon, petty theft:** 1500 block of Cutting Boulevard. An arrest was made after a person was assaulted with a deadly weapon at 11:17 p.m. **Car theft:** 900 block of Chanslor Avenue. The street gave up another car to a thief at 11:41 p.m. ### **Wednesday, May 6** **Car theft:** 300 block of W. Bissell Avenue. It changed hands without consent at 12:08 a.m. **Negligent firearm discharge:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. Someone fired a gun carelessly at 12:22 a.m. **Car theft:** 2500 block of Hinkley Avenue. It changed hands without consent at 12:50 a.m. **Child abuse:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. A child abuse incident was reported at 12:52 a.m. **Commercial burglary:** 4300 block of Cutting Boulevard. A business was broken into at 6:49 a.m. **Petty theft:** 600 block of 13th Street. A theft was reported at 9 a.m. **Petty theft:** 1000 block of Market Avenue. A theft was reported at 10:20 a.m. **Vandalism:** 1500 block of Macdonald Avenue. A vandal left their mark at 10:40 a.m. **Court order violation:** 900 block of 17th Street. A court order violation was reported at 1:20 p.m. **Assault with a deadly weapon:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. A person was attacked with a weapon at 3:37 p.m. **Petty theft:** Undisclosed location in 94081\. Someone made off with property that wasn't theirs at 4:31 p.m. **Driving on a suspended license:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. A driver was cited for operating on a suspended license at 7:17 p.m. **Vandalism:** 1300 block of Macdonald Avenue. A vandal left their mark at 9 p.m. **Drug paraphernalia:** 400 block of Silver Avenue. Police arrested someone on a drug charge at 9:15 p.m. **Vehicle tampering:** 900 block of South 45th Street. Someone was found tampering with a parked vehicle at 10:01 p.m. **Driving without a license:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. A driver was stopped and cited for having no valid license at 11:09 p.m. ### **Thursday, May 7** **Drug possession, contraband in jail and drug paraphernalia:** 1000 block of Ward Street. Police arrested someone on drug charges at 1 a.m. **Obstruction, DUI:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. A driver was cited for DUI and obstruction at 2:21 a.m. **Contraband in jail, drug paraphernalia, drug possession:** 1700 block of Regatta Boulevard. Police arrested someone on a drug charge at 4:40 a.m. **Vandalism, Battery:** 5800 block of Alameda Avenue. An arrest was made after property was damaged at 9:46 a.m. **Drug paraphernalia, drug possession, marijuana possession for sale:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. Police arrested someone on drug charges at 10:09 a.m. **Court order violation:** 400 block of 22nd Street. A court order violation was reported at 10:30 a.m. **Hit-and-run:** 1600 block of Livingston Lane. A driver struck another vehicle and left without stopping at 12:30 p.m. **Commercial burglary, vandalism:** 700 block of National Court. A commercial burglary was reported at 2 p.m. **Residential burglary:** 2600 block of Hilltop Drive. A residence was broken into at 3:31 p.m. **Felon in possession of a firearm:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. A convicted felon was arrested after being found with a gun at 6:25 p.m. **DUI:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. A driver was arrested on a DUI charge at 8:29 p.m. **Car theft:** 800 block of 38th Street. Someone slipped it off the street while the block slept at 9:30 p.m. ### **Friday, May 8** **Car theft:** 1200 block of Virginia Avenue. Another car went missing at 7:47 a.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 100 block of 9th Street. A stolen car was found at 9:03 a.m. **Exhibiting a firearm:** Undisclosed location in 94806\. A person was reported for brandishing a weapon at 10:28 a.m. **Court order violation:** 100 block of 19th Street. A court order violation was reported at 11:30 a.m. **Shoplifting:** 11900 block of San Pablo Avenue. A shoplifting was reported at 12:58 p.m. **Car theft:** 700 block of 22nd Street. Someone took someone’s ride without permission at 4 p.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 400 block of S. 35th Street. Someone's stolen vehicle resurfaced at 6:51 p.m. **DUI (alcohol and drugs):** Undisclosed location in 94804\. A driver was cited for operating under the influence at 6:59 p.m. **DUI:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. Another driver was cited for operating under the influence at 9:02 p.m. **DUI:** 2500 block of Macdonald Avenue. A driver was cited for operating under the influence at 10 p.m. ### **Saturday, May 9** **DUI:** 2500 block of Macdonald Avenue. A driver was pulled over and cited for operating under the influence at 12:24 a.m. **DUI:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. A driver was pulled over and cited for operating under the influence at 12:57 a.m. **Petty theft:** 300 block of Civic Center Street. A theft was reported at 4:22 a.m. **Grand theft, assault with a deadly weapon, vandalism:** 1500 block of Potrero Avenue. Property was stolen and damaged at 6:24 a.m. **Car theft:** 400 block of C Street. A thief found it unattended and left with it at 10:45 a.m. **Obstruction:** 1300 block of Visalia Avenue. An officer was reportedly obstructed at 11:46 a.m. ### **Sunday, May 10** **Vandalism:** 2600 block of Lowell Avenue. Property was damaged at 2:20 a.m. **Vehicle tampering:** 900 block of 35th Street. Someone was found tampering with a parked vehicle at 3:05 a.m. **Car theft:** 4400 block of Utah Drive. A thief came for it under cover of night at 3:20 a.m. **Car theft:** 300 block of S. 39th Street. A missing car was noticed at 7:35 a.m. **Car theft:** 2700 block of Virginia Avenue. A thief found it unattended and left with it at 10:46 a.m. **Domestic battery, child abuse, court order violation:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. A domestic dispute reportedly turned violent, a child was harmed, and a court order was found to have been violated at 2:30 p.m. **Petty theft:** 11900 block of San Pablo Avenue. Someone made off with property that wasn't theirs at 3:10 p.m. **Obstruction:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. An officer was obstructed at 5:07 p.m. **Domestic battery, assault with a deadly weapon, child abuse:** 700 block of 9th Street. A person was assaulted with a deadly weapon during a domestic dispute in which a child was also harmed at 6:18 p.m. **Criminal threats:** 400 block of 33rd Street. Someone made threatening statements serious enough to warrant a police report at 7:07 p.m. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond's tiny home village for young adults nears completion, second site in the works URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmonds-tiny-home-village-for-young-adults-nears-completion-second-site-in-the-works/ Last updated: 2026-05-09T19:38:28.000Z A tiny home village for unhoused young adults at Bissell Avenue and 23rd Street is months away from opening its doors, and the group behind it is already planning a second. Dozens of visitors, including a youth delegation from Seine-Saint-Denis, France, toured the Tiny House Village, Farm and Garden Project, across from the GRIP Center, on Sunday, May 3, as part of the East Bay Co-Housing Crawl, held in recognition of Affordable Housing Month. The event, which featured guided tours, volunteers at work, snacks, and music, offered the public a look at the site: organizers say access to the vibrant murals and community art throughout the village may not be publicly available once residents move in. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/05/richmond-tiny-home-village-young-adults-23rd-street.1-1.webp) Tiny Village Spirit coordinator Sally Hindman said the 12-unit village is targeting a July 1 completion, with residents expected to move in by August and a grand opening celebration planned for September. "Everything's ready on July 1," Hindman said. "We want to give it a little flexibility, just in case we're still waiting for a permit or something." The village, on land leased by the Richmond Police Activities League, will house unhoused Richmond residents ages 18 to 24, a population HUD classifies as transitional age youth. Under an agreement with five neighborhood councils that unanimously approved the project, the first six residents will move in during the first year. Organizers will evaluate the results, check back with the councils, and bring in the remaining six in year two. [Tiny house village proposed at vacant city-owned lot across from GRIP centerA half dozen nonprofits are drumming up support for a proposed tiny house village on a vacant city-owned lot on Bissell Avenue. The Richmond Tiny House Village Farm and Garden Project pilot project would initially create six tiny homes on trailers for Richmond young people aged 18-24 on land leased![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/size/w1200/2023/04/Richmond-tiny-house-village.jpg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/trailer-park-proposed-vacant-city-ownedlot/) The project drew more than 3,000 volunteers and 81 partner organizations, including more than 20 congregations, two Richmond high schools' shop classes, and nonprofits from across the Bay Area. Over 1,000 youth helped build a "blessings fence" of hand-painted planks that surrounds the village. Hindman said the capital budget had been about $1 million, but in-kind contributions from volunteers and businesses brought the final cost to roughly half that. The concrete walkway was one of the few things that required hiring a contractor. [Organizers apply for Tiny House Village permit on 23rd StreetTiny Village Spirit has applied for a temporary use permit to create homes for young people on their Tiny House Village, Farm & Garden project across from the GRIP shelter. The project will include two 20-foot diameter yurts, up to 12 small homes, a bathroom trailer, and an office building on![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Tiny-home-village.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/organizers-apply-for-tiny-house-village-permit-on-23rd-street/) Maheesh Jain, board president of Tiny Village Spirit, said the key to moving the project forward in a city where homeless services have often faced neighborhood resistance was working through people's concerns one by one, rather than trying to minimize them. "We build communities that build houses," Jain said. "It's really working through each one of their fears and trying to address them individually, and how do you bring someone from opposing the project into the coalition? How do you make them part of the process?" The village includes two yurts used as community space, a bathroom trailer with three stalls, including one accessible unit, and a maker space. A shared kitchen is expected to be installed within the next four weeks. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/05/richmond-tiny-home-village-young-adults-23rd-street.5.webp) Site plan for the 23rd Street tiny home village project in Richmond, designed to provide transitional housing and supportive community space for local residents. Youth have been central to the project from the start. More than 50 young people from Richmond served as core leaders, speaking at city council meetings, helping set art guidelines, and painting murals throughout the village. The farm and garden portion of the site will grow more than 20 fruits and vegetables chosen by youth and is planned to supply a community kitchen, feed village residents, and stock a free weekly food table open to the neighborhood. Plans also call for a youth-run cafe and an indigenous garden developed in partnership with Sogorea Te' Land Trust. [Richmond council member pushes tiny home villages for unsheltered adultsDistrict 5 Councilmember Gayle McLaughlin is working with community members and city staff to identify sites to build tiny home villages for adults in Richmond. Tiny villages are temporary housing communities that provide a supportive environment for people experiencing homelessness as they transition to more permanent housing. One such tiny![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/size/w1200/2024/07/tiny-house-richmond-blessing-fence-1-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-council-member-pushes-tiny-home-villages-for-unsheltered-adults/) Hindman said the nearest parks to the neighborhood are between a half mile and a mile away, and that she sees the farm and garden as filling a gap in community green space. Meanwhile, organizers are positioning themselves to build a second village, this one for adults, at a city-owned site on First and Nevin, across the street from the Richmond Peace Garden. A coalition of seven organizations is involved, including Tiny Village Spirit, the Greater Richmond Interfaith Program, Bay Area Outreach Mission, Youth Works and the USF Architecture Department. ![Coalition of Richmond organizations planning a second adult tiny home village near the Richmond Peace Garden in Richmond, California.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/05/richmond-ca-tiny-home-village-first-nevin-peace-garden-1.webp) Tiny Village Spirit and Greater Richmond Interfaith Program are planning a second tiny home village for adults at the city-owned site on First Street and Nevin Avenue in Richmond, across from the Richmond Peace Garden. Photo/ Linfa Hemmila The city has not yet released a request for proposals for the site, which Hindman attributed to city staff bandwidth. She said the project already has significant city council support, and that the coalition has been meeting with the two nearest neighborhood councils to develop a shared vision before any formal application. "We're approaching the neighborhood councils as stakeholders," Hindman said. "We're in the process of really developing a shared vision that everybody feels comfortable with." ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/05/richmond-tiny-home-village-young-adults-23rd-street.4.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/05/richmond-tiny-home-village-young-adults-23rd-street.3.webp) Visitors tour the 23rd Street tiny home village during an open house event in Richmond, getting a firsthand look at the community’s shared spaces, homes, and supportive village environment. Tyler Kirkpatrick, a volunteer coordinator on the 23rd Street project who works as an architect at Pyatok Architects in Oakland, said the permitting process required navigating an unusual split in jurisdiction: the site plan went through the city building department, but the tiny homes themselves, built on trailers, were inspected and certified through the DMV. Yurts, he added, don't fit neatly into any existing building code category. Kirkpatrick said he expects that groundwork to help future projects move faster. "Having this one gone through the process will probably speed up the future ones," Kirkpatrick said. "They'll say, okay, we know you guys, we know roughly what this is going to be." --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Casper's Famous Hot Dogs get new name, familiar face URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/caspers-famous-hot-dogs-get-new-name-familiar-face/ Last updated: 2026-05-08T22:02:54.000Z For nearly 80 years, Casper's Famous Hot Dogs has been a fixture on the corner of Macdonald Avenue and Civic Center in Richmond. The name is about to change. Almost everything else will stay exactly the same. Corky Booze, a former Richmond city councilmember, has purchased Casper's Famous Hot Dogs at 2530 Macdonald Avenue and plans to reopen it as Corky's Famous Hot Dogs, keeping the staff, vendors, menu, and mid-century orange decor that have made the Civic Center neighborhood institution a fixture of Richmond life for nearly eight decades. ![ Casper's Famous Hot Dogs](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/05/corky-booze-caspers-famous-hotdogs-1-1.webp) Former Richmond City Councilmember Corky Booze sits inside the former Casper's Famous Hot Dogs at 2530 Macdonald Avenue in Richmond, which he recently purchased and plans to reopen as Corky's Famous Hot Dogs. "My main goal is not to change this stuff in Richmond," Booze said. "The Richmond citizens deserve something in a place like this." Casper's has occupied the corner of Macdonald Avenue and Civic Center since around 1947, becoming one of the last outposts of a regional hot dog chain. The Richmond location outlasted many of its counterparts, and for good reason. There are the foot-long hot dogs in fresh steamed buns, the brightly colored swivel chairs lining the counter, and a diner atmosphere so unchanged that longtime customers say walking in feels like walking back in time. [Richmond’s perennial favorite: Casper’s hot dogsCasper’s Famous Hot Dogs has sat on the corner of Macdonald Avenue and Civic Center since the 1940s, serving up classic foot-long hot dogs to generations of Richmonders who come from all corners of the city for this lunch-time favorite that, for many, comes deeply steeped in nostalgia. When Kasper![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)Grandview IndependentLinda Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/IMG_2486-1-1-1.jpg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmonds-perennial-favorite-caspers-hot-dogs/) For Booze, the connection runs especially deep. An everyday customer for 25 years, he said residents used to seek him out at Casper's during his time on the city council, earning the restaurant the nickname "City Hall South." The sale was initiated by the previous owners, who approached Booze directly. Papers are signed, and only the final transfer of funds remains to complete the deal. Booze said almost nothing will change. The entire staff is staying on, including manager Eric Strong. The same vendors will supply the restaurant. The menu is built around a hot dog formula that regulars credit for its distinctive old-time flavor. Booze was blunt about why he is leaving it alone. "Why change a wheel that's turning properly?" One immediate change: Sunday hours. Casper's had been closed on Sundays, and Booze plans to reopen the restaurant that day, specifically to serve churchgoers after services let out. ![ Casper's Famous Hot Dogs](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/05/caspers-famous-hot-dogs-richmond-chili-cheese-dog.webp) A chili cheese dog from Casper's Famous Hot Dogs on Macdonald Avenue in Richmond, where the longtime diner has operated for nearly 80 years. Looking further down the road, Booze said he may explore adding a veggie dog option if a suitable product can be found, and plans to add soft-serve ice cream and slushies. Fries are off the table. The kitchen ventilation system, he said, is not built for it. Booze also hopes to host car shows outside the restaurant, drawing on his background as a former professional NHRA drag racer. He said he is in talks with the city about potentially closing the one-way street adjacent to the building for special events. A new sign is in the works, though the spirit of the place, Booze insists, will not be touched. "Everybody talks about, 'when I was a kid, I used to go there,'" he said. "I want them to continue to come here." --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Contra Costa Community College District warns of Canvas outage as cyberattack shuts down platform URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/contra-costa-community-college-district-warns-of-canvas-outage-as-cyberattack-shuts-down-platform/ Last updated: 2026-05-07T22:04:39.000Z Thousands of Contra Costa Community College District students were unable to access their online coursework on Thursday after a hacking group took down Canvas, the learning platform used by the district's three colleges, due to a massive data breach affecting institutions worldwide. The district posted a notice on its website acknowledging the outage, saying the problem was not isolated to its campuses. "We are aware of the current Canvas outage affecting access to the platform," the district said. "At this time, the issue appears to be impacting Canvas users broadly and is not isolated to our district." The district said it was monitoring the situation and awaiting information from Instructure, Canvas's parent company. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/05/Contra-Costa-Community-College-District.webp) Students at other institutions, such as Contra Costa, use Canvas as their primary learning management system. They received an email on Thursday afternoon under the subject line "Canvas Breach – Do Not Access," warning that "a cyber incident with Instructure/Canvas is still active" and urging students to stay off the platform entirely. A follow-up message warned of an "uptick of phishing campaigns alongside this breach," telling students to question any emails or texts prompting them to enter credentials or personal information. Instructure's own status page confirmed the scope of the problem, stating that "Canvas, Canvas Beta, and Canvas Test are currently unavailable" as of Thursday afternoon, with the company saying it was investigating. The hacking group ShinyHunters claimed responsibility, saying its attack affected nearly 9,000 schools worldwide and compromised the personally identifiable information of 275 million students, teachers, and staff. The group claimed to have stolen students' names, personal email addresses, and messages exchanged between teachers and students, the same categories of data that Instructure acknowledged were taken. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/05/canvas-outage.png) Students attempting to log into Canvas on Thursday were met with a warning page after the hacking group ShinyHunters took down the platform following a data breach affecting millions of students and staff at nearly 9,000 institutions worldwide. The Contra Costa Community College District uses Canvas as its main system for online learning and instruction, serving students across Contra Costa College, Diablo Valley College, and Los Medanos College. ShinyHunters set a deadline of May 6 for Instructure to pay, warning the company to "make the right decision, don't be the next headline." When that deadline passed without payment, the group pushed it to May 12, saying some institutions had engaged in ransom negotiations, and warned that all data would be leaked by that date "except the ones that pay." By Thursday afternoon, more than 15,000 users had reported outages to Downdetector, which tracks service disruptions by aggregating user reports. The Contra Costa Community College District said it would share updates as soon as it received additional information from Instructure. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Council approves Marina Point housing project URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/council-approves-marina-point-housing-project/ Last updated: 2026-05-07T01:56:47.000Z The Richmond City Council voted 4-0 Tuesday night to let a 70-home development at the foot of Marina Way South move forward, siding with the developer over trail advocates who wanted stronger protections for a stretch of shoreline between the new houses and San Francisco Bay. The Marina Point Residential Project, proposed by Guardian Commercial Real Estate LP of Carlsbad, would build 70 three-story single-family homes and 30 junior accessory dwelling units on a 4.92-acre site in the Marina Bay neighborhood. Seven units would be deed-restricted as moderate-income affordable housing. Councilmember Soheila Bana abstained. Councilmember Cesar Zepeda was absent. [On the agenda: Marina Bay housing appeals, the draft budget, a CO2 pipeline vote, and moreTuesday’s Richmond City Council meeting is one of the heavier agendas of the year: a first look at a $275 million draft budget, a public hearing over a Marina Bay waterfront housing project with appeals from both the developer and a trails group, a vote on opposing a regional CO2![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-06-13-at-9.14.46-PM-1.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-agenda-marina-bay-housing-appeals-the-draft-budget-a-co2-pipeline-vote-and-more/) From the outset, city planning staff made clear the council had limited room to maneuver. Planning Manager Avery Stark warned that rejecting the project would expose Richmond to serious legal consequences. "The Attorney General's office and through HCD have been very actively pursuing cities who violate housing law," Stark told the council. "It would put us in jeopardy of being sued by the Attorney General. It would likely decertify our housing element, and it would open us up to the builders' remedy, which is a path that we would not want to go down." [Marina Bay waterfront housing project moves to design reviewA proposed waterfront housing development in Marina Bay is back in the spotlight after the city missed state-mandated deadlines for reviewing the plan. The Marina Point Residential Project calls for 70 three-story homes plus 30 accessory dwelling units on a 4.92-acre vacant parcel next to the Rosie the Riveter![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/size/w1200/2025/12/Marina-Bay-waterfront-housing-project-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/marina-bay-waterfront-housing-project-moves-to-design-review/) Councilmember Doria Robinson cut to the chase: "So the way that you're proposing is that we still get the park, they pay for it with their in-lieu fees, and we don't get sued by the state?" "This is my dedication to the city of Richmond, that this is something that, along with all the many other things that we do in the planning department and across the city, this is just you hearing from me the dedication to making this happen," Stark replied. At the heart of the hearing was a 50- to 60-foot strip of undeveloped land between the new homes and the existing San Francisco Bay Trail, and the question of who would be responsible for turning it into usable public space. Bruce Beyaert, chair of the Trails for Richmond Action Committee (TRAC) and one of two appellants, argued the solution was simple: make the developer do it. He said it was unprecedented for a city to take on that burden instead. "I've never heard of a case in the entire nine-county Bay Area where the city has agreed to get a BCDC permit for an applicant and take title to the shoreline band," Beyaert said. "Never heard of such a thing. Certainly not in Richmond." The developer's land-use attorney, Brian Winter, confirmed that the applicant had tried and failed to obtain approval from the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission over the course of years of negotiations. "We attended, I believe, two hearings in front of the BCDC Design Review Board, and they were unequivocally clear that they desired that we pull the project completely back from the 100-foot shoreline band," he said. Residents were largely skeptical. Bruce Brubaker, a Richmond planning commissioner, objected that the shoreline design would be approved without public review. Plans already shown to the community, he noted, depicted the 60-foot stretch as "being dirt." Margarita Mitas, president of the Marina Bay Neighborhood Council, questioned who was really on the hook. "If the applicant is not taking responsibility for the required improvements, then who's paying for it?" she said. Under the conditions the council adopted, the developer will deed the shoreline parcel, called Parcel C, to the city to extend Lucretia Edwards Shoreline Park and must submit a detailed design package for landscaping and public access. The city's Planning Manager will oversee the design administratively. Stark said he was confident the city could succeed where the developer had not. "I'm thinking of it as a park that you'd be able to watch the Fourth of July fireworks from," he said. Park improvements are estimated at $250,000 to $450,000, funded through credits against the developer's park-in-lieu fee. The developer will also pay $150,000 toward staff costs and $25,000 toward the Richmond Wellness Trail Phase 2 extension. Councilmember Soheila Bana had pushed to delay the vote. "Can we give all parties a chance to work it out?" she asked. "It seems like we are very close." Bana ultimately abstained. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. 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Grandview Independent Richmond Crime Incident Map Loading... From To Load Incident locations are approximate. RPD reports crimes by block, not exact address, to protect privacy. ## Filter by type All Loading... ### **Monday, April 27** **Hit-and-run:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. Someone clipped a car and kept moving at 12:40 a.m. **Vehicle burglary:** 300 block of South 39th Street. Two vehicles were broken into at 2:05 a.m. **Vandalism:** 300 block of Tewksbury Avenue. A vandal did their work and left at 2:21 a.m. **Vandalism:** 12400 block of San Pablo Avenue. Property was damaged at 4:30 a.m. **Vehicle tampering:** 1300 block of Canal Boulevard. Someone was found tampering with a parked vehicle at 7:45 a.m. **Petty theft:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. Someone made off with property that wasn't theirs at 9 a.m. **Theft of vehicle parts:** 900 block of Marina Way South. Vehicle parts were taken at 9 a.m. **Vehicle burglary:** 500 block of South 17th Street. A parked car was broken into at 9:42 a.m. **Identity fraud:** 1000 block of View Drive. A identity fraud was reported at 2:48 p.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 1500 block of Costa Avenue. A missing car was found at 2:59 p.m. **Domestic battery:** 2600 block of Hilltop Drive. A domestic battery was reported at 3:43 p.m. **Domestic battery, false imprisonment:** 4300 block of Center Avenue. A person was attacked and prevented from leaving at 5:51 p.m. **Vandalism:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. Property was damaged at 8 p.m. **Car theft:** 1700 block of Roosevelt Avenue. A thief found an opportunity at 8 p.m. **Domestic battery:** 4100 block of Mcglothen Way. A dispute at home turned physical at 8:51 p.m. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/05/Sign-up-for--4-.png)](https://www.grandvieweats.com/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) ### **Tuesday, April 28** **Car theft:** 700 block of S. 40th Street. The owner came back to an empty space at midnight. **DUI:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. An officer pulled over a driver and made a DUI arrest at 12:08 a.m. **Court order violation:** 3600 block of Waller Avenue. Police arrested someone for violation of a court order at 12:23 a.m. **Exhibiting a firearm:** 3500 block of Bissell Avenue. A person was reported for brandishing a weapon at 1:52 a.m. **Court order violation:** 900 block of Triangle Court. An arrest was made for violation of a court order at 3:40 a.m. **Vehicle recovery, car theft:** 400 block of Carlston Street. A missing car was found at 4:45 a.m. **DUI:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. An officer pulled over a driver and made a DUI arrest at 5:22 a.m. **Car theft:** 5500 block of Van Fleet Avenue. A thief made a quick decision and acted on it at 7:03 a.m. **Car theft:** 2900 block of Pullman Avenue. The car changed hands without the owner's consent at 7:21 a.m. **Car theft:** 500 block of 3rd Street. A thief walked up and took a car in plain sight at 8 a.m. **Obstruction:** 1200 block of Macdonald Avenue. An officer was obstructed at 8:11 a.m. **Car theft:** 1400 block of Hilltop Mall Road. A car thief was at work at 8:25 a.m. **Car theft:** 400 block of W. Richmond Avenue. Another thief made off with a car at 9 a.m. **Car theft:** 2400 block of Hinkley Avenue. It was gone from the curb at 9:55 a.m. **Identity fraud:** 3100 block of Hilltop Mall Road. An identity fraud was reported at 10:19 a.m. **Criminal threats, car theft:** 100 block of W. Chanslor Avenue. Criminal threats were reported at 11:34 a.m. **Car theft:** 4700 block of Hartnett Avenue. Someone drove off with a car that wasn't theirs at 7 p.m. **Sex crime:** 3800 block of Wall Avenue. A sex crime was reported at 7:11 p.m. **Shoplifting:** 2100 block of Meeker Avenue. Someone left a store without paying at 7:12 p.m. **Vandalism:** 800 block of Meadow West Court. Property was damaged at 7:35 p.m. **Car theft:** 500 block of 6th Street. It disappeared at 8 p.m. **Illegal firearm possession, possession of stolen property:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. A person was found carrying a firearm illegally at 8:46 p.m. **Car theft:** 500 block of 3rd Street. A thief helped themselves to it at 10:10 p.m. **Drug paraphernalia, drug possession:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. Police arrested someone on a drug charge at 11:15 p.m. ### **Wednesday, April 29** **Car theft:** 400 block of S. 27th Street. Someone helped themselves to it at midnight. **Vandalism:** 2300 block of Brooks Avenue. Someone damaged property at 4:04 a.m. **Grand theft:** 2500 block of Spinnaker Way. A grand theft was reported at 4:20 a.m. **Hit-and-run:** 3100 block of Hilltop Mall Road. A driver hit another vehicle and fled at 9 a.m. **Trespassing:** 2500 block of Baywood Way. Someone turned up somewhere they had no right to be at 10 a.m. **Armed robbery:** 3000 block of Pullman Avenue. A person was held up at gunpoint at 10:07 a.m. **Trespassing:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. Someone turned up somewhere they shouldn’t be at 10:09 a.m. **Vandalism:** 4700 block of Hartnett Avenue. Property was damaged at 11:08 a.m. **Vehicle tampering:** 4800 block of Central Avenue. Someone was found tampering with a parked vehicle at 1:38 p.m. **Theft from building:** 4500 block of Macdonald Avenue. Property was stolen from inside a building at 3 p.m. **Residential burglary:** 3100 block of Southampton Court. A residence was burglarized at 5:07 p.m. **Drug possession:** 3100 block of Southampton Court. A drug-related incident was reported at 5:30 p.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 4900 block of Cypress Avenue. A stolen car turned up at 6:06 p.m. **Petty theft:** Undisclosed location in 94803\. Someone made off with property that wasn't theirs at 6:11 p.m. **Marijuana possession for sale:** 2300 block of Aberdeen Way. A drug-related incident was reported at 7:17 p.m. **Car theft:** 5500 block of Bayview Avenue. A thief fancied a car that didn’t belong to him at 9 p.m. **Obstruction, probation violation:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. An officer was obstructed at 10:18 p.m. **Drug paraphernalia:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. A drug arrest was made at 10:46 p.m. **Vehicle tampering:** 2700 block of Esmond Avenue. Someone was found tampering with a parked vehicle at 11 p.m. ### **Thursday, April 30** **Commercial burglary:** 4900 block of Wall Avenue. A business was broken into at midnight. **DUI:** 2700 block of Cutting Boulevard. Officers stopped a driver for operating a vehicle under the influence at 12:03 a.m. **Grand theft:** 1100 block of Cutting Boulevard. A grand theft was reported at 7:02 a.m. **Robbery:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. A robbery was reported at 7:30 a.m. **Domestic battery:** 1700 block of Regatta Boulevard. A domestic battery was reported at 8:30 a.m. **Vandalism:** 300 block of S. 29th Street. A vandal did their work and left at 9:18 a.m. **Mail theft:** 2200 block of Nevin Avenue. Someone intercepted mail that wasn't addressed to them at 1:06 p.m. **Grand theft:** 4500 block of Macdonald Avenue. A grand theft was reported at 1:30 p.m. **Vandalism:** 2400 block of Aberdeen Way. A vandal did their work and left at 3:30 p.m. **Armed robbery, felon in possession of a firearm:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. Police arrested someone suspected of armed robbery at 4 p.m. **Felon in possession of a firearm, probation violation:** 5000 block of Hartnett Avenue. Police took a convicted felon into custody after finding them armed at 4:16 p.m. **Vehicle recovery:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. A stolen car turned up at 6:59 p.m. **Domestic battery:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. A domestic battery was reported at 8:14 p.m. **Vandalism:** 4100 block of Macdonald Avenue. Someone damaged property at 8:24 p.m. **Vandalism:** 2400 block of Florida Avenue. A vandal did their work and left at 8:35 p.m. **DUI:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. A driver was arrested on a DUI charge at 9:22 p.m. **Domestic battery:** 1500 block of Chanslor Avenue. A dispute turned physical at 10:54 p.m. **Grand theft:** 1000 block of Cutting Boulevard. A substantial theft was reported at 11:22 p.m. **Drug paraphernalia:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. A drug arrest was made at 11:33 p.m. ### **Friday, May 1** **Disorderly conduct:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. A person was cited for disorderly conduct at 1:38 a.m. **Car theft:** 5100 block of Burlingame Avenue. Someone slipped it off the street while the neighborhood wasn't watching at 3 a.m. **Vehicle tampering:** 1100 block of Brickyard Cove Road. Someone was found tampering with a parked vehicle at 3 a.m. **Vehicle burglary:** 2400 block of Hinkley Avenue. Someone forced their way into a vehicle at 11:11 a.m. **Vehicle recovery:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. Officers recovered a stolen vehicle at 12:07 p.m. **Vehicle burglary:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. A parked car was broken into at 1:20 p.m. **Court order violation:** 800 block of Jetty Drive. A court order violation was reported at 1:34 p.m. **Petty theft:** 4800 block of Central Avenue. A theft was reported at 1:40 p.m. **Fraud:** 2500 block of Chanslor Avenue. A fraud was reported at 3 p.m. **Domestic battery:** 4500 block of Wall Avenue. An arrest followed a domestic dispute at 3:46 p.m. **Drug possession, vehicle recovery, drug paraphernalia:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. A drug arrest was made at 4 p.m. **Car theft:** 3400 block of Rheem Avenue. Someone helped themselves to it at 4:30 p.m. **Robbery:** 700 block of 5th Street. Police made an arrest in connection with a robbery at 5:14 p.m. **Assault with a deadly weapon, domestic battery:** 100 block of Follett Street. An arrest was made after a person was reportedly assaulted with a deadly weapon at 5:37 p.m. **Disorderly conduct:** 2400 block of Esmond Avenue. Someone caused a disturbance at 8:50 p.m. ### **Saturday, May 2** **Armed robbery:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. A person was held up at gunpoint at midnight. **Robbery:** 200 block of 23rd Street. Someone took someone’s belongings at 12:30 a.m. **Car theft:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. A thief spotted it, liked it, and took it at 7:46 a.m. **Car theft:** 300 block of S. 38th Street. The owner came back to an empty space at 7:53 a.m. **Petty theft:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. A petty theft was reported at 10:25 a.m. **Battery:** Undisclosed location in 94803\. A battery was reported at 10:30 a.m. **Robbery:** 1600 block of Hayes Street. Someone was robbed at 11:25 a.m. **Petty theft:** 4500 block of Macdonald Avenue. A petty theft was reported at 11:30 a.m. **Vehicle tampering:** 600 block of Berk Avenue. Someone was found tampering with a parked vehicle at 2:45 p.m. **Petty theft:** 3300 block of Klose Way. A theft was reported at 3:23 p.m. **Illegal firearm possession:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. A person was found carrying a firearm illegally at 8:27 p.m. **Reckless driving:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. Someone was cited for reckless driving at 9:56 p.m. ### **Sunday, May 3** **Trespassing:** 2600 block of Gaynor Avenue. Someone's presence was unwelcome at midnight. **Disorderly conduct:** 2000 block of Chanslor Avenue. A person was cited for disorderly conduct at 12:12 a.m. **DUI:** 15500 block of San Pablo Avenue. A driver was arrested on a DUI charge at 12:30 a.m. **DUI:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. An officer pulled over a driver and made a DUI arrest at 12:50 a.m. **Vehicle tampering:** 3400 block of Rheem Avenue. Someone was found tampering with a parked vehicle at 2:20 a.m. **Car theft:** 400 block of S. 17th Street. A car went missing the curb at 6:19 a.m. **Car theft:** 12800 block of San Pablo Avenue. The owner came back to an empty space at 8 a.m. **Car theft:** 3900 block of Ohio Avenue. It was gone from the curb at 8:59 a.m. **Car theft:** 200 block of S. 22nd Street. A thief spotted it, liked it, and took it at 11:57 a.m. **Car theft:** 500 block of Barrett Avenue. The car was gone by the time anyone noticed at 12:19 p.m. **Residential burglary:** 5600 block of Clinton Avenue. Someone broke into a home at 12:35 p.m. **Disorderly conduct:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. Someone caused a disturbance at 1:51 p.m. **DUI, hit-and-run, obstruction:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. A driver was arrested for DUI after hitting a vehicle, fleeing the scene, and then resisting officers at 4:08 p.m. **Criminal threats, battery on a peace officer, battery:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. A person made criminal threats, then seemingly attacked officers at 4:27 p.m. **Marijuana possession for sale, disorderly conduct:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. A person was cited for causing a disturbance and found in possession of marijuana for sale at 5 p.m. **Obstruction, disorderly conduct:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. An officer was obstructed at 5:09 p.m. **Disorderly conduct:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. Someone caused a disturbance at 6:27 p.m. **Reckless driving, warrant arrest:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. Someone was cited for reckless driving at 6:44 p.m. **Disorderly conduct:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. Someone caused a disturbance at 7:48 p.m. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond marks 21st Annual Cinco de Mayo Festival on 23rd Street URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-marks-21st-annual-cinco-de-mayo-festival-on-23rd-street/ Last updated: 2026-05-04T14:32:18.000Z Richmond's Cinco de Mayo Festival, presented in collaboration with the City of Richmond and the 23rd Street Merchants Association, returned Sunday, bringing live music, food, and cultural performances to 23rd Street The 21st anniversary celebration ran from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. along 23rd Street between Rheem and Clinton avenues. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/05/richmond-cinco-de-mayo-festival-23rd-street-2026_1.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/05/richmond-cinco-de-mayo-festival-23rd-street-2026_5.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/05/richmond-cinco-de-mayo-festival-23rd-street-2026_7.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/05/richmond-cinco-de-mayo-festival-23rd-street-2026_9.webp) Live music played all day on multiple stages featuring Native American dancing, while local merchants served traditional foods. Dozens of children's activities lined the street, including pony rides, bouncy houses, face-painting, and crafts, alongside community resource groups offering games, giveaways, and information. Organizers said this milestone year promised one of the festival's biggest turnouts yet, celebrating Mexican culture through music, food, and community spirit.[ ](https://www.richmondca.gov/2153/Special-Events?ref=grandviewindependent.com) Richmond's 23rd Street corridor has long served as the annual setting for the peaceful, family-friendly event. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### On the agenda: Marina Bay housing appeals, the draft budget, a CO2 pipeline vote, and more URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-agenda-marina-bay-housing-appeals-the-draft-budget-a-co2-pipeline-vote-and-more/ Last updated: 2026-05-03T00:42:41.000Z Tuesday's Richmond City Council meeting is one of the heavier agendas of the year: a first look at a $275 million draft budget, a public hearing over a Marina Bay waterfront housing project with appeals from both the developer and a trails group, a vote on opposing a regional CO2 pipeline project, and a full slate of police and legal contracts on the consent calendar. ### [The draft budget](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61305&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The council will receive a proposed $275.3 million operating budget for fiscal year 2026-27, along with a five-year, $143.3 million Capital Improvement Plan. The budget projects $323.8 million in revenue. However, it comes with a warning: Personnel costs have climbed 38 percent since 2021, to a projected $201 million, driven by pension obligations, retiree health costs, and an expanded workforce. The city also faces $1.15 billion in unfunded infrastructure needs over the next decade. ### [Marina Point housing appeals](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61298&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The council will hold a public hearing on two appeals of the Planning Commission's March 5 approval of the Marina Point Residential Project, a proposal to build 70 three-story homes on a 4.92-acre vacant parcel at the foot of Marina Way South, near the Rosie the Riveter visitor center. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/05/Marina-Point-Residential-Project.webp) The appeals come from opposite directions: [the developer is challenging several conditions ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61302&ref=grandviewindependent.com)as too costly and legally unsupported, while the [Trails for Richmond Action Committee ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61303&ref=grandviewindependent.com)argues the approval leaves a 50- to 60-foot strip of shoreline between the homes and the Bay Trail effectively unimproved and unenforced. Staff recommends affirming the approval with modifications, including requiring the developer to dedicate the shoreline strip to the city for incorporation into Lucretia Edwards Shoreline Park. The council's role is limited to the specific issues raised in the two appeals, not a full re-review of the project. [New waterfront development proposed for Richmond’s Marina BayA proposed single-family housing development at a prime waterfront location near the Craneway Pavilion is facing criticism. The Marina Point project would create 100 housing units on a 4.92-acre vacant lot once part of the sprawling World War II Kaiser Shipyard. The property is zoned for very high-density residential![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/size/w1200/2023/11/marina-point-richmond.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/new-waterfront-development-proposed-for-marina-bay/) [Marina Bay waterfront housing project moves to design reviewA proposed waterfront housing development in Marina Bay is back in the spotlight after the city missed state-mandated deadlines for reviewing the plan. The Marina Point Residential Project calls for 70 three-story homes plus 30 accessory dwelling units on a 4.92-acre vacant parcel next to the Rosie the Riveter![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/size/w1200/2025/12/Marina-Bay-waterfront-housing-project-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/marina-bay-waterfront-housing-project-moves-to-design-review/) [Richmond Planning Commission to review 222 new housing units across three sitesThe Richmond Planning Commission is set to consider three residential developments on Thursday, February 5, that would add 222 housing units across Canal Boulevard, Central Avenue, and Marina Way, including single-family homes, townhouses, and junior accessory dwelling units. The projects include the Quarry Residential Project at 1135 Canal Boulevard, which![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2026-01-30-at-10.29.04-AM.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-planning-commission-to-review-222-new-housing-units-across-three-sites/) ### [CO2 pipeline opposition](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61237&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Councilmember Claudia Jimenez is asking the council to formally oppose the Montezuma Carbon Sequestration Hub, a project that would capture CO2 from Bay Area industrial facilities, including the Chevron refinery, and pipe it under the San Francisco Bay and Delta to an underground storage site in Solano County. ### [Council eyes another $390K for e-bikeshare program](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61233&ref=grandviewindependent.com) For the third time, the council will be asked to add money to its contract with bikeshare operator Ride Today to keep the city's electric bikeshare program running. The ask is $390,000, bringing the total contract to $3.54 million. Since launching in September 2023, the program has logged 4,175 trips at a cost of roughly $665 each. Staff acknowledges the program cannot survive without city support and that its primary funding source is in its final year. The council will decide the program's long-term fate during the budget process this spring. ### [Sidewalk vendor ordinance](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61241&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The council will take a first look at an ordinance updating Richmond's sidewalk vendor regulations, touching administrative procedures, waiver provisions, and enforcement mechanisms. ### **On the consent calendar** *Items on the consent calendar are considered routine and typically pass in a single vote without discussion.* ### [Caste discrimination protections](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61230&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The council takes a final vote on an ordinance adding [caste](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caste%5Fdiscrimination%5Fin%5Fthe%5FUnited%5FStates?ref=grandviewindependent.com) as a protected category under the city's Human Rights and Human Relations Commission. Richmond would join a small number of U.S. cities with explicit caste discrimination protections in their municipal laws. ### [Sister cities funding](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61294&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The council will vote on appropriating $69,000 — $23,000 per city to support delegation activities with Richmond's three sister cities: Zhoushan, China; Regla, Cuba; and Sebastia, Palestine. The most immediate use is a youth exchange trip to Zhoushan scheduled for late June, with 50 participants already registered. Plans for the Regla and Sebastia delegations have not yet been finalized. ### City Attorney's Office The City Attorney's Office is asking the council to approve three outside legal services agreements: a new [$100,000 deal with Colantuono, Highsmith & Whatley for general litigation](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61257&ref=grandviewindependent.com); a new [$500,000 agreement with Bennett, Gelini and Gelini for liability claims;](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61244&ref=grandviewindependent.com) and a $150,000 amendment to the city's contract with [Burke, Williams & Sorensen for municipal and personnel litigation.](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61246&ref=grandviewindependent.com) ### [The Fire Department](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61288&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The Fire Department is seeking a $1.5 million to purchase Motorola Solutions for portable and mobile radios. ### The Mayor's Office The Mayor's Office is requesting a proclamation recognizing May 2026 as [Mental Health Awareness Month](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61261&ref=grandviewindependent.com), and the appointment of [Courtney Sanders](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61260&ref=grandviewindependent.com) to a vacant seat on the ECIA Transportation Board. ### The Police Department The Police Department is asking for a[ $540,000 contract with Enterprise](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61268&ref=grandviewindependent.com) for unmarked vehicles; [background investigation contracts ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61272&ref=grandviewindependent.com)with T Jung Investigations and Steve Blanc Investigations; a [$525,000 mental health counseling contract](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61295&ref=grandviewindependent.com) with Public Safety Family Counseling Group; a $300,000 renewal of the[ community-based prosecution agreement ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61278&ref=grandviewindependent.com)with the Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office, which keeps a dedicated deputy DA assigned to Richmond cases; and a [$7.2 million extension of animal control services](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61253&ref=grandviewindependent.com) with Contra Costa County Animal Services. The council will also receive crime reports for [February](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61280&ref=grandviewindependent.com) and [March 2026.](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61291&ref=grandviewindependent.com) ### The Finance Department The Finance Department will present [monthly financial reports](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61282&ref=grandviewindependent.com) for March, covering investments, overtime, transfer taxes, and pension obligations. ### Public works Public Works is seeking a $29,690 engineering contract with Schaaf & Wheeler for the [Ferry Point Pump Station project](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61263&ref=grandviewindependent.com), utilizing $45,000 from the Wastewater Enterprise Fund. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Eight Great Things to do in Richmond URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/eight-great-things-to-do-in-richmond-28/ Last updated: 2026-05-01T14:29:56.000Z Each week, *Grandview Independent* highlights the best, not-to-be-missed events and offerings from around the city. This week's best of Richmond events include: The Gods of Comedy at the Masquer's Playhouse, Amelie at the Magick Lantern Theater, live music, and of course, the 23rd Street Merchant Association's Cinco de Mayo Fiesta! ## THE GODS OF COMEDY @Masquers Playhouse ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/05/Show002_godsofcomedy.jpg) **THE GODS OF COMEDY** by Ken Ludwig directed by Ronnie Anderson April 24 – May 17 Daphne and Ralph are young classics professors who have just made a discovery that's sure to turn them into academic superstars. But something goes disastrously wrong, and Daphne cries out in a panic,"Save me, gods of ancient Greece!" …and the gods actually appear! General admission tickets: $35; senior and student ticket discounted to $30\. First Thursday has special $15 dollar night pricing for all seats. **Masquers Playhouse 105 Park Place, Point Richmond** [masquers.org](https://masquers.org/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) ## First Friday Out @Windchaser Wine Co. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/04/Screenshot-2026-04-30-at-4.55.18-PM.png) **First Friday Out! With music from Up Jumped The Devil** Friday, May 1st, 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Food, Cocktails, Wine, Music, Fun. **1352 S 49th St, Richmond, CA 94804Phone:** [**(415) 806-7480**](https://www.google.com/search?gs%5Fssp=eJzj4tVP1zc0TKuoyMmKr0gyYLRSNaiwMLAwNU9NMTQ0TDE2NTQwtjKoMDYxNjAyMTJLMrOwMDIxs%5FDiKs%5FMS0nOSCxOLQIAYdASdg&q=windchaser&rlz=1C5MACD%5FenUS1090US1102&oq=wind&gs%5Flcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqFQgCEC4YJxivARjHARiABBiKBRiOBTIGCAAQRRhBMgYIARBFGDkyFQgCEC4YJxivARjHARiABBiKBRiOBTIGCAMQRRhBMgYIBBBFGEEyBggFEEUYPDIGCAYQRRg8MgYIBxBFGDzSAQgzMDM1ajBqN6gCALACAA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&zx=1777593440062&ref=grandviewindependent.com) ## Spring Plant Swap @ Richmond Auditorium ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/05/plant.png) ### Saturday, May 2, 2026 The Richmond Public Library invites you to explore the world of horticulture and develop your gardening skills. Bring any varieties of plants, seedlings, clippings, or divisions to exchange with others, or simply drop by to discuss plants with your fellow Richmond gardeners. **403 Civic Center Plaza Nevin Side Rooms (Bermuda - Emerald)** ## Figure Drawing @Richmond Art Center ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-04-30-at-8.17.42-PM-1.png) **Life Model Studio Session** Saturday, May 2, 11 a.m.-2 p.m, $45 Settle in for an afternoon of figure drawing and painting - your choice of media. Work at your own pace with a live nude model in a welcoming, creative space. Open to all experience levels, registration required. [https://richmondartcenter.org/classes/](https://richmondartcenter.org/classes/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) **Richmond Art Center, 2540 Barrett Avenue, Richmond** ## Amelie @The Magick Lantern Theater ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-04-30-at-5.19.13-PM.png) **Saturday, May 9, 2026** NO ADMISSION CHARGED FOR THIS FILM "Oldies but Goodies" for May/June Doors Open 7:00 p.m. Film Starts 7:30 p.m. *Please arrive on-time!* **Methodist Church of Point Richmond 201 Martina (side entrance off West Richmond) Contact Us Email** [**magick-lantern@att.net**](mailto:magick-lantern@att.net) **510-232-2559** ## Cinco de Mayo Festival @23rd Street ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/05/cinco-1.png) Join us for a vibrant celebration at the **Cinco de Mayo Festival** on Sunday, May 3, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. along 23rd Street (between Rheem and Clinton Avenues)! Experience a full day of live music, cultural performances, authentic Mexican cuisine, artisan vendors, and family-friendly fun as we come together to honor the rich traditions and spirit of our community. Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to connect, celebrate, and enjoy one of Richmond’s most beloved events — **bring your family, invite your friends, and be part of the fiesta!** # Banda Sin Nombre @Sailing Goat ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-04-30-at-6.11.32-PM.png) **May 03, 2026, 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.** Banda Sin Nombre combines folk music from around the world with performance art, drag, and dance. With creative roots in San Francisco’s Mission District, the band features rich vocal harmonies with acoustic instruments including guitar, fiddle, accordion, charango, jarana, cajon, and upright bass. The band’s musical influences range from Peruvian chicha to Catalan rumba and Appalachian old-time to Cumbia. After a decade playing together, Banda Sin Nombre has built a loyal following in the Bay Area, through gigs at Stern Grove Festival, Yerba Buena Gardens Festival, Freight & Salvage in Berkeley, the New Parish in Oakland, MACLA in San Jose, and dozens of venues in San Francisco including The Chapel, the Boom Boom Room, Amnesia, El Rio, Cafe Revolution, Elbo Room, Brava Theater, Mission Cultural Center, Red Poppy Art House, and Club Deluxe. The band has also weaved creative connections with interdisciplinary artists both locally and by touring internationally in Spain and Latin America. **Sailing Goat at Point San Pablo Harbor, 1900 Stenmark Dr, Richmond** ### MAY THE 4TH BEER WITH YOU @Armistice Brewing Company ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/04/Screenshot-2026-04-30-at-4.33.39-PM.png) **MAY THE 4TH BEER WITH YOU** ✨🚀 This year… it lands on $6 MONDAY 😳🔥 Yeah… you already know where this is going. *Our 8TH ANNUAL STAR WARS PARTY is BACK, and we’re going full galaxy-brain once again.* If you’ve been before, you know… If not… this is the party you’re looking for. 👀 🌌 BOTH TAPROOMS = FULL GALACTIC TAKEOVER 🌌 ⚡️ Glowing drinks 🌀 Fog machines rolling like the Death Star just powered up 🔫 Lasers (obviously) 🥤 BLUE MILK HAZY IPA flowing like a Tatooine sunset 🎨 Star Wars cans + decor everywhere 🍔 Food specials worthy of a Hutt-sized appetite 🎭 Costume Contest — 6 p.m. Come dressed to impress the Council… or the Cantina 🧠 Star Wars Trivia — 7 p.m. Do or do not… there is no “I’ll just guess” 🔥 $6 BEERS ALL DAY 🔥 (yes… even the chosen ones) Grab your crew, your droids, your scruffy-looking nerf herders— and pull up ready to party like it’s Endor after the Empire fell. This is NOT a drill. This is a full-blown cantina situation. 845 Marina Bay Parkway, Suite 1, Richmond 🍻 **May the 4th be with you** 🍻 --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### City Manager Curl announces retirement URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/city-manager-curl-announces-retirement/ Last updated: 2026-04-30T23:59:14.000Z Sasha Curl has announced she will retire after four years as City Manager and more than 20 years of work with the City of Richmond. The announcement came at the April 21 council meeting when Curl told the council she plans to leave upon the completion of renovation projects at Boorman, Wendell, and Shields-Reid parks. Curl expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve the Richmond community and her pride in the city’s achievements during her tenure as city manager.​ “It has been the great privilege of my professional career to serve Richmond for over two decades, and I am proud of our many accomplishments on behalf of this extraordinary city,” Curl said. “Our residents are deeply engaged, the City Council is committed, and the city staff are extraordinary in every way. Thank you for the opportunity to serve this remarkable community.”​ Among Curl’s accomplishments are the renovation of Richmond's historic Civic Center, revitalization of Hacienda Heights and Nevin Plaza affordable housing developments, Booker T. Anderson Community Center, the launch of Water Emergency Transportation Authority Ferry service, and Richmond Promise.​ Curl told *Grandview* that she loves Richmond and that she has many favorite places within the city. She also spoke of the progress Richmond has made during her time as city manager.​ “My favorite places in Richmond are NIAD, East Bay Center for the Performing Arts, and RYSE,” Curl said. “During my tenure as City Manager, we have made tremendous progress in the City of Richmond on a host of quality of life issues, including significant reductions in homicides, improvements in the built environment — our main library is currently undergoing a $34 million renovation, and we have three new park projects under construction to bring health-focused zones, including new soccer fields, into the community." Curl also said that through a partnership with Chief Osorio, they hope to launch an ALS program and bring paramedics into the Richmond Fire Department. In a statement, Mayor Eduardo Martinez acknowledged Curl’s retirement and recognized her outstanding service to the City. “I want to personally thank her for her years of service and dedication to the City of Richmond,” Martinez said. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Council approves study to move Red Oak Victory ship URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/council-approves-study-to-move-red-oak-victory-ship/ Last updated: 2026-04-29T18:09:39.000Z The Richmond city council voted Tuesday night to fund a nearly $300,000 study creating a plan to relocate the Red Oak Victory ship from its current location at Kaiser's Shipyard No. 3 to a new location at Ford Point, closer to the Rosie the Riveter/WWII Home Front National Historical Park. Approved in a 6-1 vote, with councilmember Sue Wilson voting no, the deal creates a $299,797 contract with Liftech Consultants outlining the feasibility, planning, and design work for the relocation of the ship, built by Henry J. Kaiser during WWII. In a presentation that included information from the National Park Service as well as a cost-benefit analysis prepared by the Richmond History Association, Port Director Charles Gerard said the move could generate additional funds and increase annual revenue. “In a nutshell, they are getting about $150,000 a year. Their forecast, if the ship was at Ford Point, would be upwards of close to a half million dollars,” Gerard said. Elaine Jackson Rando, acting superintendent of the Rosie the Riveter Homefront Park, explained the partnership and obligations agreed to by the city and NPS, as well as the responsibility of maintaining [Shipyard No. 3](https://www.nps.gov/places/richmond-shipyard-number-three.htm?ref=grandviewindependent.com) as a historic resource. Rando said the Red Oak victory is part of a “historic ensemble” that includes the ship, Whirley crane, graving basins, and surviving structures, and illustrates an “authentic setting of WWII ship building.” ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/04/Screenshot-2026-04-29-at-9.19.53-AM-1.png) Image/ City of Richmond presentation “This isn’t just about economics,” Rando said. “This is the only Kaiser shipyard that remains intact. So Richmond owns the only one where you can still see buildings, basins, and infrastructure that tells the story of wartime shipbuilding.” Several speakers — many of those volunteers who work on the ship — spoke in support of the plan, arguing that the current location of the ship is too far from the Rosie the Riveter Visitor Center to attract enough visitors, and the proposed home at Ford Point could bring more people to see the historic vessel. Fred Clink said he wasn’t there to speak for himself, but rather the 60 Red Oak crew members who signed a petition urging the council to approve the relocation plan. “We are looking at $150,000 income at our present location in Shipyard 3\. We feel very confident that we can do close to a million dollars in income at Ford Point,” Clink said. Richmond business owner Tom Lyons, who is also a board member of the Richmond History Association, said the ship isn’t just a relic of the past, but a powerful symbol of Richmond’s history. “It is the last remaining vessel built right here in Richmond during WWII. It put Richmond on the map during that defining moment,” Lyons said. “Location is critical to the ship's long-term success. It’s a meaningful upgrade, increasing access and visibility.” Mayor Eduardo Martinez said while this is only a study, ultimately, the ship will need to be moved as part of a plan to revitalize the Port of Richmond.“The Red Oak Victory Ship needs to move, so it’s going to move,” Martinez said. “It needs to move to revitalize the port.” Council member Soheila Bana, who voted in favor of the plan, also suggested the Red Oak could be used as a resilience center, a concept Richmond is implementing in the main [library redesign](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-launches-34-million-overhaul-of-main-library/) project. “I am thinking that if we move the ship, it could be used as a resiliency center,” Bana said. “People would be interested, it’s a nice location. I’m excited about it.” ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/04/Screenshot-2026-04-29-at-10.25.44-AM.png) Councilmember Wilson, the council's only “no” vote, questioned the numbers indicating a revenue increase related to the move, asking how it was calculated since there is no admission fee at the Rosie the Riveter center. Wilson said she appreciates the passion of those who have been working on the ship for decades, but needed to see a positive funding path. “Before I am ready to say let’s spend $300,000 on a study for moving it, I wanted to be told at least a possible funding path that would allow the port to pay for a new warf," Wilson said. “I don’t have enough information to know whether it’s realistic that moving the ship will result in one million a year in revenue. I love this ship, but nobody's coming forward to pay. It's the Port of Richmond that should close that gap on paying.”​ --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### What happened in Richmond: a robbery, assaults, and a range of incidents reported URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/what-happened-in-richmond-a-robbery-assaults-and-a-range-of-incidents-reported/ Last updated: 2026-05-02T01:42:30.000Z Richmond police recently responded to a mix of incidents across the city, including a robbery, assaults, thefts, vandalism and domestic violence cases, according to department records. ### **Monday, April 20** **Car theft:** 2900 block of Hoffman Boulevard. A car owner stepped outside to find the curb bare at 1 a.m. **Obstruction:** 1700 block of Coalinga Avenue. A person was arrested for obstructing an officer at 2:38 a.m. **Vehicle burglary:** 500 block of 2nd Street. A thief got into a parked vehicle at 3 a.m. **Car theft:** 600 block of S. 37th Street. A car was reported missing at 7:30 a.m. **Car theft:** 600 block of Nevin Avenue. Another car gone at 11 a.m. **Criminal threats:** 4800 block of Central Avenue. Someone made threats that rose to the level of a crime at 12:08 p.m. **Domestic battery:** 600 block of S. 26th Street. A domestic battery was reported at 12:20 p.m. **Vandalism:** 2900 block of Hilltop Mall Road. Someone damaged property at 1:38 p.m. **Car theft:** 700 block of S. 40th Street. Thieves relieved a car owner of their vehicle at 4 p.m. **Criminal threats:** Undisclosed location in 94603\. Someone made threats that rose to the level of a crime at 4 p.m. **Vandalism:** 1300 block of Rheem Avenue. Vandals were at work around 5 p.m. **Domestic battery, child abuse:** 200 block of 16th Street. Domestic battery and child abuse were reported at 6 p.m. **Child abuse:** 3400 block of Cutting Boulevard. A child was reported to have been harmed at 6:17 p.m. **Car theft:** 1100 block of 23rd Street. Someone relieved the owner of their vehicle at 6:50 p.m. **Domestic battery, robbery, false imprisonment:** 700 block of Ripley Avenue. Charges indicate a person was beaten, robbed, and held against their will at 9 p.m. **Petty theft:** 4900 block of Macdonald Avenue. Someone made off with property that wasn’t theirs at 9:45 p.m. **Car theft:** 800 block of Chesley Avenue. A thief made off with a car while the street was quiet at 10:30 p.m. ### **Tuesday, April 21** **Illegal firearm possession:** 1700 block of Costa Avenue. A person was found in illegal possession of a firearm at 12:57 a.m. **Vehicle burglary:** 3100 block of Bristol Court. A vehicle was broken into and property taken at 2 a.m. **Vehicle tampering:** 3500 block of Cerrito Avenue. Someone was caught tampering with a vehicle at 2:57 a.m. **Domestic battery:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. An arrest was made after a domestic dispute turned physical at 4 a.m. **Felon in possession of a firearm:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. A convicted felon was found carrying a firearm and arrested at 4:07 a.m. **Car theft:** 5200 block of Tehama Avenue. Someone took it in the small hours and was long gone by dawn. **Trespassing:** 3100 block of Southampton Court. A trespass was reported at 10:47 a.m. **Aggravated battery:** 1200 block of 23rd Street. A person was badly attacked at 4 p.m. **Vandalism:** 1400 block of Hilltop Mall Road. Someone damaged property at 5:20 p.m. **Disorderly conduct:** 200 block of S. 7th Street. Someone caused a disturbance at 8:06 p.m. **Domestic battery:** 2300 block of Rheem Avenue. An arrest was made after a domestic dispute reportedly turned physical at 8:10 p.m. **Theft from vehicle:** 600 block of 17th Street. A thief helped themselves to items inside a parked vehicle at 9 p.m. ### **Wednesday, April 22** **Drug possession and paraphernalia:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. A drug-related incident was reported at 12:27 a.m. **Vandalism:** 4900 block of Hartnett Avenue. Police arrested someone after property was damaged at 12:37 a.m. **Identity fraud:** 2200 block of Virginia Avenue. An identity fraud was reported at 5 a.m. **Vandalism:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. Property was vandalized at 10:27 a.m. **Trespassing:** 3100 block of Southampton Court. Someone was found where they had no business being at 11:30 a.m. **Criminal threats:** 3900 block of Fleming Avenue. A person was reported for making criminal threats at 11:40 a.m. **Vandalism:** 200 block of S. 15th Street. Police arrested someone after property was damaged at 1:06 p.m. **Commercial burglary:** 800 block of Harbour Way S. Burglars got into a business at 1:56 p.m. **Vandalism:** 1400 block of San Joaquin Street. A vandal left their mark at 2:39 p.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 700 block of Humboldt Street. Officers located a stolen vehicle at 2:48 p.m. **Identity fraud:** 400 block of South 8th Street. An identity fraud was reported at 5:52 p.m. **Petty theft:** 2700 block of Rydin Road. A theft was reported at 7 p.m. **Reckless driving:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. A driver was cited for reckless driving at 8:56 p.m. **Fraud:** 1100 block of Macdonald Avenue. A fraud was reported at 9:37 p.m. ### **Thursday, April 23** **Car theft:** 500 block of S. 37th Street. Someone made someone else’s ride disappear at 12:30 a.m. **Vehicle burglary:** 700 block of South 15th Street. A thief broke into a parked vehicle at 1 a.m. **Car theft:** 2200 block of Nevin Avenue. Another car was stolen out from under the neighborhood’s nose at 5:16 a.m. **Car theft:** 1600 block of Gaynor Avenue. The owner woke to nothing but an empty space where their car used to be. **Trespassing, probation violation:** 2300 block of Aberdeen Way. Someone was found where they shouldn’t be at 7:11 a.m. **Vehicle tampering:** 100 block of 13th Street. Someone was caught tampering with a vehicle at 7:25 a.m. **Child abuse, criminal threats:** 3600 block of Waller Avenue. A domestic dispute reportedly turned violent and threatening at 9:01 a.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 1600 block of Livingston Lane. A stolen vehicle turned up at 11:26 a.m., worse for the journey. **Vehicle recovery:** 900 block of Carlson Boulevard. Another stolen vehicle turned up at 11:36 a.m. **Court order violation:** 1700 block of Regatta Boulevard. A court order violation was reported at 1 p.m. **Battery:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. Police arrested someone after a person was physically attacked at 1:28 p.m. **Battery:** 5000 block of Valley View Road. Someone was assaulted at 2:22 p.m. **Theft from vehicle:** 700 block of S. 41st Street. Someone broke into a vehicle and took property at 4:13 p.m. **Vandalism:** 2800 block of Martin Luther King Junior Avenue. Someone damaged property at 4:33 p.m. **Illegal firearm possession:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. A person was found in illegal possession of a firearm at 8:10 p.m. **Theft of vehicle parts:** 500 block of Barrett Avenue. A thief stripped parts from a parked vehicle at 10 p.m. ### **Friday, April 24** **Car theft:** 5500 block of Solano Avenue. A thief made off with another car at 3:30 a.m. **Criminal threats:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. A person was reported for making criminal threats at 5:35 a.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 2400 block of Aberdeen Way. A car that had gone missing turned up at 9:33 a.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 200 block of Macdonald Avenue. A previously missing car was found at 10:12 a.m. **Car theft:** 600 block of 13th Street. The owner came back to an empty curb and a sinking feeling at 10:37 a.m. **Child abuse, domestic battery:** 1800 block of Roosevelt Avenue. A child was reported to have been harmed at 10:37 a.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 4300 block of Sycamore Avenue. Officers located a stolen vehicle at 11:36 a.m. **Grand theft:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. A significant theft was reported at noon. **Assault with a deadly weapon:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. Someone was attacked with a weapon at 12:22 p.m. **Grand theft:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. Grand theft was reported at 12:30 p.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 3100 block of Southampton Court. A previously missing car was found at 12:44 p.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 4600 block of Olive Court. A car that had gone missing turned up at 12:51 p.m. **Domestic battery:** 800 block of Chevron Way. An arrest was made after a domestic dispute at 1:22 p.m. **Criminal threats:** 3000 block of Hilltop Mall Road. A person was reported for making criminal threats at 2:09 p.m. **Theft from building:** 11900 block of San Pablo Avenue. Property was stolen from inside a building at 2:20 p.m. **Illegal firearm possession:** Undisclosed location in 94806\. Police arrested someone found in illegal possession of a firearm at 3:06 p.m. **Assault with a deadly weapon, domestic battery:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. A person was assaulted with a deadly weapon at 3:08 p.m. **Domestic battery:** 3500 block of Klose Way. An arrest was made after a domestic dispute at 4:09 p.m. **Car theft:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. Someone walked up, got in, and drove someone else’s car away at 6 p.m. **Vehicle tampering:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. Someone was caught tampering with a vehicle at 9:50 p.m. **Armed carjacking:** 200 block of 2nd Street. An armed thief forced a driver from their vehicle at 10:44 p.m. **Obstruction:** 1100 block of Hensley Street. A person was arrested for obstructing an officer at 10:55 p.m. ### **Saturday, April 25** **Vehicle burglary:** 800 block of 20th Street. Someone broke into a parked car at 3:11 a.m. **Illegal firearm possession:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. Police arrested someone found in illegal possession of a firearm at 3:43 a.m. **Grand theft:** 1600 block of Potrero Avenue. A significant theft was reported at 4 a.m. **Car theft:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. A car was stolen off the street at 11:20 a.m. **Drug paraphernalia, shoplifting:** 4500 block of Macdonald Avenue. A drug-related incident was reported at 2:20 p.m. **Grand theft, domestic battery:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. A significant theft was reported at 3:07 p.m. **Criminal threats:** 1600 block of Shasta Street. A person was reported for making criminal threats at 4 p.m. **Battery:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. Someone was assaulted at 4:09 p.m. **Residential burglary:** 500 block of 21st Street. Burglars got into a residence at 7:30 p.m. **Vandalism:** 4600 block of Meadowbrook Drive. Property was vandalized at 9:58 p.m. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### On the agenda: CO2 pipelines, moving the Red Oak, e-bikes, General Warehouse and more URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-agenda-co2-pipelines-moving-the-red-oak-e-bikes-general-warehouse-and-more/ Last updated: 2026-04-24T17:26:01.000Z The Richmond City Council meets Tuesday night with an agenda that includes a vote on whether to oppose a carbon pipeline project that would draw emissions from Bay Area refineries and route them under the bay, a decision on the future of the Red Oak Victory, and a vote for more e-bike funding. ### Closed session on Mossbridge General Warehouse deal Tuesday's meeting opens at 5 p.m. with a closed session on labor negotiations and a real property negotiation. The city is in talks with Mossbridge, a firm specializing in data centers and digital infrastructure, over 1324 Canal Boulevard, the address of the General Warehouse, the hulking World War II at the Point Potrero Marine Terminal. [Richmond’s historic General Warehouse sits vacant awaiting rehabOne of the most recognizable buildings along Richmond’s waterfront is the behemoth General Warehouse, part of the city’s World War II historical legacy. The city entered a 20-year lease with Richmond Grown LLC, a cannabis business, in July 2019, but any plans to renovate the distinct art deco-style building that![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)Grandview IndependentLinda Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/size/w1200/2024/10/front.jpg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/preserving-richmonds-historic-buildings/) ### [The Red Oak Victory, still waiting to move](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61047&ref=grandviewindependent.com) After months of delays, the council will take up a plan to begin moving the SS Red Oak Victory, the historic World War II cargo ship that has sat at the Point Potrero Marine Terminal for years. The ship, a C3 cargo vessel launched in 1944 at Richmond's Kaiser Shipyards, is one of the last surviving examples of the industrial wartime production that transformed the city. It is closely tied to the legacy of the Rosie the Riveter/WWII Home Front National Historical Park, which will send representatives to present to the council Tuesday night. The vote is on a $299,797 contract with Liftech Consultants for planning and preliminary design work on the relocation. The item was first scheduled in February and has been continued twice since then. A concept plan included in the agenda packet shows the ship crossing the Richmond Harbor Channel to a new berth along Harbour Way South, directly alongside the WETA ferry terminal lot near the Ford Building, home of the Craneway Pavilion, whose own future remains unresolved after the council voted last week to reject a donation agreement with leaseholder Eddie Orton. Orton told the council he intends to transfer the leasehold to an unnamed marine-use organization. [Council rejects donation of historic Craneway PavilionThe Richmond City Council voted Tuesday to reject a proposal to accept the donated leasehold interests of the historic Craneway Pavilion, a waterfront event venue at the former Ford Assembly Building, after a debate over the facility’s long-term financial obligations. The council voted down the donation agreement with Orton Entertainment,![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/craneway-pavilion-donation-orton-entertainment-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/council-rejects-donation-of-historic-craneway-pavilion/) The relocation map also shows Terminal 3, the Portside Commerce Center, where OpenAI signed a lease in March for what is believed to be a new robotics lab, and the General Warehouse at Point Potrero, where the city is now in closed-session negotiations with Mossbridge. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/04/PORT-RICHMOND-SS-RED-OAK-VICTORY-RELOCATION-HARBOR-CHANNEL-OPTION.webp) The relocation map highlights Terminal 3, the Portside Commerce Center, where OpenAI signed a lease in March for what is believed to be a new robotics lab, and the General Warehouse at Point Potrero, now the subject of closed-session negotiations between the city and Mossbridge. The Port issued a request for proposals to redevelop the 140,000-square-foot structure last August. Mossbridge specializes in data centers and digital infrastructure and has claimed experience on more than $70 billion in such projects. The General Warehouse sits directly across the harbor channel from the OpenAI site. The Red Oak, if it moves, would berth in the middle of it all. [OpenAI signs lease at Richmond’s Portside Commerce CenterA county property record shows that OpenAI OpCo LLC signed a lease recorded on March 9, 2026, for space at 1411 Harbour Way South in Richmond, the address of the Portside Commerce Center, a 202,371-square-foot industrial warehouse on the Port of Richmond that has been seeking a tenant since![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/size/w1200/2026/03/IMG_3692-1.jpeg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/openai-signs-lease-at-richmonds-portside-commerce-center/) ### [Richmond takes a stand against a CO2 pipeline](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61097&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Richmond is being asked to formally oppose a proposed carbon sequestration project that would draw CO2 emissions from Bay Area refineries and route them through a 40-mile underwater pipeline to a storage site in Solano County wetlands. The Montezuma NorCal Carbon Sequestration Hub, proposed by Montezuma Carbon LLC, would send millions of tons of carbon dioxide from Bay Area polluters through a pipeline and store it in saline aquifers 2 miles beneath the Montezuma Wetlands, a 1,800-acre marsh in Solano County that has undergone extensive ecological restoration over the past two decades. The Richmond Chevron refinery is listed among the CO2 sources on the project's own pipeline map, alongside refineries in Martinez and several power plants. The project is designed to collect and sequester about 1 million metric tons of CO2 per year initially, with potential to expand to 3 to 8 million tons annually. Councilmember Claudia Jimenez, who placed the item on Tuesday's agenda, is asking the council to formally oppose both the hub and the pipelines. The agenda packet includes a fact sheet from the Bay Area CACTI coalition authored by Isabel Penman of Food & Water Watch, who has been active in the regional fight against the project. [Environmental groups rally against proposed carbon dioxide pipeline in Solano CountyThe Montezuma NorCal Carbon Sequestration Hub is currently waiting on a permit from Solano County to build a test well.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/VallejoSunlogoidea6-240px-square.png)The Vallejo SunGretchen Smail![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Montezuma-carbon-pipeline-protest-Fairfield-1.jpg)](https://www.vallejosun.com/environmental-groups-rally-against-proposed-carbon-dioxide-pipeline-in-solano-county/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) Opponents cite safety, environmental justice, and the technology's track record. The CACTI coalition points to a 2020 pipeline rupture in Mississippi that hospitalized dozens of residents, and notes that California has no safety regulations for CO2 pipelines. They also argue the wetlands, which saw tidal waters return for the first time in a century in 2020 after large-scale habitat restoration, would be put at risk by drilling nearby. Supporters counter that the project has serious scientific backing. The project was designed by scientists from Lawrence Berkeley Lab, Stanford University, UC Berkeley, and the [National Energy Technology Laboratory,](https://netl.doe.gov/coal/carbon-storage/atlas/westcarb/montezuma?ref=grandviewindependent.com) and the National Energy Technology Laboratory has pointed to the site's minimal environmental sensitivity and low population density as key advantages. The IEA estimates carbon capture costs range from $15 to $25 per ton for industrial processes with concentrated CO2 streams, such as refinery emissions, up to $40 to $120 per ton for more dilute sources. At those figures, capturing a million tons a year from Bay Area refineries could run anywhere from $15 million to well over $100 million annually. The council will receive a presentation on the project before voting on a resolution opposing it. ### [The e-bike program is back](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61079&ref=grandviewindependent.com) For the third time, the council will be asked to add money to a contract with electric bikeshare operator Ride Today to keep the program running. This time, the ask is $390,000, which would bring the total spent on the operator to $3.54 million since 2022. [Richmond’s electric bike-share program is backRichmond has relaunched its defunct electric bike-share program with a new operator and freshly rebranded bikes. Residents can now rent bikes from several bike hubs around town. The new bikeshare contractor, Today Bikes, will manage the system. The city’s previous bike-share shut down in 2022 when the contractor, Bolt![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/size/w1200/2023/12/Richmond-bike-share3-2-1.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmonds-reimagined-5-million-electric-bike-share-program-is-back/) Since the program launched in September 2023, riders have taken 4,175 total trips, averaging about five a day. The city has spent roughly $665 per trip. Only 47 percent of registered users have ever taken a single ride, and just 17 percent have ridden more than once. The program has reduced carbon emissions by 4.11 metric tons. The EPA values that at about $861 in avoided climate damages. The city has spent approximately $675,000 per ton. The $390,000 would come from the Environmental and Community Investment Agreement transportation budget, a grant fund that staff says is in its final year. Additional funding for the program has come from a $35 million state Transformative Climate Communities grant targeting underserved neighborhoods in the Iron Triangle, Santa Fe, and Coronado. Staff acknowledge that Ride Today cannot survive without continued city support. The council will decide what to do with the program entirely during next year's budget process. The item is on the consent calendar, meaning it is expected to pass without discussion. ### [BART comes to explain itself](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61068&ref=grandviewindependent.com) A BART director will brief the council on recent service changes and the fiscal crisis gripping the transit system, which officials attribute largely to the rise of remote work. Richmond residents depend on BART for regional connections, and the presentation arrives as the agency warns of potential service cuts without new funding. ### [A park for Pullman](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61094&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Vice Mayor Doria Robinson and Councilmember Claudia Jimenez want the city to explore buying a vacant lot at South 27th Street and Florida Avenue to build a neighborhood park in the Pullman neighborhood, which they describe as chronically underserved. Staff would return with a feasibility report and timeline within 90 days. ### [Earthquake experts hit the council chambers](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61089&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Councilmember Soheila Bana has invited UC Berkeley seismologists, infrastructure researchers, and community emergency response teams to present on local earthquake probabilities and regional vulnerabilities. No vote is planned. ### [Sidewalk vendor rules get a rewrite](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61091&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The council will take a first look at an ordinance updating Richmond's sidewalk vendor regulations, touching administrative procedures, waiver provisions, and enforcement mechanisms. ### [Budget update: hiring outside help on revenue](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61106&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The council will receive an update on community engagement around limited-term revenues and consider hiring consulting firm Dalberg Advisors to support that work. ## **On the consent calendar** *For the agenda faithful, here's what else is on Tuesday's calendar. Items on the consent calendar are considered routine and typically pass in a single vote without debate.* ### [$300,000 for the Tiny House Village](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61104&ref=grandviewindependent.com) A grant agreement with Hope Solutions would fund capital and supportive services for the Tiny House Village and Garden Project at 175 23rd Street through the end of 2027. ### [Affordable housing grant application at 100 38th Street](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61101&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The council would authorize the city to join an application for state Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities funding for the Riveter Project, a 59-unit affordable housing development, paired with pedestrian and bicycle improvements nearby. ### [SB 1383 paperwork gets formalized](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61082&ref=grandviewindependent.com) An MOU with RecycleMore, the regional waste authority, would govern Richmond's compliance with the state's organic waste reduction law. ### [Port economic impact study, $112,900](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61064&ref=grandviewindependent.com) A contract with John C. Martin Associates would fund a study of the economic impact of Port of Richmond activity. ### [Harbour-8 Park expansion grows again](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61101&ref=grandviewindependent.com) A fourth amendment to the city's contract with Pogo Park would add $3.275 million to complete the Harbour-8 Park Expansion Project, bringing the total to $12.43 million. The council would also authorize negotiations on an operations and management deal with Pogo Park through May 2029. ### [Hiring an outside advisor on wastewater](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61109&ref=grandviewindependent.com) A $250,000 contract with The Halleman Group would bring in expertise to help the city find a private operator for its wastewater treatment plant and stormwater system. ### **Proclamations and appointments** The council will present proclamations recognizing [AAPI Heritage Month,](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61074&ref=grandviewindependent.com) [Alcohol Awareness Month](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61062&ref=grandviewindependent.com), [Sexual Assault Awareness Month](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61060&ref=grandviewindependent.com), and [National Small Business Week](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61058&ref=grandviewindependent.com). The council will also consider establishing a [Richmond-Sebastia Sister City Commission](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61125&ref=grandviewindependent.com). Mayor Eduardo Martinez appointed [Ric Ambrose](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61057&ref=grandviewindependent.com) to the Richmond Arts and Culture Commission, [Bryan M. Harris ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61055&ref=grandviewindependent.com)to the Contra Costa County Advisory Council on Aging representing the City of Richmond, and [Eva Hernandez ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=61053&ref=grandviewindependent.com)to the Workforce Development Board, each filling vacant seats. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond man pleads guilty in county's first felony conviction under new sex buyer law URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-man-pleads-guilty-in-countys-first-felony-conviction-under-new-sex-buyer-law/ Last updated: 2026-04-23T03:39:36.000Z A Richmond man pleaded guilty Wednesday to a felony charge for engaging in commercial sex with a 16-year-old girl, becoming the first person convicted under a newly strengthened California law that allows prosecutors to charge sex buyers with a felony when the victim is a minor. Cedric Demarcus Kelly, 37, entered a plea agreement in Contra Costa County on one count of engaging or agreeing to engage in prostitution with a minor. Judge Michael Nieto sentenced him to 180 days in county jail, two years of formal probation, and he must complete an educational course on human trafficking and the exploitation of minors. The case was prosecuted under an amendment to Penal Code 647(b) that took effect January 1, 2026\. The amendment allows felony charges against buyers when a minor was induced to engage in commercial sex through trafficking, or when the buyer is more than three years older than the victim. The conviction came less than a month after residents, law enforcement, and advocates gathered at a Richmond crime prevention meeting to learn about the growing threat of human trafficking in their neighborhoods. The case against Kelly began on February 21, when Richmond[ police responded to a 911 call](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/what-happened-in-richmond-attempted-murder-shootings-and-vehicle-thefts/) from the minor after she reported an altercation. She told officers she had exchanged sex for money with Kelly, leading to his arrest. The Contra Costa District Attorney's Office received the referral on February 25 and filed charges that same day. Kelly entered his plea before the case reached the preliminary hearing stage. Judge Michael Nieto sentenced him to 180 days in county jail and two years of formal probation that includes a search and seizure condition for evidence of solicitation. The court also issued a nighttime stay-away order from the 23rd Street corridor and required Kelly to complete "an educational course on human trafficking and the exploitation of minors." District Attorney Diana Becton called the conviction a turning point. "Contra Costa County's first felony conviction under the amended Penal Code 647(b) statute marks a turning point in how we prosecute those who buy sex from minors," Becton said. "This law recognizes that buyers are not bystanders; they are participants in the exploitation of minors. We are grateful to the Richmond Police Department and the Contra Costa Human Trafficking Task Force for their swift response and thorough work on this case." Weeks before the conviction, residents participated in a virtual meeting hosted by the Richmond Crime Prevention Program to talk about exactly this kind of case. [Neighbors walk to address human trafficking issuesNorth and East neighbors joined with the community group Faith in Action for a peace walk Friday night to address growing frustration with human trafficking in their neighborhood. The group met at Wendell Park before heading out for a walk through the neighborhood with signs in hand, chanting, “Whose streets?![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)Grandview IndependentLinda Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/IMG_9130.jpg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/neighbors-walk-to-address-human-trafficking-issues/) At the March 25 crime prevention meeting, Katrina Natale, director of the Contra Costa Human Trafficking Task Force, and Richmond Police Detective Alyssa Alvarado joined crime prevention manager Michelle Milam to brief residents from communities across Richmond. Milam described what neighbors see daily and what frustrates them about the official response. "I see the Facebook posts, the Nextdoor posts, the upset folks who are saying we're upset about this problem," Milam said. "What is being done about this? What can be done?" [Neighbors hope peace walk helps quell human trafficking concernsNeighbors who live just east of 23rd Street say they are fed up with the human trafficking that has moved into their neighborhood. This Friday, they plan to join members of the community organization Faith in Action for a peace walk through the area, something they hope will bring attention![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)Grandview IndependentLinda Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/size/w1200/2023/04/esmond.jpg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/neighbors-hope-peace-walk-helps-quells-human-trafficking-problem/) Natale laid out the basics: human trafficking is an umbrella term covering both sex trafficking and labor trafficking. Under California law, any minor engaged in commercial sex work is automatically a victim of human trafficking, there is no such thing, she said, as child prostitution. "A child cannot consent to participate in commercial sex," Natale said. Residents expressed frustration that the sex trafficking activity long associated with 23rd Street had crept deeper into surrounding neighborhoods, showing up on side streets, in alleys, and on private property. Natale and Detective Alvarado were candid: there is no easy fix. "Once an area is identified for this and becomes known for this, that can be really difficult to reverse," Natale said, noting that the blade in Richmond has existed for decades. Alvarado explained the challenges of building prosecutable cases when victims often don't initially identify as such, and when buyers use cash apps and digital payment methods that complicate creating a paper trail. "Just because it's not perfect doesn't mean we won't prosecute it," Alvarado said. "But also, just because we have a handful of the dots together doesn't mean we have a full picture." The task force had been planning a countywide outreach and media campaign, including billboards near 23rd Street, to warn buyers that the law had changed and that soliciting a minor for sex could now result in felony charges. Kelly's conviction is the first proof that the threat is real. The meeting also surfaced community concerns about what happens to the victims themselves. Natale described a network of 15 agencies within the task force that provide services to survivors, led on the front lines by Community Violence Solutions, which operates a 24-hour crisis line and can dispatch advocates to meet victims at the Family Justice Center in Richmond. She cautioned the public that rescuing trafficking victims is rarely the dramatic, one-time intervention depicted in movies. "It's an iterative process," Natale said. "Very often, it's not uncommon for law enforcement to encounter the same victims again and again. Service providers are committed to showing up, time and time again, and being there when that person is ready to take that step away from their trafficker." --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Council rejects donation of historic Craneway Pavilion URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/council-rejects-donation-of-historic-craneway-pavilion/ Last updated: 2026-04-22T15:43:35.000Z The Richmond City Council voted Tuesday to reject a proposal to accept the donated leasehold interests of the historic Craneway Pavilion, a waterfront event venue at the former Ford Assembly Building, after a debate over the facility's long-term financial obligations. The council voted down the donation agreement with Orton Entertainment, LLC in two separate procedural votes, with council members citing an estimated $12.7 million in deferred maintenance costs and projected annual operating deficits of up to $2.5 million as reasons to decline what some described as a gift that would become a significant financial burden. A 3-4 vote ultimately rejected the donation agreement. Four councilmembers, Soheila Bana, Jamelia Brown, Cesar Zepeda, and Vice Mayor Doria Robinson voted to reject it outright. Three others, Claudia Jimenez, Sue Wilson, and Mayor Eduardo Martinez, voted to accept it. The decision leaves the fate of the bay-front pavilion uncertain, with the property's current leaseholder, Eddie Orton, indicating he intended to transfer the leasehold interests to an unidentified marine-use entity if the city declined the offer. The Craneway Pavilion sits on city-owned land at 1414-1422 Harbor Way South, part of the former Ford Assembly Building complex that once produced nearly 49,000 vehicles during World War II. The property was redeveloped in the early 2000s under a Disposition and Development Agreement between the city's Redevelopment Agency and Orton Development, Inc., with nearly $20 million in public and grant funds invested in the project. The current lease, dating to 2004, carries a rent of $1 per year and includes an evergreen renewal clause that drew sharp criticism from councilmembers who questioned its legality. Special Counsel Anne Lanphar told the council the provision was unusual, describing it as "kinky" and acknowledging it appeared to be an end run around California law restricting city leases beyond 50 years. She noted the leases were structured under redevelopment law, which was broadly interpreted at the time, and that while the evergreen clause could potentially be challenged in court, Orton could argue he relied on it when making substantial improvements to the property. ![Craneway Pavilion](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/04/richmond-city-council-rejects-craneway-pavilion-donation-orton-entertainment.webp) The Craneway Pavilion at the former Ford Assembly Building in Richmond, California. Photo/ Linda Hemmila "If you really look at this, any tenant would come in and say we really own this property," Lanphar said. "It's definitely on the unusual end." At the heart of Tuesday's debate was a stark financial picture. A facility condition assessment conducted by city consultant RDH identified approximately $12 million in recommended maintenance work over the next decade, including near-term structural reinforcement of the concrete piles supporting the pier on which the building sits. A separate analysis by SCI Consulting Group projected that even leaving the building vacant, a so-called mothball scenario, would cost the city roughly $600,000 annually. Operating the building as a special event venue was projected to generate an annual deficit of approximately $930,000. Vice Mayor Doria Robinson, who abstained from the first vote and voted no on the second, said she had spoken with Orton privately and was troubled to learn that at the height of his operations, the venue had generated a net profit of only $100,000 to $200,000 per year. "I feel like we're buying a money pit," Robinson said. "We don't even have the resources to deal with the things we already have, and I just can't in good conscience take on another one." Councilmember Sue Wilson, who voted yes on the final motion, helped organize protests outside the Craneway on the opening day of Orton's pickleball facility two years ago before she was elected to the council. Writing in a newsletter before Tuesday's meeting, she acknowledged the deal was far from ideal but argued the alternative was worse. [Locals protest opening of Craneway Pavilion pickleball facilityRichmond residents, dressed as Rosie the Riveters, protested the opening of the Craneway Pavilion pickleball facility at today’s opening day event. Rosie the Riveter is a cultural icon representing women who took on factory and shipyard jobs during World War II. Pickleball is a sport involving two or four![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2024/03/craneway-pickleball-richmond-protest.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/locals-protest-opening-day-of-craneway-pavilion-pickleball-facility/) "The Craneway lease terms that the Richmond City Council gave to Orton Development 20 years ago, no expiration date, $1 per year rent, transferable, were so strongly tilted in the developer's favor that most of the power in this current negotiation still lies with them," Wilson wrote. "Saying no to the deal on the table now does not mean Orton comes back with more money for the city. It just takes all the decisions about the future of the Craneway out of our hands." Councilmember Claudia Jimenez offered a similar argument, framing the decision as a choice between two costly paths. Rejecting the donation, she said, would not eliminate the city's financial exposure; it would simply shift it toward litigation to enforce maintenance obligations and challenge the evergreen lease. "All the roads lead to the city," Jimenez said. "We take it now with conditions that we can use it, or we wait, and the building will deteriorate, and then it will not cost only $12 million, but more." Special Counsel Dave Aleshire cautioned that enforcing the lease's maintenance requirements against a future tenant would likely require costly legal action given the vague language of the agreement. He noted the city had not yet retained litigation experts who could testify that the building's current condition violated the lease's standard of "good order and repair." "It all depends on who comes up with the best experts that give the most convincing testimony," Aleshire said. Complicating the council's deliberations was a lawsuit filed by PB Development Group, a pickleball operator that alleged it was wrongfully locked out of the Craneway in May 2025 after entering an operating agreement with Orton entities in February 2024\. The company's principal, Rachel Hong, addressed the council in written comments, urging a delay and arguing the existing agreements gave the city stronger tools than it was using. ![Pickleball courts](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/04/-Craneway-Pavilion-pickleball-1.webp) Pickleball courts filled the floor of the Craneway Pavilion on opening day in March 2024\. The facility's leaseholder, Orton Entertainment LLC, shut down the pickleball operation in May 2025 amid a dispute with the operator, PB Development Group. Photo/ Soren Hemmila "The governing Disposition and Development Agreement and Ground Lease establish the developer's obligations at Craneway, including maintaining and repairing the property," Hong wrote. "They do not contemplate voluntary surrender as a substitute for those remedies." Hong also questioned the framing of the transaction itself, arguing it "may provide financial advantages to the developer while potentially relieving the developer of ongoing obligations and shifting those responsibilities to the City." PB Development Group has claimed damages in excess of $10 million. Orton agreed to indemnify the city against that lawsuit as part of the proposed donation agreement. With both votes failing, the city now faces the prospect of Orton transferring the leasehold to a third party, a marine-use operator he declined to identify publicly. Lanphar told the council the city could potentially challenge the evergreen clause regardless of who holds the lease, though the legal outcome would be uncertain. The council did not indicate plans for any follow-up action. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### What happened in Richmond: Two homicides, an armed carjacking, and 23 vehicle thefts URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/what-happened-in-richmond-two-homicides-an-armed-carjacking-and-23-vehicle-thefts/ Last updated: 2026-04-26T23:03:04.000Z Two homicides, three robberies, and 23 vehicle thefts were among the incidents logged by Richmond police between April 13 and April 19, along with an armed carjacking, multiple assaults and a firearm arrest, according to department records. ### **Monday, April 13** **Guns:** 100 block of 23rd Street. Police arrested someone after a convicted felon was found in possession of a firearm at 1:41 a.m. **Disorderly conduct:** 700 block of Thomas Drive. A person was reported for disorderly conduct at 1:46 a.m. **Car theft:** 100 block of W. Macdonald Avenue. Another car went missing at 5:04 a.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 500 block of Sanford Avenue. A previously missing car was located at 5:50 a.m. **Car theft:** 5000 block of McBryde Avenue. The owner came back to an empty spot at 7:30 a.m. **Car theft:** 3000 block of Ohio Avenue. Another car disappeared into the criminal underworld at 8:01 a.m. **Drug possession:** 1700 block of Regatta Boulevard. A person was found in possession of a controlled substance at 8:24 a.m. **Mail theft:** 5000 block of Valley View Road. Mail was reported stolen at 9 a.m. **Mail theft:** 400 block of 21st Street. Mail was reported stolen at 11 a.m. **Petty theft:** 1200 block of Melville Square. Property was reported stolen at 12:43 p.m. **Grand theft:** 2100 block of Meeker Avenue. Grand theft was reported at 1 p.m. **Residential burglary:** 5000 block of Rain Cloud Drive. Someone entered a residence uninvited at 2 p.m. **Vehicle recovery:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. A previously missing car was located at 2:37 p.m. **Domestic battery:** 2600 block of Hilltop Drive. Police arrested someone after a domestic partner was reportedly physically attacked at 4:12 p.m. **Battery:** 4600 block of Potrero Avenue. A person was physically attacked at 5:24 p.m. **Domestic battery:** 900 block of Barrett Avenue. A domestic partner was physically attacked at 5:43 p.m. **Petty theft:** 2300 block of Brooks Avenue. Property was reported stolen at 6:23 p.m. **Vandalism:** 400 block of Harbour Way South Property was damaged at 8 p.m. **Car theft, Vehicle burglary:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. It was gone before the owner noticed at 9 p.m. **DUI, DUI (repeat offense), Warrant arrest:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. Police arrested someone after a driver was found operating a vehicle under the influence at 9:28 p.m. [Halal King Kitchen: Yemeni mendi and more at a Kwik Serv on Carlson BoulevardWe’re back at a gas station ordering food. At some point this became normal. At some point, eating our way through Richmond meant standing at a window outside Halal King Kitchen, a Kwik Serv gas station at 1503 Carlson Boulevard, studying a menu for Yemeni dishes we couldn’t have named![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/EATS-icon3--2-.png)GrandEATS!Soren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/halal-king-kitchen-richmond-ca-1.webp)](https://www.grandvieweats.com/halal-king-kitchen-yemeni-mendi-and-more-at-a-kwik-serv-on-carlson-boulevard/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) ### **Tuesday, April 14** **DUI, Obstruction, Battery on a peace officer:** 1700 block of Regatta Boulevard. Police arrested someone after a driver was found operating a vehicle under the influence at 1:08 a.m. **Vehicle burglary:** 5200 block of Columbia Avenue. A vehicle was broken into at 2 a.m. **Fraud, Impersonation:** 400 block of Civic Center Plaza. Some kind of fraud was reported at 4:30 a.m. **Car theft:** 2900 block of Andrade Avenue. Thieves took a car and left the consequences idling at the curb at 6 a.m. **Exhibiting a firearm, Criminal threats:** 1200 block of 29th Street. A person was reported for exhibiting a firearm at 9 a.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 4500 block of Berk Avenue. A previously missing car was located at 9:12 a.m. **Car theft:** 2000 block of Costa Avenue. Unknown subjects borrowed a car without permission at 9:34 a.m. **Murder:** 5600 block of Clinton Avenue. Two people were found dead under circumstances being investigated as a homicide at 9:57 a.m. [Richmond police investigate second homicide in two daysTwo people were found dead inside a Clinton Avenue home Friday morning in what police are calling an apparent murder-suicide, the second homicide investigation the department has opened in as many days. Officers responded at approximately 9:57 a.m. to the 5600 block of Clinton Avenue for a welfare![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-police-car-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-police-investigate-second-homicide-in-two-days/) **Car theft:** 100 block of 5th Street. Someone took a car and didn’t make a scene at 10:20 a.m. **Criminal threats, Court order violation:** 100 block of 37th Street. A person was reported for making criminal threats at 11 a.m. **Drug paraphernalia:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. Drug paraphernalia was reported at 11:24 a.m. **Car theft:** 2000 block of Macdonald Avenue. Another car disappeared at 2:40 p.m. **Car theft:** 11900 block of San Pablo Avenue. One car owner came back to an empty spot at 4 p.m. **Criminal threats:** 1400 block of Macdonald Avenue. A person was reported for making criminal threats at 4:39 p.m. **Car theft:** 2300 block of Garvin Avenue. A car was rehomed without the paperwork at 5 p.m. **Domestic battery:** 2400 block of Aberdeen Way. A domestic partner was physically attacked at 5:27 p.m. **Car theft:** 200 block of 4th Street. A vehicle pursued other opportunities at 8:13 p.m. **Embezzlement:** 600 block of 34th Street. An embezzlement was reported at 9 p.m. **Car theft:** 500 block of 3rd Street. A car took an unauthorized trip at 10 p.m. **Vandalism:** 2400 block of Aberdeen Way. Property was damaged at 10:20 p.m. **Driving without a license, Obstruction:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. A driver was cited for operating a vehicle without a valid license at 11:22 p.m. ### **Wednesday, April 15** **DUI:** 2300 block of Macdonald Avenue. A driver was reported for operating a vehicle under the influence at 12:23 a.m. **Car theft:** 3800 block of Barrett Avenue. Early morning thieves made off with a car that did not belong to them at 3:36 a.m. **Residential burglary:** 3200 block of Ohio Avenue. Police arrested someone after someone entered a residence uninvited at 4:08 a.m. **Residential burglary, theft from building:** 400 block of 38th Street. Someone entered a residence uninvited at 7:23 a.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 500 block of 3rd Street. A previously missing car was located at 8:14 a.m. **Petty theft:** 5000 block of Valley View Road. Property was reported stolen at 9 a.m. **Sex crime:** 3000 block of Hilltop Mall Road. A sex crime was reported at 9:12 a.m. **Vehicle recovery:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. A previously missing car was located at 10:55 a.m. **Reckless driving:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. A driver was cited for reckless driving at 11:44 a.m. **Criminal threats:** 400 block of Civic Center Plaza. A person was reported for making criminal threats at 12:01 p.m. **Vandalism, Grand theft:** 1300 block of Cutting Boulevard. Property was damaged at 12:12 p.m. **Sex crime:** 100 block of 3rd Street. A sex crime was reported at 2:15 p.m. **Vandalism:** 600 block of 21st Street. Property was damaged at 2:55 p.m. **Battery:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. A person was physically attacked at 3 p.m. **Vandalism, Petty theft:** 400 block of 20th Street. Property was damaged at 3:31 p.m. **Identity fraud:** 1200 block of Fred Jackson Way. A person was reported for identity fraud at 4:34 p.m. **Theft of vehicle parts:** 3500 block of Esmond Avenue. Parts were reported stripped from a motor vehicle at 5:03 p.m. **Vandalism:** 1400 block of Harbour Way South Property was damaged at 5:30 p.m. **Domestic battery:** Undisclosed location in 94806\. A domestic partner was physically attacked at 7 p.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 2800 block of Pullman Avenue. A previously missing car was located at 7:17 p.m. **Domestic battery, False imprisonment:** 4500 block of Macdonald Avenue. A domestic partner was physically attacked at 7:50 p.m. **Robbery:** 12000 block of San Pablo Avenue. A robbery was reported at 8:30 p.m. **Car theft:** 800 block of S. 45th Street. The spot was conspicuously empty at 9:30 p.m. **Battery:** 800 block of Pennsylvania Avenue. A person was physically attacked at 10:49 p.m. ### **Thursday, April 16** **Vandalism, Vehicle burglary:** 500 block of S. 19th Street. Property was damaged at midnight. **Domestic battery:** 200 block of W. Bissell Avenue. Police arrested someone after a domestic partner was reportedly physically attacked at 12:38 a.m. **Car theft:** 900 block of Carlson Boulevard. The car had other plans and was gone at 5:07 a.m. **Armed carjacking, Car theft:** 300 block of S. 34th Street. A vehicle was taken at gunpoint at 5:30 a.m. **Domestic battery:** 600 block of S. 31st Street. A domestic partner was reportedly attacked at 9 a.m. **Homicide:** 2400 block of Aberdeen Way. A person was found dead under circumstances being investigated as a homicide at 10:59 a.m. [One dead, one injured in Aberdeen Way shooting; police say no outstanding suspectsOne person was killed and another wounded Thursday morning in a shooting on Aberdeen Way, police said. Officers responded to reports of shots fired at approximately 10:59 a.m. in the 2400 block of Aberdeen Way and found one person dead at the scene, according to the Richmond Police![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/size/w1200/2026/04/richmond-police-crime-tape-2-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/one-dead-one-injured-in-aberdeen-way-shooting-police-say-no-outstanding-suspects/) **Battery:** 900 block of W. Cutting Boulevard. A person was attacked at 1 p.m. **Criminal threats:** 700 block of 5th Street. A person was reported for making criminal threats at 1 p.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 2100 block of Burbeck Avenue. A previously missing car was located at 1:42 p.m. **Identity fraud:** 4300 block of Taft Avenue. A person was reported for identity fraud at 3:21 p.m. **Armed robbery:** 200 block of Marina Way. An armed robbery was reported at 4 p.m. **Residential burglary:** 200 block of Barrett Avenue. Someone entered a residence uninvited at 4:31 p.m. **Car theft:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. It vanished into the night at 6:30 p.m. **Vandalism:** 1300 block of Chanslor Avenue. Property was damaged at 7:37 p.m. **Petty theft:** 2200 block of Northshore Drive. Property was reported stolen at 9:26 p.m. **Reckless burning:** 300 block of W. Macdonald Avenue. A fire was negligently caused at 10:34 p.m. ### **Friday, April 17** **Theft from building:** 800 block of Pennsylvania Avenue. Property was stolen from inside a building at 2:16 a.m. **Car theft:** 1400 block of Harbour Way South. The car took an unauthorized trip at 7:20 a.m. **Hit-and-run:** 700 block of 18th Street. A driver struck a vehicle and fled the scene at 8:15 a.m. **Grand theft:** 12300 block of San Pablo Avenue. Grand theft was reported at 1 p.m. **Trespassing, Vandalism:** 3800 block of Lakeside Drive. A trespass was reported at 2:31 p.m. **Criminal threats:** 100 block of S. 11th Street. A person was reported for making criminal threats at 2:40 p.m. **Commercial burglary:** 2400 block of Lancaster Drive. A commercial property was entered at 3:41 p.m. **Vandalism, Court order violation:** 5200 block of Gordon Avenue. Property was damaged at 3:44 p.m. **Disorderly conduct:** 12400 block of San Pablo Avenue. Police arrested someone after a report of disorderly conduct at 4:24 p.m. **Drug possession, Shoplifting:** 11900 block of San Pablo Avenue. Police arrested someone after a person was found in possession of a controlled substance at 4:40 p.m. **Shoplifting:** 3800 block of Klose Way. A shoplifting was reported at 7:18 p.m. ### **Saturday, April 18** **DUI:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. Police arrested someone after a driver was found operating a vehicle under the influence at 1:57 a.m. **Vandalism:** 5200 block of San Jose Avenue. Property was damaged at 2:46 a.m. **Sex offender registration violation, Court order violation:** 3800 block of Lakeside Drive. A person was cited for failing to update their sex offender registration at 4:32 a.m. **Domestic battery:** 300 block of 21st Street. Police arrested someone after a domestic partner was attacked at 8:35 a.m. **Sex offender registration violation:** 1700 block of Regatta Boulevard. A person was cited for failing to update their sex offender registration at 9:33 a.m. **Car theft:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. It disappeared without warning at 10 a.m. **Warrant arrest, Drug possession:** 500 block of S. 23rd Street. Police arrested someone after a person was found on an outstanding warrant at 11 a.m. **Vehicle burglary:** 3200 block of Pierce Street. A vehicle was broken into at 11 a.m. **Marijuana possession for sale, obstruction:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. Police arrested someone after a person was found in possession of marijuana for sale at 2:09 p.m. **Battery:** 3000 block of Colette Drive. A person was attacked at 2:52 p.m. **Robbery:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. Police arrested someone after a robbery was reported at 2:55 p.m. **Battery:** 11900 block of San Pablo Avenue. A person was attacked at 3 p.m. **Assault with a firearm:** 800 block of Castro Street. A person was assaulted with a firearm at 3:03 p.m. **Theft from building, Fraud:** 4100 block of Klose Way. Property was stolen from inside a building at 7 p.m. **Felon in possession of a firearm, probation violation:** 3200 block of McBryde Avenue. Police arrested a convicted felon who was reportedly found in possession of a firearm at 7:10 p.m. ### **Sunday, April 19** **Domestic battery:** 900 block of W. Cutting Boulevard. Police arrested someone after a domestic partner was harmed at 1 a.m. **Commercial burglary:** 1900 block of Meeker Avenue. A commercial property was entered at 3 a.m. **DUI:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. Police arrested someone after a driver was found operating a vehicle under the influence at 5:34 a.m. **Car theft:** 2800 block of Rheem Avenue. Another car went missing at 8:30 a.m. **Vehicle burglary:** 2900 block of Groom Drive. A vehicle was broken into at 8:44 a.m. **Car theft:** 4100 block of Rosewood Avenue. Another car didn’t make it through the night at 9:16 a.m. **DUI:** Undisclosed location in 94805\. A driver was reported for operating a vehicle under the influence at 9:47 a.m. **Car theft:** 1800 block of Maine Avenue. Someone’s car got drafted into a different commute at 9:49 a.m. **Vehicle tampering:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. A vehicle was tampered with at 9:56 a.m. **Car theft:** 3200 block of Southridge Drive. The car had other plans and was gone at 10:50 a.m. **Residential burglary:** 5300 block of San Jose Avenue. A burglar entered a residence uninvited at 1:19 p.m. **Petty theft:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. Property was reported stolen at 2:30 p.m. **Car theft:** 1700 block of Bissell Avenue. The car had other plans and was gone at 5:32 p.m. **Felon in possession of a firearm, exhibiting a firearm, drug possession, Criminal threats:** undisclosed location in 94804\. A convicted felon was reportedly found in possession of a firearm at 5:59 p.m. **Domestic battery:** 500 block of S. 50th Street. A domestic partner was attacked at 6:30 p.m. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond police investigate second homicide in two days URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-police-investigate-second-homicide-in-two-days/ Last updated: 2026-04-18T04:10:18.000Z Two people were found dead inside a Clinton Avenue home Friday morning in what police are calling an apparent murder-suicide, the second homicide investigation the department has opened in as many days. Officers responded at approximately 9:57 a.m. to the 5600 block of Clinton Avenue for a welfare check after a family member contacted police. The family member had received an email from the resident indicating plans to self-harm. Officers forced entry into the residence and located two people deceased inside. Investigators believe the incident was an apparent murder-suicide and say it was isolated, with no ongoing threat to public safety. [One dead, one injured in Aberdeen Way shooting; police say no outstanding suspectsOne person was killed and another wounded Thursday morning in a shooting on Aberdeen Way, police said. Officers responded to reports of shots fired at approximately 10:59 a.m. in the 2400 block of Aberdeen Way and found one person dead at the scene, according to the Richmond Police![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-police-crime-tape-2-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/one-dead-one-injured-in-aberdeen-way-shooting-police-say-no-outstanding-suspects/) The deaths came just one day after officers investigated the city's first homicide of 2026\. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.*investigate ### On the agenda: Craneway vote, paramedic tax, data center moratorium and more URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-agenda-craneway-vote-paramedic-tax-data-center-moratorium-and-more/ Last updated: 2026-04-17T16:12:43.000Z The Richmond City Council meets Tuesday night with an agenda that includes a deadline-driven vote on the future of the Craneway Pavilion, a debate over how to fund a paramedic upgrade, and a first step toward restricting data center development in a city. ### [Craneway comes to a head](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60945&ref=grandviewindependent.com) After months of closed-door talks, locked doors, and even a pickleball dispute that drew protesters dressed as Rosie the Riveter, the council is headed for a key vote Tuesday night on the future of the Craneway Pavilion. [Locals protest opening of Craneway Pavilion pickleball facilityRichmond residents, dressed as Rosie the Riveters, protested the opening of the Craneway Pavilion pickleball facility at today’s opening day event. Rosie the Riveter is a cultural icon representing women who took on factory and shipyard jobs during World War II. Pickleball is a sport involving two or four![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2024/03/craneway-pickleball-richmond-protest.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/locals-protest-opening-day-of-craneway-pavilion-pickleball-facility/) Orton Entertainment LLC, which has held a 55-year lease on the historic Ford Point waterfront building for just $1 a year since 2004, has offered to return the leasehold to the city, along with $80,000 in cash. The catch: if the council doesn't act Tuesday, Orton says he's walking and transferring the lease to an unnamed backup entity he describes only as a "marine use," an organization whose board has already voted to accept it. A city-commissioned inspection identified [$12.7 million in long-term capital needs.](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60950&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Even mothballing the 72,000-square-foot building would cost an estimated $600,000 annually. Running it as an event venue under direct city management could mean a yearly deficit approaching $933,000. [Richmond in negotiations over Craneway Pavilion futureCity officials say a deal may be close with the current leaseholder of the historic Craneway Pavilion after months of private negotiations. City Councilmember Sue Wilson informed residents at the November 12 Marina Bay Neighborhood Council meeting that negotiations are ongoing, but they remain confidential due to legal requirements for![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/size/w1200/2025/11/richmond-craneway-pavilion-negotiations-2025-1-1-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-in-negotiations-over-craneway-pavilion-future/) A [second consulting firm ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60952&ref=grandviewindependent.com)suggested that leasing the building to a nonprofit or commercial operator could bring the city close to breaking even, and that a longer-term hotel development at the adjacent ferry terminal could eventually generate over $800,000 a year for the General Fund. No operator or nonprofit has been publicly identified. Tuesday's vote is simply on whether to take the building back at all, and figure out the rest later. If approved, escrow closes by May 1. ### [Council eyes $4.1 million-a-year paramedic upgrade, weighs parcel tax to pay for it](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60939&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The council will consider a parcel tax and new fees to fund a $4.1 million-per-year upgrade to full paramedic-level fire response. The plan would bring Richmond in line with every other jurisdiction in Contra Costa County by transitioning to Advanced Life Support first-responder services. The five-year program cost is estimated at $20.46 million, not counting additional expenses for aging fire station upgrades and replacements. Voters could see a measure on the November 2026 ballot, but it would need a two-thirds vote to pass. Based on the city’s 32,683 taxable parcels, a $100 per-parcel tax would cover about 80 percent of annual ALS costs, while $150 per parcel would fully fund the service and leave some room for equipment and other upgrades. Officials are also exploring a First Responder Service Fee and bond financing for station construction, with detailed recommendations to follow based on council direction Tuesday. ## On the consent calendar *The remainder of the agenda is on the consent calendar, a block of routine items the council typically approves in a single vote without discussion.* ### [Data center moratorium as OpenAI moves into city](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60896&ref=grandviewindependent.com) This proposal would direct city staff to draft a moratorium on new data center development, part of a growing wave of local governments hitting pause on the fast-expanding industry, even as the artificial intelligence giant OpenAI has quietly established a foothold in the city. The agenda report was authored by City Manager Shasa Curl, Community Development Director Lina Velasco, and Interim City Attorney Shannon Moore, and cites worries over energy consumption, water use, noise, and environmental justice impacts on nearby residential neighborhoods. The council action comes weeks after a county property record showed that OpenAI signed a lease recorded on March 9, 2026, for space at 1411 Harbour Way South in Richmond, the address of the Portside Commerce Center, a 202,371-square-foot industrial warehouse on the Port of Richmond that had been seeking a tenant since alternative energy startup Moxion Power collapsed in 2024. [OpenAI signs lease at Richmond’s Portside Commerce CenterA county property record shows that OpenAI OpCo LLC signed a lease recorded on March 9, 2026, for space at 1411 Harbour Way South in Richmond, the address of the Portside Commerce Center, a 202,371-square-foot industrial warehouse on the Port of Richmond that has been seeking a tenant since![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/IMG_3692-1.jpeg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/openai-signs-lease-at-richmonds-portside-commerce-center/) What OpenAI intends to use the building for is not clear from the lease record, and the company has not publicly announced its plans for the site. City staff noted there are currently no pending data center applications in Richmond, meaning the moratorium would be a preemptive policy step. The report recommends the council direct staff to develop and bring back formal moratorium language for adoption. ### [Pushing Newsom to crack down on Nevada fireworks](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60925&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Councilmembers Claudia Jimenez and Sue Wilson are urging Gov. Gavin Newsom to create a task force aimed at stopping the flow of illegal fireworks from Nevada into California. The resolution asks the governor to explore an interstate compact between the two states that would establish a shared database of fireworks sales records. The proposal targets 13 stores in Southern Nevada, six in Pahrump and seven northeast of Reno, that sell federally approved fireworks illegal under California law. Councilmembers estimate that those stores supply between 65 and 75 percent of the illegal fireworks used in California. The stores already require buyers to show a driver's license and sign forms stating they will only use the fireworks where legal. The proposed compact would require those stores to upload sales records to a secure Nevada-controlled website accessible to fire and law enforcement in both states, as well as federal agencies, including the ATF. The agenda report notes that local fire and law enforcement agencies have been overwhelmed responding nightly to complaints about illegal aerial fireworks displays ahead of the Fourth of July and other holidays. ### [A city draws a line around caste](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60931&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The council will consider adding caste as a protected category under Richmond's anti-discrimination laws. This move would make Richmond one of a small but growing number of U.S. cities to ban caste-based discrimination explicitly. The item includes both a resolution committing the city to caste equity and a first reading of an ordinance amending the Richmond Municipal Code to bring caste within the jurisdiction of the Human Rights and Human Relations Commission. ### [Sanctuary from the feds, in writing](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60935&ref=grandviewindependent.com) On its second and final reading, the council will vote to formally adopt an ordinance clarifying the limits on how city property, personnel, and resources may be used to assist federal civil immigration enforcement. ### [The city's paperwork gets an audit](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60940&ref=grandviewindependent.com) After being continued from two prior meetings, the council will take up an update to the city's records retention and destruction schedules, which govern how long various city documents are kept before they can be legally destroyed. The update covers all city departments except the Police Department, whose schedule will come before the council separately at a later date. ### [Moms deserve a night out, and a fee waiver](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60943&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Vice Mayor Doria Robinson, Councilmember Soheila Bana, and Mayor Eduardo Martinez are asking the council to co-sponsor a community Mother's Day celebration on May 9 organized by the United Business Organization, and to waive rental fees for the Richmond Memorial Auditorium for the occasion. ### [When fires rage, schools shouldn't pay the price](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60897&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The council is set to weigh whether to support a state bill that would let local fire agencies declare major safety hazards and keep school funding in place during extreme wildfire emergencies. ### [**$600,000 to give Richmond kids eight weeks of summer**](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60921&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The council will vote to approve a contract worth up to $600,000 with the West Contra Costa Public Education Fund to operate the Achieve Summer Camp, a free eight-week summer program for Richmond youth. The contract runs through the end of 2027 and is administered in partnership with the city's Community Services Recreation division. ### [$9,000 to feed kids at the library this summer](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60913&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The council will accept $9,000 in state grant funding for the Lunch at the Library program, which provides meals to children at Richmond libraries during the summer. The funds will be added to the library's current-year operating budget. ### [Show your work on sanctuary](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60935&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The council will receive a written update from the Finance Department on steps the city has taken to comply with its Sanctuary City Contracting and Investment Policy Ordinance, which restricts the city from doing business with companies that assist in immigration enforcement. No vote is required; this is a receive-only informational item. ### [A $420,000 bike lane, finished at last](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60929&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The council will formally accept the 7th Street Bike Lane Improvement Project as complete and approve a contract amendment increasing the final payment to contractor Rapid Grading by about $121,000, bringing the total to just over $420,000\. Staff will also be authorized to record the Notice of Completion and release bonds and retention. ### [$900,000 worth of concrete and boulders](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60906&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The council is set to sign off on buying K-rails and large natural stone boulders from two vendors for use across the city, mainly for encampment cleanup and protecting public right-of-ways. Each deal would run up to $450,000 over three years, with the option to extend twice for one year at up to $150,000 each time. ### [The monthly reckoning on encampments](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60919&ref=grandviewindependent.com) A routine monthly report from Public Works on encampment abatement activities carried out in March 2026\. The council will receive but not vote on this item. ### [$900,000 to keep Richmond's water clean and compliant](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60900&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The council is expected to approve a no-bid contract worth up to $900,000 with Larry Walker & Associates for wastewater and stormwater compliance work over the next three years. ### [A trail worth bragging about](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60934&ref=grandviewindependent.com) To open the regular meeting, the council will recognize the Public Works Department for winning a Northern California American Public Works Association award in the transportation category for the Ferry to Bridge to Greenway project, a trail connection linking the Richmond Ferry Terminal to the Bay Trail. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### One dead, one injured in Aberdeen Way shooting; police say no outstanding suspects URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/one-dead-one-injured-in-aberdeen-way-shooting-police-say-no-outstanding-suspects/ Last updated: 2026-04-17T05:43:37.000Z One person was killed and another wounded Thursday morning in a shooting on Aberdeen Way, police said. Officers responded to reports of shots fired at approximately 10:59 a.m. in the 2400 block of Aberdeen Way and found one person dead at the scene, according to the Richmond Police Department. A second person involved in the incident drove themselves to a local trauma center for treatment. Preliminary findings indicate both parties exchanged gunfire with each other, investigators said. Detectives said they do not believe any suspects remain at large and there is no known threat to public safety. The circumstances surrounding the shooting remained under active investigation. No additional details about the victim, the wounded person, or a possible motive were immediately released. Anyone with information is asked to contact Richmond Police Department Investigations at 510-620-6616. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### West Contra Costa school board confronts enrollment decline, hears warning of 2,000 student loss by 2031 URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/west-contra-costa-school-board-confronts-enrollment-decline-hears-warning-of-2-000-student-loss-by-2031/ Last updated: 2026-04-16T15:49:00.000Z The West Contra Costa Unified School District will lose more than 2,000 students over the next six years, a demographic consultant told the school board Wednesday night, with Richmond high schools bearing the steepest declines while a shortage of new housing offers little prospect of recovery. The projections, presented by Ken Reynolds of SchoolWorks GIS, showed district enrollment falling from 24,592 students today to 22,329 by 2031, a 9.2 percent drop driven by declining birth rates, rising housing costs, and families leaving the district for charter, private, and home schools. "The number of children being born each year in our state has been declining statewide," Reynolds told the board. "We used to have over 600,000 births. This past year, we only had 400,000\. We've lost a third of the births in our state over the last 12 years." ![Ken Reynolds of SchoolWorks GIS](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/04/Ken-Reynolds-SchoolWorks-GIS-1.webp) Ken Reynolds of SchoolWorks GIS presents enrollment projections to the West Contra Costa Unified school board on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, warning the district could lose more than 2,000 students by 2031. The numbers are most troubling for high schools serving Richmond and the surrounding area. Richmond High School is projected to fall from 70 percent of capacity today to 57 percent by 2031\. Kennedy High School, already the district's smallest high school at 53 percent capacity, is projected to drop to just 41 percent. De Anza High School is projected to drop from 66 percent to 60 percent over the same period. The contrast with El Cerrito High School is sharp. El Cerrito is currently at 94 percent capacity and is projected to exceed 104 percent by 2031. West Contra Costa Unified · Enrollment Projections ## Projected enrollment by school, 2025/26 to 2031/32 Projected facility utilization by school. Select a school level to explore. High schools Middle schools Elementary schools Source: WCCUSD 2025/26 Demographics and Enrollment Projections, SchoolWorks GIS, February 2026\. Utilization = enrollment ÷ net classroom capacity. ### Housing The demographic study projects 573 new housing units in the El Cerrito High School boundary over the next six years – more than any other high school in the district. The projection for the Richmond High School boundary is zero. District-wide, 1,762 new homes are projected over six years, spread across other school boundaries. But Reynolds cautioned that even those homes will generate far fewer students than new construction once did. West Contra Costa Unified · Housing ## No new housing planned in Richmond High School boundary through 2032 The district tracks planned residential development by high school boundary. Every boundary except Richmond's has new units in the pipeline. New units projected, district-wide 1,762 New units in Richmond HS boundary 0 Students those units will generate 356 Projected new housing units by high school boundary, 2026–2032 School boundary New units 2026–2032 Total El Cerrito HS 573 Kennedy HS 415 Hercules HS 378 De Anza HS 238 Pinole Valley HS 158 Richmond HS 0 Source: WCCUSD 2025/26 Demographics and Enrollment Projections, SchoolWorks GIS, February 2026. "Historically, for grades K through 12 in our state, that number has been 0.7 students per home," Reynolds said. "We're only projecting 0.2 students per home." He attributed the drop to rising housing costs and declining birth rates, adding that new housing is "the most difficult" variable to project accurately because market conditions can shift rapidly. The district projects that 1,762 new homes will generate just 356 additional students over six years, not enough to offset the losses driven by declining births and families leaving the district. Reynolds also noted that more than 1,000 homes are projected for the Kennedy High School boundary beyond the current six-year window, held up by the slow housing market. He said a planned rebuilding of the Kennedy campus, not included in the current projections, could also attract new students. He agreed to work with district staff to model the potential impact of both factors. "Whenever we have a brand new elementary school open, enrollment typically is more than that, because there are students from outside that area trying to enroll in the brand new school," Reynolds said. "So that can occur." West Contra Costa Unified · Planned Housing Developments ## 3,735 units planned — only 1,762 expected in six years Many planned developments are far from completion. Studios and 1-bedroom apartments are excluded from enrollment projections. Total units planned 3,735 Expected within 6 years 1,762 Students generated 356 Development Total units 6-yr projection Show all 27 developments ↓ Source: WCCUSD 2025/26 Demographics and Enrollment Projections, SchoolWorks GIS, February 2026. ### Charter schools Several board members pointed to charter schools as a significant driver of enrollment loss. Trustee Reckler said thousands of students within the district's boundaries are choosing charter schools over traditional public schools. Reynolds said the demographic study captures the impact of charter schools by tracking changes in district enrollment over time. He said that district enrollment accounts for about 75 percent of school-age children in the community, below the state average of 80 percent, and has remained relatively stable at that level. He said the gap represents potential room for growth. Trustee Demetrio Gonzalez-Hoy argued the board should focus on understanding why families are leaving rather than discussing school closures. He said the data showed the sharpest losses occurring between fifth and seventh grade, the same grades where charter school enrollment is concentrated. "There are thousands of students that are choosing to go to other schools, private, homeschool, and charter schools," he said. "We need to actually focus on the why behind that." ### Board divided The board did not take any action on the report on Wednesday, but the discussion revealed a divide between trustees who want to focus on reversing enrollment trends and those who say the board must begin preparing for possible school closures. Trustee Jamela Smith-Folds said the board could no longer avoid the conversation. "We cannot operate schools that are small because operating a school costs money," Smith-Folds said. "As a collective board, we have never wanted to have the conversation about school closures because it's never been part of what we wanted. But I think if we are being honest, looking down the road, it is a conversation that we're going to have to start broaching." Smith-Folds warned that if the board did not act proactively, outside authorities might force the issue. "If people come in here, the state, the county, whoever, they're going to do it without the tenderness and care that we would have, because we are the community." Trustee Leslie Reckler called the report "sobering" and praised the district for presenting it publicly, noting that previous demographic studies had been "buried on the 20th page of the business services." Reckler called for a formal, measurable action plan addressing attendance, school boundaries, existing program offerings, and what she called "calculated risks" to attract students back. She also suggested the district explore workforce housing and joint ventures as alternative revenue sources. She said planning should begin over the summer ahead of a facilities master plan expected in the fall. "We can be led, or we could lead change," Reckler said. "And I think we should try to lead the change." Board President Guadalupe Enllana said the data should prompt the district to consider how to support schools equitably and to bring attendance back up in areas experiencing the steepest declines. ### Methodology Reynolds said the cohort-based methodology used in the study, which tracks groups of students as they move through grade levels year over year, has an error rate of about one percent or less. He said the state uses a similar methodology to fund new school construction. The study also incorporates local birth data and new housing development projections gathered from cities and developers across the district. Reynolds said the projections are most uncertain in housing, where high interest rates and construction costs have made timelines difficult to predict. "There's a lot of people projecting that it will continue to be a challenge over the next several years," he said. "And some people believe that things could turn around and improve, so that makes this area the most difficult in creating an accurate projection." A facilities master plan, which will draw on demographic data, is expected to be returned to the board in the fall. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond holds community budget meetings on $729 million plan URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-holds-community-budget-meetings-on-729-million-plan/ Last updated: 2026-04-15T18:46:39.000Z The City of Richmond has been holding a series of community meetings this month to walk residents through a $729 million citywide budget that includes a $50 million payment from Chevron. The General Fund, which covers police, fire, parks, libraries, and most city services, is budgeted at $266 million for fiscal year 2025-26, up 64 percent from five years ago. Of that amount, the police receive $91.5 million, or 34.5 percent. Fire receives $47.3 million, or 17.8 percent. Public Works is third at $43.1 million, or 16.2 percent. Deputy Finance Director Mubeen Qader described the public safety concentration at the first community meeting on April 9. "More than 50 percent is spent on public safety, specifically 35 percent on police and 18 percent on fire," Qader said, noting that remaining funds cover street maintenance, libraries, and programs, including the community crisis response team known as ROCK, Reach Out with Compassion and Kindness. Where does the money come from — and where does it go? City of Richmond General Fund · FY 2025-26 · $308.5M in, $265.7M out General Fund Other Funds Where it comes from ↓ Where it goes Select a category for details Non-general funds are restricted to specific purposes. Total: $308.3M revenues, $463M appropriations. Capital and grant appropriations are often multi-year. Sources: City of Richmond Mid-Year Budget Review (March 2026) · Community Budget Meetings (April 2026) · [ci.richmond.ca.us/4096](https://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/4096/Community-Budget-Meetings?ref=grandviewindependent.com) The April 13 presentation cited several departmental results from the current year. Police reported a 45 percent drop in homicides compared to 2024\. Fire and emergency crews responded to 14,284 calls. Public Works removed approximately 3,000 tons of illegal dumping from more than 12,000 locations. Library visits rose 13 percent, and physical checkouts increased 20 percent. The budget includes $50 million received from Chevron under a 2024 agreement in which the company committed to pay the city $550 million over ten years. [Richmond City Council approves settlement with Chevron, removes refinery tax ballot measureIn a special meeting Wednesday, the Richmond City Council unanimously approved a 10-year half-billion dollar agreement with the city’s largest taxpayer, Chevron, removing the proposed “Make Polluters Pay” tax from the November ballot. Richmond Mayor Eduardo Martinez said in a statement that the city had reached an agreement with![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2024/08/richmond-city-council-chevron-tax-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-city-council-approves-settlement-with-chevron-removes-refinery-tax-ballot-measure/) Under the terms, Chevron pays $50 million annually for the first five years and $60 million annually for the remaining five, ending in 2034\. Qader said the payment was worth highlighting. "We want to make sure that the community knows that the polluters pay settlement revenues stream has received $50 million, which is the first installment of the 10 installments total," Qader said. City officials have classified the Chevron funds as "limited-term revenue," meaning they are not built into the city's base operating budget. The $308.5 million General Fund budget includes $48.5 million in that category, reserved for strategic or one-time uses. The Utility Users Tax, charged on gas, electricity, cable, and phone bills, is the largest single tax source at $64.9 million. Qader said it is running above projections because a rate cap provision increased by eleven percent against a forecast of seven percent. "If the rate goes up, so does the revenue in that area," he said. Sales tax is budgeted at $60.2 million and property tax at $58.3 million. Qader noted that most of the property tax collected in Richmond does not stay with the city. "Of that dollar, the City of Richmond gets about 28.5 cents, so not the entire part of your property tax bill the City of Richmond collects," he said. "It's only a share, which is just over a quarter, that comes to Richmond." ![Deputy Finance Director Mubeen Qader](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/04/mubeen-qader-deputy-finance-director-richmond-community-budget-meeting-april-9-2026-1-1.webp) Deputy Finance Director Mubeen Qader speaks during Richmond’s first community budget meeting on April 9, 2026, outlining key elements of the city’s proposed spending plan. The remainder is distributed to Contra Costa County, school districts, and regional agencies, including BART, AC Transit, and the East Bay Regional Parks District. The General Fund makes up about 36.5 percent of the city's total $729 million budget. The rest moves through restricted accounts for capital projects, enterprise operations such as the Port of Richmond and wastewater system, state and federal grants, and bond debt service. The city currently has approximately $296 million in grants awarded from various agencies. Its pooled investment portfolio has grown 46 percent since fiscal year 2020-21. Accounting Manager Jerry Gurule noted that the city recently completed corrective actions required by a California State Auditor review. "The city was under California state audit, which we have been removed from the high-risk designation," Gurule said. "So thank you to all the staff that put in the time and effort to implement all the recommendations." The city is scheduled to hold one more community budget session before the draft goes to Council: Wednesday, April 22, 6 to 8 p.m., City Council Chambers, 440 Civic Center Plaza. Spanish interpretation will be provided. The meeting is also available via Zoom (Webinar ID: 953 6472 1794). A final public session is scheduled for Wednesday, April 22, from 6 to 8 p.m. at City Council Chambers. The draft budget goes to City Council on May 5, with adoption scheduled for June 23. Questions can be submitted to budget\_helpdesk@ci.richmond.ca.us or (510) 620-6591\. Budget documents are at[ www.ci.richmond.ca.us/4096/Community-Budget-Meetings](http://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/4096/Community-Budget-Meetings?ref=grandviewindependent.com). --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Your guide to Richmond's June primary: Maps, candidates, and key dates URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/your-guide-to-richmonds-june-primary-maps-candidates-and-key-dates/ Last updated: 2026-06-01T15:23:16.000Z With Richmond’s June primary just weeks away, voters across the city have a bevy of questions not only concerning who the candidates are, but also who is running in each district and what the newly adopted rules mean for election outcomes. With these questions in mind, *Grandview* has created an easy-to-use interactive map illustrating the voting districts, candidates, and links to in-depth interviews we conducted with those running in both the city council and the mayor's race. [Election′26 - Grandview IndependentFollow all coverage of Richmond’s 2026 election cycle, including mayoral and city council races, candidate announcements, campaign developments, and updates shaping the city’s political landscape.![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/11/Election----26-5.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/tag/election26/) Inside the map, you will find useful voting district information, such as the number of registered voters, demographics, and more. Just mouse over the area of the map to read about each district. Toggle between city council candidates and those running for mayor, and choose from one of the lists to read Grandview's complete conversation with a selected candidate. City Council Mayor's Race 2026 Council Races **Important Election Dates:** ■ The last day to register to vote for the June 2, 2026, Primary Election is May 18 ■ Ballots mailed by May 4, 2026 ■ Ballot drop-off locations open on May 5, 2026 ■ The first vote centers open for early in-person voting on May 23, 2026 --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### What happened in Richmond: Assaults, robbery and arson URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/what-happened-in-richmond-assaults-robbery-and-arson/ Last updated: 2026-04-13T20:08:35.000Z Assaults, a robbery and a reported arson were among the incidents logged by Richmond police between April 6 and April 12, along with multiple driving-under-the-influence arrests and 21 vehicle thefts, according to department records. ### Richmond crime incident map ### **Monday, April 6** **DUI:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. Police arrested someone after a driver was found operating a vehicle under the influence at 12:17 a.m. **Battery:** 2600 block of Hilltop Drive. A person was physically attacked at 2:21 a.m. **Court order violation:** 5200 block of Gordon Avenue. Police arrested someone after a court order was found to have been violated at 2:29 a.m. **Car theft:** 700 block of Ripley Avenue. A car disappeared at 3:50 a.m. **Vandalism:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. Property was damaged at 6:07 a.m. **Vandalism:** 3200 block of Macdonald Avenue. Property was damaged at 6:40 a.m. **Shoplifting:** 2100 block of Meeker Avenue. A shoplifter was at work at 7:41 a.m. **False identification, drug possession, trespassing, possession of vehicle master key:** 2400 block of Aberdeen Way. Police arrested someone after a person reportedly provided false identification to an officer at 9:34 a.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 2600 block of Hinkley Avenue. A previously missing car was located at 9:38 a.m. **Court order violation:** 2600 block of Hilltop Drive. A court order violation was reported at 9:40 a.m. **Custody deprivation:** 2500 block of Lancaster Drive. A person was reported for depriving another of court-ordered custody or visitation rights at 12:55 p.m. **Car theft:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. Another car disappeared into the criminal underworld at 1:46 p.m. **Hit-and-run:** Undisclosed location in 94803\. A driver struck someone and fled the scene at 2:36 p.m. **Fraud:** 700 block of S. 40th Street. A fraud was reported at 2:42 p.m. **Aggravated battery:** 300 block of 33rd Street. A person was seriously injured in an assault at 3 p.m. **Sex offender registration violation:** 1700 block of Regatta Boulevard. A person was cited for failing to update their sex offender registration at 3:29 p.m. **Failure to provide for a child:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. A person was reported for failing to provide for a child at 4:01 p.m. **Sexual battery:** 3500 block of Ohio Avenue. A sexual battery was reported at 6 p.m. **Drug paraphernalia:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. Police arrested someone after drug paraphernalia was found at 6:09 p.m. **Domestic battery, assault with a deadly weapon:** 2800 block of Pullman Avenue. A domestic partner was reportedly physically attacked at 7:16 p.m. **Fraud:** 15500 block of San Pablo Avenue. A fraud was reported at 8:24 p.m. **Petty theft:** 600 block of 9th Street. Property was reported stolen at 8:55 p.m. **Battery:** 100 block of Chanslor Avenue. A person was physically attacked at 9:09 p.m. **Car theft:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. The owner came back to an empty spot at 11:35 p.m. ### **Tuesday, April 7** **Theft of vehicle parts:** 900 block of W. Cutting Boulevard. Parts were reported stripped from a motor vehicle at 12:30 a.m. **Car theft:** 600 block of Berk Avenue. It was gone before the owner realized it at 1 a.m. **Car theft, commercial burglary:** 4100 block of Lakeside Drive. It vanished into the night at 1 a.m. **Negligent firearm discharge:** 4900 block of Hartnett Avenue. A firearm was discharged in a grossly negligent manner at 1:39 a.m. **Car theft:** 200 block of 5th Street. The spot was conspicuously empty at 1:48 a.m. **Car theft:** 5100 block of Sacramento Avenue. The car took an unauthorized trip at 6 a.m. **Battery on a peace officer:** 900 block of Nevin Avenue. A peace officer was physically attacked at 8:24 a.m. **Vandalism:** 3100 block of Pullman Avenue. Property was damaged at 9:57 a.m. **Car theft:** 600 block of S. 37th Street. The owner came back to an empty spot at 10:45 a.m. **Petty theft:** 1400 block of Hilltop Mall Road. Property was reported stolen at 11:30 a.m. **Court order violation:** 400 block of 22nd Street. A court order violation was reported at 1:11 p.m. **Residential burglary:** 5300 block of Gately Avenue. Someone entered a residence uninvited at 6:58 p.m. **Car theft:** 200 block of Santa Fe Avenue. It disappeared without warning at 7:30 p.m. **Petty theft:** 1500 block of Nevin Plaza. Property was reported stolen at 7:39 p.m. **Domestic battery:** 1300 block of Bissell Avenue. Police arrested someone after a domestic partner was physically attacked at 8:30 p.m. **DUI:** 200 block of 16th Street. Police arrested someone after a driver was found operating a vehicle under the influence at 9:44 p.m. **Car theft:** 900 block of W. Cutting Boulevard. Someone’s vehicle was boosted at 10 p.m. ### **Wednesday, April 8** **Midnight acquisition:** 300 block of Gertrude Avenue. Another car owner lost his wheels at midnight. **DUI:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. Police arrested someone after a driver was found operating a vehicle under the influence at 1:47 a.m. **Vandalism:** 800 block of 7th Street. Property was damaged at 3:06 a.m. **Vehicle recovery, Car theft:** 100 block of South 18th Street. A previously missing car was located at 6:13 a.m. **Unlawful tear gas possession:** 3800 block of Fleming Avenue. A person was reported for unlawful use or possession of tear gas at 9:30 a.m. **Car theft:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. Another car went missing at 10:13 a.m. **Theft from vehicle:** 1000 block of Wright Avenue. Property was stolen from a vehicle at 11 a.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 5000 block of El Portal Drive. A previously missing car was located at 12:15 p.m. **Vehicle tampering:** 2700 block of Roosevelt Avenue. A car was tampered with at 12:23 p.m. **Identity fraud:** 2300 block of Welcome Avenue. A person was reported for identity fraud at 12:50 p.m. **Mail theft:** 600 block of 6th Street. Mail was reported stolen at 1:43 p.m. **Domestic battery, obstruction, criminal threats:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. A domestic partner was physically attacked at 5:09 p.m. **Obstruction, Court order violation:** 700 block of 33rd Street. Police arrested someone after an officer was obstructed at 7:52 p.m. **Car theft:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. It vanished into the night at 9 p.m. **DUI:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. Police arrested someone after a driver was found operating a vehicle under the influence at 9:16 p.m. ### **Thursday, April 9** **DUI, reckless driving, obstruction, disorderly conduct:** 2100 block of Meeker Avenue. Police arrested someone after a driver was found under the combined influence of alcohol and drugs at 1:30 a.m. **Car theft:** 200 block of S. 41st Street. A car owner made a surprise donation to car thieves at 7:22 a.m. **Theft of vehicle parts:** 4400 block of Jenkins Way. Parts were reported stripped from a motor vehicle at 8 a.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 400 block of 33rd Street. A previously missing car was located at 9:24 a.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 500 block of S. 30th Street. A previously missing car was located at 10:30 a.m. **Mail theft:** 100 block of W. Macdonald Avenue. Mail was reported stolen at 11:22 a.m. **Theft of vehicle parts:** 1400 block of Harbour Way South. Parts were reported stripped from a motor vehicle at 11:44 a.m. **Vandalism, Commercial burglary:** 100 block of Harbour Way. Property was damaged at 1:12 p.m. **Vandalism:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. Property was damaged at 1:23 p.m. **Child abuse:** 2400 block of Aberdeen Way. A child was reported to have been harmed at 2 p.m. **Theft from vehicle:** 4900 block of Santa Rita Road. Property was stolen from a vehicle at 3 p.m. **Sex crime:** 300 block of Willard Avenue. A sex crime was reported at 3:02 p.m. **Car theft:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. Another car was spirited away at 5:02 p.m. **Robbery:** 1400 block of Burbeck Avenue. A robbery was reported at 5:12 p.m. **Negligent firearm discharge:** 1000 block of S. 47th Street. A firearm was discharged in a grossly negligent manner at 7:45 p.m. **Fraud, Vehicle burglary:** 3700 block of Cutting Boulevard. A fraud was reported at 9 p.m. ### **Friday, April 10** **Assault with a deadly weapon:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. A person was assaulted with a deadly weapon at 12:15 a.m. **Assault with a deadly weapon:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. A person was assaulted with a deadly weapon at 2:11 a.m. **DUI, Driving on a DUI-suspended license:** 300 block of 39th Street. A driver was cited for operating a vehicle under the influence at 2:42 a.m. **Theft of vehicle parts:** 1400 block of Marina Way South. Parts were reported stripped from a motor vehicle at 8:30 a.m. **Vandalism:** 2400 block of Lancaster Drive. Property was damaged at 9 a.m. **Court order violation:** 900 block of Triangle Court. A court order violation was reported at 9:57 a.m. **Domestic battery:** 2300 block of Aberdeen Way. Police arrested someone after a domestic partner was physically attacked at 3:28 p.m. **Petty theft:** 4500 block of Macdonald Avenue. Property was reported stolen at 4:25 p.m. **Court order violation:** 2700 block of Wiswall Drive. A court order violation was reported at 7:47 p.m. **Car theft:** 600 block of Berk Avenue. Someone parked it, and someone else unparked it at 8 p.m. ### **Saturday, April 11** **DUI:** Undisclosed location in 94806\. Police arrested someone after a driver was found operating a vehicle under the influence at 12:23 a.m. **Domestic battery:** An undisclosed location. A domestic partner was physically attacked at 1 a.m. **Theft of vehicle parts:** 2100 block of Chanslor Avenue. Parts were reported stripped from a motor vehicle at 11:50 a.m. **Fraud:** 300 block of Hawk Ridge Drive. A fraud was reported at 1:26 p.m. **Obstruction, Reckless driving:** Undisclosed location in 94591\. An officer was obstructed at 3:10 p.m. **Child abuse, Domestic battery:** 600 block of 16th Street. Police arrested someone after a child was reported to have been seriously harmed at 3:50 p.m. **Vehicle burglary:** 2600 block of Grant Avenue. A vehicle was broken into at 4 p.m. **Car theft:** 300 block of 4th Street. The owner came back to an empty spot at 7:56 p.m. **DUI:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. Police arrested someone after a driver was found operating a vehicle under the influence at 9:38 p.m. **Car theft:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. An anonymous party terminated the exclusive ownership of a vehicle at 10 p.m. ### **Sunday, April 12** **Arson:** 200 block of Civic Center Street. A property was deliberately set on fire at 2:45 a.m. **Robbery:** 2500 block of Macdonald Avenue. A robbery was reported at 3:05 a.m. **Criminal threats:** 700 block of Griffin Drive. A person was reported for making criminal threats at 10:37 a.m. **Car theft:** 700 block of 7th Street. Thieves left a hollow spot on the asphalt where a perfectly good Hyundai used to sit at 11:38 a.m. **Vehicle recovery:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. A previously missing car was located at 2:34 p.m. **Assault with a deadly weapon:** 1100 block of Macdonald Avenue. A person was physically attacked at 4:24 p.m. **Assault with a deadly weapon, illegal firearm possession:** 2000 block of San Pablo Avenue & Richmond Parkway. A person was assaulted with a deadly weapon at 4:39 p.m. **Domestic battery:** 2800 block of Cutting Boulevard. A domestic partner was physically attacked at 5:50 p.m. **Trespassing:** Undisclosed location in 94806\. A trespasser was reported at 6:09 p.m. **Drugs:** 900 block of Triangle Court. A person was found in possession of a controlled substance at 7:24 p.m. **Identity fraud:** 400 block of W. Richmond Avenue. A person was reported for identity fraud at 9:48 p.m. **Driving on a DUI-suspended license:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. A driver was cited for operating a vehicle on a license suspended for DUI at 9:51 p.m. **Child abuse:** 2300 block of Lancaster Drive. A child was reported to have been harmed at 10 p.m. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### The Richmond Burrito Trail Map: Readers asked, and Grandview responded! URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/the-richmond-burrito-trail-map-readers-asked-and-grandview-responded/ Last updated: 2026-04-13T23:35:43.000Z Check out our new, fully-interactive Burrito Trail map, highlighting the best of Richmond's burrito culture, featuring eatery locations along with our published reviews for all your favorite local hot spots. *If we have missed your go-to restaurant or food truck, let us know, and we'll gladly add it to our map!* 0 stops reviewed 0 food trucks 0 restaurants 0 market delis 0 breakfast All stops Restaurants Food trucks Market delis Breakfast ✕ Hide Restaurant Food truck Market / deli Breakfast All Stories — Burrito Trail Loading stories… --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### UCSF proposes 10-room outpatient clinic at Hilltop URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/ucsf-proposes-10-room-outpatient-clinic-at-hilltop/ Last updated: 2026-04-10T22:36:53.000Z The University of California, San Francisco, is seeking to open a general outpatient medical clinic in a vacant commercial space on Hilltop Mall Road, with the Richmond Planning Commission scheduled to take up the proposal on April 16. The commission will consider a conditional use permit that would allow UCSF to operate a clinic inside a 5,013-square-foot ground-floor tenant space at the former AAA office at 3060 Hilltop Mall Road. The building currently houses the SGI-USA Buddhist Center and the Asian Pacific Environmental Network's Richmond office. City planning staff are recommending approval. If approved, the clinic would include ten exam rooms, three private offices, a nurse's station, a reception area, a waiting room, a clinical laboratory, and a staff break room. The facility would employ 15 people and serve patients Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with no overnight operations. The 2.27-acre property sits in the Hilltop District neighborhood and is zoned CM-5 Commercial Mixed-Use. The building's existing 87-space parking lot exceeds the minimum 68 spaces required when accounting for all tenants. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/04/csf-outpatient-clinic-site-map-3060-hilltop-mall-road-hilltop-district-richmond-california.webp) A site map showing the location of 3060 Hilltop Mall Road in Richmond's Hilltop District, where UCSF is proposing to open an outpatient medical clinic. The 2.27-acre parcel sits west of Blume Drive and north of Hilltop Drive, adjacent to Aspire Public School to the west and Enterprise Rent-a-Car to the east. Planning staff wrote that the use would provide "a regional-serving institution within a major activity center, consistent with the intent of the CM-5 Zoning District." Staff also noted the clinic would complement nearby facilities at the Hilltop Medical Plaza and that "providing an additional health service would reduce long-distance trips to access medical care." Staff further wrote that approval would allow "a vacant tenant space to be filled with a productive and beneficial service in the area." The project requires only interior tenant improvements and has been deemed categorically exempt from California Environmental Quality Act review. No expansion of the building footprint is proposed. One condition attached to the recommended approval would require the property owner to submit a revised landscape and irrigation plan before receiving a certificate of occupancy, as the site was found to be out of compliance with the city's landscaping regulations. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Eight Great Things to do in Richmond URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/eight-great-things-to-do-in-richmond-27/ Last updated: 2026-04-09T21:52:57.000Z With 30-plus miles of shoreline, two yacht clubs, endless hiking and cycling trails, and an array of restaurants, art galleries, and historic resources, Richmond has a lot to offer. Each week, *Grandview Independent* highlights the best, not-to-be-missed events and offerings from around this amazing city. This week's best of Richmond events include a screening of Hamnet at The Majick Lantern Theater in Point Richmond, lots of live music, two art gallery openings, and the return of Factory Bar's famous Boozy Brunch. ## Opening Reception for Spring Exhibitions @Richmond Art Center ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/04/Screenshot-2026-04-09-at-2.24.22-PM.png) **Saturday, April 11, 2026, 1 - 3 p.m.** Join us as we celebrate the opening of three new exhibitions: - [**Weaving Between the Lines: Golden Gate Weavers Guild & Bay Area Basket Makers Guild**](https://richmondartcenter.org/exhibitions/weaving-between-the-lines/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) - [**A Turbulent Landscape: Randy Jayne Rosenberg**](https://richmondartcenter.org/exhibitions/a-turbulent-landscape/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) - [**Embracing the Edges of Time: Susan Almazol**](https://richmondartcenter.org/exhibitions/susan-almazol/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) The event will feature a special Courtyard performance, *Dance of the Elders*, at 1:30 p.m. by **Judith Kajiwara**, **Arisika Razak**, and **Susan Almazol**. Plus, watch **Michele Hament** and **Jill Stanton** demo ribbed and kelp basketmaking in the Main Gallery during the reception. All are welcome to attend. No RSVP necessary. **Richmond Art Center, 2540 Barrett Avenue, Richmond, CA** ## Live Music @The Backyard with Kaitlyn Williams ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/04/Screenshot-2026-04-09-at-1.00.18-PM.png) **Saturday, April 11, 2026, 1 - 3 p.m.** 🎶 Experience the magic of [Kaitlyn Williams](https://www.instagram.com/kkaitlynwilliamss/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) on Saturday, April 11th from 1 p.m.-3 p.m.! 🌟 Indulge in the perfect blend of jazz and alternative pop. 🎤 Join us for a beautiful Saturday afternoon – an unforgettable musical journey awaits! 🔥 Who’s excited?! **The Backyard 205 Cutting Boulevard Richmond, CA, 94804 United States** [(map)](http://maps.google.com/?q=205%20Cutting%20Boulevard%20Richmond,%20CA,%2094804%20United%20States&ref=grandviewindependent.com) ## Hamnet @The Majick Lantern Theater ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/04/Screenshot-2026-04-09-at-1.31.36-PM.png) **Saturday, April 11, 2026** Oscar winner in 2026 for Best Actress, Jessie Buckley, and Paul Mescal star in a heartbreaking adaptation of the best-selling novel. English Drama/Historical/Epic/Romantic Tickets online to 5 p.m. day of show, Cash at door $15 *(Monthly films on the 2nd Saturday)* Doors Open 7 p.m. Film Starts 7:30 p.m. Email [magick-lantern@att.net](mailto:magick-lantern@att.net) Phone 510-232-2559 **Methodist Church of Point Richmond 201 Martina St.** ***(side entrance off West Richmond)*** ## Boozy Brunch @The Factory Bar ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/04/Screenshot-2026-04-09-at-11.49.17-AM.png) **Boozy Brunch is coming BACK!!!** We’re kicking off brunch season at The Factory Bar on April 12—so mark your calendar. This year, we’re doing it big with brunch every Sunday. Each week, one of our favorite chefs will pop up on the patio, serving a unique and delicious brunch menu you won’t want to miss. Behind the bar, our team has crafted an all-new cocktail lineup—alongside your favorites like the Factory Bar Bloody Mary and mimosa. And because brunch should always come with a soundtrack, we’ll be featuring local musicians bringing live music to our sunny garden. **Monthly lineup:** 1st Sundays: Chef Cynthia of Whey on Wheels – Cheesy Delight Brunch 2nd Sundays: Chef Dave of Pickles N Smoke – BBQ Brunch 3rd Sundays: Chef Henrik – Brazilian Brunch 4th Sundays: Chef Sharon of General Li – Taiwanese-American Inspired Brunch Come hungry, stay awhile, and we’ll see you soon. **12517 San Pablo Avenue, Richmond, California 94805** ## Jazz with Tom Bekeny and Friends @The Sailing Goat ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/04/Screenshot-2026-04-09-at-1.02.16-PM.png) **April 12, 2026, 4 – 7 p.m.** Tom Bekeny has been passionate about playing the mandolin since the early 1970s and has been a well-known figure in the Bay Area music scene for decades. Before studying jazz, he focused exclusively on bluegrass, performing with notable groups such as the Kathy Kallick Band, Laurie Lewis, Done Gone, Bangers and Grass, and playing fiddle with High Country—the West Coast’s longest-running traditional bluegrass band. He has shared the stage with acclaimed artists including Peter Rowan, David Grisman, and Jerry Garcia. Around 20 years ago, Tom began exploring jazz and co-founded the Missing Man Quartet before forming his current group, *Jazz With Tom Bekeny and Friends*. In 2013, he released *Jazzolin*, a collection of jazz standards that received praise from respected outlets such as Jazz Weekly, Mandolin Cafe, and the Folk and Acoustic Music Exchange. **Sailing Goat at Point San Pablo Harbor, 1900 Stenmark Dr, Richmond, CA 94801, USA** ## Sunday Reception @ ar-ti-fact gallery ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/04/Screenshot-2026-04-09-at-1.06.41-PM.png) **Sunday, April 12** "Can't We All Just Get Along?" Art by Bonnie Leonard & Wendy Walker. Meet the artists, chat with friends, and join the general revelry! **ar-ti-fact gallery** **109 W Richmond Ave., Point Richmond, CA 94801** ## The Art Springs Quartet @Windchaser Wine Co. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/04/Screenshot-2026-04-09-at-1.09.02-PM-1-1-1-1.png) **Sunday, April 12, 2026, 4 - 6 p.m.** This Sunday with our buddies [@rockyislandoysterco](https://www.instagram.com/rockyislandoysterco/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) **1352 S 49th St, Richmond, CA 94804** ## Bring a Puppet to Life Workshop @ The Planetarium ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/04/Screenshot-2026-04-09-at-2.29.52-PM.png) ### Bring a Puppet to Life A Workshop @ The Planetarium Taught by legendary local puppeteer Lee Armstrong Sunday, April 12, 2026 2 - 4:30 p.m. Tickets [**available here**](https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/ragtagshows/bring-a-puppet-to-life-for-stage-social-media?ref=grandviewindependent.com) **5327 Jacuzzi St, Richmond, CA** --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Council extends $99 million youth fund after packed night of testimony URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/council-extends-99-million-youth-fund-after-packed-night-of-testimony/ Last updated: 2026-04-09T00:49:24.000Z The Richmond City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to extend the city's Richmond Fund for Children and Youth for another ten years, directing an estimated $99 million toward youth services through 2038\. The vote came after one of the more crowded and emotional public meetings the city has seen in some time, with the main chambers at capacity and an overflow auditorium opened for the spillover group. The fund was established in 2018, when Richmond voters approved the Kids' First Initiative by more than 76 percent. It directs three percent of unrestricted General Fund revenues each year to community organizations providing mental health services, educational support, violence prevention, arts programming, and basic needs for residents from birth through age 24\. The extension keeps that structure in place for a new ten-year term beginning in fiscal year 2028-29. The night belonged to the young people. They came organized and in numbers, the result of an effort by the RYSE Center. The turnout was built around Listening Campaign 2.0, a follow-up to RYSE's original 2013 Listening Campaign. With 50 in-person speakers allotted just one minute each, they got up one after another and said roughly the same thing in different ways: adults are not listening, and the burden of proving it keeps falling on the kids. They talked about being surveyed and studied and then watching nothing change. They talked about finding their own ways through music, biking, and time outside. Representatives from youth organizations described their programs as places that held young people together. At one point, two performing arts instructors played music for the council mid-meeting. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/04/claudio-naranjos-vega-lolis-garcia-east-bay-center-performing-arts-richmond-city-council-kids-first-2026-1.webp) Claudio Vega, Mexican Music Specialist, and Delores "Lolis" García, Associate Director of Student Development and Training, perform during her one-minute allotted comment at Richmond City Council chambers Tuesday night. Both are staff members at the East Bay Center for the Performing Arts in Richmond. Vice Mayor Doria Robinson moved to approve Option 1, reauthorizing the fund without amendment, early in the council's deliberation. "There are always ways that you can make a program better, make it stronger," Robinson said. "I think we can do that while securing the program today." Robinson also cited the political risk of sending the measure to voters, saying she believed the fund "may fail, considering the environment that we're in and all the demands on people's money." Patrick Seals, the city's Administrative Chief for Children and Youth, described the fund's structure as deliberately adaptive. "The power of this measure is that it is iterative," he told the council, explaining that the fund's three-year grant cycles require a new community needs assessment each round. "We will be able to uplift what the needs are to support residents based on your experience and based on residents' experience." Seals also addressed questions about oversight board meeting frequency, pushing back on the suggestion that the board had fallen short of its required six meetings per year. "According to our records, we've met seven times on average every year since the board was established," Seals said. Councilmember Sue Wilson said she would vote yes, but wanted two things on the record. First, that funded programs should be distributed across the city so that kids in every neighborhood have access close to home. Second, that organizations receiving city money should say so publicly. "I would like to see some kind of requirement that organizations that take this money have to acknowledge that it's your taxpayer dollars at work," Wilson said. "I didn't know that the city helped pay for some of these great programs until I started sitting up here." Councilmembers worked through eligibility questions and conflicting language across different versions of the charter document, with the city attorney at one point directing members to focus on the most recent version. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/04/richmond-city-attorney-shannon-moore-cesar-zepeda-charter-language-kids-first-vote-2026-1.webp) City Attorney Shannon Moore leans over to review charter language on Council Member Cesar Zepeda's computer during Tuesday's deliberations over the Richmond Fund for Children and Youth. Mayor Eduardo Martinez, who had opened the session by calling on the audience to listen even to speakers they disagreed with, acknowledged that the back-and-forth between Councilmembers and Seals had demonstrated exactly why the fund's language needed attention. "I want to apologize if I seemed like I was attacking you," Martinez told Seals. "I was basically just trying to clarify." When the vote came, it was unanimous, and the room was loud about it. Seals, who noted that he was born in Richmond and had participated in city youth programs as a child, thanked the council after the vote. "We work really hard," he said, "and have formed, I think, very positive relationships. The work that we do, although it is impactful, we take it quite personally because of the impact that it has in our community, because we're from Richmond too." --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Celebrate Local News Day! URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/celebrate-local-news-day/ Last updated: 2026-04-10T15:27:09.000Z Join us in the movement to support trusted home-grown journalism. By signing up, you get access to breaking news, the latest public safety information, updates from city hall, and more. Quality journalism costs money. Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal) **\- Starting at just $10/month** ### Candidate Interview: Mark Wassberg runs for mayor of Richmond URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/candidate-interview-mark-wassberg-runs-for-mayor-of-richmond/ Last updated: 2026-04-07T15:47:03.000Z Mark Wassberg has been thrown out of Richmond City Council meetings more times than he can count. He figures it will happen again at the next one. He is running for mayor anyway. ### **Who he is** Wassberg was raised in San Pablo, went to Helms Junior High, and graduated from Richmond High in 1975\. He spent most of his working years in Richmond, then moved to Point Richmond to work on tugboats. He worked as a mechanic most of his life. He did a stint at Chevron and worked at factories across Richmond until, as he put it, Jimmy Carter’s economy shut them all down around 1980\. He was forced into a job-training program and worked as an auto technician for several years. [Election′26 - Grandview IndependentFollow all coverage of Richmond’s 2026 election cycle, including mayoral and city council races, candidate announcements, campaign developments, and updates shaping the city’s political landscape.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--280.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Election----26-5-3.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/tag/election26/) Wassberg says many people think he is a MAGA supporter because he backs Trump, but he says he cares about doing what is right. To him, it is not about political parties but about following the law and the Constitution. Wassberg describes himself as a former "die-hard Democrat" who eventually broke with the party. “I used to be a Democrat, a die-hard Democrat, but the Democrat Party, that did it with me,” he said. “It’s not being a Democrat, it’s not being a Republican. It’s all about doing what is right under the Constitution.” Wassberg says he doesn’t care what people call him. “They can call me a Trump supporter, they can call me a conservative,” he said. “It’s about doing what’s right. I believe in supporting the community, having jobs, education, and trying to make the city safe. I’m against illegal immigrants. I’m against defunding the police.” Those convictions grew out of years spent watching what Richmond could become. Starting in 2004, Wassberg spent roughly six years filming violence in the city — riding along with police, spending time with gang members and activists, recording homicides, shootings, and beatings. He turned the footage into a documentary, which he is still editing and hopes to screen around Richmond. “I was with the police, with the gangsters, I was with the activists,” he said. “Filming homicides and shootings and beatings, and made a documentary about it. It says everything you want to know about Richmond.” He describes a period of personal upheaval before his current life. He rode with a biker group for two decades, frequented bars, and by his account was regularly in trouble. In 1979, he was in a serious accident that killed his best friend. He says that experience changed him completely. “I quit all the drugs, I quit all the alcohol, quit all women, started the church,” he said. “Back in the day, I was a partier, you know, going to the bars, drugs, rock and roll, Harley Davidson, for 20 years I was all in that scene. Then I got out of it.” What drew him into local politics, he said, was a city council decision that opened the door for undocumented immigrants to drive without a driver’s license. He began attending meetings and then running for Richmond City Council multiple times, without success. By his count, he has been removed from council chambers approximately a dozen times. Now he is aiming higher. ### **On public safety** Wassberg’s campaign centers almost entirely on public safety, and for him, that means law enforcement staffing above everything else. He argues that Richmond’s investment in alternative response programs, specifically ROCK and ONS, has drawn money away from the police and produced little in return. “They gave them $6 million, and they’re just out riding around and talking to the homeless people,” he said. “ROCK is just a waste of time. My main focus: public safety, law enforcement, and infrastructure. These are the two most important things that are happening with our city and must be done. You cannot let infrastructure fall apart. You cannot let law enforcement fall apart, or else you’re going to have some serious problems.” He says he would move to eliminate both ROCK and ONS if elected, and would fire the current police chief on his first day in office over what he describes as "the department’s refusal to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement." Wassberg points to his own experience as evidence of what he sees as systemic failures. He says he once called 911 and waited five hours for a response. “I called them about five times, and they showed up five hours later,” he said. “Then I got into an argument with them. You cannot have this with our government, because the number one thing for the government is public safety, to have law enforcement up to par and make sure they’re obeying the constitutional laws.” ### **On homelessness** Wassberg lived in his truck for thirteen years. He describes that period as one in which he stayed away from drugs and alcohol and eventually pulled himself out. He does not apply the same frame to most of the homeless people he sees in Richmond today. “I lived in my truck, I lived on the street, and I stayed away from the alcohol and the drugs,” he said. “See, there’s programs out there for people that really want to help themselves. But most of the people I see here in Richmond, they don’t want to do it. If you offer them a job, they wouldn’t even take it.” He believes the city’s supportive housing programs reward behavior that should instead be changed. “The more you cater to these people, the worse it’s going to get,” he said. He pointed to two nearby projects, the Richmond Tiny House Village, Farm & Garden, and the Greater Richmond Interfaith Program across the street. “They’re going to be living there for free. I can see if they want to live there, they’re going to have to be in a job training program.” His proposed alternative is something closer to a mandatory program: housing tied to participation in job training, with a structure resembling, in his words, the military or prison. People who comply get food, clothing, and job placement help. “You get up in the morning, you come pick them up, you take them to Contra Costa College or to a job training program. We will feed you, we will clothe you,” he said. “It’s just sort of like being in prison or being in the military, that you have to have a certain average to stay in this program, and then hopefully, when you finish, we will help you find a job. See, that’s how you start addressing homelessness.” ### **On economic development** Wassberg worked at Chevron and describes the wages there as the kind of economic foundation small green jobs cannot replicate. He is skeptical of the city’s direction toward clean energy employment. “When I worked at Chevron, I was making $1,400 a week, all the overtime I wanted,” he said. “Right now, people working at Chevron make $90,000 a year, and they can retire a millionaire with stocks. What small green job can you do that with? You can’t. It just doesn’t make sense to just focus on small green jobs. It’s a disaster.” He argues Richmond needs to attract businesses by reducing what he sees as an excessive regulatory and tax burden. He pointed to the city’s treatment of auto dealerships as an example of overreach. If elected, he says the Chevron settlement money would go first to law enforcement, then to roads, which he says have gone unrepaired for fifteen years despite a road tax he calls a “con game,” and then to youth job training. “I will start a massive job training program for the youth,” he said. “Have special programs so they could have something to do, so they won’t be getting into trouble, and try to better the community. It’s all about making Richmond what it should be.” ### **On working with the council** Wassberg does not describe a vision for working with the current city council so much as a plan for confronting it. “If I become mayor, I will give them a good workover that they will never forget,” he said. “I would tell them, if you’re not going to respect our constitutional laws, if you’re going to pass laws to support people being criminals, then you’re in the wrong place. If I become mayor, I mean business. I’m not going to let them, I’ll be on them 24/7.” He said he expects a competitive mayoral race, with multiple candidates competing for progressive voters. He acknowledges he has raised no money yet. Outside his window, his truck sits waiting. He spent $1,600 filing to get on the ballot, money he said could be used to fix it. “I was just sitting there looking at a piece of junk truck,” he said. “I said, I could have had the windows fixed, I could have had the fenders fixed, I could have had a new bumper, everything.” He figures he has about six more months before he can afford to fix it. In the meantime, he will keep showing up to council meetings. The council, in his view, has spent years passing laws that protect criminals, defunding the police, and handing millions of dollars to nonprofit organizations while the roads crumble and 911 calls go unanswered for hours. Somebody has to say so out loud. He has appointed himself that person. “People see me on the street and say, ‘Hey Mark, are you going to get kicked out again?’” he said. “I said, probably.” [Council candidate says rights violated after meeting ejectionDistrict 1 Richmond City Council candidate and frequent meeting commentator Mark Wassberg says his rights were violated when he was removed from a special meeting last week. During the public comment period, Wassberg criticized the city council, referring to them as a bunch of idiots. When Wassberg mentioned he was![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--279.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/mark-wassberg-richmond-2.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/council-candidate-says-rights-violated-when-removed-from-meeting/) ### **Outside of Politics** Wassberg said he has a life outside of politics and being visible at city council meetings. “People won’t believe me that I go to church on Sunday,” he said. “I haven’t even told them that. People are going to think I’m crazy.” *Before you vote, meet the candidates.* Grandview Independent *reached out to everyone running for city council and mayor. Find all the conversations at our* [*special election page.*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/tag/election26/) --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### What happened in Richmond: Smoke shop busts, arson, and a carjacking URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/what-happened-in-richmond-smoke-shop-busts-arson-and-a-carjacking/ Last updated: 2026-04-06T19:29:14.000Z Richmond police responded to multiple arsons, a midday assault with a deadly weapon at Hilltop Mall, and an early-morning carjacking on 23rd Street, while also carrying out a sweep of smoke shops. The city’s ongoing game of “Where did my car go?” cooled off slightly, with 17 vehicles stolen, down from last week’s 35\. Officers also arrested suspects tied to an assault, three DUI crashes, a domestic battery, a kidnapping, and a spree of vandalism. ### Richmond crime incident map ### Monday, March 30 **Vehicle recovery:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. A previously missing car surfaced at 1:37 a.m. **Reckless burning:** 1600 block of Bissell Avenue. A fire was negligently caused at 2 a.m. **Car theft:** 400 block of Stege Avenue. Someone had helped themselves to a car that did not belong to them at 5:18 a.m. **Vehicle tampering:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. A vehicle was interfered with at 10 a.m. **Sex crime:** 600 block of 4th Street. A sex crime was reported at 10:43 a.m. **Car theft:** 600 block of South 37th Street. The car didn’t wait around; it was gone by noon. **Vehicle recovery:** 2500 block of Gaynor Avenue. A wandering car was found at 1:05 p.m. **Aggravated battery:** 4300 block of Cutting Boulevard. Police arrested someone suspected of assaulting someone, causing serious bodily injury, at 1:15 p.m. **Evading police, obstruction, and hit-and-run:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. A driver led officers on a chase, obstructed them, and fled the scene of a collision at 2:40 p.m. **Child abandonment:** 2900 block of May Road. A child was reportedly left without provisions or supervision at 3:45 p.m. **Battery:** 3800 block of Hartnett Avenue. A person was physically attacked at 3:45 p.m. **Domestic court order violation:** 100 block of South 45th Street. A person was found in violation of a court order to prevent domestic violence at 4:50 p.m. **Filing a false police report:** 100 block of South 7th Street. A false crime report was made to officers at 8:20 p.m. **Warrant arrest:** 600 block of 18th Street. A person was found on a felony warrant at 9:50 p.m. **Car theft:** 1900 block of Potrero Avenue. The car was there until it wasn’t at 10 p.m. **Vehicle tampering:** 1900 block of Potrero Avenue. A vehicle at the same location was also tampered with at 10 p.m. **Kidnapping, domestic violence, child abuse, and false imprisonment:** 600 block of 2nd Street. Police arrested someone after a kidnapping, an attack on a domestic partner, harm to a child, and a false imprisonment were reported at 10 p.m. **Exhibiting a deadly weapon:** 600 block of South 31st Street. A person was reported to have brandished a deadly weapon at 10:34 p.m. **Battery:** North Castro Street. A person was physically attacked at 10:53 p.m. **Car theft, firearms, and stolen property:** 1500 block of Chanslor Avenue. Police arrested someone after a car was reported gone, along with a concealed handgun, a loaded firearm, and stolen property found on the suspect, at 11:44 p.m. ### Tuesday, March 31 **Commercial burglary and vandalism:** 600 block of 23rd Street. A commercial property was forcibly entered, and property was damaged at 12:01 a.m. **Petty theft:** Bissell Avenue. Property was reported stolen at 12:51 a.m. **Petty theft:** 100 block of South 18th Street. Property was reported stolen at 2:01 a.m. **Car theft:** 2300 block of Cutting Boulevard. It slipped out of the owner’s life at 2:15 a.m. **Vehicle burglary:** 700 block of 23rd Street. Police arrested someone after a vehicle was broken into at 2:46 a.m. **Domestic violence and vandalism:** 700 block of Harrison Drive. A domestic partner was physically harmed, and property was damaged at 3:31 a.m. **Vandalism:** 800 block of 24th Street and 800 block of 29th Street. Police arrested someone after property was damaged at multiple locations at 9:53 a.m. **Petty theft:** 500 block of 32nd Street. Property was reported stolen at 10 a.m. **Driving on a suspended license:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. A driver was cited for operating a vehicle on a license suspended for DUI at 10:52 a.m. **Assault:** 200 block of South 35th Street. An assault with intent to commit a lewd or lascivious act on a child was reported at 10:57 a.m. **Providing marijuana to a minor:** 4100 block of Lakeside Drive. A person was reported for selling or inducing a minor to use marijuana at 11:46 a.m. **Battery:** 100 block of South 7th Street. A person was physically attacked at 5:02 p.m. **Marijuana possession:** 5000 block of Hartnett Avenue. A person was found in possession of more than an ounce of marijuana at 5:20 p.m. **Child abuse:** 300 block of 34th Street. Police arrested someone after a child was seriously harmed at 7:30 p.m. **Battery:** 900 block of W. Cutting Boulevard. A person was physically attacked at 7:47 p.m. **Distributing intimate images without consent:** 500 block of South 19th Street. A person was reported for intentionally distributing intimate images of another without consent at 9:55 p.m. **Vehicle burglary:** 3200 block of Pierce Street. A vehicle was broken into at 11 p.m. **Driving on a suspended license:** Interstate 80 and El Portal Drive. Police arrested a driver for operating a vehicle on a suspended or revoked license at 11:24 p.m. **Vandalism:** 700 block of South 41st Street. Property damage valued at $400 or more was reported at 11:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 1 **Petty theft:** 100 block of Park Lane. Property was reported stolen at midnight. **Vehicle recovery:** 3200 block of Hoffman Boulevard. A previously missing car was located at midnight. **Obstruction and contempt of court:** 600 block of Lucas Avenue. Police arrested someone after an officer was obstructed and a court order was violated at 1:07 a.m. **Hit-and-run:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. A driver struck someone and fled at 2:46 a.m. **Vehicle tampering:** 500 block of Hayes Street. A vehicle was tampered with at 3:55 a.m. **Car theft:** 3800 block of Lakeside Drive. The owner came back to an empty spot at 8:13 a.m. **Fraud:** 2200 block of Cutting Boulevard. False Pretenses was at it again, obtaining money at 10 a.m. **Sexual battery:** 5000 block of Valley View Road. A sexual battery was reported at 11:40 a.m. **Shoplifting and trespassing:** 4500 block of Macdonald Avenue. Shoplifting and trespassing were reported at 1 p.m. **An unsolicited public display:** 11900 block of San Pablo Avenue. Police arrested someone on an indecent exposure charge at 2:38 p.m. **Criminal threats:** 1000 block of Market Avenue. A crime was allegedly threatened with intent to terrorize at 3:10 p.m. **Vandalism:** 600 block of 19th Street. Property damage valued at $400 or more was reported at 4:34 p.m. **Shoplifting:** 4500 block of Macdonald Avenue. Police arrested someone on a shoplifting charge at 4:44 p.m. **Drug paraphernalia:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. Police arrested someone on a drug paraphernalia charge at 5:02 p.m. **Assault with a deadly weapon and petty theft:** 1000 block of Pennsylvania Avenue. A person was assaulted with a deadly weapon, and property was stolen at 7:30 p.m. **Vandalism:** 5100 block of Tehama Avenue. Property damage valued at $400 or more was reported at 9:32 p.m. **Kidnapping and domestic battery:** 600 block of Humboldt Street. Police arrested someone after a kidnapping and battery of a domestic partner were reported at 11:24 p.m. ### Thursday, April 2 **Car theft:** 200 block of South 22nd Street. It vanished sometime after midnight. **DUI:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. Police arrested a driver on DUI charges at 2:38 a.m. **Theft of vehicle parts:** 2600 block of Lancaster Drive. Parts were reported stripped from a motor vehicle at 4:30 a.m. **Petty theft:** 1000 block of Factory Street. Property was reported stolen at 7 a.m. **Domestic battery:** Via Verdi and Mozart Drive. Police arrested someone after a domestic partner was physically attacked at 8:31 a.m. **Domestic violence:** 600 block of South 31st Street. A domestic partner was physically harmed at 9:34 a.m. **DUI, reckless driving, criminal threats, and resisting arrest:** W. Bissell Avenue. A driver was reported for DUI, reckless driving, making criminal threats, and resisting an officer at noon. **Sex crimes:** 4th Street. Sex crimes were reported at 12:18 p.m. **Vehicle recovery:** San Pablo and Dover Avenue, San Pablo. A previously missing car turned up at 5:35 p.m. **Vandalism:** 300 block of Nevin Avenue. Property was defaced at 6:38 p.m. **Vandalism:** 1200 block of South 54th Street. Property damage valued at $400 or more was reported at 6:59 p.m. **Vandalism:** 100 block of 22nd Street. Property damage valued at $400 or more was reported at 7:24 p.m. **Vandalism:** 1200 block of Fred Jackson Way. Property damage valued at $400 or more was reported at 7:30 p.m. **Residential burglary:** 5000 block of Mozart Drive. Someone walked into a residence uninvited at 9 p.m. **Theft of vehicle parts:** 2800 block of Macdonald Avenue. Parts were reported stripped from a vehicle at 9:04 p.m. **Exhibiting a deadly weapon:** 12000 block of San Pablo Avenue. A person was reported to have brandished a deadly weapon at 9:14 p.m. ### Friday, April 3 **Car theft, stolen vehicle possession, and drug possession:** 1000 block of South 55th Street. A car went missing, and a person was later found in possession of a stolen vehicle and narcotics at 3:15 a.m. **Vehicle burglary:** 3600 block of Chanslor Avenue. A vehicle was broken into at 8:12 a.m. **Car theft:** 2400 block of Aberdeen Way. It was gone by mid-morning at 9:57 a.m. **An unsolicited public display:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. A person was reported for indecent exposure at 10:16 a.m. **Vandalism:** 4800 block of Central Avenue. Property damage valued at $400 or more was reported at 12:30 p.m. **Vandalism:** 1900 block of Florida Avenue. Property damage valued at less than $400 was reported at 12:39 p.m. **Tobacco enforcement:**15500 block of San Pablo Avenue and 3000 block of Cutting Boulevard. Richmond police, working alongside city code enforcement officers, conducted tobacco enforcement operations at two businesses. Officers seized thousands of dollars worth of illegal tobacco products, including flavored vaping items banned under California law, along with a large quantity of nitrous oxide canisters. The business on Cutting Boulevard had previously been inspected and illegal products seized. [Up in smoke: Richmond tobacco retailers busted for selling marijuana and mushroomsOver the past three weeks, Richmond Police Department detectives, in partnership with Code Enforcement Officers, conducted a series of unannounced inspections of local tobacco retailers, resulting in a substantial drug seizure. Out of the 13 businesses inspected, four were found to be selling illegal drugs, including marijuana and psychedelic mushrooms,![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--278.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Richmond-tobacco-retailers-busted-for-selling-marijuana-psychedelic-drugs--1-4.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/up-in-smoke-richmond-tobacco-retailers-busted-for-selling-marijuana-and-psychedelic-drugs/) Both businesses face significant fines and penalties if convicted. The raid was part of a citywide push backed by a new Richmond ordinance adopted in March that strengthens tobacco retail licensing requirements and gives authorities expanded enforcement powers. District 3 Councilmember and Vice Mayor Doria Robinson identified the shops as Pipes R Us and Richmond Smoke in social media posts about the operation. **Vandalism:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. Property was defaced at 1:13 p.m. **Residential burglary:** 4100 block of Fran Way. Someone crept into a residence uninvited at 2 p.m. **Vandalism:** 700 block of National Court. Property damage valued at $400 or more was reported at 2:56 p.m. **Sex crimes:** 100 block of Bissell Avenue. A sex crime was reported at 3:14 p.m. **Domestic violence and assault with a deadly weapon:** 1200 block of Fred Jackson Way. A domestic partner was physically attacked, and a person was assaulted with a deadly weapon at 3:21 p.m. **Theft of vehicle parts:** 700 block of Yuba Street. Parts were reported stripped from a motor vehicle at 5 p.m. ### Saturday, April 4 **Car theft:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. The car had other plans and was gone by midnight. **Assault with a deadly weapon:** 700 block of 22nd Street. Police arrested someone after a person was assaulted with a deadly weapon at midnight. **DUI and obstruction:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. Police arrested a driver who, not content with driving drunk, also decided to obstruct officers at 1:34 a.m. **Driving on a suspended license:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. A driver was cited for operating a vehicle on a license suspended for DUI at 2:42 a.m. **DUI:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. Police arrested a driver on DUI charges at 3:22 a.m. **DUI causing bodily injury:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. Police arrested a driver after a DUI resulted in injury to another person at 5:50 a.m. **Car theft:** Marina Lakes Drive. It was gone before the neighborhood had its morning coffee at 7:30 a.m. **Vandalism:** 1200 block of South 54th Street. Property damage valued at $400 or more was reported at 8:48 a.m. **Car theft:** 100 block of 12th Street. The owner returned to find the spot suspiciously empty at 9:34 a.m. **Domestic battery and rape:** 3000–3100 block of Pullman Avenue. A domestic partner was physically attacked, and unlawful intercourse was reported at 9:48 a.m. **Car theft:** 100 block of 1st Street. It walked off without so much as a note at 10 a.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 1500 block of Marina Way South. A previously missing car was found at 11:54 a.m. **Driving on a suspended license:** Undisclosed location in 94806\. A driver was cited for operating a vehicle on a suspended license at 3:55 p.m. **Arson:** 33rd Street. Police arrested someone after a property was deliberately set on fire at 7:15 p.m. **Car theft:** 400 block of South 23rd Street. The wheels were there, then they weren’t at 9 p.m. **DUI:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. A DUI was reported at 9:43 p.m. **Arson:** 1200 block of South 54th Street. A property was deliberately set on fire, the second arson of the evening, at 10:12 p.m. **Car theft:** 1100 block of South 55th Street. It vanished into the night at 11:39 p.m. **Arson:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. A third fire was deliberately set to close out a smoky Saturday at 11:58 p.m. ### Sunday, April 5 **Vehicle recovery:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. A previously missing car turned up at 12:40 a.m. **Carjacking:** 900 block of 23rd Street. A vehicle was taken by force at 2:44 a.m. **Car theft:** 100 block of 5th Street. Another car slipped away in the predawn hours at 2:50 a.m. **Domestic battery:** 600 block of South 31st Street. A domestic partner was physically attacked at 8 a.m. **Theft of vehicle parts:** 3000 block of Hilltop Mall Road. Parts were stripped from a motor vehicle at 9 a.m. **Custody deprivation:** 2600 block of Hilltop Drive. A person was reported for depriving another of court-ordered custody or visitation rights at 9 a.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 200 block of Broadway. A car that had gone on an unauthorized adventure was found at 9:23 a.m. **Vandalism and assault with a deadly weapon:** 1400 block of Hilltop Mall Road. A person was assaulted with a deadly weapon, and property was damaged at 11:39 a.m. **Vandalism:** 700 block of Rock Rose Way. Property damage valued at $400 or more was reported at 4 a.m. **Car theft:** 6100 block of Panama Avenue. The owner’s car had to be somewhere else at 5:07 p.m. **DUI and obstruction:** 1700 block of Regatta Boulevard. A driver was reported for DUI and obstructing an officer at 7:40 p.m. **Sexual battery:** 3600 block of Barrett Avenue. A sexual battery was reported at 8:45 p.m. **DUI:** W. Bissell Avenue. A DUI was reported at 9:23 p.m. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond celebrates Holi with color, community at Nicholl Park URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-celebrates-holi-with-color-community-at-nicholl-park/ Last updated: 2026-04-06T16:31:52.000Z Dozens of residents gathered Saturday morning at Nicholl Park for Richmond's third annual Holi celebration, filling the park with bursts of colored powder, Zumba dancing, and a spirit of togetherness that drew praise from city officials and community leaders alike. "How activated this park is today," said Lashonda White, Deputy City Manager for Community Services, who addressed the crowd from the stage. "This is what we want to see in Richmond." ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/04/richmond-holi-festival-2026-nicholl-park-color-celebration.jpg5.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/04/richmond-holi-festival-2026-nicholl-park-color-celebration.jpg7.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/04/richmond-holi-festival-2026-nicholl-park-color-celebration.jpg3.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/04/richmond-holi-festival-2026-nicholl-park-color-celebration.jpg4.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/04/richmond-holi-event-nicholl-park-zumba-color-powder.webp) Mayor Eduardo Martinez also made an appearance, telling attendees it was his first time attending a Holi festival. "It's fantastic to see the park being so well used for so many fantastic purposes," he said. Preetesh Karki, representing the Nepali Association of Northern California, offered remarks on the deeper significance of the holiday, known as the Festival of Colors. "Holi is a celebration where not only individuals but communities get together, despite their hierarchy, despite their faith and belief," he said. "We celebrate together as a community." Karki praised Richmond's diversity, calling the city's recognition of the holiday a source of pride. "I feel Richmond, being one of the most diverse cities, is trying to acknowledge this," he said. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### On the agenda: immigration enforcement limits, children’s fund future, and a packed consent calendar URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-agenda-immigration-enforcement-limits-childrens-fund-future-and-a-packed-consent-calendar/ Last updated: 2026-04-03T20:19:42.000Z The Richmond City Council meets Tuesday, April 7, at 6 p.m. for a meeting that touches on immigration policy, the future of a children’s funding program, and a long list of contracts, reports, and appointments. ### [An ICE-free zone ordinance](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60828&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The most significant item on the agenda is the first reading of an ordinance that would amend Richmond Municipal Code Chapter 2.30 to formally restrict how city property, personnel, and resources can be used for civil immigration enforcement. The council directed staff to draft this ordinance back in February, so Tuesday marks the start of the formal adoption process. A second reading would be required before it becomes law. [Richmond City Council directs staff to draft ICE-free zone ordinanceThe Richmond City Council voted Tuesday to direct city officials to develop an ordinance prohibiting the use of city property and resources for federal immigration enforcement, expanding on existing sanctuary city policies amid heightened concerns about federal enforcement actions. The council voted 6-0, with one abstention, to instruct the city![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--276.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/IMG_1718-1-1-1.jpeg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-city-council-directs-staff-to-draft-ice-free-zone-ordinance/) The proposed amendments to Richmond Municipal Code Chapter 2.30 would explicitly bar city-owned facilities from being used as staging areas, processing locations, or operational bases for immigration enforcement activities. The ordinance would also require city departments to develop training protocols, establish interdepartmental procedures, and create a community-facing communications and preparedness plan. If the council approves the first reading on Tuesday, a second reading is anticipated on April 28\. The ordinance would take effect on May 28. ### [Richmond to cap final contaminated Marina Bay site](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60882&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Richmond city officials are seeking approval to award a construction contract to cap the last remaining contaminated parcel in Marina Bay, completing a years-long environmental remediation effort. The council is set to approve a $785,350 contract with Berkeley-based O.C. Jones Inc. to install a temporary protective cover over Area FM, a contaminated site next to Lara’s Fine Dining. The project would be funded through the Marina Enterprise Fund, with an additional $450,000 appropriation requested to cover cost overruns, contingency reserves, and project management. ![City of Richmond–owned deed-restricted properties](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/04/Marina-Bay-Deed-Restricted-Areas-Map.webp) A map shows City of Richmond–owned deed-restricted properties in the Marina Bay area, including Area FM and other former industrial sites subject to land-use covenants and long-term environmental monitoring requirements, 2026\. Image/ City of Richmond The site is part of the historic Richmond Shipyards, which saw heavy industrial use during World War II and has required ongoing environmental management ever since. The California Department of Toxic Substances Control signed off on the remediation plan in fall 2025. Construction will involve grading the land, installing stormwater drainage systems, and laying an asphalt concrete layer to serve as the temporary cap, preventing contact between people and contaminated soil and limiting the spread of pollutants. If approved, the project would complete environmental capping on all nine city-owned parcels in Marina Bay, subject to land-use restrictions due to soil or groundwater contamination. O.C. Jones Inc. submitted the lowest of 12 competitive bids received in January, coming in more than $125,000 below the next lowest offer. ### [Children’s fund decision looms](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60799&ref=grandviewindependent.com) When Richmond voters approved the Richmond Fund for Children and Youth in 2018, they wrote into the city charter a dedicated slice of public tax dollars, routed annually to community organizations. Now, as the fund approaches its 2028 expiration, city officials must decide whether to renew the arrangement and whether to change it. Now, as the fund approaches its 2028 expiration, city officials must decide whether to renew the arrangement and whether to change it. The fund currently directs three percent of Richmond’s unrestricted general fund revenues, about $8.5 million this year. By charter design, 85 cents of every dollar must flow to nonprofit and public agency grantees. Since reaching full funding in fiscal year 2023-24, the fund has awarded grants to 46 community-based organizations. An [independent evaluation by WestEd](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60808&ref=grandviewindependent.com) found programs largely met service targets, but also flagged weaknesses in data systems and residency verification, accountability concerns that critics of government-funded nonprofit contracting frequently raise. The council faces a decision by June 13: reauthorize the fund as-is by majority vote, send it unchanged to November voters, or propose amendments. Options on the table include reducing the funding percentage, expanding eligible uses, or increasing administrative oversight. If renewed at current levels, the fund would distribute an estimated $99 million over the next decade. Community meetings are scheduled for April 13 and 15. ### [Update on Green-Blue New Deal progress](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60866&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Staff will report progress on a sweeping economic and environmental initiative, with updates spanning offshore wind energy, building electrification, and downtown revitalization. The quarterly status report on the city’s Green-Blue New Deal highlighted several milestones from the final quarter of 2025, including a $750,000 state grant awarded to the Port of Richmond for offshore wind planning and a $500,000 federal grant to fund environmental job training for residents affected by contamination and economic inequity. [Richmond invites your input on the Green-Blue New Deal Community SurveyThe Richmond Green-Blue New Deal Community Input Survey is live and ready to receive your comments and suggestions. Providing your input and feedback will help to shape the goals, direction, and priorities of the Richmond Green-Blue New Deal Workforce Development Plan. The Richmond City Council adopted Resolution 88-21 in July![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--277.png)Grandview IndependentLinda Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/DSC_0559--2-.jpg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-invites-your-input-on-the-green-blue-new-deal-community-survey/) The city’s job training program for building electrification completed its first cohort, with graduates placed in internships at Richmond’s Public Works department and local electrical companies. A small business beautification program in the downtown corridor officially launched in late December, and a task force focused on revitalizing Macdonald Avenue held three meetings, including a walking tour with state legislators. The initiative, rooted in a 2021 city resolution, aims to create at least 1,000 new green and blue economy jobs while advancing climate resilience and economic equity. City officials identified five priority areas when the plan was approved last July: port and offshore wind development, building electrification, brownfield redevelopment, downtown revitalization, and zero-emission vehicle transition. ### [Housing Authority matters first](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60822&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Before the city council convenes at 6 p.m., the Richmond Housing Authority meets at 5:55 p.m. The key item there is a public hearing on the agency’s Fiscal Year 2026 Annual Plan and a five-year plan running through 2030, which would then be submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. # The consent calendar *The council’s consent calendar is substantial as ever.* ### Where the suburbs meet the flames On the public safety front, the council will vote on adopting the [2025 California Fire Code](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60809&ref=grandviewindependent.com) with local amendments on its second reading, including wildland-urban interface provisions significant given Richmond’s fire risk zones. ### SWAT helmets, contracts, and racial profiling software The police department has four items: approval of a [$46,232 purchase of Ops-Core ballistic helmets ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60788&ref=grandviewindependent.com)for the SWAT team; receipt of the [January 2026 monthly crime report; ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60786&ref=grandviewindependent.com)authorization of recurring law enforcement contracts with Contra Costa County and the State of California totaling $1.35 million annually for services including [forensic analysis, jail intake, telecommunications systems, and officer training;](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60836&ref=grandviewindependent.com) and a three-year $300,000 sole-source contract with Veritone, Inc. for[ racial profiling data reporting](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60851&ref=grandviewindependent.com) and audio/video redaction services required under state law. ### Docks, weeds, and dollars On the economic development and infrastructure side, the council will consider a[ $1.08 million contract with Dynamo Construction](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60854&ref=grandviewindependent.com) for repairs to Berth 7 at the port, and a [weed abatement contract ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60838&ref=grandviewindependent.com)with T&R Riparian Restore worth up to $209,355 over three years. ### Paint, plants, and paperwork Public Works has a busy docket as well: a contract with Chrisp Company for [citywide roadway striping and street sign services](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60867&ref=grandviewindependent.com) worth up to $1.25 million over five years; two separate contracts with Blue Angel International LLC, one for[ bulk landscaping materials and one for plant materials](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60843&ref=grandviewindependent.com), each worth up to $500,000 over five years; and resolutions ordering the preparation of annual engineer’s reports for both the Marina Bay and Hilltop Landscape and Lighting [Maintenance Districts.](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60863&ref=grandviewindependent.com) ### Keeping the lights on The Finance Department is asking the council to approve a [$59,230 contract with Willdan Financial Services](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60858&ref=grandviewindependent.com) to conduct a Traffic Impact Fee Study and Comprehensive User Fee Study, and to receive the city’s[ investment, overtime, documentary transfer tax, and pension reports](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60876&ref=grandviewindependent.com) for February 2026. ### Kaiser, Chevron, and the building trades Community Services is seeking acceptance of a [$4,500 Kaiser Permanente sponsorship for Park Prescription Day](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60848&ref=grandviewindependent.com) and nearly $247,000 in [workforce development grants](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60792&ref=grandviewindependent.com) from multiple sources, including Chevron, the Pinole Youth Foundation, and the state Employment Development Department, to support RichmondBUILD participants, a Youth Trade Fair, and rapid response services for workers facing layoffs. ### Appointments and a new year Mayor Eduardo Martinez is asking the council to confirm several commission appointments, including reappointments of [Thomas Kaun to the Library Commission ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60817&ref=grandviewindependent.com)and [Bryan M. Harris to the Commission on Aging](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60815&ref=grandviewindependent.com), and a new appointment of [Kathleen Tarr to the Urban Forestry Advisory Committee](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60821&ref=grandviewindependent.com). The council will also consider a proclamation recognizing April 14 as [Nepali New Year ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60818&ref=grandviewindependent.com)(Naya Barsha 2083 Bikram Sambat). ### Behind closed doors: clerks, unions, and a pavilion Before the public meeting, the council will go into closed session to evaluate the performance of the city clerk, discuss ongoing labor negotiations with six employee unions, including police, fire, and SEIU, and negotiate the Craneway Pavilion with Orton Entertainment, LLC. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Candidate Interview: Claudia Jimenez runs for mayor of Richmond URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/candidate-interview-claudia-jimenez-runs-for-mayor-of-richmond/ Last updated: 2026-04-03T00:56:47.000Z Claudia Jimenez arrived in the United States in 2007 without speaking a word of English, enrolled in ESL classes in Berkeley, passed a language proficiency exam, and gained admission to UC Berkeley's College of Environmental Design. By then, she had already spent a decade in the mountains of southwestern Colombia building houses with displaced farming families and promoting candidates for city council in a region where armed groups were crossing the ridges. That biography is the frame through which Jimenez explains everything else: why she went into organizing, why she joined the Richmond City Council in 2021, and why she is now running for mayor. "I am an immigrant," she said. "I have experience working in low-income communities in Colombia, and I brought that experience here. A lot of the immigrant community can come here with a lot of expertise, and they are not able to put that expertise into the world because the workforce is not providing those opportunities for them." ### Before Richmond Jimenez was trained as an architect in Cali, Colombia, and went to work for a nonprofit focused on affordable housing using ecological building materials. In 1999, a flood in the Andes displaced hundreds of families in a small community outside the city. The effort that followed secured international funding matched by the Spanish national government and produced 50 houses for 50 families, each with three bedrooms, built from local materials, accompanied by 2.5 hectares of farmland organized into a cooperative. Families contributed 250 hours of labor rather than cash. "It was not only a project of building houses, but an economic project, because we believe, and the community believed, that farmers without lands are not farmers," she said. "Some older people who couldn't build their houses were doing other things. Women were cooking for everybody. And we were living there." She stayed in the region for a decade, working with farming communities and indigenous groups in an area she describes as a red zone crossed by both the FARC and paramilitary forces. The team ran small farmers as candidates for the city council. She came to the United States in 2007 and earned a master's degree in landscape architecture and environmental planning from UC Berkeley in 2011, then took an organizing job that sent her to work in Richmond and Contra Costa County. Much of that work centered on AB 109 prison realignment, which transferred responsibility for lower-level offenders to county jails and provided money to county agencies to reduce recidivism. Jimenez and allies at the Safe Return Project argued the money was flowing back into systems that had already failed. "We said, if they need this support, why is all this money going to the same system that has been failing to accomplish the goal of reducing recidivism?" she said. "We made this campaign and were able to transfer $5.2 million from AB 109 to services in the community. Because of that, we created the Reentry Success Program, which is here on Macdonald. That was kind of the first step, people saying, this is what we need when we are coming home from incarceration." In 2015, when Councilmember Tom Butt won the mayor's race and left a seat open, community members urged Jimenez to put her name forward for the appointment. She agreed, but with a limited vision for it. "I said it will be two years, because I wanted to go back to Colombia, and have my kids live in Colombia," she said. She was not selected and left for Colombia anyway, spending two years there before returning to Richmond. The experience of seeking the appointment stayed with her. "Even though I wasn't appointed, I saw how much the community really supported me," she said. "I remember hundreds of people going there with my signs saying Claudia. That was really moving." She ran again in November 2020 and was this time elected, taking office in January 2021. ### Running for mayor Jimenez is one of several candidates running for mayor this year. The current mayor, Eduardo Martinez, is seeking a second term. Both are affiliated with the Richmond Progressive Alliance, which endorsed Jimenez. Martinez has continued his campaign independently. "Eduardo has the freedom to run. He just decided to run. That is unfortunate, because that is not what the progressive movement here has done before," she said. "But for us, residents and allied organizations have been asking me to step up because they think the moment needs stronger leadership. This is politics, and I have stronger leadership, and people think I can win." ### On public safety Jimenez describes public safety in explicitly holistic terms, which, for her, extend well beyond policing. "Public safety for me is also streets being clean, parks being maintained, traffic calming, because that is safety for communities," she said. "For me, there are three major things: enforcement, education, and engineering solutions. Instead of us pretending and hoping that one department can serve all the needs in the community, we need a variety of services actually meeting and responding to the needs of the community." She supports the Office of Neighborhood Safety, which she credits with helping reduce gun violence since 2007, and serves as the council liaison to the Community Crisis Response Program Advisory Board. This newly launched alternative response program handles calls that do not require armed officers. She said the program now has 11 staff members responding to calls. Jimenez said the program took two years longer than planned to launch because of a lawsuit filed by the Richmond Police Officers Association. "We had the money two years ago, but we had the RPOA suing the city, and it took two years to resolve that," she said. "I am hoping that now we can start serving the community that right now is calling 911 and waiting a long time because it's not an emergency or dangerous situation, but it needs to be addressed." Regarding police staffing, she argues that the more immediate problem is unfilled positions, which are driving overtime costs to unsustainable levels. "Some police officers get paid with overtime over $400,000 or $500,000 a year," she said. "We had defunded the schools, defunded mental health, defunded health and jobs, and people had been left with all the problems of society to be resolved by just one department. We are overloading just one department instead of thinking about how we can address the needs in the community with the right kind of service." ### On housing Jimenez points to Hilltop and the Macdonald Avenue corridor as primary sites for new housing, and argues the pace of development has been constrained less by zoning than by financing and city capacity. "The city has been letting the market tell us what can be done. I'm thinking that the developers are going to be the ones breaking the deal. I think it's not going to happen that way," she said. "We need to be proactive about what the financing mechanisms are. Can we shorten the permitting time? Because time is the essence." She said she has spoken with the director of housing investment at the AFL-CIO about partnerships that would bring labor pension capital into affordable housing projects tied to project labor agreements. She described a goal of 20,000 new units over 10 years, which she called a dream rather than a formal plan, and identified the permitting process as a structural bottleneck. "When I talk to developers, they say it takes so much time. Probably what is happening is that one staff member is looking at five projects, and it doesn't move because it's just one person," she said. "We need to really have a housing department or a housing division within community development. We need a better structure within the city that addresses housing, and we don't have it." ### Chevron and economic transition Jimenez says Richmond cannot afford to remain as dependent on Chevron as it currently is. The refinery accounts for roughly 24 percent of the city's budget. "Being dependent, especially on the fossil fuel industry, makes us so vulnerable," she said. "Chevron has been here for generations, and I am not saying we should close them right now. It has to be a transition where we plan. But it will be irresponsible not to think about that. It's not financially savvy to be so dependent on just one type of business for 24 percent of the budget. If it closes tomorrow, we are devastated." She pointed to Benicia, where Valero announced a closure and left the community without time to prepare, as a cautionary example. She sits on the Green Empowerment Zone, a state-recognized initiative working with the UC Berkeley Labor Center to identify green industries that could replace refinery employment, and pointed to offshore wind, battery manufacturing, and ferry electrification as possibilities tied to the port. "The state created this Green Empowerment Zone because even they recognize we need to do this transition," she said. "We have a deep-water port that can manufacture some of the components for offshore wind, like the base or the cables. There is so much that can happen here. What we are doing right now is making an assessment, an inventory of all the industrial sites we have, and what we can offer. And hopefully after Trump, we have a Democratic president willing to really put money into this green transition, because the planet needs it." ### On city finances One of the things Jimenez is most proud of is helping to get Richmond out of what she described as a bad financial deal. In 2005, the city had issued Pension Obligation Bonds to cover its mounting debt to CalPERS, the state retirement system for public employees, borrowing money to fund the gap between what it had saved and what it owed workers in future retirement benefits. To manage that debt, the city signed interest rate swap agreements that locked Richmond into high fixed interest payments and prevented it from refinancing when rates dropped. During the pandemic, when interest rates fell to near zero nationwide, Richmond was still paying rates above five percent. By the time Jimenez got to the council, Richmond faced a $21.992 million payment to Royal Bank of Canada set to trigger automatically in August 2023. In 2022, the city[ renegotiated its debt](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=46612&ref=grandviewindependent.com), issuing $154 million in new bonds to pay off the termination fee and convert its obligations into a conventional fixed-rate loan that can be refinanced without penalty if interest rates fall. The refinancing extended the life of the loan from 2034 to 2044 to better align debt payments with the city's dedicated pension tax revenue. The debt is repaid through a combination of a dedicated property tax levy and the city's general fund. Jimenez says the deal saves the city $98 million through 2034, though the extended term adds roughly $62 million in additional debt service over the life of the loan. The city is also pursuing litigation against Royal Bank of Canada and former advisors, after a review found Richmond had been sold one of the five most complex swap transactions in the country. "Little Richmond had one of the five most complicated transactions in the country. Not New York, not Los Angeles," Jimenez said. "Now we have a plain vanilla loan, and if interest rates go down, we can refinance without any penalties." She connected the work to a broader conviction. "The budget represents our values," she said. "If we don't have money, I can just tell you whatever, and nothing is going to happen. So money is really key for advancing the things that we want to see in the community." ### Beyond work Every other Sunday, Jimenez makes the drive to Oakland to go salsa dancing. She wishes she did not have to leave Richmond to do it. "I love going salsa dancing. I try to go every other Sunday, and I wish we had more of that here in Richmond so I don't have to go to Oakland," she said. Grandview Independent *will publish interviews with all candidates running for Richmond City Council and mayor.* --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Former San Pablo Avenue dry cleaner owners reach $100,800 settlement over toxic chemical cleanup violations URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/former-san-pablo-avenue-dry-cleaner-owners-reach-100-800-settlement-over-toxic-chemical-cleanup-violations/ Last updated: 2026-04-01T19:32:42.000Z State regulators have secured more than $100,000 in penalties from the owners and former operators of a shuttered Richmond dry cleaning business after they reportedly failed to comply with a 2023 toxic cleanup order, California environmental officials announced last week. The Department of Toxic Substances Control reached settlement agreements with Casa Nido Partnership, the current property owner, and three former operators of Omo's Fabricare Dry Cleaners at 12210 San Pablo Avenue, Catherine O'Hanks, Earl Ray Anderson, and Sandra Vernell. The four consent orders total $100,800 in penalties. The violations stem from noncompliance with a 2023 DTSC cleanup order requiring the parties to investigate and remediate the release of tetrachloroethylene, commonly known as PCE, at the site. PCE is a solvent widely used in dry cleaning operations that California lists as a known carcinogen. State investigators confirmed that PCE released at the site has migrated into soil, groundwater, and the air of neighboring properties to the north, south, east, and west. PCE vapors from contaminated soil and groundwater can seep into buildings and degrade indoor air quality, posing health risks to residents and workers. Omo's Fabricare operated at the San Pablo Avenue location from approximately 1959 to 2015 and used PCE from at least 1960 to 2000\. The building was demolished in 2017, and the roughly one-tenth-acre parcel has been fenced and vacant since then. Records show contamination has spread at least 250 feet southwest of the site in groundwater, with traces detected more than 1,000 feet away. PCE and a related compound, trichloroethylene, have been detected in crawl spaces and indoor air at occupied neighboring buildings. "DTSC takes violations of our cleanup orders very seriously," DTSC Director Katherine Butler said in a statement. "This settlement reinforces our commitment to holding responsible parties accountable and protecting communities from the lasting impacts of toxic chemicals." Under the original 2023 order, the responsible parties were required to conduct a full remedial investigation, maintain an existing soil vapor extraction system on the property, and install permanent security fencing, among other obligations. Noncompliance with the order carried potential penalties of up to $25,000 per day per respondent. The cleanup process is ongoing. DTSC said it will require the parties to prepare a formal cleanup plan for public review once the full extent of contamination is determined. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Candidate Interview: Eduardo Martinez seeks a second term as Richmond mayor URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/candidate-interview-eduardo-martinez-seeks-a-second-term-as-richmond-mayor/ Last updated: 2026-04-06T19:58:52.000Z Eduardo Martinez did not set out to be a politician. A retired elementary school teacher who had also taught at juvenile hall, years earlier, he marched from Downer Elementary School to Sacramento to demand relief from a debt the state had saddled the district with. The Richmond Progressive Alliance had supported that effort and knew who he was. “They had endorsed and marched with us when we went to Sacramento,” Martinez said, “so they knew who I was and what my values were.” Martinez was contemplating a run for the school board when Juan Reardon called and suggested he run for Richmond City Council instead. He did. He spent eight years on the council and is now finishing his first term as mayor. He is seeking four more years. This time, he does not have the RPA’s endorsement. ### The split Martinez is careful about how he describes what happened between him and the organization that brought him into local politics. Asked directly about his current relationship with the RPA, he paused for a long time. “I want to say the same,” he said, “but it is, and it isn’t.” Asked to explain what led to the split, he said, “It’s all in the magic of the JCRC,” and left it there. The JCRC, or Jewish Community Relations Council, called for Martinez’s resignation after he shared posts on LinkedIn. Martinez issued apologies and said the posts reflected his personal opinions, not those of his office. He offers one more layer of explanation. Martinez says people who hear him speak often do not have the same context he has. Without that context, his comments get misunderstood. “They fill it in with their own experience, their own values, and generally twist my comments into something that it wasn’t meant to be,” he said. “Better for me not to comment.” He is running anyway. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/04/Grandview-Independent-26-1.png) ### Who he is Martinez was born in Texas. He ended up in California the way many people did: following someone else. A woman he knew in El Cerrito called him, flew out to him, and persuaded him to come back with her. He arrived looking for work, cut glass for a time, made cabinets, and worked as an orderly at the county hospital in Martinez. He found the hospital work emotionally difficult. He recalled one moment that has stayed with him. “He got well, got out. The next time I saw him, it was in the emergency room, and he came in with heart failure, and we couldn’t revive him, and he passed in front of me,” Martinez said. “That really, really tore me up.” For a time in the early 1970s, he lived on a commune in El Cerrito, pooling money with others, holding weekly meetings, and eventually buying 113 acres of farmland in Arkansas as part of the back-to-the-land movement. He moved there and farmed. His girlfriend was at UC Berkeley, and wages in Arkansas were lower than in California, so he moved back to send money to the farm. “Life swallows you up,” he said. “Things that are far away start to fade. Things that are more immediate become more concrete.” He eventually became a teacher, working in elementary schools and in seventh- and eighth-grade self-contained classrooms at the Juvenile Court School, helping students who had been expelled or were in juvenile hall transition back into regular school. Those years of teaching, organizing, and navigating hardship gave Martinez a perspective on Richmond's challenges. Housing is where he puts that perspective to work. ### On housing Martinez points to a cluster of completed projects as evidence of progress: renovated buildings at Barrett and Marina Way, the refurbished and expanded Nevin Terrace housing, and a new development in North Richmond that recently held its ribbon-cutting. He also acknowledges that homelessness continues and that the city’s resources are limited. He speaks about it with some personal weight. He was homeless himself at one point. In 1977, he walked into an art gallery and met the woman who would become his wife. She saw something in him, he said, that nobody else did at the time. Having experienced homelessness himself, he knows its toll firsthand. “I know how it wears on your confidence, on your self-esteem,” Martinez said. “You start to feel like you’re not part of things anymore.” Wraparound services built into projects like Richmond’s Homekey-funded Motel 6 conversion are what make the cost worthwhile, he said, arguing that the benefits justify the expense. Housing someone is only the first step; long-term recovery depends on the support services that come with it. Martinez wants to digitize the entire planning department to speed up housing approvals. The city has already partnered with the Bloomberg Foundation on a data management program, including efforts to break down silos between departments so information can flow more easily. He also wants to revive a vacancy tax that he and former Mayor Tom Butt previously attempted to pass. Absentee landlords sitting on empty lots, he said, are a problem that requires a financial incentive to solve. “Any property that’s not being used for housing or commerce would be taxed,” he said. Parks would be exempt, but empty lots that could support housing would not. His vision for housing runs through downtown, along Macdonald Avenue, following a model common in Berkeley: businesses on the ground floor, apartments above. He calls the concept “neighborhood community nodes,” designated areas across the city where small shops, barbershops and cafes could cluster within walking distance, each neighborhood developing its own character. Currently, Martinez lives in the Richmond Annex and said his area illustrates the idea. Within a few blocks are El Cerrito Natural Grocery, a 24 Hour Fitness, Down Home Music Store, a bank, a tailor, and cleaners, all within walking distance. ### On public safety Martinez defines public safety more broadly than policing. He describes part of it as “public comfort,” the ability to trust your environment and know your neighbors are watching out for each other. He told a story about a man who showed up at his house with a machete and cut a cactus stalk out of his yard. A neighbor across the street came out onto her porch and confronted him loudly enough that he left. “She felt safe enough to do that,” Martinez said. He supports ROCK, the city’s response program for non-medical, non-violent and behavioral health calls. He described a case involving a late-night dispute over loud music that had repeatedly drawn police without resolution. ROCK intervened. One neighbor spoke Spanish, the other English. Staff brought interpretation headphones and worked with both parties, testing different volumes until they reached a level both could accept. “That took an issue away from police so that the police could attend to things which are more dire and require real resources,” Martinez said. He does not support cutting the public safety budget. He wants to expand both traditional policing and alternative response programs. He said he has told the police chief that once the department reaches its current hiring capacity, it should return to the council if more officers are needed. He also wants the fire department to expand its medical emergency capabilities as part of a broader approach to public safety. ### On fiscal priorities When an organization came to him asking for $30 million from what it described as “Chevron funds,” Martinez said he pushed back. First, he told them the money should be described as general funds, not a separate pot. Second, he said that if they were seeking $30 million, they needed to first consult with the broader coalition involved in placing the Chevron-related measure on the ballot. He was also critical of councilmembers who promised public input on spending decisions but then discussed using the funds to pay down pension obligations without broader community engagement. Asked how he would use a large infusion of general funds, Martinez said he is inclined to preserve the principal and spend the interest. “It’s a continual money generator, as opposed to just spending it now and then not having any money to show for it,” he said. He also pointed to the proposed East Bay Public Bank, a regional effort involving Alameda County, Oakland, and Richmond. By placing public funds in such an institution, he said, interest could remain local rather than flowing to large financial institutions, while also allowing the city to borrow from its own bank. ### On the next four years Martinez’s top priority is development at Hilltop and downtown, two areas he said have stalled. He was particularly critical of Prologis, the developer that owns the Hilltop site, citing a lack of progress. He envisions connecting the lake to Hilltop and building out a community hub that integrates recreation. He also wants to see regular downtown events, similar to Oakland’s Friday night gatherings, bringing together art, entertainment, and food. He supports revitalizing the port, moving the Red Oak Victory ship closer to Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park, and strengthening the connection between downtown and the ferry terminal. He also wants the Craneway Pavilion to become a more active public space, with better promotion, so residents are aware of events. He said the city’s civic plaza should function as a public space rather than a revenue-generating rental venue. He pointed to a Tibetan community group that had hoped to hold regular dance performances and lessons there but could not afford the fees. “To charge for the use of the plaza inhibits the plaza as a community space,” he said. Martinez has spent more than a decade in Richmond politics, first on the council and now as mayor. He is asking voters to evaluate his record and decide whether to give him another term. “We’ve accomplished so much in the time that I’ve been mayor,” he said. “I would like to continue and advance some of the things that I’ve started.” Grandview Independent *will publish interviews with all candidates running for Richmond City Council and mayor in the coming weeks.* --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### On the Richmond Burger Trail: Butter’s Burgers crosses the bay to Armistice Brewing URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-richmond-burger-trail-butters-burgers-crosses-the-bay-to-armistice-brewing/ Last updated: 2026-04-06T20:03:03.000Z Something has been happening to Richmond’s burger scene. It has been accumulating. [Johnny Boi Smash Burger](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-richmond-burger-trail-the-points-johnny-boi-smash-burger-makes-its-case/) arrived in Point Richmond with its mural-bright interior and neon glow. [Tommy’s Burger Co.](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/new-smash-burger-spot-opens-on-san-pablo-avenue/) opened on San Pablo Avenue in the North and East, chef Tommy Ryan grinding his own brisket trim for patties, a Richmond native coming home to feed the neighborhood. [Golden State Kitchen](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-richmond-burger-trail-new-golden-state-kitchen-opens-on-south-12th-street/) moved into the old union hall on South 12th, packed the room on TikTok hype alone, fresh-baked buns hitting the flat-top with a crunch that made people stop mid-bite and reconsider things. Now Butter’s Burgers has soft-opened at Armistice Brewing on Marina Bay Parkway, and there is a kind of beautiful hysteria to it now, this return of the burger, as if every kitchen in the country suddenly agreed to lose its mind at the exact same moment. Butter’s Burgers is not a Richmond story in origin. Chef Christopher Ruiz, known as Butters, a name earned at a French Laundry catering event that ended with a popcorn machine on the floor and grease splattered everywhere, [built his name in Napa. ](https://napavalleyregister.com/arts-and-entertainment/food-drink/butters-burgers-napa-armistice-brewing-company/article%5Fae0cce32-7457-11ef-80bc-379da8d27f1b.html?ref=grandviewindependent.com)He started with a hot dog cart during the pandemic. Then a food trailer outside a bar at 2 a.m. Then a permanent kitchen inside the Napa location of Armistice Brewing, the brewery founded by Richmond-based siblings Alex and Gregory Zobel. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/03/richmond-burger-trail-butters-burgers-armistice-brewing2-1.webp) Armistice Brewing on Marina Bay Parkway, Richmond, now serving Butter’s Burgers alongside its craft beers. That Napa location is where Butter’s Burgers found its footing and its following. The Richmond location is where Armistice started. So Butter’s crossing the bay makes a certain kind of sense, following the brewery back to its origin city, landing in a place that has been quietly building toward the moment when a burger like this would fit right in. Though lately it has also become the kind of place where newcomers arrive convinced they’ve uncovered something hidden, rather than walked into something long-standing. On a Thursday afternoon, the beer garden was running about five to one, men to women. By the time food arrived, the outside deck had filled out closer to seven to three. Many are already enjoying an Armistice pint. Which, if we start Day Drinking, will most absolutely lead to Day Napping. Lunch economics were being discussed; the former food vendor, Curbside Kitchen, was tracking twenty-two dollars for lunch. Someone noted that a single burger and fries *also* comes to $22, which is either a coincidence, the universe being tidy, or just the going rate now. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/03/richmond-burger-trail-butters-burgers-armistice-brewing3-1.webp) Butter’s Burgers’ single smash burger with melty American cheese, grilled onions, and crispy fries at Armistice Brewing in Richmond. The single is a Big Burger. We want to be precise about this. We showed restraint in our ordering and still received a Big Burger. It arrives on a sesame seed bun, traditional, correct, not trying to be anything other than what it is, and it is presented on a bed of pepperoncini, which turns out to be exactly right, the kind of touch you don’t know you needed until it’s there. Pop ’em in your mouth, squirt them on your fries. Go wild. It is a smash burger, technically. We note this with some caution because the smash burger as a form has a particular failure mode: the over-seared lacy disk that has been pressed until the fat renders out and the whole thing swims in grease, more char than meat. This is not that. The crispy edges are present, the bits that curl and brown and announce themselves, but there is still meat here, still juice, still parts of this patty that are operating somewhere in the medium-rare vicinity and are not apologetic about it. Melty American cheese, grilled onions, tomato, and a serious quantity of iceberg lettuce fill out the burger. We read that Ruiz believes in lettuce, and he is correct to believe in it. A sauce that does its job without grandstanding. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/04/Served-Fresh-Every-Tuesday-.png) The fries are thin-cut, crispy, and golden. They arrive ready. They hold that readiness. They do not require an apology. One order is enough for two. Phila Burger, Red Onion, and Frosty King have been there all along. What’s new is everything arriving around it, stacking up, getting noticed, getting priced accordingly. Butter’s Burgers has now crossed the bay to join the pile. The trail keeps growing. Butter’s Burgers is at Armistice Brewing Company, 845 Marina Bay Pkwy, Suite 1, Richmond. Hours follow Armistice Brewing business hours. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Candidate Interview: Keycha Gallon runs for Richmond City Council District 4 URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/candidate-interview-keycha-gallon-runs-for-richmond-city-council-district-4/ Last updated: 2026-03-31T16:41:32.000Z Keycha Gallon grew up on Sixth Street in the Iron Triangle, in a neighborhood where families of every background looked out for one another. She left. She came back. And when she did, what she found shook her. "It was a real culture shock for me. When I came back to Richmond, everything was so divided," Gallon said. "Richmond is cliquish. They don't make everyone feel all inclusive, and we have to get back to including everyone, because every stakeholder matters. If one person feels like they're left out, then we're doing a disservice." Gallon is running for the District 4 seat on the Richmond City Council, challenging incumbent Soheila Bana in the June primary. She is a first-time candidate, the founder of a gun violence prevention nonprofit, a former union shop steward, a mother of two and grandmother of two, and someone who has never held elected office and does not pretend otherwise. "If you (the council) heard the people, I wouldn't be running for city council," she said. "There are policies and initiatives being passed in the city of Richmond that do not support everyone. There are disparities that always get overlooked." ### **Who she is** The thread that runs through Gallon’s biography is loss. She lost her brother to gun violence. "It was one wound, but it destroyed multiple lives," she said. "My mother never fully recovered from it, so I had to actually step up. He left six kids behind. So with his six kids, I had one at the time, it's pretty much raising, helping raise seven kids." Out of that loss, Gallon built [Keys to the Future](https://www.keyz2thefuture.org/?ref=grandviewindependent.com), a nonprofit that began as a space for girls processing trauma from gun violence and has grown into a program serving entire family units. The organization uses trauma-informed art therapy and leadership development to help children and families heal. Last year, it took kids camping. This year, a trip to Pismo Beach is planned. “You can’t just heal the kid without healing the whole family,” she said. Gallon was the former local lead for Moms Demand Action and has used that platform to push for gun reform at the state level. She describes years of showing up at city hall, at community events, on city commissions, doing work she says was largely unpaid and largely unrecognized. [Richmond holds first National Gun Violence Community Remembrance DayRichmond held its first National Gun Violence Community Remembrance Day Friday evening to recognize the lives lost to gun violence and work together to end gun violence in the city. The event held in the Richmond Civic Center highlighted the contributions of several key community partners addressing gun violence in![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--275.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/gun-violence-community-remembrance-day1.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/untitled-7/) She served on the steering commission of the California Violence Intervention and Prevention Program and fought to change grant language that effectively locked out small nonprofits. The original framework required a dollar-for-dollar match and restricted eligibility to cities and counties, which she said guaranteed that only large institutions with existing capital could compete. Community-based organizations doing the actual street-level work were structurally excluded before the process even began. “The smaller nonprofits would never, ever be able to get the money,” she said. “Because for every dollar you had, you had to have a dollar to match it.” Gallon pushed to change the language so that 501(c)(3)s could apply independently, without having to partner with a city or county to access the funds. “I fought for language change,” she said. “So that money is going to hit more inner city kids, because it’s boots on the ground money now.” During the pandemic, Gallon used her own savings to pass out food, personal protective equipment, and sleeping bags to unhoused residents through Motivated to Help Others. She organized group chats where neighbors shared grocery lists. She rented out a theater in small groups so children could have a sense of normalcy. “We all we got,” she said. “It takes the community to save the community.” ### **On public safety** Gallon does not define public safety narrowly. For her, it means being able to move through the city without fear, to and from appointments, in and out of your home, and it is inseparable from mental health, workforce development, and housing. “If you get a healthier community, if you build the economy, you will change the trajectory of some of this violence,” she said. She does not support defunding the police. She also has personal reasons that complicate any simple position. One brother was killed by gun violence. Another died in a police encounter in Bay Point. “Even though he lost his life dealing with a police encounter, I still believe that we have to have something in place to govern the people,” she said. She is unwilling to choose between law enforcement and alternative response programs. She says the two are interdependent and that pulling resources from one to fund the other, without first rebuilding the underlying economy, would make things worse. She does want the police department to diversify and to understand better the cultures of the communities they serve. “Every ethnic group is not the same, and when you are addressing the different cultures, you have to figure out a way to approach them effectively,” she said. ### **On housing and homelessness** Gallon says the homelessness crisis in Richmond is, at its root, an affordability crisis. She points to a wage gap she puts at more than $40,000 between the 94803 and 94801 ZIP codes as evidence that the city is economically fractured in ways that its policies have failed to address. "There's an assessment that should be done to each homeless person," Gallon said. "I go out there, and I talk to some, because we pass out food to the unhoused, we pass out sleeping bags. And some people just say it's just cheaper to be out there on the streets. Which, in reality, it is." She supports expanding shelter beds, tiny-home villages, and motel conversion projects, but says those investments will fail without parallel investment in income stability. Placing people in housing they cannot afford, she argues, only delays the next displacement. “You can put me anywhere, but if I really can’t afford it, what’s going to happen? I’m going to end back up on the streets,” Gallon said. ### **On economic development** Gallon talks about economic development in terms of pipelines. Direct connections between residents and jobs in healthcare, trades, and the green economy. She wants vocational training restored in Richmond high schools, arguing that removing those programs removed a ladder. “If you start getting these kids training when they’re in high school again, you’ll have more young people coming out, and they can help stimulate the economy,” she said. She also wants the city to invest in small businesses, attract employers who will hire locally, and develop retail and dining that brings both internal and external spending. “You have to get the outside dollars too,” she said. “You want to keep the inside dollars on the inside.” On development proposals from outside interests, she says her test is simple: "Is it bringing jobs? Is it reducing homelessness? Is it growing the community as a whole?" ### **On the council itself** Gallon says she is not affiliated with any political group, including the Richmond Progressive Alliance, and she says so plainly. “I stand solo,” she said. “I am an independent thinker.” She says her view is that too much of what happens at city council meetings appears predetermined, that community voices are heard in form but not in substance, and that council members too often serve the agendas of their endorsers rather than the residents they represent. "When the surveys are being done in Richmond, it's for a small group. Because, let's be honest, not everybody is on social media. Everyone's not computer savvy," she said. "So we have to get those notices out to the home. We have to have those town hall meetings. And when you invite them to the table, just don't invite them to the table, you give them a voice, and you hear that voice." “Every councilmember is the voice of the people, not only in their district, but for all districts,” she said. “No councilmember should be up there with their own agenda.” Gallon has specific frustrations. She described going to the council to raise the alarm about gun violence in Richmond and being told by a councilmember that they did not know it was a problem because they lived in a part of the city that wasn’t affected. “I’m like, okay. And you’re sitting on the city council and don’t know that there’s a problem," she said. We weren't doing anything to educate the people about gun violence." ### **On the agenda** If elected, Gallon says her first six months would focus on awareness, raising the visibility of gun violence, suicide, domestic violence, and the health disparities hitting Black and brown communities in Richmond, and on putting structural safeguards in place that ensure those issues cannot be ignored. On environmental challenges, including air quality and flooding, she says both require policy changes at the state level and direct accountability for industrial polluters. She argues that it is cheaper for Chevron to settle than to buy new equipment. “I really don’t see Chevron going anywhere anytime soon,” she said. “So why not hold them accountable for getting the new equipment?” Gallon says she has given roughly a quarter of her income to the work, to the nonprofit, and to the community since 2018\. She is careful not to oversell what a single council seat can do. But she also says she is tired of watching Richmond’s potential go unrealized. "We have to make Richmond more attractive, make Richmond a place that is full of pride and purpose, a city that once was thriving," she said. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### What happened in Richmond: A week of fires, fights and disappearing cars URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/what-happened-in-richmond-a-week-of-fires-fights-and-disappearing-cars/ Last updated: 2026-03-30T17:01:48.000Z Thieves and arsonists kept Richmond police busy this week, cars disappeared by the dozen, fires bookended a Sunday, homes were broken into, weapons were brandished, and the week closed with a driver fleeing a crash after drinking. ### Richmond crime incidents ### Monday, March 23 **Vehicle recovery:** 200 block of S. 9th Street. A wandering car was reunited with civilization at 12:40 a.m. **Arson:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. A fire was set deliberately at 4:44 a.m. **Petty theft:** 4500 block of Macdonald Avenue. Property was reported stolen at 9 a.m. **Residential burglary:** 600 block of 23rd Street. Someone let themselves into a residence uninvited at 11 a.m. **Child abuse and domestic violence:** 300 block of Beck Street. Police arrested someone suspected of harming a child and a domestic partner at 1 p.m. **Vandalism and vehicle burglary:** 3200 block of Pierce Street. A vehicle was broken into, and property was damaged at 1:19 p.m. **Vehicle burglary and vandalism:** 5500 block of Central Avenue. A vehicle was broken into, and property was damaged at 1:32 p.m. **Exhibiting a deadly weapon, criminal threats and drug possession:** Chanslor Circle. Police arrested someone after a weapon was brandished, a crime was threatened with intent to terrorize, and drugs were found in the village at 2 p.m. **Car theft:** 3000 block of Lowell Avenue. Someone drove off with a car that did not belong to them at 4 p.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 4500 block of Macdonald Avenue. A previously missing car turned up at 4:11 p.m. **Child annoyance:** 700 block of 5th Street. A person was reported for annoying or molesting a minor at 5:34 p.m. **Petty theft:** 12800 block of San Pablo Avenue. Retail merchandise was reported stolen at 6:39 p.m. **Theft from and embezzlement of an elder:** 5100 block of Channel Avenue. Property was stolen from an elder or dependent adult, and embezzlement was reported at 6:44 p.m. **Car theft:** 2700 block of Foothill Avenue. A car slipped away without permission at 7 p.m. **DUI:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. A DUI was reported at 7 p.m. **Battery and criminal threats:** 500 block of Banks Drive. A person was attacked and a crime was threatened with intent to terrorize at 7:08 p.m. **Domestic violence and child abuse:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. A domestic partner and a child were harmed at 7:14 p.m. **Car theft:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. A car was last seen headed somewhere it wasn't supposed to go at 8 p.m. **A car made a quiet exit without its owner:** 100 block of S. 11th Street. The disappearance was reported at 9 p.m. **DUI:** Cutting Boulevard and Carlson Boulevard. A DUI was reported at 9:54 p.m. **Possession of child sexual abuse material:** Cutting Boulevard and Carlson Boulevard. Police arrested someone on a charge of possessing obscene material depicting a minor at 9:54 p.m. **Assault with a deadly weapon:** 1900 block of Florida Avenue. Police arrested someone after a person was assaulted with a deadly weapon, and an assault with force likely to cause great bodily injury was reported at 10:57 p.m. **Commercial burglary:** 4900 block of Cypress Avenue. A commercial property was forcibly entered at 11:23 p.m. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/03/Served-Fresh-Every-Tuesday--1.png) ### Tuesday, March 24 **Domestic violence:** Railroad Avenue. A domestic partner was physically harmed, and sexual battery was reported at midnight. **Car theft:** 400 block of 38th Street. A car disappeared into the night at 1 a.m. **Battery on an emergency worker:** 1100 block of Cutting Boulevard. An emergency responder was physically attacked at 10:15 a.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 5000 block of Plaza Circle. A previously missing car was tracked down at 10:48 a.m. **Child annoyance:** 2600 block of Barnard Street. A person was reported for annoying a minor at 11 a.m. **Armed robbery:** 300 block of 4th Street. A robbery at weapon-point was reported at 11:58 a.m. **Car theft:** 2400 block of Maine Avenue. A car went for a drive that nobody authorized at 7:45 a.m. **Car theft:** 900 block of Chanslor Avenue. A car disappeared at 8:38 a.m. **Vandalism:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. Property was defaced at 2:59 p.m. **Grand theft from a vehicle:** 4800 block of Central Avenue. Property was reported stolen from a motor vehicle at 4 p.m. **Vehicle recovery:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. A previously missing vehicle was located at 5:13 p.m. **Child abuse:** 1500 block of Cutting Boulevard. A child was harmed at 5:15 p.m. **Petty theft:** 500 block of 9th Street. Property was reported stolen at 6 p.m. **Contempt of court:** 800 block of Jetty Drive. A person was found in violation of a court order at 6:31 p.m. **Evading an officer:** Undisclosed location in 94806\. A driver led officers on a chase at 7:30 p.m. **Criminal threats and shoplifting:** 1200 block of Macdonald Avenue. A crime was allegedly threatened with intent to terrorize, and shoplifting was also reported at 8 p.m. **Vehicle recovery:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. Another missing car came home at 8:49 p.m. **Armed robbery and child abuse:** 2400 block of Aberdeen Way. A robbery at gunpoint and harm to a child were reported at 8:55 p.m. **Disorderly conduct, vandalism, and drug possession:** 200 block of Marina Way. Police arrested someone after loitering, property damage, and drug paraphernalia were reported at 9 p.m. **Negligent discharge of a firearm:** 3100 block of Shane Drive. A firearm was recklessly discharged at 9:13 p.m. **A car went off on its own terms:** 3000 block of Groom Drive. It was gone without a trace at 10 p.m. **Vandalism:** 2400 block of Downer Avenue. Property was damaged at 11:30 p.m. ### Wednesday, March 25 **Domestic battery and child abuse:** 1700 block of Cutting Boulevard. Police arrested someone after a domestic partner was attacked and a child was harmed at midnight. **Grand theft and receiving stolen property:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. Police arrested someone after property was stolen and stolen goods were found at midnight. **Unauthorized joyride:** 2700 block of Foothill Avenue. Someone drove off with a car at 12:20 a.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 11th Street. A previously missing car turned up, and another one was reported missing from the same block at 2:36 a.m. **Car theft:** 1400 block of S. 58th Street. Another car was gone before anyone noticed at 3:01 a.m. **Assault with a deadly weapon:** 300 block of 44th Street. A person was assaulted with a deadly weapon at 4:40 a.m. **A car was relieved of its owner's company:** 600 block of 5th Street. The wheels went with a stranger at 5:30 a.m. **Car theft:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. The disappearance was reported at 8 a.m. **Residential burglary:** 100 block of S. 37th Street. Someone crept into a residence uninvited at 8:14 a.m. **Vehicle burglary:** 200 block of West Chanslor Avenue. A vehicle was broken into at 8:50 a.m. **Vehicle burglary and residential burglary:** 100 block of S. 21st Street. A vehicle and a residence were both entered without force at 2 a.m. **A car rolled out without permission:** 5000 block of Fallon Avenue. The owner had no idea until it was too late at 9:27 a.m. **Robbery:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. A strong-arm robbery was reported at 10:05 a.m. **Battery:** 500 block of Marina Way. A person was physically attacked at 12:29 p.m. **Domestic court order violation:** 200 block of Pennsylvania Avenue. Police arrested someone for violating a court order to prevent domestic violence at 2 p.m. **Contempt of court:** 200 block of Marina Way. A person was found in violation of a court order at 2:28 p.m. **Criminal threats:** 1100 block of Roosevelt Avenue. A crime was allegedly threatened with intent to terrorize at 3:46 p.m. **Cocaine possession for sale:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. Cocaine base was found packaged for sale at 5:01 p.m. **A car headed for the hills:** 300 block of 44th Street. It left without saying goodbye at 9 p.m. **Vandalism, disorderly conduct, and threatening a public officer:** 1100 block of Cutting Boulevard. Property was damaged, public intoxication was reported, and a public officer was threatened at 9:30 p.m. **Stalking and criminal threats:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. A person was reportedly stalked, and a crime was threatened with intent to terrorize at 11 p.m. ### Thursday, March 26 **Commercial burglary and vehicle theft:** 300 block of Carlson Boulevard. Police arrested someone after a commercial property was entered without force and a car was driven off without permission at 2:45 a.m. **A car went AWOL:** 2300 block of Aberdeen Way. Someone helped themselves to a car at 4:32 a.m. **Criminal threats and harassing phone calls:** 2400 block of Lancaster Drive. A crime was allegedly threatened with intent to terrorize, and harassing calls were reported at 6:32 a.m. **Domestic violence and child abuse:** 300 block of S. 5th Street. Police arrested someone after a domestic partner and a child were physically harmed at 9 a.m. **Car theft:** 4800 block of Berk Avenue. A car was reported missing at 10:51 a.m. **Another car that forgot who it belonged to:** Nevin Avenue. The parking spot was empty by 11:41 a.m. **Vandalism:** 400 block of 22nd Street. Property damage valued at $400 or more was reported at 1 p.m. **Vehicle burglary and grand theft:** 2100 block of Barrett Avenue. A vehicle was broken into, and property was stolen at 1:49 p.m. **A car quietly disappeared:** 4700 block of Hartnett Avenue. Someone gave it an unsanctioned new home at 2:30 p.m. **Drug paraphernalia and alcohol violations:** 1100 block of Macdonald Avenue. Drug paraphernalia and an open alcohol container were reported at 3:12 p.m. **Assault with force likely to cause great bodily injury and child abuse:** 2400 block of Hinkley Avenue. A person was assaulted, and a child was harmed at 7:47 p.m. **Domestic battery:** 100 block of Chariot Court. A domestic partner was physically attacked at 9:22 p.m. **Criminal threats:** 300 block of W. Macdonald Avenue. A crime was allegedly threatened with intent to terrorize at 10:05 p.m. **DUI and driving without a license:** Undisclosed location in 94805\. A DUI and driving without a license were reported at 11:06 p.m. **Armed robbery:** 900 block of Triangle Court. A robbery at weapon-point was reported at 11:22 p.m. ### Friday, March 27 **Vehicle tampering and vandalism:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. A vehicle was tampered with, and property was damaged at midnight. **Vehicle burglary and robbery:** 400 block of 20th Street. A vehicle was broken into, and a strong-arm robbery was reported at midnight. **Theft of vehicle parts:** Location undisclosed. Parts were reported stripped from a motor vehicle at midnight. **Fight:** 11900 block of San Pablo Avenue, El Cerrito. A public fight was reported at midnight. **Assault with a deadly weapon:** 2400 block of Lancaster Drive. A person was assaulted with a deadly weapon, and an assault with force likely to cause great bodily injury was reported at 2:20 a.m. **DUI:** 3000 block of Cutting Boulevard. A DUI was reported at 2:45 a.m. **Public intoxication and drug paraphernalia:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. Police arrested someone on public intoxication and drug paraphernalia charges at 7 a.m. **Car theft:** 500 block of 16th Street. Thieves took a car on an early morning excursion at 7:05 a.m. **Theft from a vehicle:** 3200 block of Maricopa Avenue. Items were reported stolen from a motor vehicle at 8:03 a.m. **A car packed up and left without its owner:** 300 block of 44th Street. It departed under new, unauthorized management at 8:26 a.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 500 block of 6th Street. A previously missing car turned up at 10:47 a.m. **Vandalism:** 800 block of 24th Street. Property damage valued at less than $400 was reported at 11:15 a.m. **Domestic battery and criminal threats:** 3600 block of Waller Avenue. Police arrested someone after a domestic partner was attacked and an officer was threatened at 9:33 a.m. **Trespassing, battery on a police officer, and false ID:** 2400 block of Aberdeen Way. Police made multiple arrests for trespassing, attacking an officer, and providing false identification to police at 3:25 p.m. **Contempt of court:** 500 block of Jetty Drive. A person was found in violation of a court order at 4:45 p.m. **Domestic battery:** 700 block of S. 41st Street. A domestic partner was physically attacked at 6:23 p.m. **An unsolicited public display:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. Police arrested someone on an indecent exposure charge at 10:15 p.m. **Solicitation:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. Police arrested someone on a prostitution charge at 11:03 p.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 2600 block of Kenney Drive, San Pablo. A previously missing vehicle turned up at 8 a.m. ### Saturday, March 28 **A car kicked off the day by leaving without its owner:** 2400 block of Hinkley Avenue. The owner's parking luck ran out at midnight. **Grand theft:** 2500 block of Spinnaker Way. Property was reported stolen at midnight. **DUI:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. Police arrested a driver on DUI charges at 12:59 a.m. **Minor in possession of alcohol:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. A minor was found in possession of alcohol at 2:35 a.m. **DUI:** 5400 block of Central Avenue. Police arrested a driver on DUI charges at 3:56 a.m. **A car vanished in the early hours:** 700 block of 6th Street. Someone decided finders keepers at 6:11 a.m. **A car was gone before breakfast:** 800 block of 8th Street. It evaporated from the block at 8:06 a.m. **Contempt of court:** 700 block of 10th Street. Someone was found in violation of a protective order at 8 a.m. **Hit-and-run:** 300 block of 28th Street. A driver fled the scene of a property damage collision at 9:40 a.m. **Grand theft shoplifting:** 1400 block of Hilltop Mall Road. A grand theft shoplifting was reported at 11:15 a.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 2400 block of Hinkley Avenue. The car that vanished at midnight turned up a few hours later at 12:31 p.m. **Battery:** 800 block of Carlson Boulevard. A person was physically attacked at 5:29 p.m. **Domestic violence:** 3800 block of Fleming Avenue. A domestic partner was reportedly physically harmed at 5:38 p.m. **DUI:** 2300 block of Downer Avenue. A DUI was reported at 8:54 p.m. ### Sunday, March 29 **Arson:** 700 block of Amador Street. A property was deliberately set on fire at 5:10 a.m. **Car thefts:** Six vehicles went missing across Richmond on Sunday, from the 700 block of 20th Street at 5:26 a.m., an undisclosed location in 94801 at 6:27 a.m., Nevin Avenue at 9 a.m., the 300 block of South 18th Street at 9:30 a.m., the 4800 block of Wall Avenue at 9:32 a.m., and the 1300 block of Maine Avenue at 12:47 p.m. **Driving under the influence:** 1700 block of Regatta Boulevard. A DUI was reported at 2:15 p.m. **Arson:** 600 block of Stege Avenue. Another fire was deliberately set, the second arson of the day, at 2:54 p.m. **Vandalism:** 4600 block of Cutting Boulevard. Property damage valued at $400 or more was reported at 6:49 p.m. **DUI and hit-and-run:** 600 block of 18th Street. A driver struck a vehicle and fled the scene at 7:39 p.m. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Candidate Interview: Soheila Bana seeks a second term on Richmond City Council District 4 URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/candidate-interview-soheila-bana-seeks-a-second-term-on-richmond-city-council-district-4/ Last updated: 2026-04-06T19:58:08.000Z Richmond City Councilmember Soheila Bana is seeking a second term representing District 4, pointing to her work on wildfire preparedness and public safety while drawing on a personal history shaped by political repression in Iran. Bana came of age during the 1979 Iranian revolution, part of a generation that found the experience deeply empowering. “I was a child of the revolution,” she said. “We threw the Shah away. We stood up to American imperialism. That was very empowering.” What came next was not what she had imagined. She was denied admission to universities, despite her ranking in the single digits nationally in academic competitions for three years in a row. Her husband, Reza Yazdi, a leftist student activist, was arrested, tried, and sentenced to death. She left for Turkey, spent three months there waiting for a student visa, and arrived in the United States in 1985\. She worked as an au pair and nanny, enrolled at a community college, earned a Regents Scholarship to UC Berkeley, and eventually finished a Ph.D. in electrical engineering and computer science. Now she sits on the Richmond City Council, representing District 4\. She is running for a second term, facing a rematch against Jamin Pursell, who challenged her in 2022. ### Who she is Bana’s path to public office runs through decades of loss and activism on two continents. Not wanting to leave her husband while he was under a death sentence, Bana stayed in Iran. She said that while on death row, he was held in a single metal cell in heat that reached 100 degrees Fahrenheit for months. He endured mock executions and watched friends and fellow prisoners be taken out and shot. His original sentence was later commuted to 20 years after what Bana described as sustained public pressure and complex negotiations. He ultimately served six years, including long stretches in solitary confinement. After his release, he eventually risked his life to escape the country, traveling on horseback through the mountains of Kurdistan into Turkey. Bana helped him obtain the documents to come to the United States. She described sitting on the steps outside a dungeon beneath a courthouse where Yazdi was held during his brief trial. “I felt so helpless and voiceless and cut off from the rest of the world,” she said. “I thought no one deserves to be in such a situation. So I became a human rights defender for the rest of my life.” Starting in the late 1990s, Bana wrote extensively in Farsi about women’s rights, children’s rights, and the rights of ethnic and religious minorities in Iran. She was a co-founder and international coordinator of the Stop Stoning Forever campaign, which she says saved the lives of nine women, two men, and a young Kurdish woman facing a death sentence. At UC Berkeley in the 1990s, she was active in organizing among graduate students and helped push for what she said became one of the first parental leave policies for students, later adopted more broadly across the university system. Bana spent nearly 20 years as a transportation engineer at Caltrans, where she also rose to lead the union representing professional engineers and advocated in Sacramento on labor issues. After her children left home and she retired, she said she began looking more closely at conditions in her community and decided to get involved. ### The political landscape Once a member of the Richmond Progressive Alliance, Bana said she hosted a fundraiser for an RPA-backed candidate at her home years before running for office. But by the time the 2022 campaign came around, she had broken with the organization over its support for defunding the police. “When they moved in that direction, they lost a lot of support, especially in my community,” she said. “Living in a wildfire area, obviously, you want law enforcement. That was a major flaw.” Bana said the RPA approached her prior to the 2022 race and asked her to run as their candidate, but she declined. “I told them no, I can do it on my own,” she said. “If I’m good enough to be their candidate, why bring an opponent against me?” She won the race with nearly 65 percent of the vote. Since taking office, Bana said she has built relationships across a wide range of community organizations, from neighborhood emergency response groups to street merchant associations and business groups. She said she includes her personal cell phone number in emails and tries to respond within a day. “I’m approachable, I’m responsive, accountable,” she said. “So many people reach out to me.” ![Richmond City Councilmember Soheila Bana](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/03/soheila-bana-richmond-city-council-district-4-candidate-2026-fire-1-1.webp) Photo/ Linda Hemmila ### The fire that started it District 4 sits in wildfire terrain. When Bana began paying attention to what the city was and was not doing about that risk, she said she found little coordinated effort. “Nobody was saying anything, nobody was doing anything,” she said. “So I started getting attention from the neighbors about the issue.” In May 2022, she helped establish the West Contra Costa Fire Safe Council, which she now chairs. That work contributed to the formation of the East Bay Wildfire Coalition, a regional partnership that includes cities from Hercules to Oakland as well as Contra Costa and Alameda counties. The coalition focuses on vegetation management, evacuation route clearing, and coordination across jurisdictions. Since taking office, Bana said the city has hired four arborists and ordered three remote-controlled lawn mowers for vegetation management. She also pushed for defensible space clearing around structures in steep terrain that had gone unmanaged for decades. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/04/Grandview-Independent-26.png) She has also raised concerns about the county’s Community Warning System, which was submitted to the Contra Costa County Civil Grand Jury and led to recommendations for improvements now being implemented. “There’s no big splash about the hard work that you’re doing,” she said. “But this is the type of work that needs persistence and follow-up.” ### On public safety For Bana, public safety is the organizing framework for much of her work. “Public safety is the number one reason you and I pay taxes,” she said. “We want the government to protect us, against terrorism, against crime, against public disaster, against gun violence, and against personal violence.” She defines it broadly, including wildfire risk, traffic safety, and gender-based violence. On police staffing, Bana said she believes the department can reach 160 officers by the end of the next fiscal year, compared to current levels. A staffing study places the ideal number at 244, she said, and she plans to bring forward a proposal to increase the budgeted headcount. She is also working to identify locations for community resiliency centers, places where residents could gather during disasters to access water, electricity, and basic services. “The City of Richmond, or Contra Costa County, has one community resiliency center,” she said. “One.” ### On housing Bana said the city’s housing conversation overlooks homeownership. “There is not a word about home ownership in our housing element, which is shocking,” she said. “It builds generational wealth. It stabilizes the community.” She has proposed exploring shared-equity housing models similar to those used by some universities, as well as issuing bonds to support housing for teachers and public safety workers. She supports mixed-use development but is cautious about increasing density in wildfire-prone areas, noting that evacuation modeling shows it could take more than 10 hours to clear parts of her district. On homelessness, Bana said she has studied models in Texas and is working with local organizations to expand shelter capacity and develop a navigation center approach. “It just cannot go on like this,” she said, referring to encampments near businesses. “Some business owners told me they pay half a million dollars a year for security because the encampments around them sometimes cause fires in their properties.” ### On air quality and infrastructure Drawing on her experience at Caltrans, Bana said she has pushed for more accountability from state agencies. She now holds regular meetings with Caltrans staff on issues such as vegetation management and encampments, but said broader advocacy is needed at higher levels of government. On air quality, she said the city has received approximately $36 million from the regional air district. She said more scrutiny is needed around pollution data and long-term exposure impacts, particularly in communities near industrial facilities. ### Looking ahead Bana said she hopes to use a second term to complete projects already underway, including resiliency centers, wildfire preparedness efforts, and housing initiatives. She also wants the city to strengthen its approach to economic development, including hiring staff focused on business growth and events, and to invest in public spaces like the Richmond Auditorium. She said her experiences in Iran shaped her approach to public service. “To declare your humanity, you have to stand up and go against the grain,” she said. “Don’t be ashamed of who you are or what you say, and don’t worry about who’s going to oppose you. That was the best training.” Grandview Independent *will publish interviews with candidates running for Richmond City Council and mayor in the coming weeks.* --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Hundreds rally in Richmond as part of nationwide 'No Kings' movement URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/hundreds-rally-in-richmond-as-part-of-nationwide-no-kings-movement/ Last updated: 2026-03-29T02:12:14.000Z Several hundred Richmond residents gathered Saturday morning at Civic Center Plaza for a "No Kings Richmond" march and rally, part of a nationwide day of protest against what organizers described as threats to democratic governance by the Trump administration. The event, organized by a coalition of local groups including United Teachers of Richmond, Richmond Indivisible, East Bay Democratic Socialists of America, Richmond Progressive Alliance, and the Contra Costa Labor Council, began at 10 a.m. with participants forming a human banner before marching through city streets to a rally at 25th Street and Barrett Avenue. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/03/richmond-ca-protesters-no-kings-nationwide-day-of-action-2.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/03/richmond-ca-protesters-no-kings-peace-freedom.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/03/richmond-ca-protesters-no-kings-nationwide-day-of-action-march-2.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/03/richmond-ca-protesters-no-kings-nationwide-day-of-action.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/03/richmond-ca-protesters-no-kings-nationwide-day-of-action-claudia-jimenez.webp) The gathering drew speakers ranging from local elected officials to students, union members, and immigrant rights advocates, all who were united around opposition to immigration enforcement raids, federal spending cuts, and what several speakers called authoritarian overreach. The rally came less than a week after a widely circulated video showed ICE agents arresting a woman and a child inside San Francisco International Airport. The Department of Homeland Security identified the pair as Angelina Lopez-Jimenez and Wendy Godinez-Lopez, saying they had final removal orders issued by an immigration judge in 2019\. Video of the arrest spread quickly on social media, showing the woman crying on her knees while plainclothes agents stood nearby. Francisco Ortiz, president of United Teachers of Richmond, referenced the incident as he addressed the crowd from the bed of a pickup truck. "A young student, Wendy from Downer Elementary, watched as she and her mother were taken away at San Francisco International Airport by ICE agents without any kind of identification," Ortiz said. "This was done in public with no regard for the trauma inflicted on a child, on a family, or on a school community that loves that child. What happened was not just policy, it was pain, it was fear, it was injustice made visible." Marisol Cantu of Reimagine Richmond described the daily fear residents are experiencing. "Immigrants are afraid to pick up their children from schools," Cantu said. "They are afraid to walk down 23rd Street. Teachers are calling right now to see if it's okay to let their children go home after school." Cantu said her organization's phone line has been fielding calls from residents asking whether it is safe to go to the grocery store, ride the bus on San Pablo Avenue, or visit local restaurants. "This is not only in Minneapolis, not only in LA or even Chicago," she said. "That is not freedom. That is not democracy. That is terror." Cantu closed her remarks with a direct appeal to the crowd. "Show up even when it's fucking uncomfortable," she said. "Show the fuck up. Organize your neighbors, your friends, and your families." Richmond City Councilmember Claudia Jimenez, speaking in English and Spanish, described what she called the "lived reality" of fear in the city. "It looks like a young woman hiding in a bathroom at Target, too afraid to walk out because she thought security was ICE," Jimenez said. "It looks like empty chairs in classrooms because children are too afraid to go to school, afraid their parents might not be there when they come home." Councilmember Doria Robinson invoked a children's book to frame the political moment. "We were taught when we were growing up, there's this great book called 'The Emperor Has No Clothes,'" Robinson said. "When the emperor goes down the street naked, what are you supposed to say? You're naked, you don't have no clothes. Many people believe we can get through this moment. They think it's a storm, like you just duck and hide, and it'll pass over. But this isn't a storm. This is more like a cancer, and you can't hide from it. You gotta stand up, and you gotta fight back." Marie Walcheck, a federal worker and union member, drew a contrast between public servants and the administration. "The government does not belong to billionaires," Walcheck said. "It belongs to the people. We serve no king." Julissa Blandon, a freshman at Contra Costa College and Richmond native, read an original poem she wrote for her Chicano studies class titled "A Letter to the Future Children," honoring immigrant families she said built Richmond. [Immigrants Make America Great: Richmond residents march in solidarity with undocumented communityLocal students, activists, and community leaders participated in the “Immigrants Make America Great’ march on 23rd Street on Sunday in support of the immigrant community in the face of increasing threats of deportations under the Trump administration. The event, organized by students from Kennedy High School, San Francisco State University,![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--274.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Richmond-Immigrants-Make-America-Great1-1-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/immigrants-make-america-great-richmond-residents-march-in-solidarity-with-undocumented-community/) "This was never getting rid of criminals," Blandon said. "It was an ethnic cleansing, and we need to start labeling it as such." The Richmond event was among dozens held across the county Saturday. Organizers described the No Kings movement as having grown from a single-day action in 2025 into a sustained national resistance campaign. [‘No Kings’ movement sparks multiple anti-Trump protests in West Contra CostaHundreds of West Contra Costa County residents gathered on Saturday afternoon in El Sobrante, El Cerrito, San Pablo, and Hercules to participate in a national day of action called “No Kings,” protesting what organizers described as increasingly authoritarian politics. The demonstration, organized by Indivisible West Contra Costa County, was part![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--273.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/no-kings-el-sobrante-protest.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/no-kings-movement-sparks-multianti-trump-protests-in-west-contra-costa/) --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### OpenAI signs lease at Richmond's Portside Commerce Center URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/openai-signs-lease-at-richmonds-portside-commerce-center/ Last updated: 2026-04-03T03:54:51.000Z A county property record shows that OpenAI OpCo LLC signed a lease recorded on March 9, 2026, for space at 1411 Harbour Way South in Richmond, the address of the Portside Commerce Center, a 202,371-square-foot industrial warehouse on the Port of Richmond that has been seeking a tenant since alternative energy startup Moxion Power collapsed in 2024. [Richmond battery start-up Moxion abruptly “furloughs” workersRichmond’s Moxion Power, the purveyors of “Good Energy and Radical Power,” notified its staff last week that their jobs would be “furloughed,” leaving employees scrambling to find other job opportunities. Last month, Moxion filed a WARN notice with the Employment Development Department, stating the planned layoffs in August would![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--272.png)Grandview IndependentLinda Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/IMG_7248-1-2.jpg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-battery-start-up-moxion-abruptly-furloughs-workers/) What OpenAI plans to do there isn't clear from the lease record alone. But a Business Insider investigation published in January 2026 may offer some context. According to that reporting, OpenAI had been quietly building out a humanoid robotics lab and told employees in December 2025 that it planned to open a second lab in Richmond, California, with a job posting listing Richmond as the location for a "robotics operator" role placed through the company's contracting agency. [Inside OpenAI’s renewed push into roboticsOpenAI has rapidly scaled its robotics lab over the past year and plans to open up a second lab, insiders say.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/apple-touch-icon-180x180-5.png)Business InsiderGrace Kay![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/696975c604eda4732f2f2ea6)](https://www.businessinsider.com/open-ai-robotics-lab-humanoid-robots-2026-1?ref=grandviewindependent.com) The Business Insider story described OpenAI's existing San Francisco robotics facility as operating three shifts around the clock, with roughly 100 data collectors teaching robotic arms to perform household tasks using teleoperated controllers. The company has been scaling the program rapidly, with the lab having more than quadrupled in size since its launch in early 2025. Brookfield Properties had been marketing the Portside space as a potential logistics center, describing it as "a unique industrial development with maritime access on the Port of Richmond." The building sits on a 15.75-acre parcel on Harbour Way South, with 6,757 square feet of office space and a 202,371-square-foot warehouse. [Portside Commerce Center seeks new tenant after Moxion meltdownRichmond’s nearly completed Portside Commerce Center is now available for lease after its first tenant, Moxion Power, vaporized last summer, leaving a hundred or so employees scrambling for employment and making the building’s future occupancy unclear. Brookfield Properties is offering the massive space for an undisclosed amount and marketing it![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--271.png)Grandview IndependentLinda Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Portside-Commerce-Center-inside-1-2.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/portside-commerce-center-seeks-new-tenant-after-moxion-meltdown/) It would be a significant expansion of footprint for a robotics program that, according to Business Insider, is still in its early stages but appears to be growing fast. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### City council reviews immigrant protections, forms ad hoc committee URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/city-council-reviews-immigrant-protections-forms-ad-hoc-committee/ Last updated: 2026-03-25T22:46:50.000Z The Richmond City Council heard a detailed accounting Tuesday night of what the city is doing and what it refuses to do to shield immigrant residents from federal enforcement, as the police chief described turning away a federal request for help and committed to investigating crimes committed by ICE agents within city limits. The council item was the latest in a series of discussions the council directed city staff to lead. It ended with Mayor Eduardo Martinez announcing a three-member ad hoc committee consisting of himself, Vice Mayor Doria Robinson, and Councilmember Claudia Jimenez to steer the work alongside staff as the implementation plan continues to develop. [On the agenda: Iran resolution, immigration report, Cheese Park, and a renamed holidayThe Richmond City Council will take up a packed agenda Tuesday night, including a proposal to rename the city’s Cesar Chavez Day holiday, a resolution opposing U.S. military action against Iran, and a long-delayed briefing on efforts to shield residents from federal immigration enforcement. A holiday gets a![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--270.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/IMG_9132-1.jpeg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-agenda-iran-resolution-immigration-report-cheese-park-and-a-renamed-holiday/) ### Police chief's message to Homeland Security: No Chief Tim Simmons told the council his department had already faced a real test of its sanctuary commitments. "We've had one request by the Department of Homeland Security to provide a perimeter for them, which was emphatically denied," Simmons said. "We will not participate. It was a flat-out no, and that was the end of that." The remarks came after Councilmember Jimenez raised an incident at San Francisco International Airport that has been circulating in local immigrant advocacy circles. Video showed San Francisco police forming a protective ring around ICE agents, a move Jimenez said legal advocates are calling a violation of that city's sanctuary policy. Jimenez wanted to know if something similar could happen here. Simmons said it would not. "We would not protect ICE to do their job in any way, shape, or form," he said. "Our main priority is going to be how to protect First Amendment rights of our residents, how to protect our residents' properties, and how to protect our residents' lives. Not how to make way for federal enforcement to do their jobs." Richmond Police Department Policy 414, which Simmons noted is publicly available on the department's transparency portal, contains a series of firm prohibitions. Officers are barred from conducting immigration sweeps, from honoring ICE detainers, from inquiring about immigration status for enforcement purposes, and from providing any support services to federal immigration agents, including traffic control or perimeter assistance. Simmons said violations of those prohibitions are a disciplinary matter. ![Richmond City Councilmembers ](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/03/sanctuary-policy-council-meeting-2026.webp) Richmond City Councilmembers discuss immigrant protections and sanctuary policies during Tuesday's meeting. ### If ICE breaks the law Vice Mayor Robinson raised a question she said has come up repeatedly in community meetings around Richmond: what happens if federal agents commit crimes while conducting enforcement operations here? Robinson pointed to a case in Minnesota where local police found themselves in a difficult position after a homicide involving federal agents, and asked whether Richmond's protocols address whether the department would investigate potential crimes by ICE. Simmons said the answer is yes. "Any officer-involved shooting that occurs in the city of Richmond that does not involve a Richmond employee, we would be the host investigating agency," he said. Simmons added that the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office would conduct a parallel investigation under the county's law enforcement involved fatal incident protocol. Robinson pressed on less lethal situations, describing scenes she said residents have been watching on news coverage from other parts of the country: car windows smashed, people claiming U.S. citizenship being dragged away. Simmons said those cases would go through the standard process. "If we had a resident in Richmond that wanted to file a criminal complaint for any reason, we would investigate that complaint and present it to the district attorney's office the way we would investigate anybody in our community that believes they were victimized by a crime, regardless of who it is," he said. The question of real-time intervention drew a more careful response. Simmons acknowledged that state law and department policy create a narrow path for federal agents when they are actively conducting an enforcement operation. "State law and our policy is very explicit about interceding," he said. "We can't prohibit or intercede, and we cannot allow and protect. We have to maintain a sort of neutral ground if they're engaged in some sort of enforcement action." City Attorney Shannon Moore added a blunt warning about the stakes of crossing that line. "We do know of examples where the federal government has chosen to prosecute local officials for their interference," Moore said. "We will not assist them, but we will not interfere with their immigration efforts." ### 600-person network already operating in Richmond Jimenez drew attention to something already happening on the ground in Richmond: a community rapid-response network, she said, has grown to more than 600 volunteers organized to support families facing immigration enforcement. "There is a rapid response with over 600 residents," Jimenez said. "It's a group where people are ready, volunteer residents, who are ready to support any family in need." Simmons confirmed that his department has been in contact with leaders from that network, noting a Saturday meeting at the Latina Center with 24 community leaders. "We offered to help resource them through our Crime Prevention Unit," Simmons said, describing plans to train the volunteers, supply them with contact lists, and connect them to organizations like Catholic Charities. "Here's the number for Catholic Charities. Let's put it in your cell phone now." ### The ordinance timeline Senior Assistant City Attorney Kimberly Chin walked the council through the history of Richmond's sanctuary framework, tracing it from a 1990 ordinance through the most recent 2025 measure that added explicit restrictions on the use of city resources for federal immigration enforcement. A new round of strengthening amendments to that ordinance is on track for a first reading on April 7 and a second reading on April 21, taking effect 30 days later. The council also heard from project manager Gabino Arredondo about the "Safeguard Richmond Coordinated Response Plan," a citywide framework intended to coordinate city departments, legal service providers, schools, neighborhood councils, and community clinics when enforcement actions occur. The city is also evaluating communication platforms to build a multilingual notification system. Three organizations are currently funded under the city's Immigrant Legal Services and Public Awareness Campaign: the Multicultural Institute on Macdonald Avenue, Catholic Charities East Bay on Harbour Way, and East Bay Sanctuary Covenant, which specializes in removal defense. Arredondo said the services are available to Richmond residents regardless of income. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond launches $34 million overhaul of main library URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-launches-34-million-overhaul-of-main-library/ Last updated: 2026-04-01T02:00:35.000Z The City of Richmond broke ground Wednesday on a $34 million renovation project to transform the main library in Civic Center Plaza into a resiliency center and community hub, unveiling plans for several new upgrades to the building. Local dignitaries on hand for the groundbreaking included Richmond's mayor and city councilmembers, City Manager Shasa Curl, and Public Library Foundation President Michelle Milam, who recalled utilizing the library as a young person growing up in Richmond. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/03/Screenshot-2026-03-26-at-11.00.44-AM.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/03/Screenshot-2026-03-25-at-1.28.16-PM-1.png) Photos/ Alexander Hemmila Plans for the new building say it will be fully electric and "a model of sustainability and energy efficiency," promising to retain the building's historic mid-century modern style while offering additional community space for a multitude of purposes. The project, directed by Richmond’s Public Works in partnership with the Community Services Department, and with Noll & Tam Architects serving as the project architect, includes plans for private study rooms, a dedicated teen space, a local history room, as well as additional space for community use — many of these features requested through input from community members. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/03/Screenshot-2026-03-24-at-1.48.02-PM.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/03/Screenshot-2026-03-24-at-1.48.12-PM.png) Images/ City of Richmond Kate Eppler, Deputy Director of Community Services-Library, said the renovation will result in a beautiful, comfortable, and modern Richmond Main Library and is funded by several grants, along with monies from the city's general fund. “In addition to the $9.7 million California State Library grant, the project is funded by $2 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds, $1 million in Library Impact Fees, and $21.5 million from the Richmond General Capital Fund,” Eppler said. City Manager Shasa Curl said the project is the result of collaboration between the city and the residents of Richmond. “This project reflects strong collaboration between City departments, community members, and our funding partners to deliver a library that will serve Richmond for generations,” Curl said. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/03/IMG_4099-1.jpeg) Kate Eppler, Deputy Director of Community Services-Library with Mayor Eduardo Martinez. Photo/ Linda Hemmila ​Mayor Eduardo Martinez said that for him, this project is a dream come true. “We have already established Nevin Community Center as a place for people to gather in times of extreme need, whether it be temperature, earthquake, or power outage. Having the library become our second resiliency center with hopes of it becoming a self-contained microgrid with books is a dream come true,” Martinez said. Councilmember Sue Wilson told the crowd that informing her 17-year-old daughter about the library renovation elicited a less than exuberant response. "She yelled no!" Wilson recalled. "I think that's how a lot of people feel, but it's going to retain its character, so if you grew up using it and you loved it, you're still going to have your library that looks like your library," Wilson said. 0:00 /0:07 1× Councilmember Sue Wilson at the Richmond Library groundbreaking. Video/ Sophia Hemmila Richmond has boasted a public library since 1907, when the Women’s Westside Improvement Club championed the building of the first one in the early days of Richmond. The Main Library at Civic Center, designed in 1945 by San Francisco architects Milton T. and Timothy L. Pflueger, opened in December 1949 as part of the postwar Plaza and was considered at the time one of the most modern library buildings in California. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/03/Screenshot-2026-03-24-at-9.42.23-AM.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/03/Screenshot-2026-03-24-at-9.40.47-AM.png) Images/ Richmond Library In the nearly 77 years since it opened, the Main Library has well served generations of Richmond children exploring school projects, researchers of history, adults attending literacy programs, and it has inspired residents of all ages to fall in love with reading. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** ### On the Richmond Burrito Trail: El Tapatio, the inside job URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-richmond-burrito-trail-el-tapatio-the-inside-job/ Last updated: 2026-03-24T23:11:18.000Z There is a fake taco truck bolted to the side of El Tapatio Restaurant on 23rd Street, open late, doing real work for the neighborhood. But there is also a door, and a dining room behind it, and this time we used it. El Tapatio is located at 910 23rd Street in Richmond, California. Half expected to be told to turn around. To be pointed firmly back toward the truck-shaped appendage, handed a foil brick through a little window, and sent back out into the Richmond afternoon. It did not happen. We were allowed to stay. Inside, El Tapatio has made choices. Faux stone walls the color of old mustard, brick archways framing nothing in particular, a column wrapped floor to ceiling in twisted rope like a prop from a Mexican restaurant that appeared to someone in a dream. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/03/el-tapatio-richmond-interior-dining-room-counter-2-1.webp) Inside El Tapatio on 23rd Street, faux stone walls, tile floors and a quiet TV hum set the scene. Terracotta tile underfoot. Spanish-language news murmurs from a flatscreen mounted up in the corner, *Edición Digital*, while the afternoon light comes through windows that look directly back out at the fake taco truck you just escaped. [On the Richmond Burrito Trail: 23rd Street’s all-night truck-building El Tapatio RestaurantThe Richmond Burrito Trail makes a stop on 23rd Street, visiting all-night food truck-like El Tapatio Restaurant during the day. We’ve often found middle-of-the-night dining to be pretty limited around here. There is Nations Hamburgers and Andy’s, but we hear even they close these days. But El Tapatio![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--268.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/el-tapatio-restaurant-richmond1-1-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-richmond-burrito-trail-23rd-streets-all-night-truck-building-el-tapatio-restaurant/) The burrito arrives, and it is a serious document: 743 grams, 50 grams larger than the last El Tapatio burrito consumed. It is a traditional Jalisco-style burrito assembled from ingredients on hand, not an elevated slab. Pinto beans, present and accounted for. Sour cream in a supportive role, not drowning everything in a dairy landslide. The cheese melts and pulls, behaving like cheese. Melty, real, committed cheese. The rice is *red*. Not orange, not brick, not some pale approximation. That deep, holy, Knorr-kissed crimson. The slab is loaded with chicken, too, fat pieces, not shy about themselves, but sadly nearly unseasoned. Then the pico. Diced tomatoes in serious quantities, bright and fresh and tumbling out at you, cutting through the fat, waking up your mouth, reminding you that vegetables exist and they are glad to be here. Cilantro woven through the whole enterprise. We also found an unexpected pocket of shredded lettuce that we chose not to let bother an otherwise respectable burrito. ![Chicken Burrito](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/03/el-tapatio-richmond-burrito-melted-cheese-pinto-beans-1.webp) A freshly made Chicken Burrito from El Tapatio shows off melted cheese, pinto beans, and a balanced hit of sour cream. And the salsas. The red comes in fresh and honest, pepper seeds visible, quiet heat lurking in the corners, bits of char visible, little dark flecks that tell the story of a flame. Fresh salsa that still remembers being a tomato not long ago. We respected it. We used a lot of it. The green sidesteps the vinegar-forward assault that plagues the genre entirely. Gentler, sneakier, herbal, and warm, heat that builds slowly from the back rather than punching you in the front of the face. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/03/Grandview-Independent--17--1-1.png) The previous Richmond Burrito Trail stop at this establishment, filed under the parking lot era, the outside-window era, noted that the burrito was dry and overwhelmed by creamy cheese. Something different happens when you slip inside. The food responds to being taken seriously. The burrito responds to being eaten at a table. Richmond has given us worse afternoons than this one. Richmond has given us parking lots at 3 a.m., and burritos that needed more sauce. But on this particular afternoon, El Tapatio with red rice and melty cheese and a red salsa that knew when to stop, we were content. We were, dare we say it, fed. Go inside. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### What happened in Richmond: Assaults, DUIs, car thefts and arson URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/what-happened-in-richmond-assaults-duis-car-thefts-and-arson/ Last updated: 2026-03-23T15:18:20.000Z Car thefts crept up in Richmond last week, with 16 vehicles reported stolen between March 16 and 22, compared to 13 the week before. The week’s police logs also show a steady stream of incidents, including domestic violence calls, several DUIs, a robbery, and an arson fire on Dunn Avenue. *Map shows the distribution of reported crime and public safety incidents across Richmond between March 16 and 22, 2026, including vehicle thefts, burglaries, assaults and other police calls logged throughout the week.* ### Monday, March 16 **Vandalism, vehicle tampering, burglary tools, and probation violation:** 1000 block of 23rd Street. Police arrested someone suspected of defacing property and tampering with a vehicle. Officers also reported finding burglary tools at 12:19 a.m. **Vandalism:** 600 block of 2nd Street. Property damage valued at $400 or more was reported at 12:34 a.m. **Residential burglary:** 800 block of McLaughlin Street. Someone crept into a residence without force at 2 a.m. **Vehicle burglary, vandalism, and petty theft:** 200 block of Gertrude Avenue. A vehicle was broken into, property was damaged, and items were stolen at 3:40 a.m. **Vandalism and contempt of court:** 400 block of South 24th Street. Police arrested someone after property was damaged and a protective order was reportedly violated at 4:33 a.m. **Theft from a vehicle:** 2900 block of Atlas Road. Items were reported stolen from a vehicle at 5:58 a.m. **Custody order violation:** 1300 block of Fred Jackson Way. A violation of a custody order was reported at 8 a.m. **Vandalism:** 1600 block of Chanslor Avenue. Property damage valued at $400 or more was reported at 10:24 a.m. **Vehicle recovery:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. A wayward car found its way home at 11:03 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 1600 block of Harbor Lights Road. Someone's car underwent an unscheduled change of ownership at 10:30 a.m. **Residential burglary:** 3600 block of Cerrito Avenue. A residence was forcibly entered at 12:36 p.m. **Grand theft from a vehicle:** Undisclosed location in 94806\. Property was reported stolen from a motor vehicle at 1:35 p.m. **Car theft:** 10800 block of San Pablo Avenue. A car was reported missing at 1:36 p.m. **Grand theft:** 100 block of 22nd Street. Property was reported stolen at 1:43 p.m. **Battery:** 300 block of South 7th Street. Police arrested someone after a battery was reported at 2:30 p.m. **A car made other plans:** 200 block of S. 44th Street. A vehicle departed unscheduled at 3 p.m. **Battery:** 2500 block of Macdonald Avenue. Police arrested someone after a battery was reported at 3:55 p.m. **Fraud:** Interstate 580\. Someone obtained money by false pretenses at 4:27 p.m. **Rape and sexual battery:** 900 block of W. Cutting Boulevard. Police arrested someone after a rape and sexual battery were reported at 5 p.m. **Petty theft:** 1600 block of San Joaquin Street. Property was reported stolen at 6:40 p.m. **Battery, criminal threats, and vandalism:** 1300 block of Macdonald Avenue. A battery, criminal threat, and property damage were reported at 7 p.m. **Robbery:** 700 block of 10th Street. A strong-arm robbery was reported at 7:32 p.m. **A car departed without its owner's blessing:** 400 block of Golden Gate Avenue. A car was reported missing at 10 p.m. **Street racing:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. An illegal speed contest was reported at 10:29 p.m. **Contempt of court:** 3100 block of Pullman Avenue. A person was found in violation of a court order at 10:30 p.m. ### Tuesday, March 17 **Petty theft:** 5000 block of Hartnett Avenue. Property was reported stolen at 12:11 a.m. **Criminal threats:** 900 block of Nevin Avenue. A crime was allegedly threatened with intent to terrorize at 6:19 a.m. **Commercial burglary and petty theft:** 1000 block of 23rd Street. A commercial property was entered without force, and items were stolen at 7 a.m. **Battery:** 4100 block of Klose Way. A physical altercation was reported at 8:25 a.m. **Robbery and battery:** 4900 block of McBryde Avenue. A strong-arm robbery and battery were reported at 10 a.m. **Vandalism and civil rights violation:** 3400 block of Cutting Boulevard. Property damage and a civil rights violation were reported at 11:50 a.m. **Elder abuse:** 4500 block of Santa Rita Road. Cruelty to an elder or dependent adult was reported at noon. **Contempt of court:** 800 block of Bissell Avenue. A person was found in violation of a court order at 12:36 p.m. **Theft from a vehicle:** 1300 block of Cherry Street. Items were reported stolen from a motor vehicle at 2 p.m. **Residential burglary:** 5700 block of Highland Avenue. A residence was forcibly entered at 2:23 p.m. **Assault with a deadly weapon:** 2400 block of Aberdeen Way. A person was assaulted with a deadly weapon at 3:20 p.m. **Vehicle tampering:** 900 block of Chanslor Avenue. Someone had their way with a parked car at 1:30 p.m. **Contempt of court:** 600 block of Western Drive. A person was found in violation of a court order at 6:44 p.m. **Car theft:** 2100 block of Greenridge Drive. Another vehicle disappeared into the criminal underworld at 7 p.m. **Vehicle recovery:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. A previously missing car turned up at 7:30 p.m. **Vandalism, DUI, and a wardrobe malfunction:** 2200 block of Virginia Avenue. Police arrested a driver on DUI charges after an indecent exposure was also reported at 10:35 p.m. **Vandalism:** 4800 block of Macdonald Avenue. Police arrested someone after property damage valued at $400 or more was reported at 10 p.m. ### Wednesday, March 18 **Vehicle tampering:** 5500 block of Modoc Avenue. A vehicle was tampered with at 12:05 a.m. **Warrant arrest:** 200 block of 17th Street. Police arrested someone on a misdemeanor warrant at 12:52 a.m. **Domestic violence and disobeying a public officer:** 2700 block of Hinkley Avenue. Police arrested someone after a domestic court order was violated and an officer's order was disobeyed at 6:09 a.m. **Vehicle recovery:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. A previously missing vehicle was located at 9:36 a.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 4th Street. A missing vehicle was located at 9:56 a.m. **Warrant arrest:** 2900 block of Gomer Drive. Police arrested someone on a felony outstanding warrant at 10:23 a.m. **Commercial burglary:** 1900 block of Meeker Avenue. A commercial property was forcibly entered at 1 p.m. **Exhibiting a deadly weapon and vandalism:** 1000 block of S. 55th Street. A deadly weapon was brandished, and property was defaced at 1:23 p.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 2300 block of Lancaster Drive. A previously missing vehicle turned up at 2:12 p.m. **Vandalism:** 500 block of 23rd Street. Property damage valued at $400 or more was reported at 1:30 p.m. **Criminal threats:** 200 block of W. Nevin Avenue. A crime was allegedly threatened with intent to terrorize at 2 p.m. **Vehicle tampering:** 900 block of Chanslor Avenue. Someone interfered with a parked vehicle at 3 p.m. **Residential burglary:** 700 block of Lassen Street. Someone slipped into a residence without force at 5:06 p.m. **Battery on a peace officer:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. An officer was battered at 7:05 p.m. **Domestic battery:** 100 block of Marina Way. A battery on a spouse or partner was reported at 8:36 p.m. **Shoplifting:** 4500 block of Macdonald Avenue. A shoplifting incident was reported at 9:04 p.m. **A car made an unsanctioned exit:** 2300 block of Brooks Avenue. A car was reported missing at 9:24 p.m. **Car theft:** 200 block of 28th Street. A car owner returned to find their spot suspiciously empty at 10 p.m. **Vandalism:** 1000 block of Macdonald Avenue. Property damage valued at $400 or more was reported at 10 p.m. **Stalking:** 5200 block of Creely Avenue. A stalking incident was reported at 10:54 p.m. ### Thursday, March 19 **Car theft:** 900 block of 7th Street. Someone's car disappeared at 12:23 a.m. **Vandalism:** 2600 block of Center Avenue. Property was defaced at 1:42 a.m. **Commercial burglary and grand theft:** 12200 block of San Pablo Avenue. A commercial property was forcibly entered, and property was stolen at 4:38 a.m. **Driving under the influence:** 3000 block of May Road. A DUI was reported at 5:26 a.m. **Car theft:** 2800 block of Center Avenue. A thief took a car on an unauthorized excursion at 6:30 a.m. **Battery and civil rights violation:** 900 block of Nevin Avenue. A battery and a civil rights violation through force or threat were reported at 7:35 a.m. **Battery:** 1400 block of Hilltop Mall Road. A battery was reported at 12:31 p.m. **Vandalism:** 1200 block of Macdonald Avenue. Property damage valued at $400 or more was reported at 3 p.m. **Vehicle burglary:** 2400 block of Downer Avenue. A vehicle was broken into at 3:04 p.m. **Battery:** Railroad Avenue. A battery was reported at 4:40 p.m. **Car theft:** Nevin Avenue. A car was borrowed without asking and without returning at 4:46 p.m. **Battery and elder abuse:** 1100 block of 23rd Street. A battery and harm to an elder were reported at 7:16 p.m. **Vehicle burglary:** 700 block of S. 49th Street. A vehicle was broken into at 7:40 p.m. **Vehicle burglary:** 1200 block of Bissell Avenue. A vehicle was broken into at 9 p.m. **Drug paraphernalia possession:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. Drug paraphernalia was reported at 9:44 p.m. **Battery:** 2800 block of Moran Avenue. A battery was reported at 10 p.m. **Driving under the influence:** 900 block of 24th Street. Police arrested a driver on DUI charges at 10:52 p.m. ### Friday, March 20 **Grand theft:** 6000 block of Giant Highway. Property was reported stolen at 12:30 a.m. **Domestic court order violation:** 3600 block of Sierra Ridge Road. A person was found in violation of a court order to prevent domestic violence at 4:57 a.m. **Embezzled vehicle:** 10800 block of San Pablo Avenue. A leased or rented vehicle was reported embezzled at 8:28 a.m. **Domestic violence and child abuse:** 1000 block of Waverly Drive. Police arrested someone after a domestic partner and a child were physically harmed at 8:58 a.m. **Residential burglary:** 1600 block of Butte Street. A residence was forcibly entered at 11:23 a.m. **Vehicle burglary and vandalism:** 800 block of Market Avenue. A vehicle was broken into, and property was damaged at 4:06 p.m. **Gone in 60 seconds:** 1300 block of Chanslor Avenue. A car thief made off with a car at 5:04 p.m. **DUI and driving without a license:** 800 block of 38th Street. A DUI and driving without a license were reported at 5:40 p.m. **Criminal threats:** 1300 block of Macdonald Avenue. A crime was allegedly threatened with intent to terrorize at 6:40 p.m. **Domestic violence and child abuse:** 2100 block of Gaynor Avenue. Police arrested someone after a domestic partner and a child were physically harmed at 7:48 p.m. **Car theft:** Undisclosed location in 94806\. A car was last seen leaving without its owner at 10 p.m. ### Saturday, March 21 **Distributing obscene material:** 1300 block of Pelican Way. The distribution of obscene material was reported at midnight. **Theft of vehicle parts:** 600 block of Tewksbury Avenue. Parts were reportedly stripped from a motor vehicle at midnight. **Residential burglary and trespassing:** 100 block of W. Richmond Avenue. Someone walked into a residence uninvited at midnight. **Car theft:** 600 block of 23rd Street. Another car disappeared at midnight. **Missing car:** Undisclosed location in 94806\. The disappearance was reported at midnight. **Battery:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. A person was assaulted at 1:13 a.m. **Domestic battery and criminal threats:** 600 block of 6th Street. Police received reports that a domestic partner was attacked and a criminal threat was made at 1:43 a.m. **Driving under the influence:** 1200 block of 23rd Street. Police arrested a driver on DUI charges at 2:18 a.m. **Driving under the influence:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. Police arrested a driver on DUI charges at 4:02 a.m. **False imprisonment and domestic battery:** 600 block of South 31st Street. A false imprisonment and attack on a domestic partner were reported at 8:07 a.m. **Domestic court order violation:** 400 block of S. 24th Street. A person was found in violation of a court order to prevent domestic violence at 8:56 a.m. **Domestic violence:** Undisclosed location in 94805\. A domestic partner was physically harmed at 2:38 p.m. **Vandalism:** 2000 block of Barrett Avenue. Property damage valued at $400 or more was reported at 2:39 p.m. **Battery with serious bodily injury:** 4500 block of Macdonald Avenue. A person was seriously injured in an attack at 7:07 p.m. **Sexual battery and domestic violence:** 700 block of 7th Street. A sexual battery and attack on a domestic partner were reported at 10 p.m. ### Sunday, March 22 **Driving under the influence:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. Police arrested a driver on DUI charges at 2:23 a.m. **Negligent discharge of a firearm:** 600 block of 19th Street. A firearm was willfully discharged in a grossly negligent manner at 4:11 a.m. **Arson:** 1700 block of Dunn Avenue. A property was set on fire at 8:30 a.m. **Car theft:** 2300 block of Rheem Avenue. Another disappearing car was reported at 9:09 a.m. **Domestic violence and vandalism:** 900 block of 23rd Street. A domestic partner was reportedly assaulted, and property was defaced at 9:35 a.m. **Fraud:** 1000 block of Heritage Court. A false financial statement was reported at 10:31 a.m. **Petty theft:** 2500 block of Day Sailor Court. Items were reported stolen from a building at 11:45 a.m. **Grand theft of cargo:** 6000 block of Giant Road. Cargo valued at more than $950 was reported stolen at 11:55 a.m. **Battery:** 400 block of S. 23rd Street. A person was physically attacked at 12:49 p.m. **Fighting words:** 2100 block of Pyramid Drive. Someone challenged another person to fight at 3 p.m. **Domestic violence:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. A domestic partner was physically harmed at 4:47 p.m. **Aggravated battery and child abuse:** 1600 block of Hellings Avenue. A person was seriously injured in an attack, and child cruelty was reported at 5:54 p.m. **Driving under the influence:** 2300 block of Garvin Avenue. A DUI was reported at 7:48 p.m. **Petty theft:** 4500 block of Macdonald Avenue. Property was reported stolen at 8:39 p.m. **Domestic violence and false imprisonment:** 2200 block of Nevin Avenue. A domestic partner was physically harmed, and a false imprisonment was reported at 11 p.m. **Car theft:** 300 block of South 4th Street. One more stolen car was snuck in before the end of the week at 11:48 p.m. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Candidate Interview: Demnlus Johnson runs for mayor of Richmond URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/candidate-interview-demnlus-johnson-runs-for-mayor-of-richmond/ Last updated: 2026-03-21T20:12:34.000Z Demnlus Johnson is a fourth-generation Richmond resident. He grew up in the Iron Triangle, went to Howard University in Washington, D.C., and came straight back. He has never seriously considered leaving. “I didn’t stay in D.C., I didn’t move to another city,” Johnson said. “I moved right back to Richmond. I’m a Richmond guy through and through.” Johnson served on the City Council from 2018 to 2022 as an at-large representative. He holds a master’s degree in public policy from UC Berkeley’s Goldman School of Public Policy. “Richmond deserves someone who’s always thinking about it,” he said. “I’m not looking to come in at the 12th hour and try to hold on to power.” ### The council years Johnson describes his time on the council as formative and sometimes contentious. He served as vice mayor and says there were periods when he stepped in as acting mayor. He also says he drew criticism from multiple factions for refusing to align himself with either side. > “I was raised in the city of Richmond when gang wars and turf killing were at an all-time high. I did not allow the street gangs to recruit me,” he said. “I’m not going to allow the political gangs to recruit me now.” His approach, he says, earned him rebuke from both the Richmond Progressive Alliance and from then-Mayor Tom Butt. He describes giving Councilmember Claudia Jiménez her first committee assignment as an example of how he approaches political disagreement. When Jiménez first joined the council, Johnson says Tom Butt gave her no committee assignments. He says even members of her own organization did not step up to help her get one. “Not even people from her own organization gave her,” he said. “I gave her an assignment.” Johnson says he horse-traded with Jiménez so she would have the CPRC, the Community Police Review Commission, because he felt she had been sent to the council by voters who expected her to have a real voice, and that cutting her out would betray that. “She was voted in by a constituency who wanted her to have a voice, so to stifle that voice, to say that your voice doesn’t matter because of who you were elected by or which group brought you in, that’s not my style of leadership,” he said. When the city transitioned to district-based representation, Johnson chose not to run for a district seat. His at-large position, which he said better matched how he understood Richmond as a whole city rather than a single neighborhood, was phased out at the end of his term. He subsequently made an unsuccessful bid for Congressional District 8 before turning his attention to the mayor’s office. ### On public safety In June 2020, the Richmond City Council voted to create the Reimagining Public Safety Community Task Force, a 21-member body drawn from the community, advocacy organizations, and law enforcement, charged with examining how the city spent its public safety dollars and whether resources should be redirected toward community programs. Johnson says the effort has been misrepresented, including, he implied, by people who were not involved in its creation at the council level. “I know others walk around as if they were the ones who created Reimagine Richmond,” he said. “Reimagine Richmond was created by two Black male councilmembers: myself and Jael Myrick.” The program, he said, grew out of a response to a proposal by Tom Butt to cut the police department’s budget by 50 percent. Johnson and Myrick wanted to create a genuine forum, involving the community, police, and public safety stakeholders, to have an honest conversation about how to allocate resources responsibly, not to defund police outright. Johnson says he personally sat down with the police department’s budget manager to review their budget line by line, and describes himself as the only councilmember at the time to do so. “The purpose, when Tom Butt had proposed that we cut the police department’s budget by 50 percent, me and Jaelwere like, let’s have a real conversation,” he said. “Because even if we do that, where’s that money going to go?” What the program became, he said, was something different from what he and Myrick intended. He compared the rollout to a metaphor he returned to more than once: “You can have a steak, but if you present it on a garbage can lid, nobody’s going to want to eat the steak.” The broader frustration he expressed was with a governing style he says has defined recent years in Richmond, one where decisions are made for the community rather than with it, and dissenters are treated as enemies. “They brought this national divisiveness to the city of Richmond, when this whole time we’ve just been neighbors,” he said. Johnson does not frame public safety as a choice between policing and social services. He says that framing is part of the problem. “I’m not an either-or kind of person,” he said. “We can’t have a mayor who’s so gung ho on one side of the spectrum that they can’t see the holistic approach.” He wants a fully staffed police department. He notes that violent crimes, including robberies and sexual assaults, rose even as homicide numbers improved, and says that when someone calls for help, officers need to answer and respond in a reasonable amount of time. “When we say we want you focused on policing and not mental health, it’s not us coming down on you,” he said. “This is us trying to support you.” He also points to his own upbringing to argue that you can’t separate community investment from public safety. Keeping community centers open, expanding youth jobs, funding after-school programs, and investing in mental health responders and the Office of Neighborhood Safety are, he says, what actually keep people from ending up in the system. In his view, those things aren’t alternatives to policing; they’re what make it work. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/03/Filename--demnlus-johnson-richmond-mayor-candidate-2-1-1.webp) ### On housing Johnson’s most pointed structural proposal is his call to eliminate the Design Review Board. He argues the city charter does not require the board, duplicates work already done by the Planning Commission, and has become a vehicle for cronyism and project delays. “The DRB has been a consistent pain in the side of all projects,” he said. “It promotes cronyism and corruption. Most of the people on a design review board don’t know a damn thing about design or review.” He says he has seen emails in which DRB members steered developers toward particular architecture firms in exchange for smoother proceedings, a reference to a controversy involving a development at 12th and Macdonald that he says has been circulating since he left the council without anyone acting on it. “The fact that those emails have been floating around just about as long as I’ve been off the council, and nobody has done anything about it, lets me know that people are benefiting from this system of corruption,” he said. His solution is to fold the DRB’s responsibilities into the Planning Commission and require that planning commissioners actually be qualified for the role, not appointed as a reward for campaign loyalty. ### On economic development Johnson wants to diversify the city’s revenue base away from its dependence on Chevron. He sees Richmond’s geography as an underused asset, accessible from Marin County, East Contra Costa, Solano County, and San Francisco via ferry, capable of drawing outside consumers into the city. He envisions a tiered commercial landscape: mom-and-pop shops along corridors like 23rd Street and San Pablo Avenue, mid-size retail downtown, and destination-level retail at Hilltop capable of competing with Bay Street in Emeryville or downtown Walnut Creek. But his bigger economic ambition is in manufacturing. He points to green empowerment zones in Richmond that he says are ready for battery pack production, solar panel assembly, and wind energy manufacturing, industries capable of paying $40 to $50 an hour in union wages. “I’m thankful for Blue Apron and Amazon fulfillment centers,” he said. “But if we can get union jobs, skilled labor, where people can make 40 to $50 an hour, creating a green economy, that’s my goal.” He ties the lack of large employers directly to a lack of leadership willing to actively recruit and to clear barriers for incoming businesses, noting that Richmond once led the county in manufacturing through the Kaiser Shipyards and a Ford Motor plant. ### On governing Johnson is quick to point out that he went to policy school, not law school or architecture school, and that the distinction matters. He says too many candidates running for mayor have not taken the time to study what the job actually requires, what powers it carries, and where the levers are. He calls himself a policy nerd and means it as a job description, not a boast. “Folks don’t take the time to study the position that they’re actually going out for,” he said. “They don’t understand policy. I’m a policy nerd. I went to policy school.” He argues that knowing the structure of Richmond’s government is not a minor detail. Richmond operates as a council-manager city, meaning the mayor holds a weak-mayor form of government. The core job, he says, is running effective meetings and making sound appointments, and he is struck by how many people in the race have not grasped that. “You have to know what your job is. Bare bones, what is your job: running the meeting and appointments,” he said. “If you can’t run an effective meeting and make sound appointments, then what are we talking about?” His priority would be sitting down with the city clerk to review policies and procedures for how council meetings are conducted, with an eye toward making them more efficient and ensuring city business gets handled first. He also wants to bring a participatory budgeting model to Richmond, not public comment sessions at City Hall, but neighborhood budget meetings at community centers like Nevin, Shields Reid, and Booker T. Anderson, with finance department staff present and every city department required to report against measurable metrics. “If you say you’re going to help a certain population of people and that thing is not being done, or you have not served yourself out of a job, then for me, it’s not working,” he said. ### Beyond the resume Johnson describes himself as a bibliophile who reads across genres, from young adult fiction to history, and says he dabbles in writing, including fan fiction and short screenplays. He has a television and film production background. He is, by his own description, someone who takes Richmond personally. He says the city gave him everything he needed to survive and thrive, and that the mayoral campaign is his way of giving it back. “There will be a day when I leave office, in eight years, when the Iron Triangle looks just as nice as Walnut Creek,” he said. “Not because of anything that I did, but because the people in that community had somebody to be a conduit.” He is running as what he calls a big-tent candidate, not aligned with any faction, not interested in rewarding allies or punishing opponents, and prepared to work with whoever is on the dais after November. Grandview Independent *will publish interviews with all candidates running for Richmond City Council and mayor in the coming weeks.* --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Section of Cutting Boulevard to close this weekend for railroad crossing repairs URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/section-of-cutting-boulevard-to-close-this-weekend-for-railroad-crossing-repairs/ Last updated: 2026-03-21T04:15:02.000Z A stretch of Cutting Boulevard will be closed starting Friday night while Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway installs new track panels at a railroad crossing that serves one of Richmond's industrial corridors, city officials said. The closure, which runs from Hoffman Boulevard to South 4th Street, takes effect at 7 p.m. Friday and is expected to lift by 8 p.m. Sunday, according to the city manager's weekly report. BNSF crews will install prefabricated 80-foot track panels to address what officials described as a critical rail safety issue at the crossing. The work is intended to improve long-term reliability of the crossing, the report said. City officials urged motorists to plan alternate routes for the duration of the closure. > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DWH9msvDfg6/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by Grandview Independent (@grandviewindependent)](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DWH9msvDfg6/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### On the agenda: Iran resolution, immigration report, Cheese Park, and a renamed holiday URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-agenda-iran-resolution-immigration-report-cheese-park-and-a-renamed-holiday/ Last updated: 2026-03-20T17:08:20.000Z The Richmond City Council will take up a [packed agenda](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx?Id=87e114fb-f9f2-43a6-a227-d9b7a3e49916&Agenda=Agenda&lang=English&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Tuesday night, including a proposal to rename the city’s Cesar Chavez Day holiday, a resolution opposing U.S. military action against Iran, and a long-delayed briefing on efforts to shield residents from federal immigration enforcement. ### [A holiday gets a new name](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60764&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The Richmond City Council is set to approve a resolution to rename its Cesar Chavez Day holiday to United Farm Workers Day, with the sponsor citing recent sexual misconduct allegations against the late labor leader, a move that mirrors changes now underway across California and the country. Councilmember Cesar Zepeda, who introduced the measure, said the renaming would stand in solidarity with the United Farm Workers union and better reflect the broader farmworkers movement rather than a single individual. "The farmworkers movement has always been bigger than any one individual," Zepeda wrote in the agenda report. The move comes as local institutions grapple with how to respond to the allegations. West Contra Costa Unified School District Superintendent Cheryl Cotton addressed the controversy in a message to families this week, acknowledging "serious allegations that have recently come to light" while also recognizing "the historical importance of the labor movement he helped to lead and the impact on the dignity, rights, and opportunities for farmworkers and their families." Cotton said the district would engage the community in "thoughtful dialogue" about how it recognizes Chavez across the district, including future discussions about Cesar Chavez Elementary School in Richmond, which bears his name. The resolution would also direct staff to bring a future agenda item for further discussion on sexual harassment, abuse, and assault, and what Zepeda described as the urgent need to protect and support survivors. ### [Third time's the charm on immigration briefing](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60697&ref=grandviewindependent.com) City Manager Shasa Curl and City Attorney Shannon Moore will present a report on Richmond's ongoing and planned efforts to protect residents from federal civil immigration enforcement, including ICE raids. The item has been continued twice, from both the March 3 and March 17 meetings. The presentation is described as an initial briefing. ### [Cheese Park improvements back before council](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60703&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Councilmembers Soheila Bana and Claudia Jimenez are asking the council to direct staff to prepare a comprehensive work plan for improvements at Cheese Park, also known as La Moine Park, the green space serving residents east of Interstate 80\. The proposal includes permanent restrooms, a drinking fountain, playground restoration, safety fencing around the toddler area, a children's bike garden, and a volunteer-led repainting effort already underway. Staff would also consult with the community on adding sports courts, senior activity spaces, teen areas, and fitness amenities, and address drainage problems that have made an adjacent soccer field unusable. If the resolution passes, staff would identify funding through the fiscal year 2026-27 capital improvement budget. The item has been continued from both the March 3 and March 17 meetings. ### [The kids' fund up for renewal](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60766&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The council will receive a presentation on Article 15 of the City Charter, which governs the Richmond Fund for Children and Youth, and will be asked to provide direction on renewal provisions and options for the program. ### [Fire code update heads to public hearing](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60737&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The council will hold a public hearing on a proposal to adopt the 2025 California Fire Code and the 2025 California Wildland-Urban Interface Code, both with local amendments, updating the city's fire prevention standards. ## **Consent Calendar** *The council will also consider a range of routine items grouped under the consent calendar, typically approved in a single vote without debate.* ### [A resolution opposing U.S. war on Iran](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60749&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Councilmember Soheila Bana is asking the council to adopt a resolution opposing U.S. military action against Iran, condemning attacks by the United States and Israel on civilians and civilian infrastructure, calling for immediate de-escalation and diplomacy, urging Congress to exercise its constitutional war powers authority, and calling for an arms embargo on Israel. The item includes graphic photographic attachments of war-related destruction at civilian sites in Iran, for which the agenda advises viewer discretion. ### [An envelope that could save a life](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60707&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Councilmember Cesar Zepeda’s Blue Envelope Program was on the agenda twice and is now on the consent calendar. Zepeda has been asking the council to direct the city manager to create a Blue Envelope Program for residents with autism. Enrolled participants would receive an envelope containing information about their diagnosis and instructions for first responders on how best to interact with them. ### [Confidential investigations contract](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60742&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The council will consider approving a contract with Bill Whalen and Associates, not to exceed $100,000, to conduct confidential investigations for the Community Police Review Commission through June 30, 2026. ### [What to keep, what to shred](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60697&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The council will consider adopting updates to the city-wide records retention and destruction schedules. The Police Department's schedule will be brought back separately at a later date. ### [Caste out: Richmond moves to ban discrimination](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60703&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Councilmembers Soheila Bana, Jamelia Brown, and Sue Wilson are asking the council to adopt a resolution establishing a commitment to caste equity and the prevention of caste-based discrimination, and to direct the City Attorney's Office to add caste as a protected category under the Richmond Municipal Code within the purview of the city's Human Rights and Human Relations Commission. Staff would return to the council for approval within 45 days. ### [A studio earns its landmark stripes](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60708&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The council will consider on second reading an ordinance rezoning the John Haley Studio at 771 Ocean Avenue to add a Landmark Overlay District designation, a step toward listing the property on the Richmond Historic Register. ### [Shields-Reid gets a $400,000 boost](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60752&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The council will consider approving a second amendment to a construction agreement with Azul Works, Inc., increasing the contract by $400,000 to a total not-to-exceed $5,297,064 to complete maintenance-related improvements at the Shields-Reid Community Center. ### [The road work is done—officially](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60746&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The council will consider accepting the 2024 Paving Project (Slurry Seal) as complete and directing the city clerk to record the notice of completion with Contra Costa County. ### [Van rentals for recreation programs](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60761&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The council will consider approving a contract with Enterprise Rent-A-Car, not to exceed $90,000, to cover outstanding passenger van rental invoices and projected costs through June 30, 2026, for city recreation programming. ### [Muslim Appreciation and Awareness Month](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60724&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The council will recognize April as American Muslim Appreciation and Awareness Month in Richmond. ### **Seats to fill** Mayor Eduardo Martinez will also ask the council to approve appointments to several city boards and commissions: Kaelen Van Cura to the Arts and Culture Commission, Asfar Ali to the Economic Development Commission, Florence Wiley to the Macdonald Avenue Corridor Task Force, Vivian Gomez to the Recreation and Parks Commission, Michelle Bailey-Vaughn to the RFCY Oversight Board, Gabriel Saeyang to the Richmond Youth Council, and Diana Benitez to the Planning Commission. The mayor will also seek the reappointment of Ben Kellman to the Design Review Board. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### On the Richmond Burrito Trail: 13th Street's Cazadores Market URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-richmond-burrito-trail-13th-streets-cazadores-market/ Last updated: 2026-04-06T19:59:22.000Z It begins as all great Richmond lunch pilgrimages do, a lazy scroll through reviews, and then there it was: #64 on the list of Mexican Restaurants in Richmond. Cazadores Market at 1076 13th Street does not announce itself with fanfare. The mural does the talking: a wall-sized Carnitas Michoacan fever dream painted on cinderblock, a man stirring a vat of pork over open flame. At the same time, a cow watches from the left side of the frame with what can only be described as philosophical resignation. A pig is in the vat. The man is stirring. The cow has processed this information and arrived at a kind of bovine stoicism. This is the art of a place that knows exactly what it is and has chosen to say so in fourteen colors on the side of a building on a busy Richmond corner where nobody is going to miss it. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/03/cazadores-market-13th-street-richmond-mural-pork-1.webp) The neighborhood is 13th and Barrett. There is a liquor store component to the operation, because of course there is. The sign above says Cazadores Market and Licoreria in lettering that suggests this place has been federated together from several different businesses across several different decades. The parking lot situation is, as one Yelp reviewer diplomatically noted, "weird." This is correct. We circle the block before parking illegally, so no one is blocked in. We go inside. Inside, the geometry of the operation takes a moment to parse. It is bigger than we expected. It is much bigger than the exterior suggests, which is our way: buildings here contain multitudes. There is grocery shelving. There is a meat counter in the back. There is a liquor section. And there, in what feels like the center of this whole improvised universe, is a table corral: a kind of communal eating pen, a square of tables in the middle of the store where at this hour serious people are sitting with serious tacos. The people ordering at the counter are ordering tacos. The people at the table corral are eating tacos. There is a general taco consensus in this establishment that we are about to disturb by ordering a burrito. We order anyway. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/03/cazadores-market-13th-street-richmond-wrap-artist-1.webp) A wrap artist assembles a burrito at Cazadores Market, where the carnitas are prepared daily in the traditional Michoacan style. The cooks are working behind the counter in black gloves, assembling lunch on red trays with the focused calm of someone who has done this ten thousand times and who is doing it now with exactly as much ceremony as it requires, which is none. The burrito artist composing our burrito has a flat griddle going. In a display case, we can see products waiting: big cooked chunks of carnitas, fried dark. A lot of people come here for that. We are here for the burrito, and the burrito is coming. The burrito arrives. 799 grams. Nearly two pounds of burrito, wrapped in foil, toasty from the griddle. The tortilla has char on it, real char from real contact with real heat, not the pale steam-table warmth that passes for tortilla preparation at lesser establishments. The inside has yielded. This is a properly constructed burrito tortilla, and everything flows from that. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/03/cazadores-market-13th-street-richmond-burrito-1-1-1.webp) A carnitas burrito from Cazadores Market on 13th Street in Richmond. Inside: carnitas in genuine chunks, not shredded into anonymity but present in big porky pieces that have flavor and texture and remind us that this is an animal product with a history. Spanish Rice. Refried beans are applied with an ideological commitment to abundance. Sour cream. Pico de Gallo provides a nice contrast to the pork-and-bean heaviness. The proportions are correct. The structural integrity is sound. This traditional-style burrito does not collapse. It does not ooze apologetically onto the tray in its first thirty seconds. Slap on the spicy red salsa to really wake up the carnitas. Our burrito cost $17.55\. Which is a lot, or maybe it isn't anymore. It's hard to say when exactly we stopped knowing what things cost and started just tapping the card and moving on. Three gallons of gas, roughly. A burger lunch on San Pablo Avenue. A dollar seventeen less than the last burrito, which is either a small victory or proof we're doing this too often, depending on your mood. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/04/Grandview-Independent-26-2.png) Once upon a time, when we were paid the absolute lowest they were legally allowed to pay us, a Mission burrito in The Mission and an hour of our labor was roughly the same number, a kind of accidental parity that felt like the universe was briefly being reasonable. Now, California's minimum wage sits at $16.90 an hour (Richmond's is a bit more). The burrito is at $17.55, and we have traveled a great distance to end up, more or less, exactly where we started. Which we are not going to complain about, because we are lucky to be here. This is food people are sharing with us, and we are grateful for it. The table corral begins to fill up. The tacos keep coming. The aguas frescas sweat on the ice. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Candidate Interview: Ahmad Anderson runs for mayor of Richmond URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/candidate-interview-ahmad-anderson-runs-for-mayor-of-richmond/ Last updated: 2026-03-19T01:01:03.000Z Ahmad Anderson has lived in Richmond’s Laurel Park neighborhood for more than 55 years and built a career in community advocacy and workforce development. He is running for mayor on a platform that ties public safety, housing, and economic opportunity into what he calls a “people-centered” vision for the city. Currently, Anderson is a block captain in his neighborhood, an honorary member of the East Shore Park Neighborhood Council, a board member at Fair Housing Advocates of Northern California, and chairs the data committee of the city's Racial Equity Task Force. He has chaired Richmond's Economic Development Commission. He officially announced his candidacy in May 2025 and has spent the months since attending neighborhood council meetings across every district. "I've been going to the people, getting their feedback, and running with a people-centered focus on what that means," he said. "Just because I live in Laurel Park does not mean I don't feel public safety issues, or economic development issues, or what's going on with housing." [UC Berkeley’s Hall of Famer Ahmad Anderson brings ‘Bear Territory’ to College GameDayFor Ahmad Anderson, a Richmond native and University of California, Berkeley alumnus, appearing on ESPN’s College GameDay was more than just a moment in the national spotlight. It was an opportunity to represent his hometown and alma mater on one of college football’s biggest stages. Anderson, a California Athletics Hall![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--267.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Bear-Territory-ahmad-anderson-1-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/uc-berkeleys-hall-of-famer-ahmad-anderson-brings-bear-territory-to-college-gameday/) ### Family and background His father, Booker T. Anderson, served on the City Council and as mayor from 1969 to 1975\. His mother, Irma L. Anderson, was also a City Councilmember and later served as mayor, becoming the first Black female mayor of a major city in California. "It provided me insight into the value of community service," he said. "During my father's time, it was the Civil Rights Movement, equity, access, housing, jobs, justice, and peace in the world. During my mother's time, it was crack, gun violence, where we were going with downtown Richmond. Those aren't different issues. They're the same issues." Anderson's professional background includes stints as a workforce planning supervisor at UPS, a regional HR director at DHL, and a vice president at Goodwill Industries of Greater East Bay, where he worked with people returning from incarceration. For 13 years, he worked in recruitment and retention at UC Berkeley. He later served as director of people and culture at the SFJAZZ Center. ### **On the council** Anderson says a divided City Council would be his first challenge as mayor. "I look at that dais, and I see RPA on one side and not-so-much-RPA on the other, and that adversarial relationship rolls out in every social media context, in every neighborhood," he said. "Stop talking about RPA. Be about the work that's going to make the city unified." He says he would begin with a 100-day assessment, asking city staff and each council member to produce a district-by-district inventory of needs, then build a shared set of priorities with public reporting attached. "You have to lean on your city manager and your subject-matter experts. They've gone to school in those particular fields. The mayor's job is to partner with them and ascertain what's on the docket to improve the quality of life," he said. ### On public safety Anderson says public safety and economic development are connected problems that have to be addressed together. "If folks don't feel safe, small or large businesses don't come. And when you have safe downtown communities and corridors, that grows businesses, and then you can go out and market and say, this is what we've done to improve safety, come here," he said. He says officer working conditions need attention before staffing levels can improve. "Right now they're on the outskirts of town, putting out more hours than any reasonable employer would ask. It impacts morale, workers compensation, and retention. If they're not getting the rest they need, they can't make the mental and physical decisions that the job requires." He pointed to the era of Chief Magnus as a model, with officers walking neighborhoods and building ties to specific blocks. He supports expanding ROCK, Richmond's mobile crisis response team, and wants a block captain program in every neighborhood. In the Fire Department, he says equipment, facilities, and evacuation planning all need work, particularly given Richmond's geography. "We are an island when it comes to the shoreline and the bridges. When folks think about evacuating, they immediately think about the bridge. Do we have the access, do we have the proper response mechanisms, do we have the engines?" ### On housing A grand jury report concluded Richmond should build between 3,600 and 4,000 homes by 2030\. Anderson says roughly 386 are currently permitted. "We still have no shovels in the ground," he said. "And that's not my fact. That's the grand jury's fact." He wants to see Hilltop redeveloped with mixed-income housing built around a hospital, pointing to Summit Medical Center in Oakland as a model where healthcare, housing, and transit came together. "Put a hospital at Hilltop. Build housing around it at the right income levels, not just affordable housing but housing that meets people where they are across a variety of incomes, because what's affordable in Laurel Park is not affordable in Point Richmond or North Richmond or Parchester," he said. On the unhoused, he argues the city needs a clearer picture of who it is dealing with before it can respond effectively. "There are people who are unhoused but have skills. There are people who are unhoused and working from their cars, couch surfing. There are people who are unhoused and disabled, or veterans. We need to not only count how many people are unhoused, but understand what kind of support each of them actually needs." ### On city services and the budget Anderson says Measure U dollars should go toward basic city services before anything else. "We don't have a grocery store. We don't have a hospital. We have so many meetings until 11 o'clock and don't talk about that," he said. "We have rec centers where the doors remain closed because we don't have adequate staffing. I walked out of my house in Laurel Park, and the bushes were so high I thought I was living in Tilden Park. That's not public works' fault. They don't have the staffing." He is also cautious about the city's financial position going forward. Richmond has run budget surpluses in recent years, but Anderson says the city didn't build adequate reserves during that period. "We didn't do the forecasting," he said. "No matter who is in the administration, what would we be prepared to meet that storm? We see uncertainty happening in front of us, and we don't have a plan. Building responsible rainy-day reserves and paying down city debts has to be part of the strategy now." ### Beyond the resume Anderson has four sons, a daughter, and three grandchildren. One son is an oncologist. One is an arts teacher. His daughter drives for AC Transit. Two of his sons are currently serving in the military. "When people talk about Israel, Gaza, Iran, I have a personal stake in that," he said. "That's a thought I have every day, because my kids are out there protecting us on the direction of somebody who's not always thinking about us." Anderson learned to play drums at Booker T. Anderson Community Center and to swim at the Plunge. He worked at KPFA. He says the combination of professional experience and life in Richmond is what he is ultimately offering voters. "My father would say, mountaintop experiences don't mean everything if you don't share them with the people you come across in life," he said. "That's what I'm doing here. That's the rent I pay to live on this earth." Anderson is facing incumbent Mayor Eduardo Martinez, Councilmember Claudia Jiménez, Demnlus Johnson, and Mark Wassberg. *Grandview Independent will publish interviews with all candidates running for Richmond City Council and mayor in the coming weeks.* --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond council votes to reinstate Flock Safety license plate readers URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-council-votes-to-reinstate-flock-safety-license-plate-readers/ Last updated: 2026-03-18T15:18:53.000Z The Richmond City Council voted Tuesday night to extend the city’s contract with Flock Safety through December 31, 2026, reinstating the company’s automated license plate reader system that had been disabled since November amid a data sharing scandal, while directing the city attorney to negotiate stronger data protections into the agreement. The 4-3 vote, with Councilmembers Jamelia Brown, Soheila Bana and Cesar Zepeda joining Vice Mayor Doria Robinson in support, came after more than two hours of debate. The discussion exposed divisions over how to balance public safety with the privacy concerns of Richmond’s immigrant communities during a period of heightened federal immigration enforcement. The city's 120 Flock Safety license plate reader cameras deployed across Richmond were not immediately turned on, according to Police Chief Timothy Simmons. "In order to turn them on, a technician will need to physically touch each of the 120 units, test them to make sure they are in operable condition and that the battery is good," Simmons said Wednesday. "This has to be done given how long they have been turned off." Richmond’s automated license plate reader cameras are not currently operational and will require technicians to inspect all 120 units in person before they can be brought back online, Police Chief Timothy Simmons said Wednesday morning. The department is working with Flock Safety to determine a timeline for reactivating the system. “We’re working with Flock Safety technicians today to determine that, which is still to be determined,” Simmons said. The vote closed out a weeks-long standoff that began at the March 3 council meeting, when the item drew more than 50 public comments but ran out of time before a vote could be taken. [Richmond council runs out of time on Flock Safety voteThe Richmond City Council meeting ended Tuesday night before members could vote on whether to renew a contract with Flock Safety, a surveillance camera company, as a missing trafficking victim’s case cast a shadow over the debate. The meeting ran out of time before a vote could be taken on![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--266.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-flock-camera-council-meeting1-1-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-council-runs-out-of-time-on-flock-safety-vote/) Simmons opened the item with a personal statement distancing the department from immigration enforcement. “The Richmond Police Department does not give ICE or other immigration authorities access to our local enforcement data, records, or information for immigration enforcement at all,” Simmons told the council. “This is both a professional matter for me and a personal matter for me. I have family that lives in Jalisco, Guadalajara, right now, and lives in this community right here.” Simmons disclosed that the department currently has 51 open violent felony cases, including homicides, attempted murders, and human trafficking, where the disabled license plate cameras could have provided leads. He described a carjacking and shooting of a senior citizen on November 23, four days after the cameras were turned off, and a December shooting that left a juvenile victim likely permanently paralyzed. “These are the real victims and cases where we really are trying to bring closure for injustice, for people that are forever changed,” he said. Robinson, whose vote proved decisive, said she found Flock’s conduct in failing to disclose its national data-sharing feature “deeply offensive” and “disingenuous.” However, she argued that the surveillance landscape had made a Richmond blackout ineffective. Pointing to a map showing Flock cameras deployed across Berkeley, El Cerrito, Hercules, San Francisco, and throughout Contra Costa County, she said a camera-free Richmond had become a gap rather than a refuge. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/03/Flock-Safety-Bay-Area-Service-Coverage-Map.webp) A map shows the distribution of Flock Safety license plate reader coverage across the Bay Area. “It seems like no matter where you go in the Bay Area, as long as you don’t stay only in Richmond, you’re going to encounter a camera,” Robinson said. “I don’t think it’s realistic to believe that people who live in Richmond only stay in Richmond.” Robinson said she also worried about the inverse effect of that gap. “If Richmond is a black hole, who is that going to look attractive to?” she said. “If I was somebody who needed to do what I do, and it’s not legal, I would go to Richmond.” Councilmember Wilson, who voted no, challenged the statistical basis for reinstating the cameras. She pressed Simmons on a widely cited claim that vehicle thefts had spiked by 33 percent since the ALPR system was deactivated, noting that vehicle thefts had also risen by 50 percent year-over-year in November 2024, when the cameras were still on. “You can’t just cherry-pick the month,” she said. Wilson also drew a pointed line between trusting the chief as a police leader and trusting him on data security. “I do trust you as a police officer and as a leader of police officers,” she told Simmons. “But I do not trust you as a data security expert. And I don’t trust Flock as a company that’s going to respect our boundaries here. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.” Wilson further argued that Flock’s broader business practices may violate Richmond’s sanctuary city policy regardless of what the company does with Richmond’s specific data. “Even if we believe, which I don’t, that our data is siloed, the fact that data in other parts of the country are going to ICE through Flock means Flock brokers data for ICE,” she said. “It’s going to be a no for me tonight.” Councilmember Claudia Jimenez, also voting no, called the contract renewal “another bad deal” and said the company had acted in bad faith by embedding a national data-sharing feature without disclosure. “They put in the contract knowing that we were a sanctuary city where you can share data, that is acting in bad faith,” Jimenez said. “We cannot be trusting a company that tricked you.” Jimenez also raised concerns about the chilling effect of the cameras on immigrant residents. “Mothers are calling me to say,’ Is it safe to go to the school and pick up the kids?’” she said. Councilmember Bana, who made the motion to approve the extension, said the debate should focus on contract safeguards rather than on the company’s character. “I don’t believe in good company or bad company, I believe in guardrailing and a good contract and safeguards,” Bana said. The Flock ALPR system was deactivated in October 2025 after Simmons discovered that a “national lookup” feature had been running in the background, making Richmond’s license plate data accessible to law enforcement agencies across the country. This configuration violated both city policy and California law. Flock has since turned off the feature for all California agencies and implemented a system that blocks out-of-state agencies from accessing California data, changes Simmons said were part of his decision to recommend reinstatement. Simmons told the council he had simultaneously issued a request for proposals on February 27, seeking alternative vendors, with responses due March 27\. He estimated that fully replacing the Flock system with a new vendor would cost approximately $350,000 in startup costs and take roughly a year to complete. The contract extension covers not only the ALPR system but also Flock’s CCTV cameras and Drone as a First Responder program, which the fire department had been exploring for use in wildfire reconnaissance and hazardous materials responses. The council is expected to revisit the contract before the end of the year. Mayor Eduardo Martinez, who voted no, adjourned the meeting in memory of Latetia Bobo, a Richmond eighth-grade teacher and musician who was fatally shot on March 7 in Oakland. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Candidate Interview: Jamin Pursell runs for Richmond City Council District 4 URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/candidate-interview-jamin-pursell-runs-for-richmond-city-council-district-4/ Last updated: 2026-03-16T18:44:57.000Z Jamin Pursell is running for the District 4 seat on the Richmond City Council, seeking a rematch against incumbent Soheila Bana, and says his years of involvement in local Democratic politics and city and county commissions give him a deep understanding of how Richmond government works. A longtime figure in local Democratic politics and civic groups, Pursell serves as secretary of the Contra Costa County Democratic Party and as a delegate on the executive board of the California Democratic Party. He also chairs Richmond Rainbow Pride and serves on the county's Hazardous Materials Commission, where he leads the operations subcommittee and participates in both the Economic Development and Fish and Wildlife committees. District 4 covers the freeway-bisected stretch of residential hills that includes Fairmede-Hilltop, May Valley, and Carriage Hills, neighborhoods that Pursell said often feel disconnected from the rest of Richmond. “People think that we have a little bit of what I call the quiet sibling syndrome, where if you’re being quiet, you must have all your needs met,” he said. “We still have needs. It’s just perhaps the needs are different.” A small-business owner and artist originally from Alaska, Pursell said he and his husband bought their home in May Valley 16 years ago because it reminded them of Los Angeles, where they previously lived. He describes the area as "diverse, layered, and not stucco.” Pursell holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and philosophy from California State University East Bay and a master of science in law from McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento, with a focus on statutory and regulatory policy. “I wanted to be able to bring those skills back to help craft better policy locally,” he said. “Some of the most disastrous things government does are poorly thought-out policy, and then the consequences that echo from it, because they weren’t looking at those in a holistic manner.” ### Public safety from police to streetlights Ask Pursell what District 4 residents care about most, and the answer comes quickly: public safety, public safety, public safety. But his definition of the term also extends beyond patrol officers. “Public safety is a noun, and it’s a feeling,” he said. “It includes police and fire, but it goes beyond policing. Good lighting, good quality streets, making sure we have ways to respond to certain issues that perhaps don’t need police.” District 4 is split between two police beats, each assigned a single officer. Pursell said those officers are often pulled away to assist elsewhere in the city. With the Richmond Police Department’s station located in Marina Bay, response times to his district can stretch to 20 minutes or more. He said the area also lost a police substation when Hilltop Mall closed. Residents, he added, sometimes wait months for broken streetlights to be repaired, with lighting problems reported from the Hilltop area to Carriage Hills. On police staffing, he is blunt: the department is overstretched. He said officers are working six days a week and 18-hour days. “It is inconceivable that we are having our employees of the city working at that kind of pace,” he said. “We talk about quality of life. That should apply to everyone.” He supports expanding non-police response programs for lower-level calls, such as noise complaints and situations involving unhoused residents, but insists police remain essential and that the two approaches should work together rather than replace each other. He pointed to community policing as a model with deep roots in Richmond, crediting former Chief Chris Magnus as well as the Guardians of Justice organization for establishing a tradition of police accountability and community trust. He said he also wants to address fire response times. Because many residential developments in the district were built as dead ends, fire access is constrained, and Pursell said residents are concerned about the potential for wildfire given what they are seeing elsewhere in California. ### Housing and homelessness: a regional problem On housing, Pursell said the city’s permitting process needs reform. He pointed to steps taken by Oakland and San Francisco to streamline approvals and said Richmond should study what has worked there. He said the permitting department also needs better staffing, and that high fees and slow timelines discourage residents from making basic improvements to their homes, such as adding an accessory dwelling unit or a garage. “Perfect is the enemy of done, and that has stalled a lot of development,” he said. He also raised concerns about toxic soil on formerly industrial land and said new housing should be concentrated along transportation corridors rather than crammed into a single location such as the former Hilltop Mall site. On homelessness, Pursell said Richmond’s larger unhoused population reflects both the city’s lower incomes and its decision to provide services rather than push people out. He called for a more regional approach, coordinating with neighboring cities and outreach workers to serve encampments that cross city and county lines. “Richmond has a larger unhoused population partly because we provide services. If you’re a city that doesn’t provide services and has an outright rousting policy, you don’t have an unhoused issue because you’ve erased it.” ### Small business and economic development Pursell runs a local fashion brand and makes T-shirts for various causes. He said he looked for commercial space in Richmond but found it more expensive than in Orinda, a challenge he said is common for local entrepreneurs. On the Economic Development Committee, he has proposed creating a registry of local makers and vendors to connect them with city festivals such as Juneteenth, Pride, Cinco de Mayo, and Spirit and Soul. He also said he would push to strengthen the city’s relationship with the chamber of commerce and explore ways to help businesses survive seasonal downturns. He described walkable commercial corridors, similar to what he said is working on Telegraph Avenue in Oakland, as a goal for Richmond’s downtown, and said the city needs to understand why certain commercial spaces sit vacant, whether because of contamination, absentee ownership, or speculative holding. More broadly, Pursell said Richmond needs to stop waiting for what he called “unicorn” businesses and actively invite a range of employers, including industrial ones, to help diversify the city’s tax base beyond its dependence on Chevron. “If people want to make sure that Chevron is not a third of our budget, we need to invite other people in,” he said. He argued that expanding the tax base would allow Richmond to deliver better infrastructure and services across neighborhoods, from street paving to basic maintenance. Efforts should start with supporting small businesses through incentives, buy-local campaigns, and revitalizing long-vacant storefronts. At the same time, he emphasized maintaining a diversity of business types, including walkable clusters of restaurants, shops, and specialty stores as well as larger industrial employers, to provide a range of economic opportunities for residents. ### Running without the RPA Pursell ran for council in 2022 with the endorsement of the Richmond Progressive Alliance. This time, he is running without it. “The RPA was my home for a very long time, because I did see alignment,” he said. But he said he parted ways with the organization over what he described as a culture of political lockstep and a tendency to look for villains rather than solutions. “Having a mandate of alignment, being in lockstep, that doesn’t serve democracy,” he said. “It doesn’t serve representation. And it wasn’t serving me. I couldn’t allow people to speak for me.” He said he grew exhausted with what he saw as a dismissive attitude toward police officers and city staff among some in the organization. “Just because you don’t agree with someone doesn’t mean you should demonize them,” he said. Pursell said he wants the council seat to be focused on Richmond issues and to operate transparently, with no closed doors. He said council members should explain their votes, especially controversial ones, rather than letting others define the narrative. “If you were bold enough to vote yes or no, you should be bold enough to say why,” he said. ### A first term built on stability Asked what he wants to accomplish in his first six months, Pursell turned to a single word: stability. With the city receiving revenue from Chevron, he said the priority should be investing in lasting infrastructure and staffing rather than launching new programs that the city cannot sustain once that money runs out. “I’m not going to give false hope and promise huge investments that will never happen,” he said. “I want to build reliability and consistency so people can see the future and where they are in it.” He said he wants residents to feel more attached to Richmond and to trust that their councilmember is focused on local concerns rather than using the seat as a platform for outside issues. Away from politics, Pursell said he loves to sing and can frequently be found at karaoke night at the Factory Bar. He plays several instruments, by his own admission, poorly, with a flute repertoire consisting mainly of six or seven songs that lean heavily toward Legend of Zelda andStar Wars. His deeper passion, he said, is storytelling, particularly folk tales and the archetypes that run cross-culturally through them. "Why is the owl wise? Why is the fox cunning?" he said. "They can come from so many different angles from all over the world, and then sometimes there are these moments where everything has a synchronicity, and they all have the same interpretation of that one animal. I find that really fun." *In the coming weeks,* Grandview Independent *will publish interviews with candidates running for Richmond City Council and mayor.* --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### What happened in Richmond: Police report robberies, carjacking as vehicle thefts decline URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/what-happened-in-richmond-police-report-robberies-carjacking-as-vehicle-thefts-decline/ Last updated: 2026-03-16T15:36:37.000Z Richmond police responded to five robberies, an armed carjacking, a human trafficking case involving a minor, and a shooting at an occupied structure during the past week, according to the department’s daily incident log. Vehicle thefts, however, showed signs of cooling off, with 13 reported stolen compared with 25 the week before. ### Monday, March 9 **Driving under the influence:** 800 block of Amador Street. Police arrested a driver on DUI charges at 12:36 a.m. **Domestic violence and obstruction:** 100 block of Chanslor Avenue. Corporal injury to a cohabitant was reported, and a person obstructed an officer at 2:40 a.m. **Criminal threats:** 100 block of Macdonald Avenue. A crime was allegedly threatened with intent to terrorize at 4 a.m. **Trespassing:** 200 block of 25th Street. Police arrested someone for trespassing at 8:47 a.m. **Assault with a deadly weapon:** 300 block of Macdonald Avenue. A person was assaulted with a deadly weapon at 9 a.m. **Vandalism and obstruction:** 1100 block of Regatta Boulevard. Police arrested someone after property damage valued at $400 or more was reported, and an officer was obstructed at 10:42 a.m. **Assault with a deadly weapon and criminal threats:** 400 block of 20th Street. Police arrested someone after a person was assaulted with a deadly weapon and a crime was threatened with intent to terrorize at 11:11 a.m. **Prohibited ammunition possession:** 2600 block of Lancaster Drive. A person was found in possession of prohibited ammunition at 12:30 p.m. **Domestic battery:** 300 block of Marina Way South. Corporal injury to a cohabitant and a battery were reported at 1 p.m. **Battery:** 3400 block of Wall Avenue. A battery was reported at 1 p.m. **Petty theft:** 2100 block of Meeker Avenue. Retail merchandise was reported stolen at 2:30 p.m. **Vandalism:** 2900 block of Groom Drive. Property damage was reported at 4 p.m. **Warrant arrest:** 300 block of S. 22nd Street. Police arrested someone on a felony outstanding warrant at 4:14 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 1200 block of Club Court. A car was taken on a permanent test drive without permission at 6 p.m. **Driving under the influence:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. Police arrested a driver on DUI charges at 8:30 p.m. **Firearms violations:** 1200 block of Macdonald Avenue. Police arrested someone on charges of carrying a concealed weapon in a vehicle, felon in possession of a firearm, and possessing prohibited ammunition at 8:44 p.m. **Armed carjacking:** Undisclosed location in 94805\. An armed carjacking was reported at 9:15 p.m. **Vehicle burglary:** 200 block of Tanglewood Drive. A vehicle was broken into at 10:30 p.m. ### Tuesday, March 10 **Driving under the influence:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. Police arrested a driver on DUI and drug charges at 12:12 a.m. **Domestic violence, child abuse, and false imprisonment:** 500 block of S. 20th Street. Police arrested someone after corporal injury to a cohabitant, child cruelty, and false imprisonment were reported at 2:43 a.m. **Vandalism:** 2600 block of Cutting Boulevard. Property damage valued at less than $400 was reported at 5:42 a.m. **Criminal threats:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. A crime was allegedly threatened with intent to terrorize at 6 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 400 block of 33rd Street. A car was last seen leaving without its owner at 7 a.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 3800 block of Garvin Avenue. A previously stolen vehicle was recovered at 9:16 a.m. **Commercial burglary and drug possession:** 700 block of National Court. Police arrested someone after a commercial property was forcibly entered and narcotics paraphernalia was found at 9:56 a.m. **Vehicle burglary:** 2100 block of Maine Avenue. A vehicle was broken into at 10:36 a.m. **Commercial burglary:** 700 block of National Court. A commercial property was forcibly entered at 11 a.m. **Vandalism:** 400 block of S. 29th Street. Property damage valued at $400 or more was reported at 11:05 a.m. **Domestic violence:** 400 block of Bissell Avenue. Police arrested someone after corporal injury to a cohabitant was reported at 1:30 p.m. **Vandalism and exhibiting a deadly weapon:** 4900 block of Macdonald Avenue. Property damage and brandishing of a deadly weapon were reported at 2:01 p.m. **Vandalism:** 200 block of S. 33rd Street. Property damage valued at $400 or more was reported at 2:52 p.m. **Grand theft:** 2800 block of McBryde Avenue. Property was reported stolen at 3 p.m. **Robbery, drug sales, false ID, and obstruction:** Undisclosed location in 94805\. Police arrested someone suspected of committing a strong-arm robbery, possessing narcotics for sale, providing false identification, and obstructing an officer at 4:17 p.m. **Drug possession:** 600 block of 2nd Street. Police arrested someone on a controlled substance charge at 5:03 p.m. **Domestic violence and false imprisonment:** 4500 block of Jenkins Way. Corporal injury to a cohabitant and false imprisonment were reported at 7:14 p.m. ### Wednesday, March 11 **Shooting at an inhabited structure:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. Shots were fired at an occupied structure at midnight. **Firearms violations:** Undisclosed location in 94806\. Police arrested someone on charges of carrying a concealed weapon in a vehicle and carrying a loaded, unregistered handgun at 1:55 a.m. **Domestic battery:** 4100 block of Markovich Court. Police arrested someone after a battery on a spouse or partner was reported at 7 a.m. **Vandalism:** 500 block of 7th Street. Property damage valued at $400 or more was reported at 7:08 a.m. **Custody order violation:** 5100 block of McBryde Avenue. A violation of a custody order was reported at 8 a.m. **Trespassing and drug possession:** 2400 block of Aberdeen Way. Police arrested someone on trespassing and narcotics possession charges at 11 a.m. **Drug possession:** 1400 block of Hilltop Mall Road. Narcotics possession was reported at 12:07 p.m. **Fraud:** 3000 block of Belfast Way. Money was obtained by false pretenses at 3:01 p.m. **Vehicle burglary:** 3100 block of Parker Road. A vehicle was broken into at 4 p.m. **Trespassing and battery:** 600 block of Ohio Avenue. Police arrested someone after trespassing, and a battery was reported at 4:05 p.m. **Driving on a suspended license:** C Street and Nevin Avenue. Police arrested a driver for operating a vehicle on a license suspended for DUI at 4:28 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 600 block of Yuba Street. Someone made off with a vehicle that wasn't theirs at 4:30 p.m. **Theft of vehicle parts:** 100 block of 15th Street. Parts were reported stolen from a motor vehicle at 4:30 p.m. **Battery, disorderly conduct, and an unsolicited public display:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. Police arrested someone after a battery, public intoxication, and indecent exposure were reported at 7:02 p.m. **Warrant arrest:** 1700 block of Regatta Boulevard. Police arrested someone on a felony outstanding warrant at 8:07 p.m. **Driving under the influence:** 100 block of Park Place. Police arrested a driver on DUI charges at 10 p.m. **Petty theft:** 400 block of S. 17th Street. Property was reported stolen at midnight. ### Thursday, March 12 **Minor in possession and driving without a license:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. A minor was found transporting alcohol in a vehicle, and a driver was cited for driving without a license at midnight. **Firearms violations:** 2200 block of Nevin Avenue. A short-barrel rifle and a large-capacity magazine were found at 3:59 a.m. **Vehicle burglary:** 2200 block of Nevin Avenue. A vehicle was broken into at 9:41 a.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 600 block of McLaughlin Street. A previously stolen vehicle was recovered at 10 a.m. **Vehicle tampering:** 1100 block of Marina Way South. A vehicle was tampered with at 10 a.m. **Custody violation:** 500 block of Sanford Avenue. A deprivation of custody or visitation rights was reported at 11 a.m. **Robbery, assault, criminal threats, and probation violation:** 1200 block of Macdonald Avenue. Police arrested someone after an armed robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, criminal threats, and a probation violation were reported at 2:15 p.m. **Drug sales:** 500 block of Duboce Avenue. Police arrested someone on charges of possessing narcotics for sale at 3 p.m. **Assault with a deadly weapon, domestic battery, and criminal threats:** 900 block of 9th Street. An assault with a deadly weapon, domestic battery, and a criminal threat were reported at 4 p.m. **Petty theft:** 300 block of Carlston Street. Property was reported stolen at 5 p.m. **Residential burglary:** 4500 block of Whitecliff Way. A residence was forcibly entered at 7:10 p.m. **Grand theft:** 3100 block of Pullman Avenue. Property was reported stolen at 8 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 600 block of 21st Street. A car went on an unauthorized solo adventure at 9 p.m. **Street racing:** Cutting and Carlson boulevards. A person was reported aiding and abetting an exhibition of speed at 9:59 p.m. **Human trafficking:** 2300 block of McBryde Avenue. A human trafficking incident involving a victim under 18 was reported at 10 p.m. **Wrong-way driving:** Macdonald Avenue. A driver was reported traveling the wrong way on a divided highway at 10:55 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. A vehicle was relieved of its owner at 11:10 p.m. ### Friday, March 13 **Vehicle theft:** East Richmond Avenue. Someone helped themselves to a car at midnight. **Driving under the influence:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. Police arrested a driver on DUI, public intoxication, and driving without a license charges at 1:24 a.m. **Theft of vehicle parts:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. Parts were reported stolen from a motor vehicle at 3:58 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 600 block of 7th Street. A car disappeared without permission at 5:48 a.m. **Robbery and domestic violence:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. A strong-arm robbery and corporal injury to a cohabitant were reported at 10:23 a.m. **Criminal threats and harassing phone calls:** 200 block of 23rd Street. A crime was allegedly threatened with intent to terrorize, and harassing phone calls were reported at 12:04 p.m. **Vandalism and throwing an object at a vehicle:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. Property damage and throwing a substance at a vehicle were reported at 12:44 p.m. **Domestic court order violation:** 700 block of 8th Street. Police arrested someone for violating a court order to prevent domestic violence at 3:20 p.m. **Domestic court order violation:** 3700 block of Florida Avenue. A person was found in violation of a court order to prevent domestic violence at 4:26 p.m. **Robbery:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. A strong-arm robbery was reported at 4:32 p.m. **Battery and criminal threats:** 700 block of Pennsylvania Avenue. Police arrested someone after a battery and a criminal threat were reported at 6:35 p.m. **Grand theft from a vehicle:** 4400 block of Ohio Avenue. Property was reported stolen from a motor vehicle at 7:23 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. A vehicle was borrowed without asking and without returning at 8:30 p.m. **Armed robbery:** 1000 block of Heritage Court. A robbery at gunpoint was reported at 9:30 p.m. **Solicitation:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. Police arrested someone on a prostitution charge at 9:49 p.m. **Battery:** 4800 block of Macdonald Avenue. A battery was reported at 10:08 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 600 block of 27th Street. A car was liberated from its parking spot at 10:30 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 100 block of Marina Way South. A car pulled a disappearing act at 11 p.m. **Driving under the influence:** 800 block of Parr Boulevard. Police arrested a driver on DUI charges at 11:36 p.m. ### Saturday, March 14 **Driving under the influence:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. Police arrested a driver on DUI charges at 2:23 a.m. **Driving under the influence:** Undisclosed location in 94806\. Police arrested a driver on DUI charges at 2:17 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 5300 block of Creely Avenue. A vehicle took an unexpected field trip at 6:25 a.m. **Domestic battery:** 100 block of Macdonald Avenue. Battery on a spouse or partner was reported at 7:53 a.m. **Child abuse and criminal threats:** 500 block of 8th Street. Child cruelty and a crime threatened with intent to terrorize were reported at 8:43 a.m. **Assault with a deadly weapon and domestic violence:** 200 block of 2nd Street. A person was assaulted with a deadly weapon, and corporal injury to a cohabitant was reported at 9:12 a.m. **Vandalism:** 500 block of S. 37th Street. Property damage valued at $400 or more was reported at 12:18 p.m. **Grand theft:** 1200 block of Macdonald Avenue. Property was reported stolen at 1:05 p.m. **Driving on a suspended license:** Macdonald Avenue. A driver was cited for operating a vehicle on a license suspended for DUI at 1:15 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 1300 block of Chanslor Avenue. Someone drove off with a car that wasn't theirs at 3:30 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 200 block of S. 41st Street. A car owner returned to find their spot suspiciously empty at 5:59 p.m. **Contempt of court:** 400 block of S. 24th Street. A person was found in violation of a protective order at 6:21 p.m. **Petty theft:** 4500 block of Macdonald Avenue. Property was reported stolen at 6:43 p.m. **Driving under the influence and hit-and-run:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. A DUI and a hit-and-run causing property damage were reported at 10:10 p.m. ### Sunday, March 15 **Vandalism:** 400 block of Marina Way. Property damage valued at less than $400 was reported at 6 a.m. **Exhibiting a deadly weapon:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. A person was reported to have displayed a deadly weapon at 1:11 p.m. **Domestic violence and child abuse:** 300 block of S. 18th Street. Corporal injury to a cohabitant and child cruelty were reported at 3:12 p.m. **DUI, assault, hit-and-run and obstruction:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. A DUI, an assault with force likely to cause great bodily injury, a hit-and-run causing property damage, and obstruction of an officer were reported at 5:37 p.m. **Assault with a firearm:** 2800 block of Clinton Avenue. A person was assaulted with a firearm at 7:14 p.m. **Vehicle burglary:** 200 block of S. 44th Street. A vehicle was broken into at 8:14 p.m. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### On the agenda: Flock vote returns as council weighs wastewater and an $8.2 million question URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-agenda-flock-vote-returns-as-council-weighs-wastewater-and-an-8-2-million-question/ Last updated: 2026-03-14T00:36:01.000Z Richmond City Council returns Tuesday for what promises to be another full evening, picking up unfinished business from its March 3 meeting that ran out of time before members could vote on renewing the city's contract with Flock Safety, while also taking up a major decision on the future of the city's wastewater and stormwater services. ### [The effluent society](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60675&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Richmond city officials are asking the City Council to begin a competitive bidding process to find a new private operator for the city's wastewater and stormwater systems before the current contract expires in May 2027. The recommendation, set for a council vote Tuesday, follows an analysis by consulting firm Watearth that evaluated three options for managing the city's treatment plant, 196 miles of sewer pipelines, and 169 miles of stormwater infrastructure after the existing deal with Veolia Water North America runs out. City staff and consultants concluded that rebidding the contract to a private operator carries the lowest risk and is the only option realistically achievable within the available timeframe. Taking operations fully in-house would require at least two years of preparation, more time than the city has, while transferring assets to another public agency, such as West County Wastewater District, could take up to seven years. The city currently pays Veolia roughly $13 million annually for wastewater services and $600,000 for stormwater management. The Watearth analysis estimated a new contract could run between $15 million and $25 million per year. Officials cited performance problems under the current contract, including repeated sewage overflows that resulted in a 2018 settlement with San Francisco Baykeeper, as reasons not to simply extend the Veolia agreement. ### [The Flock vote, at last](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60582&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Two weeks ago, the council heard hours of public testimony about the Flock Safety contract before the clock ran out. A motion to continue the meeting the following day failed 3-4, leaving the matter unresolved while the cameras remained offline. [Richmond council runs out of time on Flock Safety voteThe Richmond City Council meeting ended Tuesday night before members could vote on whether to renew a contract with Flock Safety, a surveillance camera company, as a missing trafficking victim’s case cast a shadow over the debate. The meeting ran out of time before a vote could be taken on![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--265.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-flock-camera-council-meeting1-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-council-runs-out-of-time-on-flock-safety-vote/) Tuesday's agenda notes that public comment on the Flock item is closed. The council will proceed directly to deliberation and a vote. Chief Timothy Simmons is asking the council to choose between two options: restore the full Flock system, including the automated license plate reader cameras that were shut down in October 2025, alongside existing CCTV and drone programs (Option A); or extend only the CCTV and drone programs while leaving the plate readers off and exploring alternative vendors (Option B). Simmons has recommended Option A, pointing to a 33 percent rise in vehicle thefts since the cameras went dark and citing department figures showing the system assisted in 274 arrests, the recovery of 259 stolen vehicles, and 911 criminal investigations between April 2023 and November 2025. The ALPR cameras were shut down after a "national lookup" feature was found to have shared Richmond vehicle data with outside agencies, violating city policy and California law. Flock Safety has since disabled that feature for all California agencies and blocked out-of-state data sharing. A July 2025 software update also blocks immigration-related search terms. ### [Immigration protections briefing](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60575&ref=grandviewindependent.com) City Manager Shasa Curl and City Attorney Shannon Moore will present a report on Richmond's ongoing and planned efforts to protect residents from federal immigration enforcement, including ICE raids. The item was also continued from the March 3 meeting. Richmond has a large immigrant population and has long identified as a welcoming city. Advocates are expected to be present and push for stronger commitments. The presentation is described as an initial briefing. ### [Cheese Park improvements](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60590&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Councilmembers Soheila Bana and Claudia Jimenez are seeking council direction on a package of improvements for Cheese (La Moine) Park, the only community green space serving residents east of Interstate 80\. The proposal includes permanent restrooms, a drinking fountain, playground restoration, safety fencing around the toddler area, and a children's bike garden developed in partnership with Bike East Bay. The bike garden would give young riders a dedicated space to build cycling skills in a controlled setting. Staff would also be directed to consult with the community on adding sports courts, senior activity spaces, teen areas, and fitness amenities, and to address long-standing drainage problems that have made soccer areas unplayable. If the resolution passes, city staff would be directed to identify funding through the fiscal year 2026-27 capital improvement budget. ### [Blue Envelope program](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60581&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Councilmember Cesar Zepeda is asking the council to direct the city manager to create a Blue Envelope Program for residents with autism. Enrolled participants would receive an envelope containing information about their diagnosis and instructions for first responders on how best to interact with them. Zepeda is targeting an April rollout to coincide with Autism Awareness Month. Similar programs have been adopted in cities across the country as a low-cost tool to improve outcomes during law enforcement encounters. ### [Budget session](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60679&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The council will receive the fiscal year 2025-26 mid-year budget review covering the period from July 1 through December 31, 2025, and will consider approving mid-year budget adjustments. The council will also take up how to allocate $8.2 million in reserves that exceed the city's 21 percent policy target. Despite ending fiscal year 2024-25 with a $14.4 million operating deficit, revenues of $233.7 million against expenditures of $248.1 million, the city maintained a General Fund reserve of $62.8 million, roughly 24.2 percent of next year's budgeted spending. City officials attributed the deficit to higher personnel and public safety costs. Staff is proposing to direct $6.32 million toward Complete Streets improvements, $250,000 for environmental monitoring at Point Molate, and $821,368 each into pension and retiree health benefit trusts. The council is set to receive the city's Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025\. Auditors from Badawi and Associates issued unmodified opinions on most city funds but issued a disclaimer on the Richmond Housing Authority and related entities because their financial statements for recent years remain under review. ### [John Haley Studio public hearing](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60594&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The council will hold a public hearing on a proposal to rezone the John Haley Studio at 771 Ocean Avenue by adding a Landmark Overlay District designation, a step toward listing the property on the Richmond Historic Register. ## Consent calendar *The council will also consider a wide range of routine items grouped under the consent calendar, typically approved in a single vote without debate.* ### [Firefighters in line for five percent annual raises](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60657&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The Richmond City Council is set to approve a three-year labor agreement with the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 188 that would cost the city an estimated $4.5 million in additional expenses over its term. The proposed contract, covering July 2025 through June 2028, includes five percent annual base wage increase. It also expands longevity pay by adding a new tier at 15 years of service and moving the top tier from 25 to 20 years. Additional provisions incorporate Cesar Chavez Day and Juneteenth as official holidays and expand parental leave to four weeks. ### [Nature calls at Wendell Park, and Richmond will answer for $432,936](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60635&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Richmond city officials are seeking approval to spend $2.4 million on sports lighting, synthetic turf, and prefabricated restrooms across three public parks, drawing on federal pandemic relief funds. A prefabricated restroom structure at Wendell Park carries a price tag of $432,936, under a contract with CXT Incorporated. The factory-built unit will be delivered and installed at the park as part of a broader renovation that also includes improvements at Martin Luther King Jr. Park and Shields-Reid Park. The City Council is set to ratify agreements with three contractors. FieldTurf USA, Inc. would receive the largest share, $973,209, to install synthetic turf at Shields-Reid Park. Musco Sports Lighting, LLC would be paid $688,293 to install new field lighting at the same site. Funding comes from the American Rescue Plan Act, the $1.9 trillion federal stimulus package Congress passed in 2021. On libraries, the council will consider [a sole-source contract with Innovative Interfaces for $450,000](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60600&ref=grandviewindependent.com) to host and maintain the Sierra Integrated Library System through June 2028, with two one-year extension options. The contract also covers interlibrary loan services and an analytics tool. Separately, the council will consider[ accepting $10,000 in gift funds from Carnegie Corporation](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60631&ref=grandviewindependent.com) of New York for library programs and authorizing a $5,000 payment from those funds to the Richmond Museum Association. On energy and facilities, the council will consider a [$250,000 sole-source contract with Zero Net Energy Alliance ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60619&ref=grandviewindependent.com)to upgrade lighting infrastructure at City Hall and enroll the building in Marin Clean Energy's Virtual Power Plant Program. The contract runs through September 2026. The council will approve a [contract with Excel ADR for up to $252,000 ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60651&ref=grandviewindependent.com)to administer alternative dispute resolution services for public safety workers compensation cases through December 2028, and a minor amendment to an [actuarial services contract with Prime Actuarial Consulting,](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60616&ref=grandviewindependent.com) increasing the payment limit by $7,600 to a total of $17,100 and extending the term through June 2027. On public works and infrastructure, the council will consider a sole-source contract with CSW/ST2 for up to $148,780 to support the design phase of the [Harbour Way South and Wright Avenue rail crossing project](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60645&ref=grandviewindependent.com) through December 2028\. The council will also consider [accepting the Ferry Point Sewer Pump Station project as complete](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60641&ref=grandviewindependent.com) and authorizing an increase of $131,366 to the project authority to cover final costs, along with recording a notice of completion with Contra Costa County. A sole-source contract with Ninyo and Moore for up to $292,700 is also on the calendar for environmental oversight and monitoring at the[ Boorman Park remediation site.](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60624&ref=grandviewindependent.com) On community and economic development, the Arts and Culture Division will present a[ status update on its ongoing efforts to hire an Arts and Culture Manager](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60677&ref=grandviewindependent.com) and administer the Mini Grants Program and other public art initiatives. The council will also consider co-sponsoring a free [Asian American and Pacific Islander community celebration at the Richmond Auditorium](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60656&ref=grandviewindependent.com) on May 2, organized by the SAFE Center, with programming expected to include cultural exhibits and educational activities. On financial policies, the council will consider adopting[ updates to the city's financial policy guidelines](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60660&ref=grandviewindependent.com), and will receive the[ Investment and Cash Balance Report, ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60605&ref=grandviewindependent.com)Monthly Overtime Reports, Documentary Transfer Tax Report, and retiree benefit reports for January 2026. The Housing Authority, meeting in special session before the regular council meeting at 5:55 p.m., will consider a contract amendment with [RK Roofing and Construction for gutter replacement at Nystrom Village,](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60611&ref=grandviewindependent.com) increasing the payment limit by $322,000 to a total of $592,000, with an extended term through June 2027. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Eight great things to do in Richmond URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/eight-great-things-to-do-in-richmond-26/ Last updated: 2026-03-13T22:09:20.000Z With 30-plus miles of shoreline, two yacht clubs, endless hiking and cycling trails, and a host of restaurants, art galleries, and historic resources, Richmond has a lot to offer. Each week, *Grandview* highlights the best, not-to-be-missed events and offerings from around this amazing city. This week's best of Richmond events include Masquers crab feed at the Galileo Club, an opening reception at Point Richmond Gallery, and a something-for-everyone assortment of live music events. ## Masquers Crab Feed @theGalileo Club ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/03/Screenshot-2026-03-13-at-9.57.52-AM.png) **Here it comes! SATURDAY, MARCH 14** The Masquers Playhouse famous Annual Crab Feed tickets are now available. Make sure you get yours soon because this is a sellout event. Held at the Galileo Club in Richmond, the amazing raffle prizes compete with the crab dinner for best of show! Entertainment and drinks fill out a delightful evening for you and your friends and family. Tickets are $75 per person.Doors open at 5 p.m. Dinner served at 6 p.m. **371 South 23rd Street Richmond** ## Pollinator Garden Workshop @Urban Tilth ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/03/Screenshot-2026-03-13-at-10.29.26-AM.png) **Saturday, March 14, 2026 10 a.m.-1 p.m.** Participants will gain practical skills to create pollinator-friendly spaces at home, and receive a Pollinator Kit to support immediate action. Purpose: to get community to come out, participate in this new workshop and learn a new skill! Role: Learn the importance of pollinators, gain practical skills to create pollinator-friendly spaces at home, and receive a Pollinator Kit to support immediate action. Vibe: Flowers, Sun, and more! *For more information:* [https://portal.goldenvolunteer.com/opportunities/ZXnGQePJ2y](https://portal.goldenvolunteer.com/opportunities/ZXnGQePJ2y?ref=grandviewindependent.com) **Richmond Greenway trail & 6th Street, Richmond** ## Mr. Nobody Against Putin @The Magick Lantern Theater ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/03/Screenshot-2026-03-13-at-10.13.11-AM.png) ### **Saturday, March 14, 2026,** Mr. Nobody Against Putin (2025) *Russian/English Subtitles Documentary* The incredible story of an ordinary Russian teacher who exposed Putin's propaganda machine. Doors Open 7 p.m. Film Starts 7:30 p.m. Email [magick-lantern@att.net](mailto:magick-lantern@att.net) Phone 510-232-2559 ***Please arrive on time!* Methodist Church of Point Richmond 201 Martina (side entrance off West Richmond)** # Frog Face @Sailing Goat ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/03/Screenshot-2026-03-13-at-10.36.03-AM.png) **March 14, 2026, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.** Unusual traditionals and bluegrass standards, jam favorites, fiddle tunes, and originals **Frog Face** is a five-piece bluegrass band based in San Rafael, California. Their music draws from unusual traditionals and bluegrass standards, jam favorites, fiddle tunes, and originals. They rotate between three lead singers and a mix of two- and three-part harmony stacks to keep the dynamics moving. They favor upbeat tempos, with a handful of slower ballads, and high-octane instrumentals. They strive for instrumental texture, tasteful fills, and melodic leads. The lineup includes Joe on lead guitar and vocals, Nate on mandolin and vocals, Greg on bass, Aaron on dobro, and Kat on rhythm guitar and vocals. Together they channel the spirit of a Saturday night jam—joyful, spontaneous, and rooted in tradition—while bringing a modern, melodic twist to every performance. Frog Face’s aim is simple: to serve up a fun, flavorful set that keeps audiences smiling and the energy flowing. Website: [https://sites.google.com/view/frog-face-band/home](https://sites.google.com/view/frog-face-band/home?ref=grandviewindependent.com) Facebook: **Sailing Goat at Point San Pablo Harbor, 1900 Stenmark Dr, Richmond** ## Wehrle's World Opening Reception @Point Richmond Gallery ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/03/Screenshot-2026-03-13-at-10.07.39-AM.png) **March 15, 2026, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.** Join us to celebrate the opening of an exhibition featuring the work of prolific local artist John Wehrle. For more than fifty years, artist John Wehrle has created gargantuan narrative paintings and installations throughout California. In Point Richmond, his murals grace the Plunge, the Tunnel*,* and Chevron. This exhibition will showcase John's smaller paintings, sculptures, photographs and maquettes for his amazing murals. **Point Richmond Gallery, 145 W Richmond Ave., Point Richmond** ## LIVE MUSIC THIS SUNDAY @Armistice Brewing Company ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/03/Screenshot-2026-03-13-at-9.54.23-AM.png) Our Sunday Live Music Series rolls on this weekend with the return of SourFlower! 🌼🎻 If you’ve seen them before, you know the deal—high-energy bluegrass, tight harmonies, and serious pickin’. If you haven’t, this is the perfect Sunday to catch them. ☘️ Green Rich City Pils will be flowing all weekend long for St. Patrick’s Day 🍔 Curbside Kitchen will be on site serving up their ridiculously good food 🎶 SourFlower live from 2–4 p.m. 💸 NO COVER Grab a pint, post up in the beer garden, and let SourFlower soundtrack your Sunday afternoon. **Sunday | 2–4 p.m. | Armistice Brewing Company 845 Marina Bay Pkwy #1, Richmond** ## Ides of March at the [@planetariumrichmond](https://www.instagram.com/planetariumrichmond/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/03/Screenshot-2026-03-13-at-10.46.24-AM.png) **SUNDAY, MARCH 15** \- Come celebrate the Ides of March at the [@planetariumrichmond](https://www.instagram.com/planetariumrichmond/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) with [@deathtomadrona](https://www.instagram.com/deathtomadrona/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) Djüna, and [@exdeusmachinaband](https://www.instagram.com/exdeusmachinaband/?ref=grandviewindependent.com)! $10 | All Ages | Substance Free | 7 p.m. 5327 Jacuzzi St, Richmond ### [Live Music ](https://www.richmondbackyard.com/events-1/live-music-at-the-backyard-with-los-bahianatos-ydxtd?ref=grandviewindependent.com)@[The Backyard with Hijos de León y Otras Hierbas](https://www.richmondbackyard.com/events-1/live-music-at-the-backyard-with-los-bahianatos-ydxtd?ref=grandviewindependent.com) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/03/Screenshot-2026-03-13-at-10.49.47-AM.png) **Sunday, March 15, 2026\. 2 p.m. 5 p.m.** 😍🎉 Get ready to sway to the infectious rhythms of Hijos de León y Otras Hierbas at The Backyard! 🎶 Join us on Sunday, March 15th from 2 pm to 5 pm for an unforgettable afternoon of cumbia and Música Tropical. 🌴🎺 Let the soulful melodies and lively beats transport you to a tropical paradise, while you indulge in your favorite Backyard eats! 🍹 Don't miss out on this sensational musical journey – grab your friends and family, and join us for an afternoon filled with music, food, and fun! **The Backyard 205 Cutting Blvd. Richmond** [(map)](http://maps.google.com/?q=205%20Cutting%20Boulevard%20Richmond,%20CA,%2094804%20United%20States&ref=grandviewindependent.com) --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Candidate Interview: Doria Robinson runs for re-election in Richmond’s District 3 URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/candidate-interview-doria-robinson-runs-for-re-election-in-richmonds-district-3/ Last updated: 2026-03-12T17:18:34.000Z Doria Robinson grew up on Fifth and Nevin in the 1980s, when the crack epidemic was tearing through her neighborhood, and drive-by shootings were routine. “My friends I grew up with did not make it,” she said. “Most of them.” Now a sitting Richmond City Councilmember seeking a second term in District 3, Robinson is running on a record built over decades in the community she never left. She was born and raised in the district. Her grandparents had a church on 13th and Ohio. Her mother went to Kennedy High School. She raised twins there as a single mother, on South 12th Street, where she still lives. “District Three is truly, truly my home,” she said. “I deeply understand what families are going through when they’re trying to raise kids, trying to work multiple jobs, trying to navigate the school district and the city. I’ve had my car broken into. I grew up here in the 80s. I lived it.” ### Who She Is Robinson has led Urban Tilth, a Richmond-based nonprofit, for 20 years. The organization started with three volunteers and now has 81 staff members, seven sites, and 14 programs, transforming vacant lots into green spaces where youth find jobs and develop as leaders. “Seventy percent of our staff are kids like me who grew up here, where not many people really believed in them,” she said. “And they’re powerful, and they’re inspiring, and they’re leading, and they’re making an incredible change.” Before Urban Tilth, she worked in advertising in San Francisco with clients including Apple, Lexus, and Macromedia. She is a published poet who has not had time to write in years. She walked away from a profitable career on purpose. “I was like, what am I doing? This is not what I was called for,” she said. Appointed in 2022 to the California State Board of Food and Agriculture and reappointed in 2025, she chaired the committee that defined regenerative agriculture for statewide policy and spent two years on a task force on agricultural land equity, traveling across California, meeting with Black, brown, immigrant, and tribal farmers. ### On Homelessness Robinson says the city’s approach to homelessness rests on a flawed foundation: not enough shelter beds, not enough places for people to go during the day, and too much reliance on police to manage a problem that policing cannot fix. “We don’t have enough shelter beds. There’s no place for people to go, even if they wanted to go somewhere. And then if they get somewhere to go, they’re kicked out in the morning. Where are they going to sit all day while they wait to have a bed at night? In a park? At the library? And so when people call the police on them, they’re criminalizing them for not having shelter.” Her top priority is expanding navigation centers, places where unhoused residents can spend the day with access to showers, social workers, job placement, and basic supplies. She points to SOS Wellness Center as the right model, hobbled only by a lack of resources. She has also been in talks with the Richmond Rescue Mission about using city property to add shelter beds and another day center, and wants to bring the county’s Coordinated Outreach Referral, Engagement (CORE) outreach team to a permanent Richmond location. “All their clients are here,” she said. “We need them here. Having them drive from Martinez to come back here to work, that’s crazy.” ### On Public Safety Robinson does not begin with the police when she talks about public safety. She starts with parks. “How do you solve the equation so that if somebody is arriving home late tonight and they’re an elder, they’re not afraid about what’s going to happen by the time they get out of their car and walk to their house? How do you solve the equation so that kids can go to the park, play, come back, and it’s okay? Many, many people across this nation have that sense of safety, and we deserve it.” Her answer is activating public spaces with regular programming and staffed presences that double as community anchors. She remembers snack bars at neighborhood parks growing up. “One job is serving up the ice cream cones. The other job is being there to watch and to be somebody people can come to if they’re having trouble," she said. On the police department itself, Robinson is candid. She said she grew up watching officers do terrible things in her neighborhood. She believes the department has changed and says so when she brings outside activists to town. “They come here ready for a fight, and I’m like, no, no, no. We don’t fight with our police here. They’re going to help us be safe. They’re like, what? They’re shocked and surprised that people are personable and human and honestly want to keep the peace.” She is not without criticism. She has strong feelings about specific officers and specific incidents. “I have some strong critiques of particular officers, of some of the things that have happened. There are things that have happened that are not right. We need to make sure there’s a culture of accountability.” What she wants to fix is the structure. A ride-along showed her a department so understaffed that almost everyone is on patrol, with almost no room for advancement. She wants the department reorganized with specialized units for human trafficking, domestic violence, and property crime, and she wants officers treated like the employees they are. “I am concerned about 18-hour work days, mandatory overtime, officers feeling like their quality of life doesn’t matter to anybody. If you boil it back to just being a good employer, those are very poor work conditions.” She argues that officers need to feel the city has their back before any cultural shift is possible. “Our police officers have to know that we, to be frank, give a shit about their lives and their families. If they don’t believe that, they’re not going to come along for this journey of redefining what we mean by public safety.” ### What’s Left Undone Robinson rattles off projects she is not willing to leave behind: the MLK community center, now with $2 million allocated and design work underway after years of inattention; the troubled Miraflores development; flooding in Parchester Village; downtown revitalization. Robinson argues that Measure U is behind Richmond’s current stability. She says the gross-receipts tax has allowed the city to add public works crews, fill long-vacant positions, and run budget surpluses for three years in a row, while other cities are cutting services and considering layoffs. “Measure U is primarily responsible for us being in such a good financial situation right now, where other cities are having to make cuts and not offer raises and look at layoffs. We are offering raises, considering vacancies to fill, and evaluating capital projects.” ### Responding to criticism Robinson has faced persistent public criticism over her involvement with a $30 million Transformative Climate Communities grant secured by Urban Tilth before her time on the council. Two separate complaints were filed with the California Fair Political Practices Commission alleging conflict-of-interest violations. The FPPC dismissed both. [FPPC dismisses complaint against Richmond Councilmember Doria RobinsonThe California Fair Political Practices Commission has dismissed a complaint filed by former Richmond Mayor Tom Butt against City Councilmember Doria Robinson, alleging violations related to her involvement with the Transformative Climate Communities grant. The FPPC determined there was insufficient evidence to support Butt’s claims that Robinson failed to![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--264.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-city-council-doria-robinson-.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/fppc-dismisses-second-complaint-against-richmond-councilmember-doria-robinson-2/) Robinson describes the pattern plainly. “They don’t like my politics. They don’t like how I vote. So they’re looking for anything they possibly can, even if they have to make it up. You can just throw up a bunch of things that might make absolutely no sense to the FPPC, which has investigated, and to the city attorney, who has investigated their claims and found nothing twice. But they know the average voter won’t go and really look at what they’re saying.” One allegation framed fiscal sponsorship as money laundering. “Fiscal sponsorship is a very normal thing that’s done in the nonprofit world," she said. "Many of the organizations that the people making these claims deal with are fiscally sponsored projects. But if you don’t know that, it sounds shady. And that is the point.” She does not dwell on it. Robinson describes a life ruled by a tightly packed schedule, where her calendar dictates everything from meetings to sleep. “If I’ve got anything, I’ve got stamina. I don’t give up. I keep pushing until the thing is done.” *In the coming weeks,* Grandview Independent *will publish interviews with candidates running for Richmond City Council and mayor.* --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Candidate Interview: Brandon Evans for Richmond City Council District 3 URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/candidate-interview-brandon-evans-for-richmond-city-council-district-3/ Last updated: 2026-03-11T19:53:51.000Z Brandon Evans is running for the District 3 seat on the Richmond City Council, an independent candidate who says his decade of hands-on experience inside city and county government sets him apart in the race. Evans, 34, is challenging incumbent Doria Robinson. He currently serves as chief executive of [Men and Women of Purpose](https://www.mwpurpose.org/?ref=grandviewindependent.com), a reentry-focused nonprofit, and as a district representative for County Supervisor Shanelle Scales-Preston, a role he previously held under the late Supervisor Federal Glover. [Election′26 - Grandview IndependentFollow all coverage of Richmond’s 2026 election cycle, including mayoral and city council races, candidate announcements, campaign developments, and updates shaping the city’s political landscape.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--263.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Election----26-5-2.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/tag/election26/) Evans still lives in the Coronado neighborhood house where he grew up. His paternal grandmother arrived in Richmond from Arkansas in the 1940s. His maternal grandmother ran a family daycare in the neighborhood for four decades. When he talks about District 3, it sounds less like a campaign pitch than a family history. "I'm just a kid from Richmond," Evans said. "My family has been here since the 1940s. They migrated from Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas in search of a better life. When they got here, Richmond was still deeply segregated. My paternal grandmother came here in 1940, and my mother's side of the family came later in the 1960s. My maternal grandmother ran a family daycare for four decades, so I grew up watching someone take care of kids and take care of the community." Evans said that background shaped his sense of service and responsibility. "A vote for me is a vote for your brother, your son, your friend, someone who's looking to represent the interests of District 3 above all," he said. He plans to largely self-fund the race, saying he does not want his campaign to become a financial burden on a community where many residents are struggling financially. He describes himself as independent in a city where political identity is often treated as a loyalty test, and says he was excluded by the progressive coalition before a single conversation had taken place. "I'm a fourth-generation person from this community. My family has owned businesses here," Evans said. "If I can be othered, anybody can be othered. I'm standing up for what we like to say is real Richmond, people whose families migrated here, people who came here to invest and contribute and build something, but who often feel overlooked, marginalized, and left behind." ### **Public Safety** Evans does not soften his position on policing. Richmond's police department is severely understaffed, he says, with as few as five to seven patrol officers on duty for the entire city at any given time. When a major incident draws those officers to one location, the rest of the city can be left without coverage. "When someone calls 911, they want someone to answer," Evans said. "And they want a police officer to be able to respond to that incident. From what I understand, at any given time, we might have five to seven patrol officers for the entire city of Richmond. If there's a major incident that's going to draw most of those officers to one location, then you have to ask what the rest of the city does in case of an emergency." Evans said his definition of public safety goes beyond policing, including mental health response and community participation. "I believe public safety incorporates traditional methods like policing, but you also need additional supports in place — mental health response, rapid crisis response, and community members being partners in keeping their neighborhoods safe," he said. "Back in the day we had things like neighborhood watch. There are also programs like crime prevention that help businesses and residents be eyes on the street." Still, he believes additional police staffing is necessary. "I know others don't feel that way, but I do think we need additional staffing in our police department," Evans said. "It's just common sense to listen to the professionals, not just police officers but also our fire department, about what they need to keep people safe." Evans said officers he knows personally describe morale as low, stretched by mandatory overtime and what they see as a lack of support from city leadership. "I know from speaking with officers, friends of mine on the force, that morale is low," he said. "They're stretched with mandatory overtime, and they don't feel like they have a city council that supports them or even thinks the police are important enough to support. When you have that kind of antagonistic relationship, the community ultimately bears the brunt." He said Richmond's new alternative crisis response program, ROCK, is still too new to judge. "I think it's super early to determine if ROCK has been successful or even working," Evans said. "It took a long time just to get it launched, and it's really only been deployed for a couple of months responding to crises." Evans praised newly appointed Chief Tim Simmons, who rose through the ranks at the department. "I like that we hire locally," Evans said. "We just went through a chief search, and it made sense to hire someone who understands the nuances that exist here in Richmond, someone who went from being a street cop all the way up to leading the department." ### **Housing and Homelessness** Evans's planning background surfaces quickly when the conversation turns to housing. He ticks off stalled projects from memory: Nystrom Village, promised since the 1990s, only recently secured a developer for one of its four blocks; 12th and McDonald had momentum in 2016 and 2017 before collapsing after COVID and planning hurdles; Metro Walk Phase 2 still faces a funding gap. "I think slowly isn't even the right word," Evans said. "Projects don't move slowly here; they just don't happen." Evans said Richmond has produced relatively little housing compared with nearby cities over the past decade. "If you look at Richmond over the last decade, we probably have had the least amount of development and housing units coming online," he said. "Projects like Nystrom Village have been promised since the 1990s, and the city couldn't get a development team together or create the incentives needed to make the deal happen." He also pointed to the stalled 12th and McDonald project in downtown Richmond. "There was a lot of momentum around that project around 2016 or 2017," Evans said. "It was supposed to bring new residents and investment downtown. But then you had COVID, you had resistance in planning and design review, and ultimately the project didn't pencil." Evans attributes the pattern to a combination of market forces and local governance. "If I can go to Berkeley, Emeryville, or Albany and there's a guaranteed return on my investment and a council that's not adversarial toward development, why would I choose Richmond?" Evans said. "Most developers wouldn't." On homelessness, Evans emphasized his direct experience working with vulnerable populations. "I work in direct service," he said. "I run a nonprofit that works with individuals who are unhoused and individuals who are coming home from incarceration. I would never criminalize anybody for where they find themselves in life, but I also have a responsibility to my community." ### **Budget and Economic Development** Evans wants to deploy the city's roughly $550 million Chevron settlement funds toward immediate quality-of-life improvements: street cleaning, parks maintenance, public works staffing, and police capacity. He argues that the city's practice of freezing positions to balance the budget weakens basic services. "You can't provide services if departments aren't staffed," Evans said. "And if you're not providing services, it's very hard to attract investment or economic development." On Chevron, Evans argues the city should maintain a functional relationship with its largest employer and taxpayer. "We want the refinery to be a good neighbor," Evans said. "We don't want them making people sick. But we should have a formal, cordial working relationship." Evans's economic vision centers on jobs. "The number one request I get is: 'Brandon, I need a job,'" he said. "Richmond needs jobs badly." *In the coming weeks,* Grandview Independent *will publish interviews with candidates running for Richmond City Council and mayor.* --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### What happened in Richmond: Wave of vehicle thefts leads week of robberies, assaults, and arrests URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/what-happened-in-richmond-wave-of-vehicle-thefts-leads-week-of-robberies-assaults-and-arrests/ Last updated: 2026-03-09T16:10:54.000Z Vehicle thefts dominated Richmond police calls during the week of March 2–8, with more than two dozen cars reported stolen across the city. Police also responded to multiple robberies, assaults, domestic violence incidents, and DUI arrests. ### Crime incident map ### Monday, March 2 **Vehicle theft:** 500 block of 24th Street. A vehicle was reported stolen at 1:30 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 600 block of 9th Street. A vehicle was reported stolen at 2:45 a.m. **Petty theft and vandalism:** 3000 block of Parker Road. Property was stolen, and damage valued at $400 or more was reported at 6:30 a.m. **Vehicle burglary:** Shoreline Court. A vehicle was broken into at 10:12 a.m. **Trespassing, drug possession and warrant arrest:** 3100 block of Southampton Court. Police arrested someone on trespassing, narcotics paraphernalia, and felony warrant charges at 10:29 a.m. **Sexual battery:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. A felony sexual battery was reported at 4:08 p.m. **An unsolicited public display:** 1300 block of Macdonald Avenue. Police arrested someone on an indecent exposure charge at 5:51 p.m. **DUI and driving without a license:** 1100 block of 23rd Street. A DUI and driving without a license were reported at 3:50 p.m. **Vehicle tampering:** 1400 block of Harbour Way South. A vehicle was tampered with at 6:30 p.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 2900 block of Gomer Drive. A previously stolen vehicle was recovered at 6:38 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. Police arrested someone after a vehicle was stolen at 7:08 p.m. **Battery:** 1400 block of Gaynor Avenue. A battery on a person was reported at 7:58 p.m. **Driving on a suspended license:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. A driver was reported operating a vehicle on a license suspended for DUI at 9:56 p.m. ### Tuesday, March 3 **Vehicle theft:** 600 block of 37th Street. A vehicle was reported stolen at 1:27 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 200 block of Marina Way. A vehicle was reported stolen at 4:30 a.m. **Commercial burglary:** 700 block of National Court. Police arrested someone after a commercial property was forcibly entered at 5:11 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 2800 block of Garvin Avenue. A vehicle was reported stolen at 7:18 a.m. **Vehicle tampering:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. A vehicle was tampered with at 9:56 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 500 block of 38th Street. A vehicle was reported stolen at 11:39 a.m. **Trespassing:** 2400 block of Lancaster Drive. Trespassing was reported at 12:51 p.m. **Robbery and elder theft:** 5600 block of San Diego Street. A strong-arm robbery and theft from an elder or dependent adult were reported at 1:40 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 5800 block of Bayview Avenue. A vehicle was reported stolen at 3 p.m. **Driving on a restricted license:** Lincoln Avenue. A driver was cited for operating a vehicle on a license restricted due to DUI at 4:08 p.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 3000 block of Giant Road, San Pablo. A previously stolen vehicle was recovered at 4:35 p.m. **Evading police:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. Police arrested a driver for willfully evading officers at 4:50 p.m. **Petty theft:** 800 block of Griffin Drive. Property was reported stolen at 6:30 p.m. **Vehicle burglary and exhibiting a deadly weapon:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. A vehicle was broken into, and a deadly weapon was displayed at 7:36 p.m. **Sexual assault:** 400 block of 20th Street. An assault by force or fear was reported at 8:02 p.m. **Domestic battery:** 4100 block of Ohio Avenue. A battery on a spouse or partner was reported at 8:49 p.m. **Vandalism:** 5100 block of McBryde Avenue. Property damage valued at $400 or more was reported at 10:19 p.m. **Grand theft:** 800 block of Carlson Boulevard. Property was reported stolen at 10:22 p.m. ### Wednesday, March 4 **Vandalism:** 1200 block of Hall Avenue. Damage to power or communication lines was reported at 12:10 a.m. **Driving under the influence:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. Police arrested a driver on DUI and drug charges at 12:21 a.m. **Driving on a suspended license:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. A driver was reported operating a vehicle on a suspended or revoked license at 1:11 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 5400 block of Gately Avenue. A vehicle was reported stolen at 6:14 a.m. **Vandalism:** 500 block of South 37th Street. Property damage valued at $400 or more was reported at 10:32 a.m. **Petty theft with priors:** 11900 block of San Pablo Avenue. Police arrested someone on a petty theft charge with a prior jail conviction at 10:37 a.m. **Battery:** 800 block of Brookside Drive. Battery on a person was reported at 11:15 a.m. **Warrant arrest:** Undisclosed location in 94806\. Police arrested someone on an outstanding misdemeanor warrant at 11:16 a.m. **Residential burglary:** 2400 block of Aberdeen Way. A residence was forcibly entered at 12 p.m. **Robbery:** 12000 block of San Pablo Avenue. A robbery was reported at 12:29 p.m. **Robbery:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. A strong-arm robbery was reported at 12:54 p.m. **Trespassing:** 2200 block of Hilltop Mall Road. Trespassing was reported at 1:50 p.m. **Domestic violence:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. Police arrested someone after corporal injury to a cohabitant was reported at 3:50 p.m. **Petty theft:** 4500 block of Macdonald Avenue. Property was reported stolen at 4:01 p.m. **Shoplifting:** 12000 block of San Pablo Avenue. Shoplifting was reported at 5:10 p.m. **Domestic violence, child abuse, drug possession for sale, and firearms:** 2600 block of Hilltop Drive. Police arrested someone suspected of corporal injury to a cohabitant, child abuse, possession of narcotics for sale, and carrying a loaded firearm at 5:53 p.m. **Battery:** 500 block of Ohio Avenue. Battery on a person was reported at 6 p.m. **Nitrous oxide possession:** 2400 block of Macdonald Avenue. A person was placed on an emergency hold, and nitrous oxide was found at 8 p.m. **Criminal threats:** 2800 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue. A crime was allegedly threatened with intent to terrorize at 8:50 p.m. ### Thursday, March 5 **Vehicle theft:** 400 block of 18th Street. A vehicle was reported stolen at 1:39 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 400 block of 35th Street. A vehicle was reported stolen at 4 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 6100 block of Orchard Avenue. A vehicle was reported stolen at 7:10 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 2300 block of Gaynor Avenue. A vehicle was reported stolen at 6:41 a.m. **Vehicle tampering:** 2900 block of Ohio Avenue. A vehicle was tampered with at 7:42 a.m. **Armed robbery:** 2300 block of Macdonald Avenue. A robbery at gunpoint was reported at 7:55 a.m. **Child abuse and domestic violence:** 900 block of West Cutting Boulevard. Assault causing great bodily injury to a child and corporal injury to a cohabitant were reported at 9:45 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 2800 block of Euclid Avenue. A vehicle was reported stolen at 10:33 a.m. **Grand theft from a person:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. Property was reported stolen directly from a person at 12:45 p.m. **Robbery and domestic battery:** 900 block of Dornan Drive. A strong-arm robbery and battery on a spouse or partner were reported at 1:35 p.m. **Pickpocket theft:** 3400 block of Roosevelt Avenue. A grand theft by pickpocketing was reported at 2:30 p.m. **Battery:** 5800 block of Kipling Drive. A battery was reported at 5 p.m. **DUI and child endangerment:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. Police arrested a driver on DUI and felony child cruelty charges at 5:45 p.m. **Assault with a firearm:** 2400 block of Aberdeen Way. A person was assaulted with a firearm at 6:55 p.m. **Assault with a deadly weapon and child abuse:** 200 block of S. 7th Street. Police arrested someone after a person was assaulted with a deadly weapon, a child was subjected to cruelty, and a battery was reported at 7:49 p.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 2600 block of Foothill Avenue. A previously stolen vehicle was recovered at 10:25 p.m. **Domestic court order violation:** 400 block of S. 29th Street. A person was found in violation of a court order to prevent domestic violence at 11:04 p.m. ### Friday, March 6 **Battery and child abuse:** 300 block of Maine Avenue. Police arrested someone suspected of battery, child cruelty, and obstruction of an officer at midnight. **Grand theft of vehicle parts:** 2900 block of Gomer Drive. Parts were reported stolen from a motor vehicle at 12:21 a.m. **Driving under the influence:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. Police arrested a driver on DUI charges at 1:46 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 700 block of 5th Street. A vehicle was reported stolen at 3 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 2800 block of Esmond Avenue. A vehicle was reported stolen at 7:30 a.m. **Criminal threats and domestic court order violation:** 3100 block of Southampton Court. A crime was allegedly threatened with intent to terrorize, and a domestic relations court order was violated at 11:05 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 200 block of S. 46th Street. A vehicle was reported stolen at 11:48 a.m. **Criminal threats and exhibiting a deadly weapon:** 2500 block of Florida Avenue. Police arrested someone after a crime was threatened with intent to terrorize, and a deadly weapon was displayed at 2:45 p.m. **Domestic violence:** 5200 block of Imperial Avenue. Police arrested someone after corporal injury to a cohabitant was reported at 5:27 p.m. **Driving under the influence:** 12400 block of San Pablo Avenue. Police arrested a driver on DUI charges at 6 p.m. **Driving under the influence:** 700 block of 9th Street. A DUI was reported at 7 p.m. **Assault with a deadly weapon and domestic violence:** 600 block of Berk Avenue. Police arrested someone after a person was assaulted with a deadly weapon, and corporal injury to a cohabitant was reported at 8:48 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 800 block of 33rd Street. A vehicle was reported stolen at 10 p.m. ### Saturday, March 7 **DUI and drug possession:** Roosevelt Avenue. Police arrested a driver on DUI and narcotics possession charges at 1:04 a.m. **Vandalism:** 800 block of Banks Drive. Property damage valued at $400 or more was reported at 2:39 a.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 800 block of Dornan Drive. A previously stolen vehicle was recovered at 5:37 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 600 block of 17th Street. A vehicle was reported stolen at 8:17 a.m. **Vehicle burglary and possession of stolen property:** 3100 block of Bristol Court. A vehicle was broken into, and stolen property was found at 9 a.m. **Battery with serious bodily injury:** West Macdonald Avenue. A person was battered with serious bodily injury at 11:23 a.m. **Vehicle burglary:** 3200 block of Pierce Street. A vehicle was broken into at 12:04 p.m. **Exhibiting a firearm:** Undisclosed location in 94803\. A person was reported to have displayed a firearm at 3:57 p.m. **Robbery and domestic battery:** 200 block of 15th Street. Police arrested someone after a strong-arm robbery and battery on a spouse or partner were reported at 4:45 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 5000 block of Garvin Avenue. A vehicle was reported stolen at 5:54 p.m. **Battery and petty theft:** 100 block of Macdonald Avenue. A battery and theft from a building were reported at 7:30 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** Washington Avenue and Western Drive. A vehicle was reported stolen at midnight. **Vehicle theft:** 300 block of S. 8th Street. A vehicle was reported stolen at midnight. **Vandalism:** 1100 block of 23rd Street. Property damage was reported at midnight. **Vandalism:** 100 block of W. Macdonald Avenue. Property damage valued at less than $400 was reported at midnight. ### Sunday, March 8 **Disorderly conduct:** 2800 block of Gaynor Avenue. Police arrested someone on a public intoxication charge at 1:01 a.m. **Driving under the influence:** 900 block of 23rd Street. Police arrested a driver on DUI charges at 3:22 a.m. **Aggravated assault:** 1500 block of Marina Way South. A person was battered with serious bodily injury and assaulted with force likely to cause great bodily injury at 3:32 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 200 block of Clarence Street. A vehicle was reported stolen at 6 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 1500 block of San Joaquin Street. A vehicle was reported stolen at 9:11 a.m. **Vandalism:** 1300 block of Fred Jackson Way. Property was defaced at 10:26 a.m. **Robbery:** 900 block of S. 43rd Street. A strong-arm robbery was reported at 11:38 a.m. **Petty theft:** 300 block of West Bissell Avenue. Property was reported stolen at 12:29 p.m. **Child abuse:** 600 block of 1st Street. Child cruelty was reported at 2:02 p.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 400 block of 20th Street. A previously stolen vehicle was recovered at 4:07 p.m. **False imprisonment and child abuse:** 900 block of Carlson Boulevard. False imprisonment and child cruelty were reported at 4:27 p.m. **Grand theft from a vehicle:** 5300 block of San Jose Avenue. Police arrested someone after property was stolen from a motor vehicle at 7:20 p.m. **Vandalism and domestic court order violation:** 1500 block of Roosevelt Avenue. Property damage and a violation of a domestic relations court order were reported at 7:30 p.m. **Driving under the influence:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. A DUI was reported at 8:22 p.m. **Vandalism:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. Property damage valued at less than $400 was reported at 1:37 p.m. **Assault with a deadly weapon:** 2400 block of Nevin Avenue. A person was assaulted with a deadly weapon at 8:30 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 1400 block of Nevin Plaza. A vehicle was reported stolen at 11:13 p.m. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Nominations close with Zepeda unchallenged in District 2, five vie for mayor URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/nominations-close-with-zepeda-unchallenged-in-district-2-five-vie-for-mayor/ Last updated: 2026-03-07T21:42:11.000Z The last time Cesar Zepeda's political future hung in the balance, it took a name pulled from a bag and then a recount to settle things. This time, nobody challenged him at all. Zepeda secured reelection to his District 2 seat on the Richmond City Council without opposition Friday, as the city's nomination filing period closed at 5 p.m. with no other candidate qualifying to face him on the June 2 ballot. The uncontested finish is a striking contrast to the saga that put him in office in the first place. Contra Costa County had initially certified the District 2 results as a tie, and selecting the winner fell to the city of Richmond under resolution 7922, which the council had adopted unanimously. The resolution stated that a race resulting in a tie would be broken by a lot. City Clerk Pamela Christian placed both candidates' names in sealed envelopes and drew one in the city council chambers with both candidates and selected others present. Zepeda's name came out of the bag. [Council race decided by name pullCesar Zepeda has won Richmond’s District 2 council race after his name was pulled from a bag. Zepeda was selected by City Clerk Pamela Christian, who placed both candidates’ names in sealed envelopes and drew one of them this morning in the city council chambers with both candidates and assorted![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--260.png)Grandview IndependentLinda Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Untitled--400---400-px---400---400-px-.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/winner-winner/) That was not the end of it; Butt requested a recount. In one of the most debated local races of the November 2022 election, the Contra Costa County Elections Division completed the recount, declaring Zepeda the winner with 1,921 votes, while Andrew Butt received 1,918. The name-draw process created more than a little controversy, with voters on social media grappling with the idea of choosing a councilmember by a game of chance, something many felt was anything but democratic. [Zepeda wins Richmond D2 recountCesar Zepeda has won the District 2 city council recount by just three votes. In one of the most debated local races of the November 8 election, the Contra Costa County Elections Division completed the recount for the City of Richmond, declaring Zepeda the winner with 1,921 votes, while![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--261.png)Grandview IndependentLinda Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Untitled--400---400-px---300---300-px---1-.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/untitled-2/) No such drama accompanied Friday's close of nominations. Rocky Chau, who had pulled District 2 papers, notified the city clerk he would not file. Robert Lipton never pulled papers at all. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/03/rocky-chou-asian-pacific-environmental-network-opposes-flock-camera-renewal-richmond-city-council-march-3-2026.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/03/rob-lipton-speaks-chevron-refinery-protest-richmond-censure-controversy-january-2026.webp) Left: Rocky Chou of the Asian Pacific Environmental Network speaks against renewing the city’s Flock Safety automated license plate reader cameras during the Richmond City Council meeting on March 3, 2026\. Right: Rob Lipton speaks during a protest outside the Chevron Richmond Refinery in January 2026. The rest of the June 2 ballot is considerably more crowded. Five candidates qualified for the at-large mayor's race: incumbent Mayor Eduardo Martinez, Councilmember Claudia Jimenez, Ahmad Anderson, Demnlus Johnson III, and Mark Wassberg. District 3 incumbent Doria Robinson faces Brandon Evans, and District 4 incumbent Soheila Bana faces two challengers, Keycha Gallon and Jamin Pursell. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond council runs out of time on Flock Safety vote URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-council-runs-out-of-time-on-flock-safety-vote/ Last updated: 2026-04-07T01:03:20.000Z The Richmond City Council meeting ended Tuesday night before members could vote on whether to renew a contract with Flock Safety, a surveillance camera company, as a missing trafficking victim's case cast a shadow over the debate. The meeting ran out of time before a vote could be taken on the Flock Safety contract extension, which had drawn hours of public comment. Councilmember Cesar Zepeda made a motion to continue the meeting the following day rather than adjourn, arguing the matter was too important to delay two weeks until the next scheduled meeting. "My motion is to bring this item back again tomorrow," Zepeda said. "We can just continue it. We don't have to have public comment because we already heard from public comment." The motion failed 3-4, with Councilmembers Jamelia Brown, Soheila Bana, and Cesar Zepeda voting yes. The meeting was then adjourned. ### A missing girl, and a plea Earlier in the meeting, Police Chief Tim Simmons had told the council about an active case unfolding while they deliberated. "There is a case that I want to make the council aware of that is occurring even tonight, because it shocks my own conscience," Simmons said. "We've had an investigation going where we were looking for a juvenile human trafficking victim. Her phone was pinging in our city, and she was in a car driving around in our city. If we had this technology up and running right now, we would know exactly where that car is right now. This is a case we are actively working. I have people out in the field in our city right now looking for this young lady." Councilmember Jamelia Brown expressed frustration in the final 60 seconds of the meeting, making a pointed appeal. ![Councilmember Jamelia Brown](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/03/richmond-flock-camera-council-meeting4.webp) Councilmember Jamelia Brown made a pointed appeal in the last 60 seconds before adjournment. "I would like to highlight that we have a young person who's trafficked, whose phone is pinging in our city, and this is what we chose to do," Brown said from the dais. "I just want that to sit on your good night mood tonight." In a statement following the meeting, Brown did not hold back. "I will never forget this vote or the piercing feeling I'm left with tonight," Brown wrote. "A young girl is missing, and I'm shattered knowing we had an opportunity to act and didn't. A young girl is in danger, and studies show in missing persons situations, every minute and every tool matters." "I stood in support of continuing the meeting because this should have been bigger than politics," Brown added. "My heart is so heavy, and my prayers are with this young person and her family. Richmond must do better when the safety of a human is on the line." ### Rallying before the vote Hours before the council convened, community leaders, merchants, and residents held a press conference at 23rd Street and Nevin Avenue in support of restoring the cameras. [Richmond residents, businesses urge City Council to restore public safety cameras - Richmond StandardA coalition of Richmond businesses, residents and leaders are urging City Council to approve a proposal to restore the city’s Flock Safety license plate reader camera program through at least \[…\]![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/rsFavicon_16x16-4.png)Richmond StandardStaff![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Richmond-businesses-rally-to-reinstate-flock-safety-cameras.jpg)](https://richmondstandard.com/community/2026/03/03/richmond-residents-businesses-urge-city-to-restore-public-safety-cameras/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) The event, organizers, the Coalition for Community Engagement, the 23rd Street Merchants Association, and Asians Unite, highlighted police data showing vehicle thefts increased 33 percent after the Flock ALPR system was deactivated in late 2025, and noted that dozens of neighboring cities, including San Pablo, Berkeley, Oakland, and San Francisco, use similar technology. ### The contract at issue The Richmond Police Department's contract with Flock Group Inc., which does business as Flock Safety, expired February 28, 2026\. Chief Simmons presented the council with two options: approve an extension through December 31, 2026, that includes reinstating the Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) system (Option A), or extend only the CCTV and Drone as a First Responder programs without the ALPR cameras (Option B). Simmons recommended Option A, citing what he called a clear record of results. "The Richmond Police Department remains committed to leveraging technology to deter criminal activity, supporting accountability for those who engage in crime within the city, and enhancing public safety for residents and visitors alike, while simultaneously safeguarding civil liberties and the confidentiality of residents' personal information," Simmons said. From April 2023 through November 2025, the department recorded 274 arrests, recovered 259 stolen vehicles, and assisted in 911 criminal cases using the Flock ALPR system. The ALPR cameras were shut off in October 2025 after a backend feature was discovered that enabled a "national lookup" capability, creating a data-sharing arrangement with outside agencies that was inconsistent with city policy and California law. Flock Safety has since disabled that feature for all California agencies and blocked out-of-state data sharing. [Richmond police halt license plate readersThe Richmond Police Department has shut down its automated license plate reader system after discovering that a configuration error allowed some outside law enforcement agencies to run limited searches of Richmond’s data, the department said in a social media post. Police said Flock Safety had notified the department that![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--259.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/flock-plate-reader-1.jpg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-police-halt-license-plate-readers/) ### Community pushback Opponents of the contract, many representing immigrant rights and civil liberties organizations, urged the council to vote no entirely. "This is mass surveillance, and systems like this never stay limited to their original purpose," said Hope Dixon, a District 2 resident. "Real safety cannot come from systems that track people's movements and put immigrant families and peaceful protesters at risk." Mayor Eduardo Martinez, who voted against continuing the meeting the next day, framed the evening's central tension in blunt terms. "That trust has been broken," Martinez said of Flock Safety. "As Maya Angelou famously said, when someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time." The council is expected to take up the matter at its next regular meeting. Meanwhile, the Flock ALPR cameras remain offline. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### On the Richmond Burrito Trail: Norma’s Meat & Deli at Val Mar Market URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-richmond-burrito-trail-normas-meat-deli-at-val-mar-market/ Last updated: 2026-03-03T17:00:22.000Z ****Norma’s Meat & Deli** (Located inside Val-Mar Market) 3630 Barrett Avenue, Richmond, California Some burritos you find. Others you have to earn. The Carnitas Super Burrito at Norma’s Meat & Deli, tucked inside Val Mar Market, falls firmly into the second category. We pulled up more than once, hopeful, only to be met with a dark taqueria window and the particular disappointment of a burrito that wasn’t happening that day. Lights off. The cashier at the front shrugs unknowingly. [Burrito Trail - Grandview IndependentThe Grandview Independent has been embarking on a culinary adventure to explore every taqueria, food truck, and restaurant in Richmond. This initiative, dubbed the “Richmond Burrito Trail,” aims to showcase our city’s diverse and delectable burritos.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--258.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/burritologo--2-.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/tag/burrito-trail/) We moved on and made a note to try again. Then one day we showed up, and the lights were on. Val Mar Market takes a second to register. You walk in, and what you’re looking at is beverages. Rows of soda in every configuration. Plastic. Glass. Two-liter. Single-serve. Flavors you forgot existed. Then water. Then more soda. Adult Beverages. Chips. Snacks. You pass the produce case. Onions, white and red. A box of fresh ginger with a handwritten sign. Some cabbage doing its best. They’ve stacked beverages in there too, on top of the vegetables, in the refrigerated case meant for vegetables. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/03/val-mar-market-analog-scale-onions-jarritos-richmond.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/03/val-mar-market-soda-aisle-richmond-ca.webp) An old analog scale hangs above onions and Jarritos at Val Mar Market, presiding over produce and soda with equal indifference. Fair enough. The store has a point of view. An old analog scale hangs over everything, white and round, the kind that looks older than you are. It presides over onions and Jarritos alike with complete indifference. Norma’s is at a counter in the back. A full Hennessy ad runs across the front, glossy black, three bottles posed like they’re about to close a deal. Above it are hand-painted signs. TAQUERIA with a burrito illustration. CARNICERIA with a cut of meat rendered in red. The whole thing feels lived-in and entirely unbothered by what you think about it. We ordered the Carnitas Super Burrito. Eighteen dollars. *Eighteen dollars and seventy-two cents.* When it landed in foil, it was immediately clear this was going to be a situation. Not a problem. A situation. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/03/normas-carnitas-super-burrito-foil-richmond-1.webp) At 1,234 grams, Norma’s Carnitas Super Burrito is the heaviest burrito logged so far on the Richmond Burrito Trail. The thing is enormous. Heavy in the hand. It took two days to finish it. At 1,234 grams, it’s the heaviest burrito we’ve logged on the Richmond Burrito Trail, heavier than the 916-gram Chile Relleno Behemoth from [El Sabor de Guadalajara ](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-richmond-burrito-trail-hilltops-el-sabor-de-guadalajara/)out by Hilltop, which once felt untouchable. We’d been chasing the One-Kilogram Burrito Barrier like it was a real threshold. [Tacos Las Palmas ](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-richmond-burrito-trail-tacos-las-palmas/)pushed us to 805 grams. El Sabor got us to 916\. The barrier was right there. Norma’s didn’t just break it. Norma’s is 1.234 kilograms. The barrier is rubble. We should say something about Tacos El Panzón. Yes, we logged their $25 burrito at over 2,000 grams, nearly fifty centimeters long, two tortillas rolled together. We knew what it was when we ordered it. That’s a novelty burrito. A Wi-Fi burrito. It exists to be photographed, and it delivered. But it was bone dry. It deconstructed itself in the microwave on day two and had to be eaten with a fork. You can’t count that. A burrito has to hold together. It has to taste good. Norma’s Carnitas Super Burrito was filled with carnitas with dark, crispy edges, the kind that comes from serious time near serious heat. Char. Caramel. Deep savory salt that lingers. There’s more of it than you expect, and exactly as much as you needed. Then pinto beans. Rice. Melty cheese working its way into every fold. Sour cream threading through the beans. Bright pico doing its job. Onions with actual crunch, cousins to the ones sitting up front next to the Jarritos. Cilantro that smells like cilantro, which is not a given. Fresh jalapeños are an option. This matters. Raw, sharp, clean green heat that cuts straight through the richness. We said yes. We would say yes again. The whole thing is hot, genuinely hot, all the way through. At this scale, that’s not automatic. That’s someone caring. ![Val Mar Market in Richmond](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/03/ichmond-ca-val-mar-market-normas-meat-deli-exterior-1.webp) Val Mar Market in Richmond houses Norma’s Meat & Deli in the back, where the Carnitas Super Burrito quietly rewrites local burrito records. Eighteen dollars. Two days. A corner store that loves beverages above all else and keeps a taqueria in the back that will quietly rearrange your schedule if you let it. We drove past that dark window more than once and wondered if we were wasting our time. We weren’t. We were just early. *We’re hitting a dry spell on new burrito finds, so send us your recommendations before we start re-reviewing the usual suspects.* --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### What happened in Richmond: thefts, burglaries and DUI arrests in seven-day span URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/what-happened-in-richmond-thefts-burglaries-and-dui-arrests-in-seven-day-span/ Last updated: 2026-03-02T16:03:08.000Z Police in Richmond reported dozens of incidents between February 23 and March 1, including a series of vehicle thefts, multiple burglaries, and several arrests on domestic violence and firearms-related charges. ### Crime incident map *Weekly crime and public safety incident map for Richmond, California, covering February 23 through March 1, 2026* ### Monday, February 23 **Vehicle theft:** 400 block of 2nd Street. A vehicle was reported stolen at 9 a.m. **Grand theft and vandalism:** 1300 block of Quarry Court. Property was stolen, and damage valued at less than $400 was reported at 9:24 a.m. **Contempt of court:** 400 block of 22nd Street. Police arrested someone for disobeying a court order at 9:30 a.m. **Theft from a vehicle:** 1100 block of Macdonald Avenue. Items were reported stolen from a motor vehicle at 9:49 a.m. **A brazen display:** 800 block of Bissell Avenue. A person was reported for indecent exposure at 10:35 a.m. **Commercial burglary:** 5100 block of Bayview Avenue. A commercial property was forcibly entered at 10:35 a.m. **Trespassing and drug possession:** 2400 block of Aberdeen Way. Trespassing and narcotics possession were reported at 11:03 a.m. **Commercial burglary:** 1900 block of Meeker Avenue. A commercial property was forcibly entered at 11:27 a.m. **Grand theft and vandalism:** 1800 block of Visalia Avenue. Property was stolen, and damage valued at $400 or more was reported at 12:43 p.m. **Commercial burglary:** 2800 block of Moran Avenue. A commercial property was forcibly entered at 1:29 p.m. **Vandalism:** 600 block of 18th Street. Property damage valued at $400 or more was reported at 2 p.m. **Trespassing and drug possession:** 500 block of Nevin Avenue. Police arrested someone on trespassing and narcotics charges at 3 p.m. **Petty theft:** 1300 block of Macdonald Avenue. Property was reported stolen at 5:04 p.m. **Driving under the influence:** 900 block of Sonoma Street. Police arrested a driver on DUI charges at 6 p.m. **Driving on a restricted license:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. A driver was cited for operating a vehicle on a license restricted for DUI at 6:04 p.m. **Domestic battery:** 300 block of Beck Street. Police arrested someone after a domestic battery and kidnapping were reported at 7:37 p.m. **Residential burglary:** 5800 block of Highland Avenue. A residence was forcibly entered at 8:13 p.m. **Residential burglary:** 700 block of Kern Street. A residence was forcibly entered at 9 p.m. ### Tuesday, February 24 **Petty theft:** 300 block of Tunnel Avenue. Property was reported stolen at midnight. **Arson:** 500 block of 16th Street. Aggravated arson was reported at 1:41 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 600 block of S. 31st Street. Police arrested someone after a vehicle was stolen at 2:42 a.m. **Commercial burglary:** 4200 block of Macdonald Avenue. A commercial property was entered without force at 3:46 a.m. **Theft from a vehicle and vandalism:** 2700 block of Lowell Avenue. Items were reported stolen from a vehicle, and property damage valued at $400 or more was reported at 4 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 300 block of 31st Street. A vehicle was reported stolen at 5:16 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 300 block of Willard Avenue. A vehicle was reported stolen at 6 a.m. **Commercial burglary:** 3400 block of Macdonald Avenue. A commercial property was forcibly entered at 6:11 a.m. **Child abuse:** 3000 block of Pullman Avenue. Injury to a child was reported at 12:07 p.m. **Vandalism and contempt of court:** 3100 block of Pullman Avenue. Property damage valued at $400 or more was reported, and a person was found in violation of a court order at 12:54 p.m. **Domestic violence and criminal threats:** 3100 block of Southampton Court. Injury to a cohabitant and a threat made with intent to terrorize were reported at 1:06 p.m. **Trespassing:** 1800 block of Visalia Avenue. Police arrested someone for trespassing at 2:41 p.m. **Child abuse:** 5000 block of Cutting Blvd. Police arrested someone after an injury to a child was reported at 3:41 p.m. **Grand theft:** 1300 block of Macdonald Avenue. Property was reported stolen at 5 p.m. **Contempt of court:** 1000 block of Lassen Street. A person was found in violation of a court order at 6:15 p.m. **Petty theft:** 600 block of 31st Street. Property was reported stolen at 7 p.m. **Grand theft:** 600 block of 32nd Street. Property was reported stolen at 8 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 2900 block of Johnson Avenue. A vehicle was reported stolen at 8 p.m. [Slow-speed pursuit through San Pablo, Richmond ends in arrestA more than hour-long slow-speed pursuit through San Pablo and Richmond ended late Tuesday with the arrest of a 46-year-old transient man after he allegedly rammed a patrol vehicle and claimed to be armed, authorities said. Officers with the San Pablo Police Department responded around 9:30 p.m. to![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--257.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/IMG_8025-2-1-1-1-1.jpeg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/slow-speed-pursuit-through-san-pablo-richmond-ends-in-arrest/) **Residential burglary:** 400 block of 21st Street. A residence was entered without force at 9:13 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 500 block of Marina Way. A vehicle was reported stolen at 10 p.m. ### Wednesday, February 25 **Theft from a vehicle:** 500 block of Johnson Drive. Items were reported stolen from a motor vehicle at 12:30 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 200 block of S. 47th Street. A vehicle was reported stolen at 1:20 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 100 block of Bissell Way. A vehicle was reported stolen at 4:56 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** Chanslor Circle. A vehicle was reported stolen at 6:14 a.m. **Vandalism:** 400 block of S. 18th Street. Property damage valued at $400 or more was reported at 6:41 a.m. **Domestic violence:** 200 block of 15th Street. Police arrested someone after corporal injury to a cohabitant was reported at 6:48 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 200 block of W. Chanslor Avenue. A vehicle was reported stolen at 6:48 a.m. **Residential burglary:** 2100 block of Lincoln Avenue. A residence was forcibly entered at 7:56 a.m. **Petty theft:** 5200 block of Colusa Avenue. Property was reported stolen at 8:22 a.m. **Fraud:** 1400 block of Visalia Avenue. Money was obtained by false pretenses at 9:39 a.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 1200 block of Hall Avenue. A previously stolen vehicle was recovered at 10:22 a.m. **Warrant arrest:** 5100 block of Heavenly Ridge Lane. Police arrested someone on a misdemeanor bench warrant at 12:47 p.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 700 block of Humboldt Street. A previously stolen vehicle was recovered at 2:24 p.m. **Robbery and domestic battery:** Macdonald Avenue. A strong-arm robbery and corporal injury to a cohabitant were reported at 3:43 p.m. **Petty theft:** 4500 block of Macdonald Avenue. Property was reported stolen at 4:28 p.m. **Vehicle tampering:** 1800 block of Visalia Avenue. A vehicle was tampered with at 5:26 p.m. **Drug possession:** Macdonald Avenue. Police arrested someone on a narcotics possession charge at 5:57 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 2300 block of Lowell Avenue. A vehicle was reported stolen at 6:20 p.m. **Drug possession and trespassing:** 3600 block of Stoneglen South. Police arrested someone on drug and trespassing charges at 7:24 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. A vehicle was reported stolen at 7:30 p.m. **Domestic battery and child abuse:** 2800 block of Florida Avenue. Police arrested someone after a domestic battery and child abuse were reported at 8:05 p.m. **Theft from a vehicle:** 2900 block of Atlas Road. Items were reported stolen from a motor vehicle at 9 p.m. **Exhibiting a firearm:** 3100 block of Southampton Court. A person reportedly displayed a firearm at 9:45 p.m. **Petty theft:** 1200 block of Macdonald Avenue. Police arrested someone after property was reported stolen at 10:42 p.m. **Shooting at an inhabited dwelling:** 2600 block of Chanslor Avenue. Shots were fired at an occupied structure at 11:29 p.m. ### Thursday, February 26 **Disturbing the peace and child abuse:** 4500 block of Macdonald Avenue. A public fight was reported, and a child was found to have been injured at midnight. **Vehicle theft:** 6000 block of Giant Road. Two vehicles were reported stolen at 1 a.m. **Firearms violations:** 900 block of Nevin Avenue. Police arrested someone on multiple charges, including felon in possession of a firearm, carrying a concealed stolen weapon, and possessing prohibited ammunition, at 1:10 a.m. **Petty theft:** 600 block of Lucas Avenue. Property was reported stolen at 2:47 a.m. **Driving under the influence:** Undisclosed location in 94805\. Police arrested a driver on DUI charges at 3:12 a.m. **Trespassing and drug possession:** 2300 block of Aberdeen Way. A person was found trespassing and in possession of narcotics at 8:54 a.m. **Drug possession for sale:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. Police arrested someone on a charge of possessing marijuana for sale at 10:55 a.m. **Commercial burglary:** 12100 block of San Pablo Avenue. A commercial property was forcibly entered at 10:57 a.m. **Shoplifting:** 10600 block of San Pablo Avenue. Shoplifting was reported at 2:13 p.m. **Disorderly conduct:** 12500 block of San Pablo Avenue. A person was reported to be loitering on private property at 5:45 p.m. **Custody violation:** 5100 block of McBryde Avenue. A deprivation of custody or visitation rights was reported at 6:18 p.m. **Negligent discharge of a firearm:** 900 block of 9th Street. A firearm was willfully discharged in a grossly negligent manner at 7:24 p.m. **Unlawful possession of tear gas:** 5200 block of Central Avenue. A person was reported in unlawful possession of a tear gas weapon at 9:56 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 800 block of 34th Street. A vehicle was reported stolen at 11:54 a.m. **Theft of vehicle parts:** 2900 block of Atlas Road. Parts were reported stolen from a motor vehicle at 9 p.m. ### Friday, February 27 **Mail theft:** 4400 block of Appian Way. Mail theft was reported at midnight. **Driving under the influence:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. Police arrested a driver on DUI and driving without a license charges at 3:57 a.m. **Vehicle recovery:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. A previously stolen vehicle was recovered at 7:53 a.m. **Unlawful possession of tear gas and domestic battery:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. Police arrested someone on charges of unlawfully possessing a tear gas weapon and battery on a spouse or partner at 12:17 p.m. **Hit-and-run and obstruction:** Undisclosed location in 94801\. A hit-and-run crash resulting in injury was reported at 12:30 p.m. The driver was also arrested for obstructing an officer. **Petty theft:** 3500 block of Macdonald Avenue. Property was reported stolen at 1 p.m. **Domestic court order violation:** 800 block of Lassen Street. Police arrested someone for violating a domestic relations court order at 8:15 p.m. **Driving under the influence:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. Police arrested a driver on DUI charges at 11:18 p.m. ### Saturday, February 28 **Battery:** 100 block of S. 3rd Street. A battery was reported at 12:58 a.m. **Driving under the influence:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. Police arrested a driver on DUI charges at 1:21 a.m. **Driving under the influence:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. Police arrested a driver on multiple DUI charges, including a probation violation, at 3:10 a.m. **Elder abuse:** 2100 block of Nevin Avenue. Police arrested someone after harm to an elder or dependent adult was reported at 11:03 a.m. **Petty theft and vandalism:** 800 block of 7th Street. Property was reportedly stolen and damaged, and a person was placed on an emergency hold at 1:20 p.m. **Domestic violence and exhibiting a deadly weapon:** 900 block of W. Cutting Blvd. Corporal injury to a cohabitant and brandishing of a deadly weapon were reported at 5:55 p.m. **Driving under the influence:** 3600 block of Nevin Avenue. A DUI was reported at 9:01 p.m. ### Sunday, March 1 **Assault with a deadly weapon:** 200 block of Bissell Avenue. A person was assaulted with a deadly weapon, a child was allegedly subjected to cruelty, and a false imprisonment was reported at 12:37 a.m. **Driving under the influence:** Macdonald Avenue. Police arrested a driver on DUI charges at 2:21 a.m. **DUI causing bodily injury and hit-and-run:** 100 block of Harbour Way. Police arrested a driver after a DUI, causing bodily injury, and a hit-and-run was reported at 2:55 a.m. **Petty theft:** 5300 block of Creely Avenue. Property was reported stolen at 9:35 a.m. **Vehicle recovery:** Undisclosed location in 94804\. A previously stolen vehicle was recovered at 9:41 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 500 block of Stege Avenue. A vehicle was reported stolen at 1:15 p.m. **Vehicle burglary:** 400 block of 44th Street. A vehicle was broken into at 3 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 4500 block of Escuela Court. A vehicle was reported stolen at 8:15 a.m. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### On the agenda: The return of Flock, immigration updates & park improvements URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-agenda-the-return-of-flock-immigration-updates-park-improvements/ Last updated: 2026-02-27T23:47:41.000Z The Richmond City Council will meet on Tuesday for a[ packed session](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx?Id=0e5fa152-54e9-4e65-94c6-fb004bc3c113&Agenda=Agenda&lang=English&ref=grandviewindependent.com) that includes updates on immigration enforcement protections, a police surveillance contract renewal, and a series of park improvements, alongside routine budget reviews and consent calendar business. ### [The fight over Flock cameras returns](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60560&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Richmond police are asking the city council to reinstate an automated license plate reader system that was shut down last fall after officials discovered that a software feature had inadvertently shared the city’s vehicle data with outside agencies. Chief Timothy Simmons turned off the Flock Safety ALPR system in October 2025 after learning a “national lookup” feature had created a reciprocal data-sharing arrangement that allowed agencies outside Richmond to access local plate data during searches. The configuration violated city policy and California law. [Richmond police halt license plate readersThe Richmond Police Department has shut down its automated license plate reader system after discovering that a configuration error allowed some outside law enforcement agencies to run limited searches of Richmond’s data, the department said in a social media post. Police said Flock Safety had notified the department that![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--254.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/flock-plate-reader.jpg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-police-halt-license-plate-readers/) Simmons is now recommending that the council restore the system, citing a roughly 33 percent surge in vehicle thefts since the cameras went dark. Between April 2023 and November 2025, the system assisted in 274 arrests, the recovery of 259 stolen vehicles, and 911 criminal investigations, according to department figures. But not everyone is eager to flip the cameras back on. Councilmember Sue Wilson, who opposed a $1 million Flock camera expansion a year ago, said her concerns have been justified. [Richmond City Council approves $1 million contract expansion with license plate camera company FlockIn a split vote, the Richmond City Council approved a $1 million amendment to a contract with Flock Safety on Tuesday, expanding the city’s use of automated license plate readers and pan-tilt-zoom cameras for city facilities and streets. District 1 Councilmember Jamelia Brown, Richmond’s new Vice Mayor Cesar![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--253.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-california-flock-camera-1-1-1-4.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-city-council-approves-1-million-contract-expansion-with-license-plate-camera-company-flock/) “I was not comfortable adding this much new surveillance technology to the city at precisely the moment that the Trump administration is enacting bold attacks on immigrants, people of color, the LGBTQ community,” Wilson wrote in a recent newsletter. Wilson noted that one of the new cameras ended up installed at the end of her own block. Flock Safety, the Atlanta-based vendor, reportedly turned off the national lookup feature for all California agencies and blocked out-of-state data sharing to comply with state law. A July 2025 update also blocks immigration-related search terms, a nod to California’s sanctuary laws. The council is set to vote Tuesday on two options: fully restoring the ALPR system alongside existing drone and CCTV programs, or keeping the plate readers off while those other programs continue and the department explores alternative vendors. --- ### [Council duo pushes children’s bike garden at Cheese Park](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60544&ref=grandviewindependent.com) A children’s bike garden may be coming to Richmond’s Cheese (La Moine) Park if a proposal before the city council gains traction. The skills course, which would teach young riders safe cycling habits, is among several improvements outlined in the March 3 agenda report for the park — the only community green space serving residents east of Interstate 80\. The concept was developed with input from Bike East Bay, a local nonprofit that would potentially partner with the city on design, programming, and safety education. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/02/Cheese-Park-Bike-Education-Park.webp) La Moine Park (Cheese Park) Bike Education Park concept drawing. Bike East Bay provided example concepts and renderings to support the proposal, which envisions a dedicated space where children can develop riding confidence in a controlled environment. The bike garden is part of a broader improvement package that includes permanent restrooms, a drinking fountain, and the restoration of the playground. If the resolution is adopted, city staff would be directed to explore funding through the FY 2026–27 capital improvement budget. The proposal was co-sponsored by Councilmembers Soheila Bana and Claudia Jimenez. --- ### [Richmond lays out its immigration defenses](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60555&ref=grandviewindependent.com) City Manager Shasa Curl and City Attorney Shannon Moore will present an initial report on Tuesday detailing Richmond’s ongoing and planned efforts to safeguard residents from ICE raids and other federal civil immigration actions. The presentation comes as cities throughout California have been reviewing and strengthening their sanctuary policies amid legal challenges from the federal government. Richmond has a large immigrant population and has long positioned itself as a welcoming city. Advocates are expected to attend Tuesday’s meeting and push for stronger commitments. The item is described as an initial briefing, suggesting additional policy proposals could follow in subsequent meetings. --- ### [What a piece of paper could do for autism safety](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60542&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Councilmember Cesar Zepeda is asking the council to direct the city manager to create a Blue Envelope Program that provides enrolled residents with an envelope containing information about their diagnosis and instructions for first responders on how to best interact with them. A promotional campaign to educate officers about the program would accompany the rollout, which Zepeda is targeting for April, coinciding with Autism Awareness Month. Similar programs have been adopted across the country as a low-cost way to improve safety outcomes for a population research shows faces heightened risk during law enforcement encounters. ### [SAFE Center has a party planned](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60543&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Councilmember Bana is asking the city to co-sponsor a free Asian American and Pacific Islander community celebration at the Richmond Auditorium on Saturday, May 2, 2026, during nationally recognized AAPI Heritage Month. The SAFE Center is the primary organizer, handling food, event logistics, and required city and county permits. Programming is expected to include cultural exhibits, educational activities, and community engagement. Event hours have not yet been announced. The fiscal impact of facility use and staff time has not been determined. Additional community and business co-sponsors are still being identified. The council has taken no previous action on the item. --- ### [Council eyes $8.2 million surplus](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60553&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The Richmond City Council will consider how to allocate $8.2 million in unspent funds from the 2024–25 fiscal year, even as the city ran an operating deficit. City staff reported that the General Fund ended the year with revenues of $233.7 million and expenditures of $248.1 million, resulting in a $14.4 million shortfall. Despite the deficit, the city maintained a General Fund reserve of $62.8 million, about 24.2 percent of next year’s budgeted spending, exceeding the city’s 21 percent policy target by $8.2 million. The city spent more than it collected, but prior reserves keep funds available for one-time projects. Officials propose directing $6.32 million toward Complete Streets improvements, $250,000 for environmental monitoring at Point Molate, and setting aside $821,368 each for the city’s Pension and OPEB Section 115 Trusts to support long-term retirement obligations. Council members will also receive the city’s [Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025.](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60503&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Auditors from Badawi & Associates gave unmodified opinions on most city funds but issued a disclaimer on the Richmond Housing Authority and related entities because their financial statements for recent years are still under review. City officials said the deficit reflects higher personnel and public safety costs, but the city’s fund balance remains above the policy-required reserve level. --- ### Consent calendar The council will also approve a wide range of routine items grouped under the consent calendar, typically in a single motion without debate. On the public safety front, the Police Department is seeking approval to purchase[ 125 expandable batons ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60531&ref=grandviewindependent.com)from Peacekeeper Products International at a cost not to exceed $32,000, and to enter a sole-source contract worth up to $41,431 with Carahsoft Technology Corp for a [GrayKey forensic evidence extraction device.](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60550&ref=grandviewindependent.com) GrayKey is used to unlock iOS and Android devices and extract data for digital forensic investigations. The Economic Development Department is bringing forward two items. The council will consider a $225,000 combined contract with Gordon Huether & Partners and Sonnikson Inc. for the design, fabrication, and installation of a [public art sculpture.](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60522&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Separately, staff is requesting approval of a three-year, $2.25 million agreement with STAX Engineering to deploy a California Air Resources Board-approved [emissions control barge](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60497&ref=grandviewindependent.com) at the Port of Richmond, an effort aimed at reducing air pollution from port operations. On the community services side, the council will consider accepting a [$137,058 California State Library grant ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60534&ref=grandviewindependent.com)for adult and family literacy programs through the city’s library division and approving an expanded contract with Commercial Titan Wrap to apply [vinyl wraps to Community Crisis Response Program vehicles](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60499&ref=grandviewindependent.com), bringing that contract to just over $23,000. The Community Development Department is seeking final adoption, on second reading, of two ordinances: one updating the city’s building codes to conform with the [2025 California Building Standards Code](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60481&ref=grandviewindependent.com), and another tightening regulations on tobacco retailers by [capping the number of licenses at 50, ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60484&ref=grandviewindependent.com)adding restrictions on flavored tobacco products, and enhancing enforcement tools to protect against sales to minors. [On the agenda: Tobacco license limits and a new 23rd Street enforcement zoneThe Richmond City Council will consider capping tobacco retailer licenses at 50, while also weighing a new enforcement zone along 23rd Street, adopting the 2025 state building code with an amnesty program for unpermitted home additions, honoring a national champion dance team, and approving contracts and cleanup reports at the![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--256.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/smoke-shops-richmond.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-a/) The Information Technology Department is requesting a [$249,610 amendment to its contract with Intuitive Municipal Solutions](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60539&ref=grandviewindependent.com) for ongoing configuration and support of the city’s community development and land management enterprise system, bringing the total contract value to just over $2 million. The Finance Department is seeking council approval to place liens on Contra Costa County property tax records for residents with [unpaid garbage collection fees](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60493&ref=grandviewindependent.com), and to update authorized signatures on the city’s Local Agency Investment Fund accounts. The City Attorney’s Office is asking for a $50,000 increase to its contract with [Ellis Investigations for confidential personnel investigations](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60506&ref=grandviewindependent.com), bringing the total to $250,000. Public Works is seeking approval to[ purchase irrigation supplies](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60517&ref=grandviewindependent.com) from Heritage Landscape Supply Group and Blue Angel International LLC on an as-needed basis over three years, not to exceed $150,000. From the Mayor’s Office, the council will consider proclamations designating March 9, 2026, as[ Tibetan National Uprising Day ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60487&ref=grandviewindependent.com)and[ honoring Nicolas Traylor](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60489&ref=grandviewindependent.com) for his service as executive director of the Richmond Rent Program. The council will also vote on reappointing [Ode Kunthar to the Richmond Youth Council.](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60492&ref=grandviewindependent.com) --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### DA clears Richmond officers in fatal 2025 shooting URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/da-clears-richmond-officers-in-fatal-2025-shooting/ Last updated: 2026-02-27T20:28:14.000Z The Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office on Friday cleared two Richmond police officers in the fatal shooting of a 27-year-old man experiencing a mental health crisis, ruling the use of deadly force was justified and closing a case that has roiled the city for nearly seven months. Officers Nicholas Remick and Colton Stocking shot and killed Angel Alexander Montaño Magallan on August 4, 2025, at his family's Richmond apartment after his brother called 911 to report Montaño was armed with a knife and threatening to kill him and their mother. Montaño had a history of mental illness, had been off his medication since mid-2024, and when asked if Montaño had hurt anyone, his brother told dispatchers: "Not yet, but he will." [Richmond police fatally shoot armed man outside home, investigation underwayRichmond police officers fatally shot a man Monday evening who they say confronted them with at least one knife outside a home where he had allegedly been threatening to kill people, authorities said. Officers responded just after 5 p.m. to a 911 call reporting an armed individual inside a![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--252.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-08-04-at-9.33.17-PM-1-9.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-police-fatally-shoot-armed-man-outside-home-investigation-underway/) Six officers staged nearby while waiting for a 40mm less-lethal launcher. Body camera footage shows Remick telling colleagues they did not need to enter "as of now." That changed at 5:09 p.m., when dispatch reported Montaño had armed himself with a second knife, and a woman inside could be heard screaming. Officers moved to the door without the less-lethal launcher, fearing an active stabbing. When Remick pushed open the front door, Montaño, holding a knife in each hand, turned and charged. Officers yelled "stop" three times. Remick retreated off the landing. Both officers opened fire. Montaño was struck multiple times and died at the scene. Family members inside were unharmed. The brother told investigators he hoped police would use a non-lethal weapon. The mother, breaking down in tears, asked investigators why officers shot her son when he did not have a gun. [Richmond Police address shooting at press conferenceAt a press conference Monday, Richmond Police Chief Bisa French said 27-year-old Angel Magallan Montaño was fatally shot by officers last week after he advanced rapidly toward them while holding knives in both hands. French read from a prepared statement describing the officer-involved shooting on August 4 that killed Montaño![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--250.png)Grandview IndependentLinda Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-08-11-at-2.16.54-PM-1-1-1-1-4.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-police-address-shooting-at-press-conference/) The DA's report found the officers acted in lawful self-defense. "After a review of all available facts, the District Attorney's Office finds that the use of deadly force was reasonable under the circumstances," the report states. No charges will be filed. The shooting drew immediate community outcry and fueled months of conflict between the police union, city officials, and elected leaders. Despite department psychologists clearing both officers for duty, city leadership kept Remick and Stocking on paid off-duty status. In a February 6 letter to City Manager Shasa Curl, union attorney Jonathan Murphy warned the delay was "unjustifiable" and exposed the city to "significant legal risk." RPOA President Ben Therriault called the city manager's continued inaction "a complete failure of leadership." [Council approves new policy for officer-involved shooting communications, adjusts meeting scheduleThe Richmond City Council meeting on Tuesday, September 23, considered two major decisions: one regarding how the city communicates with the public following officer-involved shootings, and another concerning the schedule and timing of its regular meetings. The most heated discussion of the night centered on a proposal to create rules![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--249.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-city-council-meeting-2-1-2.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/council-approves-new-policy-for-officer-involved-shooting-communications-adjusts-meeting-schedule/) The shooting prompted the city council to adopt new transparency rules requiring press releases within 24 hours of officer-involved shootings and regular public updates on investigations. The city also launched a study of gaps in its mental health crisis response. The DA's report is available on the [Contra Costa District Attorney's website.](https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/90198/LEIFI-Final-Report-Angel-Alexander-Montano-Magallan?ref=grandviewindependent.com) --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Slow-speed pursuit through San Pablo, Richmond ends in arrest URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/slow-speed-pursuit-through-san-pablo-richmond-ends-in-arrest/ Last updated: 2026-02-25T22:52:51.000Z A more than hour-long slow-speed pursuit through San Pablo and Richmond ended late Tuesday with the arrest of a 46-year-old transient man after he allegedly rammed a patrol vehicle and claimed to be armed, authorities said. Officers with the San Pablo Police Department responded around 9:30 p.m. to the 1900 block of 20th Street on a report of a suspicious vehicle, according to Police Support Services Manager Peggy Chou. “Officers contacted the driver of the vehicle, who was uncooperative and refused to follow officers’ instructions to exit his vehicle,” Chou said. “The suspect then drove away from officers at a slow speed.” Police said officers deployed spike strips, flattening the vehicle’s tires, but the driver continued on and at one point contacted dispatch to report that he was armed with a firearm. The pursuit lasted more than an hour as the vehicle traveled slowly through San Pablo and into Richmond, with assistance from additional law enforcement agencies. Residents reported seeing the slow-moving chase along Barrett Avenue, 23rd Street, and San Pablo Avenue as multiple patrol vehicles followed behind with emergency lights activated. Authorities said officers deployed additional spike strips and ultimately used a pursuit intervention technique in the 13000 block of San Pablo Avenue to immobilize the vehicle. The suspect then accelerated toward a marked patrol car and collided with it, rendering his own vehicle inoperable, police said. After several minutes of negotiation, officers took the man into custody without further incident. “No firearms were located within the suspect’s vehicle, and no injuries were reported as a result of this incident,” Chou said. The man was transported to a local hospital as a precaution and later booked into the Martinez Detention Facility on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, evasion, possession of a controlled substance, resisting arrest, and reckless driving. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Jiménez Facebook post signals entry into crowded Richmond mayor's race URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/jimenez-facebook-post-signals-entry-into-crowded-richmond-mayors-race/ Last updated: 2026-02-25T17:51:43.000Z Richmond City Councilmember Claudia Jiménez appears to have entered the city's mayoral race, posting a campaign announcement graphic to her Facebook page early Wednesday morning, setting up a potential intra-party contest with incumbent Mayor Eduardo Martinez, both members of the Richmond Progressive Alliance, ahead of the June 2, 2026, primary election. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/02/Jime--nez-Facebook-post-1.jpg) The bilingual graphic, posted in English and Spanish, showed Jiménez alongside the words "Claudia Jiménez for Mayor / Para la Alcaldía — Richmond, CA." Jiménez did not respond to requests for comment. Jiménez, who represents District 6, is originally from Colombia, where she worked as an architect designing affordable housing. Jiménez was first elected to the Richmond City Council in 2020. [Election′26 - Grandview IndependentFollow all coverage of Richmond’s 2026 election cycle, including mayoral and city council races, candidate announcements, campaign developments, and updates shaping the city’s political landscape.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--247.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Election----26-5.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/tag/election26/) The June contest will be the first Richmond election conducted under Measure J, a majority-vote primary system approved by voters in November 2024 and backed by local trade unions and the Richmond Police Officers Association. Candidates must receive more than 50 percent of the vote to win outright; otherwise, the top two finishers advance to a November runoff. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### On the Richmond Burger Trail: New Golden State Kitchen opens on South 12th Street URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-richmond-burger-trail-new-golden-state-kitchen-opens-on-south-12th-street/ Last updated: 2026-02-24T21:37:52.000Z We first spotted the banners waving outside, the kind of thing that catches you from a moving car, that makes you slow down and say wait, what is that? What’s happening over there on the corner of South 12th and Ohio? The Construction and General Laborers Local 324 building, which you’ve driven past a dozen times without thinking much about it, had become something else. Or was becoming something else. The banners said so. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/02/golden-state-kitchen-richmond-ca-cheeseburger-fresh-toasted-bun.webp) A cheeseburger from Golden State Kitchen in Richmond, served on a fresh-baked toasted bun with lettuce, tomato, red onion and house sauce. "Lo vimos en TikTok." And they came. Golden State Kitchen Bagels and Burgers' small space inside the union hall at 101 South 12th Street was packed, with people filling it, and more lining up out the door; people standing across the street just taking in the whole scene. Word had traveled the way word travels now, and it had landed, and here everyone was. It’s not far from [Frosty King,](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-richmond-burger-trail-frosty-king-keeps-it-satisfying-on-harbour-way-south/) which puts you on the other side of the glass, which conducts its business through a window, which carries the particular energy of a place that has been exactly what it is for a very long time and has no intention of changing. There’s a throwback quality to standing at that window that connects you to some earlier version of the neighborhood, its nickname that is less a current description and more a relic of how people remember that corner. [On the Richmond Burger Trail: Frosty King keeps it satisfying on Harbour Way SouthThere’s no mistaking Frosty King on Harbour Way South. The building itself is a throwback, trimmed in fire-engine red and sun-bright yellow, with the kind of bold mid-century angles that seem built for hamburgers and milkshakes. Our quest continues as we methodically devour Richmond’s burger scene one establishment at a![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--246.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-burger-trail-frosty-king2-1-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-richmond-burger-trail-frosty-king-keeps-it-satisfying-on-harbour-way-south/) But something has shifted. And Golden State Kitchen is the proof of it. No glass. No window. No transaction conducted at arm’s length. Just a line of families and teenagers and workers standing together in a corner of an old union hall on South 12th Street, everybody mixed in together, waiting for their order. The flat-top is right there. The people making your food are right there. The fact that you can stand in this room without a barrier between you and the person handing you your burger is not a small thing. It is not a small thing at all. The buns are baked fresh every day, and then they hit the grill and come up with this crunch to them, this particular crunch that you weren’t expecting, and that makes you stop mid-bite and recalibrate everything you thought you knew about what a bun was supposed to contribute to the overall situation. He smashes the burger balls down on the flat-top, but don’t go calling them smash burgers, that’s not quite the right word for what’s happening here. It’s more considered than that. More deliberate. Lettuce, tomato, red onion, sauce. The classics, arranged with the confidence of someone who understands that the classics became classics for a reason and doesn’t feel the need to complicate that. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/02/golden-state-kitchen-richmond-ca-12th-ohio-exterior-union-hall.webp) Golden State Kitchen operates inside the Construction and General Laborers Local 324 building at South 12th Street and Ohio in Richmond. It lives somewhere between In-N-Out Burgers and Nations. Bigger than In-N-Out. That same clean, honest, west coast sensibility in the taste, that same sense that someone made a decision about what a burger should be and has been faithful to it ever since, but with more weight to it, more presence, more of a sense that you are eating something that was made for you specifically, right now, in this moment, in this union hall on this corner. The fries have that same energy, too. Tremendous out of the gate, bright and confident, and then they settle into themselves as fries sometimes do, which is fine, because by then you are mostly focused on the burger anyway, and the fries have already done their most important work. A single cheeseburger and fries cost $11.80. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Ex-SF nonprofit CEO linked to Richmond bingo hall faces felony charges URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/ex-sf-nonprofit-ceo-linked-to-richmond-bingo-hall-faces-felony-charges/ Last updated: 2026-02-24T16:01:06.000Z Gwendolyn Westbrook, the former chief executive of a San Francisco nonprofit once linked to a shuttered Richmond bingo hall, was charged this week with stealing and misappropriating more than $1.2 million in public funds, San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins announced Monday. Westbrook, the former CEO of San Francisco-based United Council for Human Services, faces nine felony charges, including misappropriation of public funds, three counts of grand theft, presenting a false invoice for payment, and four counts of filing false California tax returns for tax years 2020 through 2023. Richmond residents may remember UCHS as the San Francisco nonprofit that operated [Marina Bay Bingo Hall ](https://www.yelp.com/biz/marina-bay-bingo-richmond?ref=grandviewindependent.com)before city officials shut it down in November 2015\. Authorities later acknowledged the hall had operated for years without required financial reports, audits, background checks, or verification that it met California’s nonprofit bingo laws. The closure followed mounting concerns about regulatory failures, alleged unauthorized gambling activities, and the criminal histories of some operators. According to the [San Francisco Chronicle, ](https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/CEO-of-S-F-nonprofit-accused-of-mishandling-17596479.php?ref=grandviewindependent.com)retired Richmond police Officer Michael Rood said the venue had a backroom with unpermitted blackjack tables and other forms of gambling, though operators denied the tables were used for illegal games. Rood said Richmond referred its criminal probe to the state Department of Justice. Westbrook appeared before the Richmond City Council at the time to contest the shutdown, saying the closure was mishandled. “We received no warning, no notice, no letter, nothing,” Westbrook told the council in 2015\. “There was a slight oversight with our license renewal, but we’ve been operating here for four years and supporting charities throughout Richmond. This is the community where we work and give back. To shut us down like this, right before the holidays, when people were depending on that income, was unnecessary. It felt like there was no regard for us as human beings.” Westbrook has faced legal trouble before. In 1997, she was charged with grand theft for allegedly stealing parking lot collections while working at the Port of San Francisco. Westbrook rose to lead UCHS and control nearly $28 million in San Francisco public funds used to operate shelters, dining rooms, veteran housing, and other services for low-income and homeless San Francisco residents. A 2022 audit by the San Francisco Controller's Office, reported by the *San Francisco Standard,* found serious mismanagement at the organization, including evidence that access to housing had been illegally sold to residents. The findings prompted San Francisco's city controller and city attorney to alert the FBI and the DA's white collar crime division. [Former SF nonprofit CEO charged with stealing, misappropriating $1.2M meant for homeless residentsProsecutors say Gwendolyn Westbrook stole $91,000 and misappropriated more than $1.2 million from the Bayview nonprofit she used to lead.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/favicon-270x270-1-1.png)The San Francisco Standard\[email protected\]![](https://assets.sfstandard.com/image/994911177489/image_ccf8vobhk502f7n3va95eail3q/-C100.00%x78.73%%2C0.00%%2C1.68%-S1200x630-FPNG)](https://sfstandard.com/2026/02/23/gwendolyn-westbrook-charges-grand-theft-uchs-corruption/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) San Francisco prosecutors allege that between 2019 and 2023, Westbrook funneled more than $1.2 million to herself through undocumented cash withdrawals and self-issued payments. Westbrook is scheduled to be arraigned on Tuesday, February 24, at 1:30 p.m. at San Francisco's Hall of Justice. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### What happened in Richmond: Attempted murder, shootings, and vehicle thefts URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/what-happened-in-richmond-attempted-murder-shootings-and-vehicle-thefts/ Last updated: 2026-02-23T17:32:14.000Z Richmond police responded to several violent and property crimes between February 16 and 22, including an attempted murder involving gunfire, multiple shootings at homes, an arson at an inhabited structure, and 24 vehicle thefts reported across the city, according to department logs. The weeklong stretch also included 30 arrests for offenses ranging from domestic violence and weapons violations to drug charges and child abuse, as officers responded to 1,648 calls for service. Richmond crime incident map ## Monday, February 16 **Vandalism:** 2500 block of McBryde Avenue. Property damage valued at $400 or more was reported at 1:39 a.m. **DUI causing injury:** Roosevelt Avenue. A driver allegedly drove under the influence with a blood alcohol level over 0.08 percent, causing bodily injury at 2:13 a.m. **East Court exodus:** 2700 block of East Court. A vehicle was taken without consent at 7:00 a.m. **The 33rd Street swipe:** 600 block of South 33rd Street. Another vehicle vanished at 7:29 a.m. **The 42nd Street steal:** 100 block of South 42nd Street. A vehicle disappeared at 8:04 a.m. **Auto burglary:** Circle Court. A vehicle was broken into at 8:30 a.m. **Harbour Way heist:** 1400 block of Harbour Way South. A vehicle was lifted at 8:45 a.m. **Criminal threats:** 2400 block of Aberdeen Way. A crime was allegedly threatened with intent to terrorize at 9 a.m. **Petty theft:** 4400 block of Wall Avenue. Theft of motor vehicle parts or accessories was reported at 10:00 a.m. **Criminal threats, firearm brandishing, and domestic battery:** 600 block of Maine Avenue. A crime was allegedly threatened with intent to terrorize, a firearm was exhibited, and battery on a spouse or dating partner was reported at 10:19 a.m. **Hilltop heist:** 2600 block of Hilltop Drive. A vehicle was snatched at 10:26 a.m. **Vandalism:** 100 block of West Chanslor Avenue. Property damage was reported at 2 p.m. **Residential burglary:** 500 block of Alamo Avenue. Police arrested someone after a residence was forcibly entered at 3:15 p.m. **Criminal threats:** 1400 block of Coalinga Avenue. A crime was allegedly threatened with intent to terrorize at 3:46 p.m. **Residential burglary and vandalism:** 200 block of 5th Street. A residence was forcibly entered, and property damage valued at $400 or more was reported at 4:00 p.m. **Petty theft:** 600 block of Berk Avenue. Theft of motor vehicle parts or accessories was reported at 4:33 p.m. **Multiple weapons violations:** Somewhere in the 94805 zip code. Police arrested someone for manufacturing or possessing a large capacity magazine, illegally possessing an assault weapon, obstructing a peace officer, a minor illegally possessing live ammunition, carrying a loaded handgun while not the registered owner, and carrying a concealed weapon in a vehicle at 4:56 p.m. **Residential burglary and firearm theft:** 600 block of 35th Street. A residence was forcibly entered, and a firearm was stolen at 6:45 p.m. **Stalking:** 600 block of Humboldt Street. Stalking was reported at 7:00 p.m. **Residential burglary:** 600 block of South 19th Street. Police arrested someone after a residence was forcibly entered at 9:57 p.m. **Auto burglary:** 1500 block of Santa Clara Street. A vehicle was broken into at 10:31 p.m. ## Tuesday, February 17 **West Chanslor caper:** 100 block of West Chanslor Avenue. A vehicle was taken without consent at 12:16 a.m. **Child abuse:** 2200 block of Nevin Avenue. Injury was allegedly inflicted upon a child at 3:18 a.m. **Auto burglary:** 3000 block of Howard Street. A vehicle was broken into at 3:26 a.m. **Gone in 60 Seconds:** 2800 block of Clinton Avenue. A vehicle was stolen at 5:12 a.m. **Firearm violations:** Somewhere in the 94804 zip code. Police arrested someone for carrying a loaded handgun while not the registered owner and carrying a loaded firearm in public under specific circumstances at 7:02 a.m. **Vandalism:** 1000 block of 23rd Street. Property was defaced at 8 a.m. **Auto burglary:** 3600 block of Sierra Ridge Avenue. A vehicle was broken into at 9:30 a.m. **Vandalism with prior convictions:** 1300 block of Quarry Court. Property damage less than $400 was reported by someone previously convicted of vandalism at 11 a.m. **Firearm brandishing:** 2400 block of Aberdeen Way. A firearm was exhibited at 12:05 p.m. **Petty theft:** 2600 block of Hilltop Drive. A theft was reported at 12:53 p.m. **Vehicle tampering:** 300 block of South 28th Street. A vehicle was allegedly tampered with at 4:36 p.m. **Petty theft:** 2100 block of Meeker Avenue. Retail merchandise theft was reported at 4:50 p.m. **Domestic violence, criminal threats, and vandalism:** 2400 block of Aberdeen Way. Police arrested someone for inflicting corporal injury on a spouse, threatening a crime with intent to terrorize, and property damage less than $400 at 5 p.m. **Residential burglary:** 800 block of South 46th Street. A residence was forcibly entered at 8:32 p.m. **Florida Avenue flight:** 3800 block of Florida Avenue. A vehicle evaporated at 9 p.m. **Residential burglary:** 3100 block of Sheldon Drive. A residence was forcibly entered at 9:20 p.m. ## Wednesday, February 18 **Vandalism and criminal threats:** 600 block of 15th Street. Property damage valued at $400 or more was reported, and a crime was allegedly threatened with intent to terrorize at midnight. **The 19th Street snatch:** 600 block of 19th Street. A vehicle was taken without consent at 12:39 a.m. **Domestic battery:** 100 block of Chanslor Avenue. Police arrested someone for battery on a spouse or dating partner at 1:48 a.m. **False imprisonment:** 2400 block of Aberdeen Way. Police arrested someone for aggravated assault at 4 a.m. **Auto burglary:** 300 block of South 35th Street. A vehicle was broken into at 5:58 a.m. **Harbour Way heist:** 1400 block of Harbour Way South. A vehicle was snatched at 9:00 a.m. **Auto burglary:** 400 block of 39th Street. A vehicle was broken into at 10:03 a.m. **Stolen vehicle possession:** 1400 block of Merced Street. Police arrested someone for possessing a stolen vehicle at 1:12 p.m. **Battery:** 100 block of 22nd Street. A battery on a person was reported at 3:49 p.m. **Petty theft:** 1300 block of Monterey Street. A theft was reported at 5:06 p.m. **Petty theft from vehicle:** 3100 block of Erla Way. Theft from a motor vehicle was reported at 5:56 p.m. **Drug possession and no license:** Somewhere in the 94804 zip code. Police arrested someone for possessing narcotic controlled substances and unlawful paraphernalia, and driving without a license at 8:04 p.m. **Pierce Street auto burglary duo:** 3200 block of Pierce Street. Two separate vehicles were broken into at 9:41 p.m. and 9:51 p.m. **Child cruelty:** 3000 block of Florida Avenue. Police arrested someone for assault at 10:21 p.m. ## Thursday, February 19 **The 23rd Street steal:** 1000 block of 23rd Street. A vehicle was taken without consent at midnight. **Vehicle recovery:** 1300 block of Esmond Avenue. A stolen vehicle was recovered at 8:40 a.m. **The 23rd Street swipe:** 1000 block of 23rd Street. Another vehicle vanished at 8:47 a.m. **The 7th Street steal:** 800 block of 7th Street. A vehicle was lifted at 10 a.m. **Contempt of court:** 800 block of Bissell Court. A court order was allegedly disobeyed at 11:42 a.m. **Southampton Court steal:** 3100 block of Southampton Court. A vehicle was taken without consent at 12:08 p.m. **Auto burglary:** 3200 block of Pierce Street. A vehicle was broken into at 12:39 p.m. **Assault with force and battery:** Carlson Boulevard. An assault with force causing possible great bodily injury and a battery on a person were reported at 1:14 p.m. **Commercial burglary:** 300 block of Carlson Boulevard. A commercial property was forcibly entered at 2:38 p.m. **DUI:** Somewhere in the 94801 zip code. Police arrested someone for driving under the influence of drugs at 3:25 p.m. **Drug paraphernalia and trespassing:** 500 block of West Cutting Boulevard. Police arrested someone for possessing unlawful paraphernalia and trespassing to obstruct business operations at 6:18 p.m. **Battery:** 200 block of Macdonald Avenue. A battery on a person was reported at 6:30 p.m. **Rheem Avenue roll-out:** 2500 block of Rheem Avenue. A vehicle was stolen at 8:00 p.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 200 block of South 39th Street. A stolen vehicle was recovered at 8:35 p.m. **Vehicle tampering:** 100 block of 15th Street. A vehicle was allegedly tampered with at 9:00 p.m. ## Friday, February 20 **Criminal threats:** 900 block of West Cutting Boulevard. A crime was allegedly threatened with intent to terrorize at 12:21 a.m. **False imprisonment, contempt, vandalism, and domestic battery:** 7th Street. False imprisonment with violence, contempt of court, damage to a wireless communication device, and battery on a spouse or dating partner were all reported at 12:29 a.m. **Criminal threats:** Somewhere in the 94804 zip code. A crime was allegedly threatened with intent to terrorize at 8 a.m. **Petty theft:** 2000 block of Gaynor Avenue. Theft of motor vehicle parts or accessories was reported at 9 a.m. **Commercial burglary:** 700 block of National Court. A commercial property was entered without force at 9:19 a.m. **Stalking:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. Stalking was reported at 10:40 a.m. **Auto burglary:** 400 block of Santa Fe Avenue. A vehicle was broken into at 11:30 a.m. **Disrupting emergency transmission:** 2200 block of Nevin Avenue. Someone allegedly disrupted an emergency transmission at 1:35 p.m. **Auto burglary:** 200 block of South 6th Street. A vehicle was broken into at 2:07 p.m. **Vehicle recovery:** West Nevin Avenue. A stolen vehicle was recovered at 5:29 p.m. **Arson:** 400 block of South 29th Street. Arson at an inhabited structure or property was reported at 6:07 p.m. **Grand theft:** 4800 block of Central Avenue. Theft of motor vehicle parts or accessories was reported at 6:27 p.m. **Petty theft:** 3900 block of Klose Way. A theft was reported at 7:30 p.m. **Lakeshore Court lift:** 100 block of Lakeshore Court. A vehicle was stolen at 11 p.m. ## Saturday, February 21 **Domestic violence:** 5000 block of Reid Court. Police arrested someone for inflicting corporal injury on a spouse at 6:54 a.m. **The 30th Street snatch and tampering:** 800 block of 30th Street. A vehicle was stolen, and another vehicle was tampered with at 7:27 a.m. **McBryde Avenue mishap:** 2600 block of McBryde Avenue. A vehicle vanished at 7:56 a.m. **Harassing calls:** 4600 block of Potrero Avenue. Repeated calls were made with the intent to annoy or harass at 11 a.m. **Firearm brandishing:** 100 block of Follett Street. A firearm was exhibited at 2:10 p.m. **Virginia Avenue vanishing:** 900 block of Virginia Avenue. A vehicle was taken without consent at 3:00 p.m. **Warrant arrest and drug possession:** Somewhere in the 94804 zip code. Police found someone with a misdemeanor warrant allegedly in possession of controlled substances at 3:35 p.m. **Mendocino Street mishap:** 1600 block of Mendocino Street. A vehicle was stolen at 4 p.m. **Assault with firearm:** 900 block of Nevin Avenue. An assault with a firearm on a person was reported at 4:46 p.m. **Vandalism:** 2400 block of Aberdeen Way. Property damage less than $400 was reported at 5:15 p.m. **Auto burglary:** 1600 block of Mendocino Street. A vehicle was broken into at 8 p.m. **Andrade Avenue auto abduction:** 2900 block of Andrade Avenue. A vehicle was lifted at 8 p.m. **Disorderly conduct and resisting arrest:** 1400 block of Cherry Street and 1700 block of Giaramita Street, County. Someone allegedly obstructed a peace officer and was under the influence at 9:05 p.m. **Costa Avenue caper:** 1400 block of Costa Avenue. A vehicle was stolen at 10 p.m. **Sex crimes & human trafficking:** Somewhere in the 94804 zip code. A suspect was arrested on multiple charges at 10:08 p.m. ## Sunday, February 22 **McLaughlin Street mishap:** 800 block of McLaughlin Street. A vehicle was taken without consent at 2 a.m. **Disorderly conduct:** 1500 block of Roosevelt Avenue. Police arrested someone suspected of being disorderly under the influence at 2:08 a.m. **Battery:** 500 block of 19th Street. A battery on a person was reported at 2:41 a.m. **Firearm discharge:** 2700 block of Moyers Road. A firearm was discharged in a grossly negligent manner at 2:57 a.m. **Esmond Avenue exodus:** 3500 block of Esmond Avenue. A vehicle was stolen at 7:30 a.m. **Attempted murder:** 600 block of 22nd Street. A ShotSpotter gunfire detection system alerted Richmond police to shots fired at 1:35 p.m. Officers were on scene within four minutes of the alert. **Shooting at dwelling:** 2200 block of Coalinga Avenue. Someone allegedly shot at an inhabited dwelling or vehicle at 2:30 p.m. **Criminal threats and child cruelty:** 700 block of 10th Street. A crime was allegedly threatened with intent to terrorize, and willful cruelty to a child was reported at 4:23 p.m. **Petty theft:** 4500 block of Macdonald Avenue. A theft was reported at 5:42 p.m. **DUI:** Somewhere in the 94804 zip code. A driver was said to have been driving under the influence at 6:02 p.m. **Domestic battery:** 2600 block of Ohio Avenue. Battery on a spouse or dating partner was reported at 7:45 p.m. **Vehicle recovery:** Somewhere in the 94804 zip code. A stolen vehicle was recovered at 10:40 p.m. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Subsidized housing loophole put on hold amid tenant backlash URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/subsidised-housing-loophole-put-on-hold-amid-tenant-backlash/ Last updated: 2026-02-23T01:18:40.000Z The Richmond Rent Board voted unanimously last week to temporarily suspend a regulation that allowed hundreds of rent-controlled units to be stripped of tenant protections as residents of Monterey Pines Apartments reported mold, broken heaters, unexplained utility bills, and threats of eviction from their landlord. The board voted 3-0 to adopt Resolution 26-01, freezing all processing of new exemption applications under Regulation 202 for 180 days. Board members Whitney Tipton, Tomasa Espinoza, and Melvin Willis, with two members absent, supported the measure. The resolution directs staff to schedule a study session to examine how the exemption policy has affected tenants across the city. Regulation 202, adopted in 2017, allows landlords whose units are subsidized through programs such as the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit or the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program to apply for exemption from Richmond's rent control ordinance. Once exempted, tenants in those units lose access to the Rent Board's petition process and may face rent increases exceeding the cap set by Measure P, which limits annual increases to 60 percent of the Consumer Price Index or 3 percent, whichever is lower. Deputy Director Fred Tran told the board that beginning in September 2025, the Rent Program began receiving exemption applications from entire apartment complexes, a trend staff had not previously encountered. "We do see a trend of that happening in the near future," Tran said. "It’s something we have some concern about and believe needs further assessment and examination." Tran said the shift was moving units from "fully covered" to "partially covered" status, reducing tenants' ability to file petitions over habitability, housing services, or other issues. General Counsel Charles Oshinuga described the resolution as a pause rather than a repeal. "It's like a moratorium. You freeze everything in time," Oshinuga said, adding that existing exemptions already granted would remain in place while the board studied the issue. Adam Morton, an attorney with the [California Center for Movement Legal Services](https://www.movementlegal.org/?ref=grandviewindependent.com), a nonprofit legal organization known as Movement Legal, spoke on behalf of what he described as more than 300 Monterey Pines tenants. Movement Legal grew out of the [Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment,](https://www.acceaction.org/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) or ACCE Institute, where it served as the organization's in-house legal department before becoming an independent nonprofit. Morton told the board the situation at Monterey Pines was not a first offense. "For the second time, a greedy landlord has abused the rent board's trust at the expense of low-income and working-class members of this community," Morton said. Morton traced the history: when Richmond voters passed the rent control ordinance in 2016, there was no exemption for affordable housing tax-credit landlords. The Rent Board created one in 2017, he said, and within months, landlords issued rent increases exceeding ten percent. The board responded in 2019 by capping increases at five percent. Now, Morton said, the owner of Monterey Pines, Monterey Venture, has imposed ratio utility billing charges since November 2025, dividing shared utility costs among tenants by formula rather than by individual usage, resulting in effective rent increases sometimes exceeding 20 percent and, in some cases, more than doubling costs for Section 8 voucher holders. "We can't keep letting them get away with it. We can't keep trusting them. We give them an inch, they take a mile, and it's working families and the elderly who pay the price," Morton said. Morton called on the board to permanently rescind Regulations 202 and 204 rather than pause them. More than 20 residents, many speaking through interpreters, addressed the board during public comment about conditions at Monterey Pines Apartments in Richmond. Tenant after tenant described a landlord who they said ignored maintenance requests, charged opaque utility bills, and threatened retaliation against those who complained. Sharmina Guerrero, who said she has lived at the complex for over 10 years, described conditions that had steadily worsened. "We are hard-working people with disabilities, the elderly, and they're abusing us," she said, adding that water bills jumped from $184 in November to $257 within two months with no explanation of how the figures were calculated. Rent Board member Melvin Willis, a community organizer with the Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment, or ACCE, moved to adopt the resolution but said he wanted to go further, given what he had heard from tenants. "The amount of basically disastrous maintenance issues I have heard left me very concerned," Willis said. "I did not know initially, when this regulation was adopted, that it prevented the petition process. I knew about other elements, but not about the petition process." Willis said he wanted residents affected by exemptions to be able to file rent reduction petitions immediately. Oshinuga advised against that approach without first studying the issue, saying the board would need jurisdiction over the rent in question before a petition could proceed. Willis then moved to adopt the resolution as written, expressing a desire to see action items emerge quickly from the forthcoming study session. Chair Tipton, who seconded the motion, said she wanted future presentations to address not only the impact of Regulation 202 but also its intent. "We need to understand how it's actually playing out," Tipton said. "But also what it was meant to do. And is having these massive complexes submitting applications furthering that or not?" **A leadership transition** The vote came on the same evening that longtime Rent Program Executive Director Nicolas Traylor delivered his farewell message to the board as he prepared to retire after nearly nine years leading the agency. "I leave proud of what we have built together," Traylor said, "an agency that both effectively and efficiently enforces The Fair Rent, Just Cause for Eviction and Homeowner Protection Ordinance." The board had earlier voted in closed session to appoint Deputy Director Fred Tran as interim executive director while a permanent search is conducted. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### On the agenda: Tobacco license limits and a new 23rd Street enforcement zone URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-a/ Last updated: 2026-02-21T18:01:55.000Z The Richmond City Council will consider capping tobacco retailer licenses at 50, while also weighing a new enforcement zone along 23rd Street, adopting the 2025 state building code with an amnesty program for unpermitted home additions, honoring a national champion dance team, and approving contracts and cleanup reports at the February 24, 2026, meeting. ### [Capping tobacco retailers, expanding inspection powers](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60472&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The council will consider an ordinance that would cap the number of tobacco retailer licenses in the city at 50, require retailers to consent to unannounced inspections as a condition of their license, and remove the council from the appeal process for license revocations. [City seeks stricter tobacco retail regulations after issuing 50 cease-and-desist noticesRichmond city officials are considering changes to the city’s tobacco retail regulations to crack down on unlicensed sellers and prevent youth access to tobacco products. Representatives from Good City, a consulting firm hired by Richmond, outlined proposed policy updates, including capping the number of licensed tobacco retailers, strengthening zoning![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--242.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/luck-smoke-shop-1-1-1-1-1-2.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/city-seeks-stricter-tobacco-retail-regulations-after-issuing-50-cease-and-desist-notices/) The proposal comes after the council imposed an [emergency moratorium](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-city-council-approves-temporary-smoke-shop-moratorium/) on new tobacco retailer licenses in April 2024\. Inspections conducted during the moratorium found retailers operating without city licenses, businesses employing underage workers, flavored tobacco products on shelves, and unlawful cannabis, illicit drugs, and drug paraphernalia at several locations. The California Department of Tax and Fee Administration lists 63 businesses in Richmond that currently hold a state tobacco retailer license. *A map of the 63 businesses in Richmond holding state tobacco retailer licenses from the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration.* The ordinance would set a ceiling of 50 city-issued tobacco retailer licenses. City staff proposed the numerical cap as an alternative to tightening buffer distances, noting that existing rules prohibiting retailers within 500 feet of another retailer and 1,000 feet of schools, parks, and libraries already make finding an eligible new location difficult. Every applicant would be required to sign a consent to unannounced inspections of the entire premises, including storage rooms, offices, and business vehicles. All licensed retailers would be subject to at least one unannounced inspection per year, conducted by the Code Enforcement Division of the Community Development Department. Refusal would result in immediate license revocation with no cure period. The ordinance separately authorizes the Richmond Police Department to seize flavored tobacco products found on the premises. [Underage sales, hidden stashes: Richmond extends tobacco moratoriumThe Richmond City Council voted Tuesday to extend its moratorium on new tobacco retailers for an additional 12 months, citing growing concerns over illegal sales, youth access to tobacco, and non-compliance with licensing regulations. The original moratorium, enacted in April 2024, was set for 45 days and extended for nearly![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--243.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-council-meeting-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/underage-sales-hidden-stashes-richmond-extends-tobacco-moratorium/) Appeals of all license actions would go to a neutral hearing officer whose decision would be final, subject only to judicial review. Under current law, retailers could appeal to the City Manager and then to the City Council. Fines for flavored tobacco violations would escalate from $500 for a first offense to $5,000 for a fifth violation within two years. Any product not on the [state Attorney General's Unflavored Tobacco List ](https://oag.ca.gov/tobacco/flavorban?ref=grandviewindependent.com)would be presumed flavored, with the burden of rebuttal falling on the retailer. Any person cited for operating without a city license would be ineligible to obtain one for two years. --- ### [Crackdown on the stroll?](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60471&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Councilmember Jamelia Brown is pushing a designated safe pedestrian zone along the 23rd Street corridor, citing longstanding resident complaints about children's exposure to "disruptive behavior" near schools, parks, and libraries. But let's be honest about the geography here. You don't draft an ordinance citing Senate Bill 357 by name unless sex work is what you're actually thinking about. SB 357 is the 2023 California law that blew up the old "loitering with intent to commit prostitution" statute, the charge cops had used for decades to move street workers along. [Neighbors hope peace walk helps quell human trafficking concernsNeighbors who live just east of 23rd Street say they are fed up with the human trafficking that has moved into their neighborhood. This Friday, they plan to join members of the community organization Faith in Action for a peace walk through the area, something they hope will bring attention![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--244.png)Grandview IndependentLinda Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/esmond.jpg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/neighbors-hope-peace-walk-helps-quells-human-trafficking-problem/) Whether clearing the corridor of sex workers is the point, or merely a side effect, is a question the agenda report declines to answer. What the ordinance *would* do, explicitly, is give Richmond police a fresh checklist: indecent exposure, lewd conduct, disturbing the peace, blocking a sidewalk, public intoxication, and conduct-based charges that SB 357 left untouched. No new penalties. Just sharper tools, deployed in a newly designated zone. --- ### [Adopting the updated building code](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60463&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The council will hold a public hearing to adopt the 2025 California Building Standards Code, the latest triennial update to the statewide construction regulations that all local jurisdictions are required to enforce under state law. But buried in the report is something that might actually matter to real human beings living in real houses with real illegal additions they built when nobody was looking. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/02/Establishment-of-a-Safe-Walk-Zone-Along-the-23rd-Street-Corridor-and-Identification-of-Child-Sensitive-Areas.webp) An amnesty program for homeowners with unpermitted accessory dwelling units or residential additions allows property owners to come forward, hire a licensed engineer, and legalize unauthorized construction without facing the city's standard penalty, an investigation fee equal to three times the normal permit cost. The program is tied explicitly to Richmond's housing and homelessness goals. The ordinance also adds a detailed set of fire and safety requirements for emergency homeless shelters, including mandatory maintenance of sprinkler and alarm systems, emergency responder radio coverage, and posted evacuation diagrams at every exit door. Richmond's hillside geography and proximity to the Bay also factored into the amendments, with the city adopting appendices covering flood-resistant construction, grading standards, and wildland-urban interface fire rules. --- ### [Rich Girlz go to Vegas, win everything](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60456&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The Richmond City Council is set to honor the Richmond Steelers Dance Team "Rich Girlz" with a formal proclamation recognizing their JAMZ national championship title. The Rich Girlz recently traveled to Las Vegas, Nevada, where they competed on a national stage and earned 1st Place in their division, securing the title of National Champions. ### [Org chart changes](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60466&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The council will also consider amendments to its position control list, which constitutes the essential human resources documentation that dictates hiring authority, job titles, and compensation structure. ### [Red Cross month ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60458&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Mayor Eduardo Martinez will declare March 2026 as Red Cross Month in Richmond, lending the full ceremonial weight of municipal government to an organization that has been responding to disasters since 1881. According to the agenda report, the city recognizes the compassion of the people of Richmond, California, and reaffirms its commitment to caring for one another in times of crisis. --- ### [The filth report: January Edition](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60468&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Public Works presents its January abatement report, a monthly accounting of the city's ongoing campaign against illegal dumping, graffiti, and blight. The 191-ton haul in January came from more than 1,100 locations across the city, at a cost exceeding $125,000 in labor and equipment, representing just the first month of what officials track as an annual cleanup effort. Among the debris: 228 illegally dumped mattresses, 208 tires, and 148 gallons of paint and oil requiring hazardous waste disposal. Tire collections have climbed steadily for four consecutive years, from 183 in January 2023. City workers also cleared 18 homeless encampments during the month, removing roughly 21 tons of material from sites, including a large encampment at 2500 Florida Avenue. Graffiti removal crews painted over 224 tags across 112 locations, including a large mural beneath the Macdonald Avenue overpass at Interstate 80. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/02/mural-beneath-Macdonald-Avenue-1.webp) The department logged 2,640 total staff hours in January, with illegal dumping cleanup alone accounting for more than half, 1,506 hours. --- ### [Richmond locks in EV charging contract through 2028](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60460&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The council is also poised to approve a sole-source contract with ChargePoint, Inc., worth up to $32,900, to keep the city's electric vehicle charging stations connected to the cloud and under warranty through 2028. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Debris from one of Richmond's oldest hotels removed URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/debris-from-one-of-richmonds-oldest-hotels-removed/ Last updated: 2026-02-18T00:48:37.000Z Crews began working to clear debris from the site of Richmond's historic International Hotel this week, more than three months after a fire ripped through the already charred remains of the building, which was left heavily damaged by a previous fire in April of 2023. The burnt structure's framework was red-tagged immediately after the first fire, but city records show plans for demolition and debris removal stalled out, and within weeks, garbage began piling up around the property, with reports by neighbors of people camping there. On Tuesday, crews braved the rain and wind to begin removing scoops of debris and piles of [garbage](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmondpullmaninternationalhotel/) with the aid of heavy equipment — a sad end to the storied hotel at 396 South Street, once one of Richmond's historic resources, a designation former mayor Tom Butt worked to secure. The property was owned by the late Ethel Dotson, who advocated for preserving Richmond's history and sought to have the hotel listed as a landmark, with the goal of one day restoring it. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/02/IMG_3863-2-1.jpeg) Dotson passed away in 2007, and her family retained the property. Butt, who worked with the Dotson family to try to find a way to preserve the property, previously told *Grandview* that a restoration project would have been expensive. "I have been working with the Dotson family members, most recently Jelani Dotson, for years, trying to find a way to save and rehabilitate it," Butt said. "I facilitated getting it listed on the Richmond Register of Historic Resources to make it more eligible for grants and tax benefits. The problem, however, has always been money. Rehabilitating the structure would probably be about a $1.5 to $2 million project." It is unknown what lies ahead for the property once the debris is cleared, or whether there are any plans to commemorate it. [Update: Richmond’s historic International Hotel, red tagged after fireThe historic International Hotel, where the Pullman Brotherhood of Black Sleeping Car Porters Union members would stay during Richmond’s early years, was reduced to burnt framework and ash early Monday morning after a fire sped through it, destroying the 108-year-old historic building. Now red-tagged, along with neighboring structures, the historic![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--241.png)Grandview IndependentLinda Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/IMG_9222-4.jpg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/one-of-richmonds-most-historic-buildings-the-pullman-hotel-burns-down/) [Fire destroys what remained of Richmond’s historic International HotelWhat was left of Richmond’s historic International Hotel turned to ashes late Tuesday afternoon, after its already charred framework had been left sitting amid garbage and rubble for more than two years following a 2023 fire. Richmond Deputy Fire Chief Rico Rincon said firefighters responded just before 5 p.m.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--240.png)Grandview IndependentLinda Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/IMG_2841-1.jpg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/fire-destroys-what-remained-of-richmonds-historic-international-hotel/) --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### What happened in Richmond: Attempted murder, assaults, and vehicle thefts URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/what-happened-in-richmond-attempted-murder-assaults-and-vehicle-thefts/ Last updated: 2026-02-16T22:28:16.000Z Richmond police responded to a week of crimes between February 9 and 15, including an attempted murder with a firearm, multiple sexual assaults, domestic violence incidents, and vehicle thefts across the city, according to department logs. Officers made numerous arrests for weapons violations, drug offenses, and DUI throughout the week. ### Crime incident map *A citywide map highlights where crimes and public safety incidents were reported in Richmond during the week of February 9-15, 2026.* ## Monday, February 9 **Trespassing:** 400 block of Golden Gate Avenue. Someone refused to leave posted land at 1:30 a.m. **Strong-arm robbery:** Somewhere in the 94801 zip code. A strong-arm robbery was reported at 5:57 a.m. **Commercial burglary:** 1100 block of Harbour Way South. A commercial property was forcibly entered at 7:55 a.m. **Carjacking and robbery:** West Macdonald Avenue. A strong-arm robbery and vehicle theft occurred simultaneously at 9:12 a.m. **Kidnapping and domestic violence:** 1100 block of Roosevelt Avenue. Kidnapping and infliction of corporal injury on a spouse were reported at 11 a.m. **The Scenic Avenue snatch:** Scenic Avenue. Wheels went missing at 2:30 p.m. **Trespassing:** 5200 block of Imperial Avenue. Trespassing was reported at 2:45 p.m. **Center Avenue caper:** 3900 block of Center Avenue. A vehicle vanished at 2:48 p.m. **Petty theft from vehicle:** 2400 block of Lancaster Drive. Theft from a motor vehicle was reported at 3 p.m. **The 20th Street steal:** 400 block of 20th Street. A ride disappeared at 3 p.m. **Petty theft from vehicle:** 600 block of 5th Street. Theft from a motor vehicle was reported at 4:46 p.m. **Residential burglary:** 2100 block of Lincoln Avenue. A residence was entered without force at 4:50 p.m. **DUI:** 4600 block of Valley View Road. A motorist was busted for driving under the influence at 6:13 p.m. **Drug paraphernalia:** Somewhere in the 94804 zip code. Police arrested someone after allegedly discovering unlawful paraphernalia at 6:45 p.m. **False imprisonment and stalking:** 1100 block of Roosevelt Avenue. False imprisonment with violence and stalking were reported at 6:54 p.m. **Illegal dumping:** 1400 block of Cherry Street. Waste was allegedly dumped in commercial quantities at 9:30 p.m. **Vandalism and criminal threats:** 500 block of South 28th Street. Property damage valued at $400 or more was reported, and a crime was allegedly threatened with intent to terrorize at 10:05 p.m. **Battery:** 100 block of South 39th Street. A battery on a person was reported at 11 p.m. ## Tuesday, February 10 **Strong-arm robbery, false imprisonment, battery, and vandalism:** 3800 block of Florida Avenue. A complex incident involving a strong-arm robbery, false imprisonment with violence, battery, and damage to a wireless communication device was reported at midnight. **Brandishing and battery:** 2000 block of Nevin Avenue. Police arrested someone after a deadly weapon was exhibited and a battery occurred at 9 a.m. **Domestic violence:** West Richmond Avenue. Police arrested someone for inflicting corporal injury on a spouse at 12:47 p.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 2000 block of Stenmark Drive. A stolen vehicle was recovered at 1:36 p.m. **Sexual assault:** 600 block of 22nd Street. A sexual assault was reported at 4:38 p.m. **Battery:** 900 block of Carlson Boulevard. A battery on a person was reported at 5:57 p.m. **Restricted license:** Somewhere in the 94804 zip code. A driver with a license restricted due to a DUI was stopped at 6:01 p.m. **Sexual assault on minor:** 600 block of South 52nd Street. Multiple serious sexual offenses involving a minor were reported at 6:23 p.m. **Criminal threats:** 500 block of Ohio Avenue. A crime was allegedly threatened with intent to terrorize at 6:40 p.m. **Suspended license for DUI:** Somewhere in the 94804 zip code. A driver with a license suspended for DUI was stopped at 10:10 p.m. ## Wednesday, February 11 **Vandalism and criminal threats:** 5200 block of Panama Avenue. Property damage less than $400 was reported and a crime was allegedly threatened with intent to terrorize at 1:08 a.m. **Grand theft, burglary tools, resisting arrest, vehicle tampering, and firearm violations:** 500 block of South 37th Street. This person was arrested for possessing burglary tools and tampering with a vehicle, allegedly committing grand theft, and was found carrying both a loaded firearm with intent to commit a felony and a concealed weapon, then resisted or obstructed the police officer during the arrest at 4:33 a.m. **Multiple firearm violations:** 1600 block of Cutting Boulevard. Police arrested a felon for carrying a loaded handgun while not the registered owner, possessing ammunition as a prohibited person, possessing a firearm as a felon, possessing a firearm with a prior violent offense conviction, carrying a loaded firearm with a prior felony conviction, and carrying a stolen loaded firearm at 5 a.m. **Vandalism:** 5600 block of Sutter Avenue. Property damage valued at $400 or more was reported at 7:59 a.m. **Identity theft:** 5200 block of Huntington Avenue. Another person's ID was allegedly used to obtain credit at 10:50 a.m. **The 18th Street swipe:** 500 block of South 18th Street. A vehicle was lifted at 11:23 a.m. **Domestic violence, drug possession, battery, and child cruelty:** 300 block of South 29th Street. Police arrested someone suspected of violating a protective order, possessing controlled substances, committing battery on a spouse, and willful cruelty to a child at 11:54 a.m. **Vandalism:** 600 block of Humboldt Street. Property damage valued at $400 or more was reported at 12:10 p.m. **Shoplifting:** 4800 block of Central Avenue. A shoplifting incident occurred at 12:11 p.m. **DUI:** 200 block of South 20th Street. A driver was suspected of driving under the influence at 12:22 p.m. **Minor with concealed weapon:** 3000 block of Hilltop Mall Road. A youngster allegedly illegally possessed a concealed weapon and a firearm in a school zone at 2:41 p.m. **DUI, suspended license, and hit-and-run:** Somewhere in the 94804 zip code. Police arrested someone for driving under the influence with a license suspended for DUI and fleeing a hit-and-run with property damage at 5 p.m. **Stalking:** 800 block of Lassen Street. Police arrested someone for stalking at 5:02 p.m. **Barrett Avenue bandit:** 4200 block of Barrett Avenue. A vehicle evaporated at 7:05 p.m. **McBryde Avenue mishap:** 2400 block of McBryde Avenue. Another vehicle went missing at 8 p.m. **Protective order violation:** 1600 block of Hellings Avenue. Police nabbed someone for violating a court order to prevent domestic violence at 8:21 p.m. **Suspended license for DUI:** Somewhere in the 94804 zip code. A driver with a suspended license due to a DUI was stopped at 11:26 p.m. ## Thursday, February 12 **Petty theft:** 1000 block of Macdonald Avenue. A theft was reported at 12:01 a.m. **Vandalism:** 700 block of Yuba Street. Property damage less than $400 was reported at 12:26 a.m. **Auto burglary, stolen vehicle possession, and vehicle theft:** Somewhere in the 94804 zip code. Police arrested someone for breaking into a vehicle, possessing a stolen vehicle, and vehicle theft at 3:29 a.m. **Petty theft, auto burglary, and vehicle theft with priors:** 600 block of 8th Street. Petty theft, a vehicle break-in, and vehicle theft by someone with specific priors were reported at 3:40 a.m. **Residential burglary:** 4400 block of Ohio Avenue. A residence was entered without force at 5:15 a.m. **Ohio Avenue overnight:** 3900 block of Ohio Avenue. A vehicle was snatched at 5:52 a.m. **San Pablo Avenue surprise:** 10900 block of San Pablo Avenue. Another vehicle disappeared at 8:09 a.m. **Petty theft:** 4800 block of Cypress Avenue. A theft was reported at 9:05 a.m. **Trespassing:** 800 block of Chevron Way. Trespassing was reported at 12:26 p.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 3100 block of Southampton Court. A stolen vehicle was recovered at 1:28 p.m. **Carlson Boulevard caper:** 1300 block of Carlson Boulevard. A vehicle was pinched at 2:04 p.m. **Annoying calls:** 3200 block of Pullman Avenue. Annoying or threatening telephone calls were reported at 2:24 p.m. **Strong-arm robbery:** 2300 block of Aberdeen Way. A strong-arm robbery was reported at 8:26 p.m. **Attempted murder:** 2000 block of Macdonald Avenue. Officers were in the area when they heard gunshots at 11:12 p.m., and ShotSpotter technology immediately confirmed the gunfire at the same location. Officers responded to the scene and discovered numerous shell casings scattered across the area and multiple parked vehicles that had been struck by gunfire. "Luckily, no people were struck," said Lieutenant Donald Patchin, the Richmond Police Department's public information officer. "No victims remained to report being shot at, only vehicles that were parked in the area." No injuries were reported in the incident. **Residential burglary, vandalism, drugs, and protective order violation:** 3100 block of Pullman Avenue and 100 block of 5th Street. Police arrested someone for forcibly entering a residence, property damage valued at $400 or more, possessing controlled substances and paraphernalia, and violating a protective order to prevent domestic violence at 11:21 p.m. **Battery and firearm brandishing:** 4900 block of Bayview Avenue. A battery and exhibition of a firearm were reported at 11:30 p.m. **Domestic violence:** Somewhere in the 94804 zip code. Police arrested someone for inflicting corporal injury on a spouse at 11:31 p.m. ## Friday, February 13 **Assault with force and deadly weapon:** 3500 block of Florida Avenue. An assault with force causing possible great bodily injury and assault with a deadly weapon were reported at 3:36 a.m. **Stolen car:** 1200 block of Kelsey Street. A vehicle was taken without consent at 4:30 a.m. **Garvin Avenue getaway:** 2800 block of Garvin Avenue. Another vehicle vanished at 8 a.m. **Burbeck Avenue bust:** 1300 block of Burbeck Avenue. A ride went missing at 9:06 a.m. **Contempt of court:** 3100 block of Southampton Court. A court order was allegedly disobeyed at 9:25 a.m. **Residential burglary:** 2100 block of Lincoln Avenue. A residence was entered without force at 9:40 a.m. **Auto burglary and vandalism:** 500 block of 23rd Street. A vehicle was broken into, and property was defaced at 9:56 a.m. **Auto burglary:** 600 block of 11th Street. A vehicle was broken into at 10:32 a.m. **Domestic violence, paraphernalia, and probation violation:** 800 block of Brookside Drive. Police arrested someone said to have inflicted corporal injury on a spouse, possessed unlawful paraphernalia, and violated probation at 11:36 a.m. **Domestic violence:** 100 block of South 23rd Street. Police arrested someone suspected of inflicting corporal injury on a spouse at 12:34 p.m. **Forgery:** 3800 block of Barrett Avenue. Forgery of false checks or records was reported at 1 p.m. **DUI:** Somewhere in the 94805 zip code. Police arrested a motorist for driving under the influence at 4:50 p.m. **Vandalism with chemicals:** 1500 block of Garvin Avenue. A structure was allegedly defaced with chemicals at 5:09 p.m. **Commercial burglary:** 5000 block of Valley View Road. A commercial property was entered without force at 5:22 p.m. **Grand theft shoplifting:** 2100 block of Meeker Avenue. A shoplifting incident involving grand theft was reported at 6:46 p.m. **Tear gas possession:** 400 block of South 9th Street. Tear gas was allegedly unlawfully possessed at 8:08 p.m. **Petty theft:** 4300 block of Potrero Avenue. Theft of motor vehicle parts or accessories was reported at 8:37 p.m. **Alcohol violation:** 700 block of 23rd Street. An alcohol-related violation occurred at 8:49 p.m. **The 22nd Street steal:** 600 block of South 22nd Street. A vehicle was lifted at 10:30 p.m. **Berk Avenue bandit:** 4200 block of Berk Avenue. Another vehicle was taken at 10:34 p.m. **Auto burglary:** 3100 block of Grey Hawk Court. A vehicle was broken into at 11:15 p.m. **DUI:** Somewhere in the 94804 zip code. Police arrested a driver for driving under the influence at 11:41 p.m. ## Saturday, February 14 **Vandalism, trespassing, and petty theft:** 900 block of West Cutting Boulevard. Property was defaced, someone refused to leave posted land, and a petty theft occurred at midnight. **DUI:** Somewhere in the 94804 zip code. A driver was arrested for driving under the influence at 12:14 a.m. **Trespassing:** 3200 block of Nevin Avenue. Trespassing was reported at 1:53 a.m. **Auto burglary:** 400 block of 34th Street. A vehicle was broken into at 1:54 a.m. **DUI and resisting arrest:** 2200 block of Key Boulevard. A driver was arrested for driving under the influence and obstructing a peace officer at 2:11 a.m. **Vandalism and criminal threats:** 4200 block of Hilltop Drive. Property damage valued at $400 or more was reported, and a crime was allegedly threatened with intent to terrorize at 1:52 p.m. **Domestic violence:** 100 block of Chanslor Avenue. Corporal injury was allegedly inflicted on a spouse at 3:11 p.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 2700 block of Center Avenue. A stolen vehicle was recovered at 6:49 p.m. **DUI:** Somewhere in the 94804 zip code. Police arrested a driver for driving under the influence at 7:37 p.m. ## Sunday, February 15 **Vandalism:** 600 block of 13th Street. Vandalism under $400 was reported at 12:08 a.m. **Car burglary:** In the 94801 zip code. An auto burglary was reported at 1:38 a.m. **DUI:** Somewhere in the 94804 zip code. A motorist was said to be under the influence of intoxicating beverages at 3:44 a.m. **Car theft:** 200 block of Marina Way. A vehicle theft was reported at 7:04 a.m. The same incident also included felony vandalism over $400. **Battery:** 400 block of South 24th Street. A domestic battery was reported at 11 a.m. **Five-finger discount:** 1200 block of Macdonald Avenue. Shoplifting was reported at 11:03 a.m. **Gone in 60 Seconds:** 1600 block of Garvin Avenue. A vehicle theft was reported at noon. **Battery:** 4800 block of Central Avenue. A battery was reported at 3:18 p.m. **Battery:** 2400 block of Esmond Avenue. Willful cruelty to a child and domestic battery were reported at 4:28 p.m. **Car theft:** 800 block of Sixth Street. A vehicle theft was reported at 4:35 p.m. **Found car:** 2000 block of Factory Street. A stolen vehicle was recovered at 8:53 p.m. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### On the agenda: $2 million for Motel 6 project, Chevron funds for nonprofits, Venezuela resolution URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-agenda-2-million-for-motel-6-project-chevron-funds-for-nonprofits-venezuela-resolution/ Last updated: 2026-02-13T21:20:44.000Z The [Richmond City Council](https://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/17333?ref=grandviewindependent.com) will meet on Tuesday to consider a $2 million funding increase for the Motel 6 housing project, $1.2 million in youth grants to eight nonprofits, and a resolution opposing U.S. military intervention in Venezuela, along with legal services contracts, fleet vehicle purchases, and sister city funding. All items are slated for the consent calendar, meaning they could be approved without discussion unless a councilmember or a member of the public requests otherwise. ![Exterior view of the former Motel 6 in Richmond under construction for a homeless housing conversion project](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/02/richmond-motel-6-homeless-housing-project-fence-1.webp) Richmond City Council is considering an additional $2 million in funding for the 425 24th Street housing project. ### [Water damage soaks Richmond's motel-to-housing project with $2 million in extra costs](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60416&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Richmond's City Council will vote on increasing funding for a homeless housing project by $2 million after construction crews discovered extensive water damage and structural issues at a former motel site. The city is converting the old Motel 6 at 425 24th Street into a 49-unit permanent supportive housing complex for chronically homeless residents. The project, funded in part by the state's Homekey program, has already received $8.3 million from the city. [Richmond secures $14 million state grant to transform Motel 6 into supportive housingRichmond has received a State of California Homekey grant to purchase and rehabilitate the Motel 6 on 24th Street into 48 supportive housing units for unsheltered individuals. Homekey, a statewide initiative, aims to provide and rapidly increase housing availability for individuals facing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless. Richmond![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--239.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/motel-6-richmond-homekey-grant-1-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-secures-14-5-million-grant-to-transform-motel-6-into-supportive-housing-for-unhoused/) Demolition work this past summer revealed widespread problems, including deteriorated facade framing, major plumbing failures, mold, and potential asbestos requiring remediation. The additional loan would bring Richmond's total contribution to $10.3 million. The city will draw from its housing fund and expects repayment through residual receipts from the development partnership, 425 Civic Center LP. The state awarded $14.5 million in Homekey funds for the project in July 2024, and construction began after the city acquired and ground-leased the property in April 2025. --- ### [Chevron settlement triggers $1.2 million in youth grants for eight Richmond nonprofits](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60443&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The Richmond City Council is poised to approve $1.2 million in annual grants to eight youth-serving organizations over the next two years, funded by the city's multimillion-dollar settlement with Chevron. The funding comes from Richmond's first $50 million payment from a $550 million settlement with Chevron, received in approximately July 2025\. Under the city charter, three percent of unrestricted general-purpose revenues must be allocated to the [Richmond Fund for Children and Youth](https://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/4036/RFCY-Grants?ref=grandviewindependent.com), equaling $1.5 million from the Chevron payment. Rather than launching a new grant cycle, the Richmond Fund for Children and Youth's Oversight Board recommended awarding grants to the next highest-scoring applicants from a previous competition. The eight selected nonprofits had not previously received city youth funding but achieved strong evaluation scores in the 2024 grant round. ## Recommended Grant Awards (Annual) | Organization | Award Amount | | ------------------------------------- | ------------ | | Seneca Family of Agencies | $200,000 | | West County Salesian Youth Club | $200,000 | | Hope Solutions | $200,000 | | Richmond Community Foundation | $195,915 | | Rosie the Riveter Trust | $167,976 | | Aspire Education | $90,000 | | West County Mandarin School | $83,270 | | Oakland Technology & Education Center | $80,000 | | TOTAL | $1,217,161 | The Richmond Department of Children and Youth currently manages 37 active grants with 36 organizations through 2027\. Those three-year grants were awarded at the end of 2024 for the 2025-2028 period. --- ### [Resolution opposes Venezuela intervention as Monroe Doctrine redux](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60431&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The Richmond City Council is set to approve a resolution opposing U.S. military intervention in Venezuela, with city officials arguing the conflict diverts public resources from working-class communities to overseas operations. The measure, sponsored by Mayor Eduardo Martinez and Vice Mayor Doria Robinson, condemns a January 3 military operation that the resolution says resulted in at least 100 deaths and the abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores. The resolution accuses the federal government of conducting airstrikes and special operations without congressional authorization, violating the U.S. Constitution and the War Powers Resolution. According to the measure, the president stated the United States would "run Venezuela" indefinitely and control governance and oil resources, which the resolution characterizes as unlawful control of a sovereign state. City officials argue that millions spent on what they describe as unlawful actions were diverted from domestic needs, calling this a "clear betrayal" of promises to end foreign wars and prioritize U.S. communities like Richmond. The resolution states U.S. policies, including military deployment and economic control over oil resources, have destabilized Venezuela, exacerbated humanitarian conditions, and caused avoidable civilian harm. --- ### Legal services expansion The council will consider two amendments to legal services agreements. One increases payment to Bennett, Gelini, and Gelini by [$300,000 for litigation representation](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60409&ref=grandviewindependent.com), bringing the total contract to $1,159,990 through December 2027\. Another adds $[100,000 for Stoel Rives](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60399&ref=grandviewindependent.com) for land use and environmental law matters related to pending litigation. ### Financial advisory and reporting Financial items include a [$70,000 contract with SCI Consulting Group ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60446&ref=grandviewindependent.com)for advisory services for projects including Advanced Life Support in the Fire Department and evaluation of the Craneway Pavilion. The council will also receive [monthly financial reports for December 2025.](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60423&ref=grandviewindependent.com) ### Fire department training system The Fire Department seeks approval for a $30,494 three-year contract with Vector Solutions for [web-based training and compliance](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60396&ref=grandviewindependent.com) management. ### Community services contracts The Community Services Department has three contracts on the agenda: [$20,000 for American Job Centers](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60386&ref=grandviewindependent.com) coordinator services through June 2027; a [$56,520 increase for Epic Limousine](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60404&ref=grandviewindependent.com) to transport youth in the Youth Outdoors Richmond Program; and contracts totaling up to [$300,000 annually with four library materials vendors.](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60439&ref=grandviewindependent.com) ### Fleet vehicle purchases The council will consider[ purchasing 20 fleet vehicles](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60418&ref=grandviewindependent.com) for fire, police, and abatement operations at a cost not to exceed $1.125 million from Dublin Chevrolet. This purchase includes eleven Chevrolet Tahoes, three Chevrolet Colorados, two Chevrolet Equinox EVs, two Chevrolet Trax small SUVs, a Chevrolet Suburban, and a 2024 Chevrolet landscape dump truck. ### Committee and board changes Mayor's office items include [amending committee appointments ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60429&ref=grandviewindependent.com)to include the Community Crisis Response Program Advisory Board and its liaison, Councilmember Claudia Jimenez. It also swaps the position of the Mayor and Councilmember Zepeda on the MCE Clean Energy Regional Body. The mayor is also reappointing two-year Richmond resident [Brian Carter to the Design Review Board ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60392&ref=grandviewindependent.com)and appointing San Francisco State University student [Shahzaib Shahid to the Planning Commission.](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60394&ref=grandviewindependent.com) ### Sister city anniversary The council will also consider directing staff to identify up to [$23,000 to host ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60449&ref=grandviewindependent.com)an official delegation from Richmond's sister city, Shimada, Japan, to mark the 65th anniversary of the relationship. ### Housing Authority meeting The Richmond Housing Authority will meet separately at 5:55 p.m. to consider a $20,304 contract amendment with SWCA Environmental Consultants for [radon testing at the Richmond Village property.](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60433&ref=grandviewindependent.com) --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Board approves plan to merge Betty Reid Soskin, Pinole middle schools URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/board-approves-plan-to-merge-betty-reid-soskin-pinole-middle-schools/ Last updated: 2026-02-13T05:40:42.000Z Betty Reid Soskin Middle School and Pinole Middle School will be merged, and the district's K-8 model will be dismantled under a fiscal solvency plan approved Wednesday by the West Contra Costa Unified School District Board of Education. The plan proposes combining the two schools on the Pinole campus and returning seventh and eighth-grade students to their neighborhood middle schools. West County Mandarin, currently split between the two school sites, would be consolidated at the Betty Reid Soskin campus. [West Contra Costa school board tables decision on Betty Soskin Middle School closureThe West Contra Costa Unified School District board voted 3-2 late Wednesday to table a proposal to close Betty Reid Soskin Middle School and relocate the district’s growing Mandarin immersion program to the Soskin campus. The board approved only the current year’s fiscal solvency measures and delayed voting![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--238.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/west-contra-costa-school-board-meeting-betty-soskin-closure-vote-jan-2026-3.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/west-contra-costa-school-board-tables-decision-on-betty-soskin-middle-school-closure/) The district faces an operating deficit of $13.9 million in the current fiscal year, which is projected to increase to $24.5 million in 2026-27 and $31.4 million in 2027-28\. When combined with costs from agreements reached with labor unions following a December strike, the district needs to find $127.2 million in savings over three years. District officials also said the solvency plan anticipates approximately $60 million in reductions in 2026–27 and $27 million in 2027–28 to stabilize the budget. [West Contra Costa teachers end strike with tentative contract agreementTeachers in the West Contra Costa Unified School District reached a tentative agreement with district officials early Wednesday morning featuring wage increases, fully paid family healthcare, and program enhancements, according to statements from both sides. The agreement was reached after a 12-hour bargaining session that stretched past 2 a.m.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--236.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/West-Contra-Costa-Unified-teachers-strike-3.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/west-contra-costa-teachers-end-strike-with-tentative-contract-agreement/) The district currently holds a “qualified” certification, meaning it may not be able to meet its financial obligations in the current or subsequent fiscal year without corrective action. District leaders said the existing budget relies heavily on reserves to cover ongoing expenses. The plan approved Wednesday includes exhausting the district’s Fund 17 reserves by 2026–27, borrowing $13 million annually for three years from its Other Post-Employment Benefits fund, and identifying $42.4 million in staffing and program reductions in 2026–27, followed by $14.2 million in 2027–28. Superintendent Cheryl Cotton said in a message to families Thursday that while the district can meet its financial obligations this year, “there are concerns about our ability to do so in the coming years unless we make changes.” ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/02/IMG_3780.jpeg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/02/IMG_3761--1--1.jpeg) Betty Reid Soskin Middle School (left) and Pinole Middle School. Photo/ Linda Hemmila Cotton wrote that the district must adopt “a program redesign to align with our current fiscal reality” and warned that without a solvency plan, the county could impose fiscal oversight, resulting in the loss of local control over financial decisions. “This was an incredibly difficult decision,” Board President Guadalupe Enllana said in a statement. “Our responsibility is to stabilize the district’s finances while continuing to support students and staff. Taking action now allows us to maintain local control and make these decisions with community voice at the table.” The reductions include districtwide cuts to materials and supplies and to services and contracts; staffing alignments at elementary and secondary schools based on enrollment; classified staff reductions; and program changes. Among the proposed changes are the elimination of elementary band as a centrally funded program, with direction to school sites to use Proposition 28 arts funding or other one-time funds to retain music teachers where possible. The plan also includes eliminating School Community Outreach Worker positions at Title I schools, though trustees directed staff to identify alternative funding sources, including Title I, to retain as many of those positions as possible. Trustee Demetrio Gonzalez-Hoy said in a statement posted after the meeting that he voted for the plan because he believed the alternative would be worse. “These decisions are painful. They impact real people, real schools, and real kids,” Gonzalez-Hoy wrote. “I am not happy about these cuts. I am not comfortable with them. But I do believe they were necessary to prevent even deeper harm.” Gonzalez-Hoy said he was concerned that without a balanced plan, the district could lose local control and face the possibility of decisions being made externally. Cotton acknowledged the emotional toll of the process, writing that listening sessions “made clear the depth of concern” and that the district does not minimize the impact on students, staff, and families. She said the changes will not happen immediately and that the district will share detailed transition plans and next steps in the coming weeks. “Our commitment remains to move forward with transparency, equity, and care as we redesign the future of WCCUSD,” Cotton wrote. [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond honors community leaders during Black History Month ceremony URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-honors-community-leaders-during-black-history-month-ceremony/ Last updated: 2026-02-11T03:08:02.000Z Four longtime community leaders who dedicated years to neighborhood advocacy, violence prevention, and civil rights were honored Monday night during the Richmond Neighborhood Coordinating Council’s Black History Month celebration. The council recognized Doris Mason, AJ Jelani, JC Farr Jr., and Nat Bates, community leaders whose combined service spans more than a century. Mason, who has served the Iron Triangle community for more than 25 years as president of the Barrett Avenue Neighborhood Association and treasurer of the Iron Triangle Neighborhood Council, spoke of the mentorship she received from community elders. “When you’re working in a community, or you’re working with people, you work in an organization, and you’re raising children, or you’re raising the community, you never think about what you’re doing. You do it,” Mason said. “May the work that we do speak for us.” Mason, born in Mansfield, Louisiana, the youngest of 10 children, dedicated her professional career to special education, serving students and families through the Alameda County Office of Education and West Contra Costa Unified School District. AJ Jelani, who has called Richmond home since the 1970s and served as president of the Belding Woods Neighborhood Council since 2000, delivered an emotional testimony about his journey from the soup kitchen and rescue mission to community leadership. “The Lord took me from the soup kitchen,” Jelani said. “So you see me now, but you didn’t see me then.” Jelani founded Peace on the Streets Organization Inc. in 1993, a statewide initiative focused on addressing gang violence and providing mentorship. He organized the first Richmond Got Talent Show in 2010 and led Christmas on the Streets from 1993 to 2018, serving hundreds of children annually. “I’m a reflection of what you put into me, what you gave me, and the resources are opportunity, attention, and expression, an opportunity to change,” Jelani said. JC Farr Jr. served the Eastshore Neighborhood Council for more than 20 years — including more than 10 years as president. Farr organized the annual Easter egg hunt, which has served more than 300 children each year for nearly two decades. Acknowledging his family’s legacy, Farr introduced relatives who stood to be recognized at the ceremony. “These are the offspring of JC Farr Senior, who came to California,” Farr said. Farr, who attended Richmond public schools and graduated from Harry Ells High School in 1961, served as a deacon and choir director at Seaport Baptist Church and later Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church. He worked as a stevedore at Naval Air Station Alameda. Nat Bates, who arrived in Richmond in 1942, reflected on his eight decades in the city and seven decades of public service. A Korean War veteran who worked 38 years as a probation officer with Alameda County, Bates was first elected to the Richmond City Council in 1967. “When I first got on the council in ’67, it was only two of us, George Livingston and myself, and at the time, Richmond was very racist,” Bates said. Bates described fighting to integrate Richmond’s workforce in the 1970s, battling union opposition to enable employees across all city departments to transfer and promote freely. “We put it on the agenda, and we integrated the entire Richmond workforce,” Bates said. “If you were working in the redevelopment and there was a position in the police department or the finance department, you had that opportunity to move forward. It was one of the greatest accomplishments that I can recall.” The ceremony drew city and regional officials, including Mayor Eduardo Martinez, Vice Mayor Doria Robinson, Councilmember Cesar Zepeda, County Supervisor John Gioia, and representatives from Congressman John Garamendi’s office. Arto Rinteela, president of the Richmond Neighborhood Coordinating Council, opened the meeting by thanking dozens of sponsors. and emphasizing the importance of neighborhood councils in civic engagement. "It's been a long time coming, and we know what you do, because we do the same thing, except you do it better," Rinteela said to the honorees. He also emphasized the importance of neighborhood councils and civic engagement. “If you live in the City of Richmond, you are inside a neighborhood council,” Rinteela said, encouraging residents to join and “advocate for your neighbors and your neighborhood.” --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Carlson Boulevard reopens after Public Storage fire demolition URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/carlson-boulevard-reopens-after-public-storage-fire-demolition/ Last updated: 2026-02-10T02:29:52.000Z Carlson Boulevard reopened today following the completion of partial demolition of a Public Storage facility damaged in a December fire. The roadway had been closed between Cutting Boulevard and the Pullman apartment area since the fire, with portions of Ethel Dotson South Street also closed. [Richmond firefighters battle blaze at Public Storage facility on Carlson BoulevardFirefighters battled a fire Wednesday morning at a Public Storage facility at 398 Carlson Boulevard, attacking the blaze from two ladder trucks as heavy smoke rose from the building. Smoke from the fire is visible in the surrounding area, including Ohio Avenue and Carlson Boulevard/South 37th Street, city officials![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--230.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/QvNO11cXQuCrAk_maRN6DQ-1-1-2.jpeg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-firefighters-battle-blaze-at-public-storage-facility-on-carlson-boulevard/) Richmond City Councilmember Doria Robinson announced the demolition and Carlson Boulevard reopening on Facebook. "This is great news for local residents who will no longer need to do a big detour to get to work or home," Robinson said. The three-alarm fire broke out around midnight on Christmas Eve and burned for nearly a full day at the facility at 398 Carlson Boulevard. The blaze ran the length of the roof and caused multiple roof collapses, requiring assistance from El Cerrito and Contra Costa fire departments. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/02/IMG_3831-1.jpeg) The demolished Public Storage facility at 398 Carlson Boulevard, where a three-alarm fire on Christmas Eve caused multiple roof collapses. Four people were displaced from an apartment unit and the Public Storage office. One firefighter sustained minor injuries. Officials closed the roadway to protect the public from falling debris or further structural failure. Public Storage applied for a demolition permit on January 7. [Road closure on Carlson Boulevard continues as demolition planned after Public Storage fireRichmond officials say a section of Carlson Boulevard will remain closed until demolition work begins at a fire-damaged Public Storage facility, following a three-alarm blaze that burned for nearly a full day over the Christmas holiday. Richmond Fire Chief Aaron Osorio told the Richmond Neighborhood Coordinating Council that the fire![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--231.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-carlson-boulevard-closure-public-storage-fire-2025.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/road-closure-on-carlson-boulevard-continues-as-demolition-planned-after-public-storage-fire/) Ethel Dotson South Street remains fenced off at its intersection with Carlson Boulevard. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### What happened in Richmond: A week of reported assaults, robberies, and vehicle thefts URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/what-happened-in-richmond-a-week-of-reported-assaults-robberies-and-vehicle-thefts/ Last updated: 2026-02-09T17:17:26.000Z Richmond police responded to a violent week of crimes between February 2 and 8, including firearm discharges, multiple armed robberies, serious assaults, and a wave of vehicle thefts across the city, according to department logs. ### Richmond crime incidents map ## **Monday, February 2** **Vandalism:** 900 block of 29th Street. Property was defaced at 12:25 a.m. **Disorderly conduct, peeping, and vandalism:** 1300 block of South 59th Street. An intoxicated peeper reportedly damaged property at 2:21 a.m. **Assault with a deadly weapon, criminal threats, and weapons violation:** 600 block of 13th Street. One person allegedly fell upon another with a deadly weapon, screaming threats to terrorize, while in possession of metal knuckles at 3:44 a.m. **The 41st Street farewell:** 600 block of 41st Street. A vehicle disappeared at 7:21 a.m. **Auto burglary and vandalism:** 5200 block of San Jose Avenue. A vehicle was broken into, and property damage valued at $400 or more was reported at 7:53 a.m. **Assault with firearm and conspiracy:** 100 block of South 23rd Street. Police arrested someone after an assault with a firearm and conspiracy to commit a felony were reported at 8:32 a.m. [Richmond police investigate Monday morning shooting on South 23rd StreetRichmond Police are actively investigating a shooting near South 23rd Street and Ohio Avenue Monday morning, and are asking residents to avoid the area. Visible at the scene is a dark-colored Honda Civic that was stopped in the roadway with its door open. Yellow police tape cordoned off the area,![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--228.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-police-investigation-shooting-south-23rd-street-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-police-investigate-monday-morning-shooting-on-south-23rd-street/) **Distribute intimate images:** 2800 block of Foothill Avenue. Intimate images were reportedly intentionally distributed at 9:15 a.m. **Harassment:** 3100 block of Southampton Court. Personal identification information was said to have been made public at 11:21 a.m. **Commercial burglary:** 300 block of Carlson Boulevard. A commercial property was entered without force at 12:07 p.m. **Trespassing:** 3100 block of Garrity Way. An individual was where they shouldn't be at 12:58 p.m. **Pierce pinch:** 3200 block of Pierce Street. A vehicle disappeared without permission at 1:33 p.m. **Residential burglary:** 1200 block of Virginia Avenue. A residence was forcibly entered at 2:30 p.m. **Warrant arrest:** 1700 block of Regatta Boulevard. Officers picked up a person with a felony warrant at 2:58 p.m. **Chanslor caper:** 100 block of Chanslor Circle. Another car disappeared into the criminal underworld at 3:13 p.m. **Residential burglary:** 2100 block of Greenridge Drive. A residence was forcibly entered at 3:50 p.m. **Drug paraphernalia:** Somewhere in the 94804 zip code. Police arrested someone after discovering unlawful paraphernalia at 5:29 p.m. **DUI:** Somewhere in the 94804 zip code. An over-the-limit driver was taken to the Gray Bar Hotel at 5:34 p.m. **Auto burglary and vandalism:** 3200 block of Pierce Street. A vehicle was broken into, and property damage valued at $400 or more was reported at 7:11 p.m. **Domestic violence:** In the 94801 zip code. Police made an arrest after someone allegedly inflicted corporal injury on a spouse at 8:33 p.m. **Strong-arm robbery:** 2500 block of Macdonald Avenue. Police busted a robbery suspect after a strong-arm robbery was reported at 9:42 p.m. **Brandishing and criminal threats:** 10600 block of San Pablo Avenue. Police nabbed someone for allegedly exhibiting a deadly weapon and threatening a crime with intent to terrorize at 11:01 p.m. **Vandalism:** 5200 block of Imperial Avenue. Property damage less than $400 was reported at 11:39 p.m. **Drug paraphernalia and restricted license:** In the 94804 zip code. Someone allegedly possessed unlawful paraphernalia and drove with a license restricted for DUI at 11:50 p.m. ## **Tuesday, February 3** **DUI:** 500 block of 37th Street. A driver was reportedly under the influence at 2:03 a.m. **Nevin nabbing:** 3700 block of Nevin Avenue. A vehicle vanished at 3:05 a.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 800 block of 6th Street. A stolen vehicle was recovered at 5:08 a.m. **DUI:** In the 94806 zip code. Someone was driving under the influence of drugs at 8 a.m. **The 25th Street swipe:** 200 block of 25th Street. A vehicle was lifted at 8:46 a.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 100 block of South 23rd Street. A stolen vehicle was recovered at 10:04 a.m. **Brandishing a firearm:** In the 94805 zip code. Someone allegedly exhibited a firearm at 11:52 a.m. **Vandalism:** 1300 block of Quarry Court. Property damage valued at $400 or more was reported at 4:32 p.m. **DUI:** In the 94804 zip code. Someone was reportedly driving under the influence at 4:41 p.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 12800 block of San Pablo Avenue. A stolen vehicle was recovered at 5:45 p.m. **Shoplifting:** 2100 block of Meeker Avenue. A shoplifter was at work at 6:35 p.m. **DUI and hit-and-run:** 300 block of 37th Street. Someone was arrested for driving under the influence and fleeing a hit-and-run with property damage at 8:25 p.m. **Child cruelty:** 500 block of South 30th Street. Police arrested someone for allegedly committing willful cruelty to a child at 9:23 p.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 500 block of South 12th Street. A stolen vehicle was recovered at 11:01 p.m. ## **Wednesday, February 4** **Strong-arm robbery:** 400 block of 1st Street. Police arrested someone after a strong-arm robbery was reported at 12:49 a.m. **Assault with deadly weapon and criminal threats:** 3100 block of Pullman Avenue. An assault with a deadly weapon and threats with intent to terrorize were reported at 7:30 a.m. **Commercial burglary:** 4000 block of Lakeside Drive. A commercial property was forcibly entered at 8:21 a.m. **Vandalism:** 100 block of Macdonald Avenue. Police arrested a suspect for property damage valued at $400 or more, which was reported at 9:54 a.m. **Drug possession and paraphernalia:** In the 94806 zip code. Someone allegedly possessed controlled substances and unlawful paraphernalia at 11:45 a.m. **Battery with serious injury:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. A battery with serious bodily injury was reported at 5:00 p.m. **Grand theft:** 400 block of Tewksbury Avenue. A theft was reported at 6 p.m. **Drug possession and false ID:** In the 94804 zip code. Police arrested someone for allegedly possessing controlled substances and giving false identification to officers at 8:15 p.m. **Drug possession, paraphernalia, and resisting arrest:** San Pablo Avenue and Barrett Avenue. Police arrested someone after reportedly discovering controlled substances and unlawful paraphernalia. The person also allegedly obstructed a peace officer at 10:04 p.m. **DUI:** In the 94804\. Police arrested someone for driving under the influence of drugs at 11:54 p.m. ## **Thursday, February 5** **DUI, reckless driving, false ID, and resisting arrest:** Clinton Avenue. Someone was arrested for driving under the influence, reckless driving, giving false identification, and obstructing a peace officer at 3:02 a.m. **Vandalism:** 200 block of South 2nd Street. Damage to power connecting lines was reported at 3:08 a.m. **The 31st Street steal:** 300 block of 31st Street. A ride disappeared at 6:11 a.m. **Battery:** 2600 block of Hilltop Drive. A battery on a person was reported at 6:40 a.m. **Vandalism:** In the 94801 zip code. Property damage less than $400 was reported at 8:42 a.m. **Drug possession:** 1400 block of Hilltop Mall Road. Someone allegedly possessed controlled substances at 9:20 a.m. **Commercial burglary:** 12500 block of San Pablo Avenue. A commercial property was entered without force at 9:43 a.m. **Contempt of court:** 100 block of 16th Street. Police arrested someone suspected of disobeying a court order at 10:30 a.m. **Battery and elder abuse:** 2500 block of Hinkley Avenue. A battery on a dependent adult was reported at 10:37 a.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. A stolen vehicle was recovered at 11:29 a.m. **Assault with force:** 2100 block of Meeker Avenue. An assault with force causing possible great bodily injury was reported at 11:43 a.m. **Vandalism:** 5200 block of Imperial Avenue. Property damage valued at $400 or more was reported at 11:46 a.m. **Fraud:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. Someone allegedly made or benefited from a false financial statement at 1:52 p.m. **Grand theft shoplifting:** 2100 block of Meeker Avenue. Some light-fingered suspect clawed a hole through the afternoon peace at 3:56 p.m. **Battery with serious injury:** In the 94804 zip code. A battery with serious bodily injury was reported at 4:08 p.m. **Restricted license:** In the 94801 zip code. Someone was driving with a license restricted for DUI at 4:49 p.m. **Criminal threats:** 4900 block of San Pablo Dam Road. Threats were made to commit a crime with the intent to terrorize at 5:39 p.m. **Grand theft firearm:** 700 block of Humboldt Street. Theft of a firearm was reported at 5:50 p.m. **Vehicle recovery and stolen vehicle possession:** 2000 block of Nevin Avenue. A stolen vehicle was recovered, and a suspect was arrested for possession of a stolen vehicle at 6:29 p.m. **Distribute intimate images:** 3100 block of Moyers Road. More intimate images were shared at 7:36 p.m. **Grand theft from vehicle:** 3200 block of Pierce Street. Theft from a motor vehicle was reported at 8:08 p.m. **Reckless driving and paraphernalia:** In the 94801\. Someone allegedly drove recklessly and possessed unlawful paraphernalia at 8:45 p.m. **The 35th Street exodus:** 900 block of 35th Street. A vehicle evaporated at 9 p.m. ## **Friday, February 6** **Wheels gone wild:** In the 94801\. A vehicle went missing at 7:58 a.m. **Grand theft:** 5000 block of Fleming Avenue. A theft was reported at 10:21 a.m. **Morningside motorless:** 3400 block of Morningside Drive. A vehicle was snatched at 11:18 a.m. **Assault with deadly weapon and domestic battery:** 4500 block of Macdonald Avenue. An assault with a deadly weapon and battery on a spouse or dating partner were reported at 11:23 a.m. **DUI:** In the 94804 zip code. Someone was suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs at 4:02 p.m. **Trespassing:** 5200 block of Gordon Avenue. Someone refused to leave a property at 6:01 p.m. **Domestic battery:** 500 block of 27th Street. Battery on a spouse or dating partner was reported at 6:58 p.m. **Firearm discharge:** 2600 block of Humphrey Avenue. A firearm was discharged in a grossly negligent manner at 9:28 p.m. **Petty theft:** 100 block of South 16th Street. Theft of motor vehicle parts or accessories was reported at 10:00 p.m. **DUI and restricted license:** In the 94804\. Police arrested someone for driving under the influence with a license restricted for DUI at 11:12 p.m. ## **Saturday, February 7** **Marijuana possession:** In the 94801 zip code. Someone allegedly possessed marijuana over one ounce at 1:59 a.m. **Commercial burglary:** 4200 block of Klose Way. A commercial property was forcibly entered at 3:15 a.m. **Domestic battery, child cruelty, and false imprisonment:** 4500 block of Florida Avenue. Battery on a spouse, willful cruelty to a child, and false imprisonment with violence were all reported at 7 a.m. **Domestic battery and assault with force:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. Battery on a spouse and assault with force causing possible great bodily injury were reported at 9 a.m. **Firearm possession by felon, resisting arrest, and multiple violations:** 2200 block of Costa Avenue. A felon was reportedly caught in a trifecta of gun-play, possessing, lugging, and brandishing, only to compound the situation by resisting arrest and hoarding a stash of contraband ammunition and drug paraphernalia at 1:16 p.m. **Brandishing firearm replica:** 400 block of 28th Street. Someone allegedly brandished a firearm replica at 2:58 p.m. **Forgery and identity theft:** 3200 block of Auto Plaza. Forgery of checks and the use of another person's ID to obtain credit were reported at 3:30 p.m. **Vandalism:** 300 block of South 9th Street. Property damage valued at $400 or more was reported at 3:47 p.m. **Shooting at dwelling:** 2600 block of Hilltop Drive. Shots were fired at an inhabited dwelling or vehicle at 6:44 p.m. ## **Sunday, February 8** **Reckless driving:** 1400 block of Harbour Way South. Someone allegedly drove recklessly on the highway at 1:04 a.m. **Firearm discharges:** 2400 block of Downer Avenue, 500 block of South 17th Street, and 3800 block of Garvin Avenue. ShotSpotter technology detected multiple firearm discharges overnight between 1:20 a.m. and 2:28 a.m. Evidence work was conducted at the Downer Avenue scene. **The 44th Street heist:** 400 block of 44th Street. A vehicle was taken without consent at 4:00 a.m. **Commercial burglary:** 12800 block of San Pablo Avenue. A commercial property was forcibly entered at 4:15 a.m. **Domestic battery:** 600 block of South 31st Street. Battery on a spouse or dating partner was reported at 7:30 a.m. **Vandalism and contempt of court:** 3100 block of Pullman Avenue. Property damage valued at less than $400 was reported, and a court order was allegedly disobeyed at 10:15 a.m. **Auto burglary:** 2600 block of Hilltop Drive. A vehicle was broken into at 4:19 p.m. **Battery:** 1500 block of Cutting Boulevard. A battery on a person was reported at 6:44 p.m. **Battery:** 2400 block of Aberdeen Way. A battery on a person was reported at 9:18 p.m. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### California DOJ identifies Richmond detective in fatal I-80 shooting URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/california-doj-identifies-richmond-detective-in-fatal-i-80-shooting/ Last updated: 2026-02-07T01:49:28.000Z The California Department of Justice has identified Richmond Police Detective Brandon Hodges as the officer involved in a fatal shooting on Interstate 80, according to DOJ records. The shooting occurred around 7:20 a.m. January 22, 2026, on westbound I-80 east of Pinole Valley Road in Richmond, and resulted in the death of Luis Angel Torres Rivera, the DOJ said. [Man shot by Richmond detective on Interstate 80 identified by California DOJAuthorities have identified the man killed in an officer-involved shooting on Interstate 80 last month as Luis Angel Torres Rivera, according to the California Department of Justice. Torres Rivera was shot on January 22, 2025, during an encounter with a Richmond police detective on westbound Interstate 80 near the Highway![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--227.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Traffic-camera-footage-shows-police-activity-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/man-shot-by-richmond-detective-on-interstate-80-identified-by-california-doj/) On Friday, the Richmond Police Officers Association released a statement defending Hodges' actions and calling for the public to allow the investigative process to proceed based on facts rather than speculation. "Based on the facts known and the totality of the circumstances, the RPOA maintains that Det. Brandon Hodges acted lawfully and was fully justified in defending himself and others during a rapidly evolving and dangerous encounter," said Ben Therriault, RPOA President. According to Richmond police, Hodges was driving an unmarked vehicle when he encountered a car stopped in a traffic lane and contacted a man standing nearby. An altercation followed, and the detective fired his weapon. The man was transported to a hospital, where he later died. Therriault described Hodges as "a highly decorated, five-time Officer of the Year whose career reflects professionalism, sound judgment, and an unwavering commitment to public safety." The union said it remains confident the ongoing independent review will confirm that "Detective Hodges' actions were reasonable, necessary, and consistent with both the law and his training." The RPOA also called on the City of Richmond to "fully support its officers throughout this process." The DOJ is investigating the case under Assembly Bill 1506, which requires an independent state investigation of officer-involved shootings resulting in death. The DOJ's California Police Shooting Investigation Team is leading the investigation. Hodges is a detective with the Richmond Police Department, assigned to the department’s General Crimes Unit. Before becoming a detective, he served as a patrol officer and[ K‑9 handler](https://richmondstandard.com/richmond/2024/01/05/k9-gunnar-retires-after-historic-run-with-partner-officer-hodges/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) with his partner, Gunnar. Hodges has received recognition from colleagues, including multiple [Officer of the Year honors](https://richmondstandard.com/richmond/2020/03/31/richmond-public-safety-heroes-brandon-hodges/?ref=grandviewindependent.com). He was also named in a [federal civil lawsuit](https://www.ktvu.com/news/judge-approves-500k-in-richmond-police-failure-to-intervene-case?ref=grandviewindependent.com) alleging failure to intervene in another officer’s use of force. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Eight Great Things to do in Richmond URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/eight-great-things-to-do-in-richmond-25/ Last updated: 2026-02-06T23:56:05.000Z With 30-plus miles of shoreline, two yacht clubs, endless hiking and cycling trails, and a host of restaurants, art galleries, and historic resources, Richmond has a lot to offer. Each week, *Grandview* highlights the best, not-to-be-missed events and offerings from around the city. This week's best of Richmond events include Opera at Richmond's historic Hotel Mac, a new production at the Masquers Playhouse, Friday Nights Out, and a history talk at the Rosie the Riveter Visitor Center! ## First Friday Out @Windchaser Wine Co. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/02/Screenshot-2026-02-06-at-12.18.52-PM.png) **First Friday Out** with music from Richmond’s own Dave Matthews Blues Band, food and drinks from [@picklesnsmoke](https://www.instagram.com/picklesnsmoke/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) [@the\_factory\_bar](https://www.instagram.com/the%5Ffactory%5Fbar/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) [@rockyislandoysterco](https://www.instagram.com/rockyislandoysterco/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) and more. Wine starts spilling at 4 p.m., and the band starts at 5 p.m. It’s all happening! **1352 S. 49th St. Richmond, CA** ## Festival Opera @Hotel Mac ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/02/Screenshot-2026-02-06-at-12.22.59-PM.png) **We’re BACK - Festival Opera at the Mac!** Join us Friday, February 6, from 7:00-8:30 p.m. in the restaurant or at the bar for a beautiful and casual evening of opera hits with some surprises thrown in. Featuring mezzo-soprano Leandra Ramm, with Zachary Gordin at the piano - reservations at Biancoverde recommended. No cover charge. The historic Hotel Mac, located in beautiful Point Richmond, was a legendary venue for jazz and other live music in its heyday. After a long closure during the pandemic, the Mac reopened with a fantastic new Italian restaurant. Biancoverde hosts Festival Opera at the Mac - a monthly musical residency curated by Festival Opera’s General Director, Zachary Gordin. The series will bring favorite opera artists from the Bay Area and beyond to the Mac, performing hits from opera, Broadway, and more! Info and details on dates, artists, and reservations online at **www.festivalopera.org** ## Improbable Fiction @Masquers Playhouse ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/02/Screenshot-2026-02-06-at-12.31.18-PM.png) **February 6 - March 1** A self-help writers group meets at the home of Arnold, a gent who dreams of creative endeavours more liberating than the translation of foreign instruction manuals. After the group dismisses his suggestion of collaborating on a piece of writing, Arnold finds himself transported into the story that might have come from the collaboration. Director Angela Mason has gathered together a wonderfully funny, quirky cast to bring these fictional characters to life for the first show of the 2026 season - Simon Patton, Conrad Cady, Tyler Null, Lori Mrochinski, Atessa McAleenan-Morrell, Anna Kosiarek, and Alicia von Kugelgen. **Times**: Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 pm, **Sundays** at 2:00 pm Tickets: $35 individual; $30 Senior/Student ($15 discount show on Thursday, February 12th) www.masquers.org or 510-232-4031 **Masquers Playhouse, 105 Park Avenue, Pt. Richmond CA 94807** ## Open house @ Skytown Co-Op Preschool ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/02/b7a6d0085ae7b6587259d31ffbcd1ab4.png) **Come spend a joyful morning with us at Skytown Co-Op Preschool!** Join us on Saturday, February 7, for fun, discovery, and connection in a warm, welcoming environment. ✨ What to expect: -Meet our director and lead preschool teacher -Tour the school and explore our classrooms -Learn about our unique philosophy and values -Connect with local families and our community -Get details about enrollment options -Enjoy FREE coffee, tea, and bagels ☕🥯 This is a free, family-friendly event, and everyone is welcome, whether you’re actively looking for a preschool or just curious to learn more. We can’t wait to meet you and your family! **5714 Solano Avenue, Richmond, CA** [Skytown Co-Op Preschool](https://nextdoor.com/page/skytown-preschool-arrowbear-lake-ca/?is=feed%5Fauthor&ref=grandviewindependent.com) ## Winter Plant Swap @ Auditorium ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/02/Screenshot-2026-02-06-at-1.10.33-PM-2-1-1.png) **Saturday, February 7, 2026 1 p.m. - 3 p.m**.The Richmond Public Library invites you to explore the world of horticulture and develop your gardening skills. Bring any varieties of plants, seedlings, clippings, or divisions to exchange with others, or simply drop by to discuss plants with your fellow Richmond gardeners. All levels of gardening experience are welcome. **Location Auditorium Branch Library (Temporary Civic Center) Address:403 Civic Center Plaza Richmond, CA 94804 Contact:(510) 620-6561** ## Erica & Friends @Sailing Goat ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/02/Screenshot-2026-02-06-at-12.53.34-PM.png) **Feb 07, 2026, 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.** Erica & Friends bring audiences traditional and modern music from the British Isles and Ireland. Beautiful traditional folk songs and ballads, polkas, jigs, and reels interspersed with songs from the UK from bands like The Cranberries, Elvis Costello, Kate Bush. [https://www.ericaandfriends.com/](https://www.ericaandfriends.com/?ref=grandviewindependent.com), **Sailing Goat at Point San Pablo Harbor, 1900 Stenmark Dr, Richmond, CA 94801, USA** ## Whey on Wheels @The Factory Bar ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/02/Screenshot-2026-02-06-at-1.37.53-PM.png) **The Factory Bar** is super excited to host Whey on Wheels this Sunday! They’ll be bringing their delicious cheeses, treats, and sandwiches to Richmond! Nothing in the world pairs better than one of their amazing sandwiches and a local draft beer. Come by and see for yourself! **12513 San Pablo Avenue Richmond, CA, 94805** ## Life and Times of Henry J. Kaiser @Rosie the Riveter Visitor Center ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/02/Screenshot-2026-02-06-at-3.41.16-PM.png) **Please join us on Saturday Feb. 14 at 2 p.m.** for this informative presentation by Historian Steve Gilford about Henry J. Kaiser and his contributions to the WWII home front! **Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park Visitor Center 1414 Harbour Way Richmond, CA** --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond City Council directs staff to draft ICE-free zone ordinance URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-city-council-directs-staff-to-draft-ice-free-zone-ordinance/ Last updated: 2026-02-05T16:51:44.000Z The Richmond City Council voted Tuesday to direct city officials to develop an ordinance prohibiting the use of city property and resources for federal immigration enforcement, expanding on existing sanctuary city policies amid heightened concerns about federal enforcement actions. The council voted 6-0, with one abstention, to instruct the city manager and city attorney to return within 45 days with a proposed ICE-free zone ordinance. The measure, introduced by Councilmember Claudia Jimenez and Vice Mayor Doria Robinson, would restrict the use of city-owned property, facilities, personnel, and resources for federal civil immigration enforcement. Jimenez explained that the proposed ordinance would build on the city’s existing sanctuary policies by designating city properties as off-limits for federal enforcement and establishing communication protocols. The proposal includes two distinct components: the ICE-free zone ordinance itself and an implementation plan for how the city would respond to large-scale enforcement actions. “We have seen what is happening in other cities, and we want to be prepared,” Jimenez said. “This is providing a clear set of procedures so we are all together, knowing how the city is going to respond.” Jimenez stressed the urgency of the measure based on events unfolding nationally. “This is real. This is happening in other cities. People are being murdered by militias, and we need to be prepared,” Jimenez said. “What we hear from the community is that this is adding more to what we have, so we can send a clear message to our immigrant community and region, that we are here to do whatever it takes to make sure that in difficult times like this, we protect our community.” Vice Mayor Robinson emphasized the extraordinary nature of the current circumstances and cited specific federal policy discussions that heightened concerns. “I do believe that we are living in a time that we have not seen before, that what is happening in our country is extreme,” Robinson said. They’re bringing this budget forward to say whether or not there’s going to be funds for the Department of Homeland Security, one of the items that was being bandied back and forth with whether or not ICE would be able to deport us citizens.” According to the staff report, recent events in other jurisdictions, including National Guard deployments in Minneapolis and curfews imposed in Los Angeles, highlighted the need for enhanced local preparedness. Cities such as Chicago have implemented similar ICE-Free Zone policies with clear signage on city property and physical access controls. During public comment, multiple residents urged the council to move forward with the ordinance without delay. Andrew Melendez, a Richmond resident and member of Reimagine Richmond, said his organization had been conducting Know Your Rights training and connecting with immigrant families and business owners. “We’ve heard the same thing time and time again, which is that there continues to be so much panic in the community right now, right now is a time for our city to step up and ensure that Richmond stands with the immigrants,” Melendez said. “What this agenda item represents is a strengthening of the existing protections through our sanctuary ordinance, by providing signage, creating reporting protocols, staff training, and ultimately ensuring that the city is preparing for ice activity in the future.” Richmond Municipal Code Chapter 2.30 already prohibits the use of city property to assist in the enforcement of federal immigration law. The city adopted sanctuary ordinances in March 2025 and has allocated $1 million to support immigrant communities with legal aid. The measure raised concerns among council members about the proposal's breadth and the need for careful vetting. Councilmember Jamelia Brown, who ultimately abstained from the vote, expressed support for ICE-free zones but raised questions about the scope and implementation details. “I don’t oppose ICE-free zones, so let’s be clear, but I am concerned that labeling city property as ICE-free zones could unintentionally create fear, confusion, and false expectations if residents believe ICE cannot enter into these spaces where they legally can,” Brown said. “So I want to understand more on what we can legally do versus selling something to the community that’s not even true.” Brown also expressed concerns about mass communication alerts and the potential for misinterpretation. “If we send out mass text alerts, city-wide alerts, we’ll all have different interpretations of what those text messages mean,’ Brown said. “I just want to make sure that we are not over-promising protections that we can’t legally guarantee.” Brown said she wanted to ensure each component of the ordinance received proper evaluation. “I am concerned that the scope seems so broad, and I just want to make sure that we’re able to discuss each component that’s put into this ordinance.” The new ordinance would establish non-cooperation and resource-denial policies, including refusing deputization and denying logistical support to federal immigration enforcement beyond what is legally required. It would also direct city departments to identify applicable properties, install signage, and implement access controls where feasible. City officials are scheduled to report back to the council on March 3 regarding the city’s ongoing and planned efforts related to federal civil immigration enforcement actions. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Kennedy High volleyball coach arrested in Richmond sexual abuse investigation URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/kennedy-high-volleyball-coach-arrested-in-richmond-sexual-abuse-investigation/ Last updated: 2026-02-04T23:53:50.000Z A former Kennedy High School volleyball coach has been arrested on multiple felony charges following a months-long investigation into alleged sexual abuse involving a student, according to Richmond police. The investigation began September 17, 2025, after school administrators and a parent reported a suspected inappropriate relationship between an adult staff member and a juvenile student, Richmond Police Lt. Donald Patchin said. Police identified the staff member as Timothy Logan, 49, a Richmond resident. Detectives developed probable cause to arrest Logan on suspicion of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor. He was initially arrested, posted bail, and released while the investigation continued. “SVU detectives continued investigative efforts, including forensic examinations of digital evidence, which led to further criminal charges," Patchin said. On January 23, the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office charged Logan with two counts of committing a lewd act upon a minor, one count of arranging a meeting with a minor for sexual purposes, and one count of annoying or molesting a child. Logan was arrested again by Richmond police detectives in Antioch, booked into jail with bail set at $225,000, and remains in custody. Logan is scheduled to appear in Contra Costa County Superior Court on February 19, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. for a preliminary hearing, court records show. The school terminated Logan’s employment the same day the allegations were reported in September, police said. "The Richmond Police Department is proud of the thorough work of our SVU detectives and remains committed to protecting our youth and holding offenders accountable," Patchin said. Anyone with additional information is urged to contact the Richmond Police Department. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### What happened in Richmond: armed robberies, firearm discharges, and a rash of vehicle thefts URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/what-happened-in-richmond-armed-robberies-firearm-discharges-and-a-rash-of-vehicle-thefts/ Last updated: 2026-02-03T22:48:52.000Z Richmond police responded to a week of crimes between January 26 and February 1, including multiple armed robberies, several firearm discharges, human trafficking, and vehicle thefts across the city, according to department logs. Officers made numerous arrests for domestic violence, drug violations, and DUI while investigating assaults throughout the week. ### Richmond crime incidents map ## **Monday, January 26** **Armed robbery:** 12800 block of San Pablo Avenue. A robbery with a dangerous weapon was reported at 1:43 a.m. **DUI, resisting arrest, and disorderly conduct:** Richmond. Police hauled someone off to jail for driving under the influence. The person also allegedly obstructed a peace officer and was publicly intoxicated at 1:53 a.m. **Woodstock wanderer:** 100 block of Woodstock Court. A vehicle was stolen at 2:15 a.m. **Petty theft:** Undisclosed location in the 94804 zipcode. A theft was reported at 7 a.m. **Market Avenue misappropriation:** 1000 block of Market Avenue. A vehicle was taken without consent at 8:33 a.m. **Petty theft:** 4700 block of Hartnett Avenue. A theft was reported at 9:14 a.m. **Vehicle recovery:** South 4th Street. A stolen vehicle was recovered at 11:25 a.m. **Grand theft pickpocketing:** 1000 block of Market Avenue. A pickpocket was reportedly at work at 11:45 a.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 600 block of 29th Street. A stolen vehicle was recovered at 11:49 a.m. **Drug possession:** 2800 block of Moran Avenue. Someone allegedly possessed a narcotic controlled substance at 12:26 p.m. **Drug possession and resisting arrest:** 1300 block of Gaynor Avenue. Someone allegedly possessed controlled substances and obstructed a peace officer at 1:50 p.m. **Sexual assault:** Undisclosed location. A rape of a victim incapable of giving consent was reported at 2:04 p.m. **Sexual assault:** 2700 block of Groom Drive. Police arrested someone for allegedly annoying or molesting a victim under 18 years of age at 2:36 p.m. **Assault with force:** 900 block of West Cutting Boulevard. An assault with force causing possible great bodily injury was reported at 2:45 p.m. **Battery:** In the 94803\. A battery on a person occurred at 3:50 p.m. **Auto burglary:** 3200 block of Pierce Street. A vehicle was broken into at 4:26 p.m. **Contempt of court:** 2700 block of Shane Drive. Police nabbed someone said to be disobeying a court order at 4:56 p.m. **Protective order violation:** 800 block of Lassen Street. A court order to prevent domestic violence was ignored at 5:25 p.m. **Domestic violence:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. Someone allegedly inflicted corporal injury on a spouse or dating partner at 5:54 p.m. **Battery:** 5700 block of Oakmont Drive. A battery on a person was reported at 5:54 p.m. **Arson:** 2500 block of Lancaster Drive. Arson at an inhabited structure or property was reported at 8:37 p.m. **Criminal threats:** 700 block of Griffin Drive. Someone allegedly threatened a crime with the intent to terrorize at 8:45 p.m. **Shoplifting with priors:** 2300 block of Macdonald Avenue. Shoplifting and petty theft with prior jail time were reported at 10 p.m. **Shoplifting:** 2300 block of Macdonald Avenue. Another shoplifting incident occurred at 11:22 p.m. ## **Tuesday, January 27** **Shooting at dwelling:** 2300 block of Downer Avenue. A shooter reportedly hit an unoccupied and inhabited dwelling or vehicle at 12:03 a.m. **Firearm discharge:** 600 block of 13th Street. A firearm was discharged in a grossly negligent manner at 12:07 a.m. **Petty theft from a vehicle:** 700 block of 6th Street. Theft from a motor vehicle was reported at 2:13 a.m. **The early morning 5th Street flight:** 100 block of South 5th Street. A vehicle was stolen at 4:37 a.m. **DUI and no license:** In the 94804\. An under-the-influence driver didn’t have a license at 6:52 a.m. **The Ells Street exodus:** 1100 block of Ells Street. A vehicle was taken without consent at 7:42 a.m. **The Creely Avenue caper:** 5200 block of Creely Avenue. A vehicle was stolen at 9:15 a.m. **Petty theft:** 1200 block of Fred Jackson Way. A theft was reported at 9:46 a.m. **Residential burglary:** 1300 block of South 59th Street. A home was forcibly entered at 10 a.m. **Warrant arrest:** 2400 block of Aberdeen Way. Officers collared someone on a felony warrant at 10:37 a.m. **Assault with a deadly weapon:** 3700 block of Wall Avenue. An assault with a deadly weapon was reported at 10:56 a.m. **Petty theft, drug possession, false ID, and paraphernalia:** 4500 block of Macdonald Avenue. Police busted someone for petty theft. The person allegedly possessed controlled substances, gave false identification to officers, and had unlawful paraphernalia at 2:41 p.m. **Petty theft:** 4500 block of Macdonald Avenue. Another theft was reported at 4:02 p.m. **Armed robbery with a firearm:** 500 block of 19th Street. A robbery with a firearm was reported at 7:39 p.m. **Disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, and battery on an officer:** In the 94801\. Someone was allegedly disorderly under the influence, obstructed a peace officer at 7:40 p.m., and committed battery on a peace officer at 9:30 p.m. **The 9th Street snatch:** 100 block of 9th Street. A vehicle was stolen at 8 p.m. **Vehicle tampering:** 5100 block of Creely Avenue. Someone allegedly tampered with a vehicle at 9 p.m. **Firearm discharge:** 1400 block of Pennsylvania Avenue. You discharge a firearm in a grossly negligent manner? Believe it or not, jail at 9:22 p.m. **The Tulare takeaway:** 3400 block of Tulare Avenue. A vehicle was stolen at 11:10 p.m. ## **Wednesday, January 28** **Drug possession for sale:** In the 94801 zip code. Officers nabbed someone for possessing and purchasing for sale narcotic controlled substances and marijuana at midnight. **Vandalism and auto burglary:** In the 94801 zip code. Police arrested someone after property damage valued and a vehicle break-in were reported at 12:11 a.m. **The 7th Street surprise:** 200 block of South 7th Street. A vehicle was taken without consent at 1 a.m. **Stalking and criminal threats:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. Someone allegedly threatened a crime with the intent to terrorize and made annoying telephone calls at 1 a.m. **DUI and suspended license:** Richmond. Someone was arrested for driving under the influence with a suspended license for DUI at 2:40 a.m. **Commercial burglary:** 300 block of Carlson Boulevard. A commercial property was forcibly entered at 2:55 a.m. **Vehicle tampering:** 100 block of Harbour Way. Someone allegedly tampered with a vehicle at 4:50 a.m. **Vandalism:** 3900 block of Macdonald Avenue. Officers arrested a suspect vandal at 12:26 p.m. **Sexual assault:** 600 block of 19th Street. A sexual assault was reported at 4:52 p.m. **The parkway pilfer:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. A vehicle was stolen at 5:30 p.m. **Firearm possession by felon, resisting arrest, and probation violation:** Macdonald Avenue. Police arrested a felon for possessing and carrying a loaded handgun. The person also allegedly obstructed a peace officer and violated probation at 5:33 p.m. **Elder theft:** 600 block of Wilson Avenue. Theft from an elder or dependent adult over $400 was reported at 5:46 p.m. **Home invasion robbery:** 800 block of Virginia Avenue. A first-degree robbery at an inhabited dwelling was reported at 8 p.m. **The 26th Street steal:** 600 block of South 26th Street. A vehicle was stolen at 8 p.m. **DUI and police evasion:** 94801 zip code. Police arrested someone for driving under the influence and trying to evade a peace officer at 8:53 p.m. **Vandalism:** 2400 block of Aberdeen Way. Property damage was reported at 9:15 p.m. **DUI with priors:** In the 94801 zip code. Police arrested someone for driving under the influence with prior specific convictions at 11:37 p.m. ## **Thursday, January 29** **Grand theft:** Oregon Street. A theft was reported at midnight **The 8th Street swipe:** 300 block of South 8th Street. A vehicle was stolen at midnight **Domestic violence:** 3200 block of Pierce Street. Someone allegedly inflicted corporal injury on a spouse at midnight **DUI:** In the 94801\. Police arrested a driver for being under the influence at 1:07 a.m. **Assault with a deadly weapon:** 1300 block of Fred Jackson Way. An assault with a deadly weapon was reported at 1:22 a.m. **Trespassing, resisting arrest, and disorderly conduct:** 600 block of Harbour Way. Someone allegedly trespassed, obstructed a peace officer, and was disorderly due to alcohol at 3:39 a.m. **The 4th Street flight:** 4th Street. A vehicle was taken without consent at 7:11 a.m. **The Macdonald morning mishap:** 100 block of Macdonald Avenue. A vehicle was stolen at 7:26 a.m. **Domestic battery:** 3900 block of Ohio Avenue. Battery on a spouse or dating partner was reported at 8 a.m. **Contempt of court:** 3100 block of Pullman Avenue. A court order was allegedly disobeyed at 11:13 a.m. **Assault with deadly weapon:** 100 block of 22nd Street. Police made an arrest after someone allegedly assaulted another with a deadly weapon at 11:40 a.m. and committed battery on a peace officer at noon. **Brandishing a weapon:** 4500 block of Macdonald Avenue. Someone allegedly exhibited a deadly weapon at 12:09 p.m. **Child cruelty:** 4100 block of Lakeside Drive. Willful cruelty to a child with possible injury or death was reported at 1:36 p.m. **Vandalism:** 800 block of 7th Street. Property was defaced at 5:59 p.m. **Auto burglary and vandalism:** Richmond. A vehicle was broken into, and property damage valued at $400 or more was reported at 6 p.m. **Battery with serious injury:** 1200 block of Macdonald Avenue. A battery with serious bodily injury occurred at 6:53 p.m. **Boosted:** 1800 block of Chanslor Avenue. A vehicle was stolen at 8:30 p.m. **Criminal threats and firearm brandishing:** 400 block of 21st Street. Someone allegedly threatened a crime with the intent to terrorize and exhibited a firearm at 9:36 p.m. **Assault with a deadly weapon:** 2400 block of Maine Avenue. Police nabbed someone after an assault with a deadly weapon was reported at 10 p.m. **Firearm discharge:** In the 94801 zip code. A firearm was discharged in a grossly negligent manner at 10:23 p.m. **Impersonating a peace officer:** 700 block of Carlson Boulevard. Someone allegedly impersonated a peace officer at 11:07 p.m. **Human trafficking:** In the 94804 zip code. Human trafficking of a victim under 18 years of age was reported at 11:22 p.m. **Vandalism:** 2600 block of Hinkley Avenue. Property damage valued at $400 or more was reported at 11:45 p.m. ## **Friday, January 30** **Vandalism:** 94801 zip code. Damage to power connecting lines was reported at 1:27 a.m. **Battery with serious injury:** 12000 block of San Pablo Avenue. A battery with serious bodily injury was reported at 10:04 a.m. **Vehicle recovery:** In the 94801 zip code. A stolen vehicle was recovered at 11:22 a.m. **Protective order violation:** 1700 block of Burbeck Avenue. A court order to prevent domestic violence was reportedly violated at 2:15 p.m. **The 29th Street snatch:** 600 block of South 29th Street. A vehicle was stolen at 4 p.m. **Vandalism and theft of utilities:** 1100 block of Harbour Way South. Property damage valued at $400 or more and theft of utility services were reported at 4:04 p.m. **Armed robbery with a knife:** 2500 block of Macdonald Avenue. A robbery with a knife or cutting instrument was reported at 4:22 p.m. **Elder abuse, weapons violations, and child cruelty:** 900 block of 23rd Street. Police arrested someone suspected of causing harm or death to an elder or dependent adult at 4:51 p.m. The person also allegedly unlawfully possessed tear gas and a stun gun, committed child cruelty, and assaulted someone with a stun gun. **Contempt of court:** 300 block of South 35th Street. A court order was allegedly disobeyed at 5 p.m. **Pierce Street auto burglary spree:** 3200 block of Pierce Street. At least five separate vehicles were broken into between 8:22 p.m. and 9:15 p.m. **The Lassen lift:** 1000 block of Lassen Street. A vehicle was taken without consent at 8:47 p.m. **The 45th Street snatch:** 400 block of South 45th Street. A vehicle was stolen at 9:26 p.m. **Resisting arrest and rape:** Lincoln Avenue. Someone allegedly committed a sexual assault by force and obstructed a peace officer at 10:25 p.m. **Saturday, January 31** **Grand theft:** 5200 block of Imperial Avenue. A theft was reported at 12:17 a.m. **False identification:** El Cerrito. Police arrested someone for allegedly giving false identification to a peace officer at 1:09 a.m. **The 34th Street swipe:** 500 block of 34th Street. A vehicle was stolen at 2:15 a.m. **DUI:** In the 94804\. Police arrested a driver for driving under the influence at 3:46 a.m. **DUI:** 500 block of Harbour Way. Police arrested someone for driving under the influence at 4:27 a.m. **Drug possession, paraphernalia, possession for sale, and false ID:** Stege Avenue. Police arrested someone for possessing controlled substances, unlawful paraphernalia, and possessing controlled substances for sale at 5:25 a.m. The person also gave false identification to officers. **The 3rd Street steal:** 600 block of 3rd Street. A vehicle was taken without consent at 8:33 a.m. **Grand theft:** 300 block of South Street. A theft was reported at 8:45 a.m. **Contempt of court:** 1700 block of Regatta Boulevard. A court order was allegedly disobeyed at 10 a.m. **Suspended license:** In the 94804 zip code. Someone was arrested for driving with a suspended license for DUI at 10:41 a.m. **Contempt of court:** 800 block of Lassen Street. Officers nabbed someone for allegedly disobeying a court order at 11:59 a.m. **Petty theft:** 600 block of Ventura Street. Theft of motor vehicle parts or accessories was reported at 12 p.m. **Commercial burglary:** 700 block of 23rd Street. A commercial property was entered without force at 12:36 p.m. **Strong-arm robbery:** In the 94801\. A strong-arm robbery was reported at 4:45 p.m. **Armed robbery with firearm:** 2600 block of Maine Avenue. A robbery with a firearm was reported at 6:49 p.m. **Petty theft, paraphernalia, and false ID:** 4500 block of Macdonald Avenue. Someone allegedly committed petty theft, possessed unlawful paraphernalia, and gave false identification to officers before getting arrested at 7:13 p.m. **Auto burglary:** 2900 block of Moran Avenue. A vehicle was broken into at 7:20 p.m. **DUI:** the 94801 zip code. Someone was driving under the influence at 8:01 p.m. **Grand theft from a building:** 2000 block of Costa Avenue. Theft from a building was reported at 8:16 p.m. **DUI:** In the 94806 zip code. A driver was driving under the influence at 8:26 p.m. ## **Sunday, February 1** **Firearm and ammunition violations:** The 94801 zip code. Police found a violent felon in possession of body armor and ammunition at midnight. **Residential burglary:** 3200 block of Tulare Avenue. A residence was forcibly entered at 1:52 a.m. **False imprisonment and domestic battery:** 600 block of 1st Street. Police arrested someone suspected of falsely imprisoning another with violence and committing battery on a spouse or dating partner at 4:33 a.m. **Robbery, domestic violence, and battery:** 3200 block of Pierce Street. An armed robbery with a firearm, an infliction of corporal injury on a spouse, and a battery on a spouse were all reported at 10:43 a.m. **Domestic battery:** 2600 block of Hilltop Drive. Battery on a spouse or dating partner was reported at 11:38 a.m. **Battery:** 700 block of McLaughlin Street. A battery on a person was reported at 11:54 a.m. **Fraud:** 2900 block of Moran Avenue. Theft by use of access card information was reported at 12:24 p.m. **Protective order violation:** 1700 block of Burbeck Avenue. Someone allegedly violated a court order to prevent domestic violence at 2:02 p.m. **The Chanslor caper:** 200 block of West Chanslor Avenue. A vehicle was stolen at 2:38 p.m. **Protective order violation:** 1500 block of Nevin Plaza. Someone allegedly violated a court order to prevent domestic violence at 6:13 p.m. **DUI:** 94804 zip code. A driver was suspected of being under the influence at 7:22 p.m. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### More curry, fewer vacancies: a new Thai restaurant opens on San Pablo Avenue URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/more-curry-fewer-vacancies-a-new-thai-restaurant-opens-on-san-pablo-avenue/ Last updated: 2026-02-03T18:29:42.000Z The former Sa Wad Dee Thai storefront on San Pablo Avenue is back in business, and with it comes an unexpected luxury for Richmond residents: more choices. With the January opening of Top Thai Cuisine, San Pablo Avenue now has multiple Thai restaurants clustered within a few blocks, turning an ordinary stretch of The Avenue into a small but serious noodle corridor. Top Thai Cuisine opened January 28 at 12200 San Pablo Avenue, across from the Wendy's that's about to get renovated into something modern, near the Golden Gate Western Wear with its golden horse standing guard out front, down from Gul Auto Care, where the tires are stacked neatly in the parking lot. The old Sa Wad Dee Thai space sat empty for a couple of years. Now it's not. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/02/top-thai-cuisine-interior-richmond-san-pablo-avenue-1.webp) Inside Top Thai Cuisine at 12200 San Pablo Avenue in Richmond, which opened January 28, 2026 in the former Sa Wad Dee Thai space. There is a lot on the menu. Red, green, and yellow curries with your choice of what to put in them. BBQ chicken marinated with Thai herbs. Satay chicken on skewers with peanut sauce. Pad see ew, pad kee mao, basil fried rice, pineapple fried rice with cashews and raisins. Rice plates, coconut soup, and tom yum. The kind of menu where you could eat there twice a week for a month and never order the same thing. Inside Top Thai Cuisine, the space runs narrow and clean. Tables line up against walls painted warm colors. Simple chairs. Nothing fancy. It's bright enough to see what you're eating. We ordered Pad Thai with Shrimp because we are suckers for saucy noodles and peanuts. We were warned that the dish has peanuts. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/02/top-thai-pad-thai-shrimp-richmond-new-restaurant-1-1-1.webp) Pad Thai with Shrimp at Top Thai Cuisine in Richmond. Five shrimp, rice noodles coated in tamarind sauce, bean sprouts, green onions, and crushed peanuts. The dish arrives steaming hot. The noodles glisten, coated thick with tamarind sauce that pools slightly at the edges. Five shrimp buried in the noodles, pink and proper. Crushed peanuts scattered like confetti. Bean sprouts piled high. Green onions cut clean. After nearly 20 years in Castro Valley, the family didn’t tweak the menu — they just brought it to Richmond. They source ingredients from the farmers' market every morning. The vegetables taste like they remember being vegetables. The noodles come soft with resistance, coated in tamarind sauce, hitting tangy and sweet. The shrimp, not rubbery, not underdone, cooked properly. One previous reviewer noted missing bean sprouts at Top Thai. They were there this time. Fresh. Crunchy. Doing their job. Meanwhile, Pra Jam at 12440 San Pablo Avenue keeps doing what it does: authentic recipes passed down through generations, traditional cooking techniques, and open until 8:30 most nights. Two different families. Two menus. Same stretch of San Pablo Avenue, somewhere in what might be our Gourmet Ghetto, assuming that runs from San Pablo to the El Cerrito city limits, probably. At Pra Jam, we ordered the Pad Thai and Red Curry. The red curry runs deep orange-red, thick with coconut milk and curry paste. Green beans float among chunks of chicken, basil leaves dark against the surface. Oil pools at the edges where the spices have separated out, the way proper curry does when it's been cooked long enough for the flavors to break down and recombine into something new. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/02/pra-jam-red-curry-richmond-thai-restaurant.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/02/pra-jam-pad-thai-red-curry-richmond-thai-restaurant.webp) At Pra Jam we ordered the Pad Thai and Red Curry. The red curry runs deep orange-red with green beans and chicken floating in coconut milk broth, while the pad thai noodles glisten with tamarind sauce and fresh bean sprouts. The Pad Thai noodles coil glossy with tamarind sauce. Bean sprouts piled on top, still white and crisp, not wilted from steam. The noodles have that pale orange tint that means they've been properly coated, each strand separate from the next. The portion runs generous, the kind that feeds one person well or two people adequately. Not much further down the road, there's Pakao Ma Thai Lao at 11880 San Pablo Avenue, just over the border in El Cerrito. Now there's this embarrassment of riches, this surplus of lemongrass and basil, this abundance we kept asking for. The golden horse watches. The tires stay stacked. Wendy's prepares for its makeover. How long the old neighborhood lasts is anybody's guess. But right now, on this stretch of The Avenue, we have more curry and noodle dealers than we did a few years ago, and that counts for something. Sa Wad Dee closed. The space sat empty. Top Thai opened. We win. The Pad Thai was good. We'll be back to both. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond police investigate Monday morning shooting on South 23rd Street URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-police-investigate-monday-morning-shooting-on-south-23rd-street/ Last updated: 2026-02-02T22:49:42.000Z Richmond Police are actively investigating a shooting near South 23rd Street and Ohio Avenue Monday morning, and are asking residents to avoid the area. Visible at the scene is a dark-colored Honda Civic that was stopped in the roadway with its door open. Yellow police tape cordoned off the area, and evidence markers were placed in the street as officers restricted access to the area. City Councilmember Doria Robinson, whose District 3 includes the area of the incident, shared an early report. “So far, I am told that no one was killed or injured, but this is still alarming,” Robinson said. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/02/richmond-police-investigation-shoot-scene-residential-street-1.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/02/richmond-police-investigation-crash-scene-residential-street.webp) Police secure South 23rd Street in Richmond during an investigation into a shooting. Nearby, two vehicles with extensive damage were on a curb in front of a home. One vehicle had heavy damage to the front end, while the other showed significant damage to the rear, with glass and debris scattered along the curb and roadway. The street is expected to be closed until approximately 10:30 am. This is a developing story; check back for updates. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Nurses rally at Richmond Kaiser against ICE following Alex Pretti death URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/nurses-rally-at-richmond-kaiser-against-ice-following-alex-pretti-death/ Last updated: 2026-02-02T07:00:23.000Z Nurses and community members gathered outside Kaiser Richmond Medical Center on Friday evening for a candlelight vigil honoring Alex Pretti, who was killed by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis, MN. Pretti, a Veteran's Administration nurse, was killed during an ICE operation on January 24, 2026\. National Nurses United has called for a week of action in his memory and is demanding that Congress immediately abolish ICE. The demonstration drew local officials, community activists, and healthcare workers who condemned ICE tactics and warned of looming healthcare cuts under the current administration. "When we see the death of fellow Americans, I'm getting some hope that the public is rising up," said Contra Costa County Supervisor John Gioia. "We know what's happening in this country is unacceptable. We know it's outrageous." Gioia told the crowd that Contra Costa County could lose an estimated $300 million in health funding each year under a new House bill, potentially leaving tens of thousands without care. County officials are considering a ballot measure to offset the cuts. Gioia also promoted the county's Stand Together program, a $4 million annual initiative through the Public Defender's Office that provides rapid response legal services to immigrants facing deportation. The program recently launched a mobile legal van to reach more communities. The vigil comes as the Richmond City Council prepares to consider an "ICE Out" sanctuary policy at Tuesday's meeting, which would prohibit federal immigration agents from using city facilities. [On the agenda: cannabis relief, ICE-free zones and Craneway negotiationsRichmond’s City Council will consider measures on Tuesday to support struggling cannabis businesses and ban federal immigration enforcement from city property, discuss relocating the historic SS Red Oak Victory, and receive a presentation on corporate land acquisitions. The agenda also includes closed-session negotiations regarding the Craneway Pavilion, commission appointments,![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--224.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/candlelight-vigil-kaiser-richmond-nurses-united-immigration-reform-january-2026-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-agenda-cannabis-relief-ice-free-zones-and-craneway-negotiations/) Richmond Mayor Eduardo Martinez condemned what he called "institutional murder." "ICE is a Gestapo action that is murdering us and trying to power us with fear," Martinez said. "We can't let that happen, and the fact that we're out here standing shows that we are not afraid." Martinez also called for redirecting money spent on incarceration to healthcare and nurses. BK Williams of the Richmond Progressive Alliance, whose mother was a nurse, invoked the memory of Keith Porter, a Black man killed by ICE in Los Angeles on December 31. "In the Black community, we've been looking at racism, state-sanctioned violence, all of our lives," Williams said. "We stand with you, we stand with the nurses, we stand with the immigrants, and we stand because we know it's the right thing to do." --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Man shot by Richmond detective on Interstate 80 identified by California DOJ URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/man-shot-by-richmond-detective-on-interstate-80-identified-by-california-doj/ Last updated: 2026-02-02T17:12:44.000Z Authorities have identified the man killed in an officer-involved shooting on Interstate 80 last month as Luis Angel Torres Rivera, according to the California Department of Justice. Torres Rivera was shot on January 22, 2025, during an encounter with a Richmond police detective on westbound Interstate 80 near the Highway 4 interchange, authorities said. He was transported to a local trauma center, where he later died. [Richmond police officer involved in shooting on I-80 near Highway 4; CHP investigatingLast update: 4:22 p.m. Thursday, January 22, 2026 A Richmond Police detective reportedly shot and killed a man welding a tire jack on Interstate 80 near Hercules Thursday morning, shutting down part of the freeway, and causing a massive traffic snarl that persisted for much of the day.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--223.png)Grandview IndependentLinda Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/IMG_3746-1-2.jpg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-police-officer-involved-in-shooting-on-i-80-near-highway-4-chp-investigating/) The Richmond Police Department said a detective traveling westbound on I-80 shortly after 7 a.m. encountered a gold Nissan sedan stopped and blocking the far left lane of traffic. The detective, who was driving an unmarked police vehicle, stopped and activated emergency lights to assist what appeared to be a stranded motorist. Police said the detective contacted an adult man standing near the vehicle who was holding a metal object. An altercation occurred, and the detective discharged their service weapon, striking the man. Emergency medical personnel rendered aid at the scene. The detective sustained minor injuries and was treated at a local hospital, police said. At the time of the shooting, the detective was not in uniform and was not wearing a body-worn camera. Richmond police said detectives assigned to investigative divisions wear business attire and are not required to wear body cameras. A [video](https://www.tiktok.com/@leave%5Fyour%5Fmark%5Flance/video/7598244816857632031?is%5Ffrom%5Fwebapp=1&sender%5Fdevice=pc&web%5Fid=7547588987335083533&ref=grandviewindependent.com) of the aftermath of the shooting has circulated widely on social media. The footage, which has been shared on platforms including Instagram and TikTok, appears to show a man lying on the roadway as a Richmond police detective breaks a window of a vehicle with an object and opens the door. The California Department of Justice has assumed responsibility for investigating the shooting under Assembly Bill 1506 because it is unclear whether the man was armed with a dangerous weapon at the time of the shooting, police said. DOJ records list the location as westbound Interstate 80 east of Pinole Valley Road. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Overnight fire destroys trailer in parking lot near Macdonald Avenue Target URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/overnight-fire-destroys-trailer-in-parking-lot-near-macdonald-avenue-target/ Last updated: 2026-01-31T19:23:41.000Z A trailer was destroyed by an overnight fire in a parking lot near the Macdonald Avenue Target store, sending flames high into the air above an area where several RVs and trailers have recently taken up residence. An unidentified man at the scene said he heard a loud boom and went outside to investigate, where he saw flames shooting 80 feet into the air. He said the fire appeared to originate from a propane tank on the driver’s side of the trailer, where blue flames were visible as firefighters worked to control the blaze. > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DUL3AbgjQNO/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by Grandview Independent (@grandviewindependent)](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DUL3AbgjQNO/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) No one was believed to be inside the trailer at the time of the fire, as it was not yet habitable. Richmond firefighters responded to the scene and later shared images of the fire on social media. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### On the agenda: cannabis relief, ICE-free zones and Craneway negotiations URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-agenda-cannabis-relief-ice-free-zones-and-craneway-negotiations/ Last updated: 2026-01-31T03:30:42.000Z Richmond’s City Council will consider measures on Tuesday to support struggling cannabis businesses and ban federal immigration enforcement from city property, discuss relocating the historic SS Red Oak Victory, and receive a presentation on corporate land acquisitions. The agenda also includes closed-session negotiations regarding the Craneway Pavilion, commission appointments, and the recognition of four community leaders for Black History Month. ## [Richmond moves to create ICE-free zones ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60374&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Two councilmembers want to turn municipal buildings into off-limits territory for federal immigration agents, part of a growing movement among California cities to push back against enforcement operations they say threaten public trust and community safety. Councilmember Claudia Jimenez and Vice-Mayor Doria Robinson are asking the city to draft what they’re calling an “ICE-Free Zone Ordinance,” a policy that would ban U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement from using city property for raids and require officials to report any attempts to do so immediately. Richmond’s proposal comes amid a wave of similar local actions. Alameda County supervisors unanimously approved ICE-free zones on county property on Tuesday, banning federal immigration agents from using county facilities and requiring physical barriers and signage. Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee signed two executive orders on Thursday, creating a Protect the Town Task Force and prohibiting federal agents from using city property for enforcement. [Oakland: Mayor Lee Signs Executive Orders To Limit Federal Immigration Activity In The CityOakland Mayor Barbara Lee signed two executive orders Thursday that outline the city’s response to immigration enforcement activity in the city.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/apple-touch-icon-196x196-4.png)Brandpoint![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/rawImage-5.jpg)](https://www.sfgate.com/news/bayarea/article/oakland-mayor-lee-signs-executive-orders-to-21323014.php?ref=grandviewindependent.com) “Recent national developments have raised concerns about the use of local government resources and property for federal civil immigration enforcement,” councilmembers wrote in their agenda report. Richmond already has rules on the books. Chapter 2.30 of the municipal code bars using city property to help enforce federal immigration law. But Jimenez and Robinson say what happened in other cities shows Richmond needs clearer boundaries, better preparation, and a plan to keep residents informed. The ordinance they’re proposing would go further than what exists now. City departments would have to identify all city-owned or controlled property, post signs declaring those spaces off-limits for immigration enforcement, and install access controls where possible. Any federal attempt to use city facilities would trigger immediate notification to the City Manager, Mayor’s Office, and City Attorney. Jimenez and Robinson are also pushing for community preparedness planning to explore converting libraries, recreation centers, and community centers into emergency shelters or clinics during crises. The plan includes neighborhood-level preparation: block-by-block organizing, participation in Community Emergency Response Teams, and distribution of preparedness packets with emergency contacts, immigrant defense resources, services for unhoused residents, food distribution sites, and rental assistance information. The Richmond proposal directs City Manager Shasa Curl and City Attorney Shannon Moore to report back on March 3 regarding the city’s current and planned responses to federal immigration enforcement, and to return within 45 days with a draft ordinance. --- ## [Pot shops getting smoked by the competition](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60376&ref=grandviewindependent.com) On paper, Richmond’s cannabis agenda item looks routine: a consent calendar request for staff to come back in 60 days with recommendations. In reality, it’s a response to a market that’s been quietly buckling under its own weight. State regulators have been warning about it for months. The California Department of Cannabis Control’s latest *Report on the Condition and Health of the Cannabis Industry* says legal sales have slipped from their pandemic highs, even as the state continues to license more production than the legal market can absorb. The result is oversupply, deep price compression, and thinning margins, which have pushed some operators to shut down or let licenses lapse. A state-commissioned [*California Cannabis Market Outlook*](https://cdn.cannabis.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/California-Cannabis-Market-Outlook-Executive-Summary-FNL.pdf?ref=grandviewindependent.com) estimates licensed growers produced about 1.4 million pounds of cannabis in 2024, while total consumption statewide was closer to 3.8 million pounds. That gap translates into a legal market that supplies only about 40 percent of what Californians consume, with the rest still coming from unlicensed sellers. Richmond is feeling the same pressure. A staff report prepared for Tuesday’s City Council meeting says licensed cannabis dealers in the city are struggling with rising compliance costs, state tax obligations, and competition from illegal operators who don’t pay either. Those pressures, staff warned, threaten not only business viability but the city’s Cannabis Equity Program, which was designed to help operators from communities disproportionately harmed by past drug enforcement. Richmond collected nearly $1.2 million in marijuana taxes during the 2024-2025 fiscal year from 14 cannabis businesses operating in the city. The agenda item would direct the city manager to return within 60 days with options that could include financial relief, regulatory adjustments, or equity-focused assistance, in an effort to keep the local legal market from slipping further behind the illicit market. --- ## [Red Oak Victory: All at sea over a stationary ship](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60354&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The council is set to revisit two items that have appeared on previous agendas. The first involves approving a $299,797 contract with Liftech Consultants Inc. to plan and conduct preliminary design work for relocating the SS Red Oak Victory, a historic World War II cargo ship. This item, originally scheduled for the December 16, 2025, meeting, was continued and is now back for consideration. [On the agenda: port finances, youth programs, and fire safetyThe Richmond City Council’s January 6, 2026, meeting will address approving a contract to relocate the historic SS Red Oak Victory ship, discussing in closed session a liability claim filed by former Police Chief Allwyn Brown, and reviewing Port of Richmond financial reports and an independent evaluation of youth grant![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--222.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-12-26-at-7.22.03-PM-1-1.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-agenda-port-finances-youth-programs-and-fire-safety/) ## [Legal limits on institutional landlords](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60375&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The second item returns to the issue of corporate land-grab practices, which was first heard last year. Councilmember Soheila Bana is bringing forward a presentation from the Sustainable Economies Law Center that will examine how corporations acquire land in ways that may disadvantage local communities and residents. The agenda item calls for the council to receive the presentation and then direct the City Attorney’s Office to evaluate the legal risks associated with enacting local legislation to ban such practices in Richmond. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/01/Sustainable-Economies-Law-Center.webp) Illustration from the Sustainable Economies Law Center highlighting its work across food sovereignty, land return, immigrant cooperatives, and workplace democracy, featuring community members and programs --- ## Craneway to heaven: A waterfront venue deal The council will enter closed session to discuss negotiations regarding the Craneway Pavilion at 1414 Harbour Way South, the waterfront venue currently operated by Orton Entertainment, LLC. With the city’s Community Development Director, Finance Director, and special legal counsel at the negotiating table, the discussion will focus on price and payment terms. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/01/IMG_4669-2.jpeg) Photo/ Linda Hemmila The Craneway has been a source of ongoing tension between the city and its private operator, with disputes over management, maintenance, and the venue’s role in Richmond’s waterfront revitalization, making this closed-door negotiation a potentially significant development in the fate of one of the city’s most distinctive public assets. [Richmond in negotiations over Craneway Pavilion futureCity officials say a deal may be close with the current leaseholder of the historic Craneway Pavilion after months of private negotiations. City Councilmember Sue Wilson informed residents at the November 12 Marina Bay Neighborhood Council meeting that negotiations are ongoing, but they remain confidential due to legal requirements for![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--221.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-craneway-pavilion-negotiations-2025-1-1-1-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-in-negotiations-over-craneway-pavilion-future/) ## Board games: mayor assigns to arts, commerce, and corridor commissions Mayor Eduardo Martinez is bringing forward four commission and task force appointments for council approval: Jamin Pursell to the Economic Development Commission, Cata Aviña to the Richmond Arts and Culture Commission, and both Ruthie Dineen and Bryan Alvarez to the Macdonald Avenue Corridor Task Force. --- ## [Richmond honors four Black civic stalwarts](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60361&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Doris Mason, A.J. Jelani, J.C. Farr Jr., and Nat Bates are being recognized as longstanding Black community leaders and Neighborhood Council contributors in a proclamation celebrating Black History Month. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond Planning Commission to review 222 new housing units across three sites URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-planning-commission-to-review-222-new-housing-units-across-three-sites/ Last updated: 2026-01-30T18:36:32.000Z The Richmond Planning Commission is set to consider three residential developments on Thursday, February 5, that would add 222 housing units across Canal Boulevard, Central Avenue, and Marina Way, including single-family homes, townhouses, and junior accessory dwelling units. The projects include the Quarry Residential Project at 1135 Canal Boulevard, which proposes 76 small-lot single-family homes; the Cascade Townhome project on Central Avenue, with 46 condominium-style units; and the Marina Point Residential Project at Marina Way, which includes 70 single-family homes and 30 junior accessory dwelling units. [Richmond considers housing development for long-vacant Central Avenue siteA vacant lot on Central Avenue that has cycled through multiple failed housing proposals over the past decade, including a 393-unit apartment building approved in 2023, is back before city planners, this time with a far more modest development plan. The Richmond Design Review Board will consider a 46-unit townhome![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--218.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/IMG_3707-1.jpeg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-considers-housing-development-for-long-vacant-central-avenue-site/) City planners have recommended conditional approval of the Quarry project, which aligns with the city’s long-range housing plan. Staff has also recommended conditional approval of the Cascade Townhome project, while issuing no recommendation in advance of the meeting for the Marina Way proposal. [Marina Bay waterfront housing project moves to design reviewA proposed waterfront housing development in Marina Bay is back in the spotlight after the city missed state-mandated deadlines for reviewing the plan. The Marina Point Residential Project calls for 70 three-story homes plus 30 accessory dwelling units on a 4.92-acre vacant parcel next to the Rosie the Riveter![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--219.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Marina-Bay-waterfront-housing-project-1-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/marina-bay-waterfront-housing-project-moves-to-design-review/) Opposition has emerged around the Marina Point project, particularly from residents of the Marina Bay neighborhood, who say community concerns were dismissed earlier in the review process. “At the December Design Review Board hearing, community concerns regarding unresolved safety and traffic issues, emergency access constraints, inadequate parking, district assessments, and shoreline protections were dismissed,” Margarita Mitas, president of the Marina Bay Neighborhood Council, wrote in comments submitted to the city. Mitas said residents do not dispute the need for housing but object to how decisions are being made. “There’s no disagreement that housing is needed everywhere,” Mitas said. “However, the residents of the Marina Bay community deserve to be heard and have their concerns reflected in the city’s decision-making process.” While the three projects vary in size and location, planning documents show they also differ in how closely they align with the numbers used in Richmond’s state-certified [Housing Element.](https://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/DocumentCenter/View/66913/6th-Cycle-Housing-Element%5FCertified?bidId=&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The Housing Element assumed 863 housing units would be built across the three sites now before the commission. The projects under consideration total 222 units, a difference city staff has acknowledged in at least one staff report. In the Central Avenue item, planners note the proposal represents “a potential loss in housing capacity for the site as compared to the site’s projected capacity in the Housing Element,” adding that the difference “may be accommodated by development potential on sites that were not identified in the Housing Element’s Sites Inventory.” Only the Quarry Residential Project matches the Housing Element’s assumed capacity, proposing the same 76 units planned for the site. The Central Avenue and Marina Way proposals would deliver substantially fewer units than listed in the housing plan. [Quarry Residential Project to be discussed at special meeting WednesdayA 76-unit residential development planned for a former quarry site in Point Richmond will be discussed at a special Design Review Board meeting on Wednesday, December 17\. The Quarry Residential Project is proposed for 1135 Canal Boulevard, an 18.4-acre site sits south of the intersection of Canal Boulevard and![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--220.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Quarry-Residential-Project-fence-notice-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/quarry-residential-project-to-be-discussed-at-special-meeting-wednesday/) State law requires cities to plan for enough housing capacity to meet their Regional Housing Needs Allocation, but does not require individual projects to be built at the densities assumed in those plans. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### West Contra Costa school board tables decision on Betty Soskin Middle School closure URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/west-contra-costa-school-board-tables-decision-on-betty-soskin-middle-school-closure/ Last updated: 2026-01-29T16:18:14.000Z The West Contra Costa Unified School District board voted 3-2 late Wednesday to table a proposal to close Betty Reid Soskin Middle School and relocate the district’s growing Mandarin immersion program to the Soskin campus. The board approved only the current year’s fiscal solvency measures and delayed voting on the school merger proposal until February 11 to allow more time for community input. [West Contra Costa School District faces $127 million deficit, plans major cutsThe West Contra Costa Unified School District is confronting a $127 million budget shortfall over the next three years, prompting officials to propose widespread staff reductions, program cuts affecting 400 positions and restructuring that could merge small middle schools and reconfigure K-8 campuses. Superintendent Cheryl Cotton outlined the financial situation![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--217.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Superintendent-cheryl-cotton-1-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/west-contra-costa-school-district-faces-127-million-deficit-plans-major-cuts/) The tabled proposal calls for merging Soskin with Pinole Middle School at the Pinole campus, combining 279 Soskin students with 324 Pinole students. West County Mandarin School, currently a K-8 program with 577 students, would move to the vacated Soskin campus. Jose De Leon, an executive director for the district, presented the merger proposal during the Tuesday night meeting. “The suggestion is looking at a merger of Betty Reid Soskin and Pinole Middle,” De Leon said. “Making a transition for Betty Reid Soskin and Pinole Middle School to be combined at the Pinole Middle School campus will meet the needs of the students, and moving the West County Mandarin School to the Soskin campus will let them grow because it is one of our only schools that takes in students from outside the district.” District officials said the Mandarin program has the highest enrollment demand in the district and that, due to space limitations, they are unable to accommodate any out-of-district students each year. The school merger is part of a proposed $127 million three-year deficit-reduction plan, driven by declining enrollment and a structural budget crisis. The district has lost 450 students in the past year. The board approved only current-year measures on Tuesday, delaying decisions on the larger cuts planned for 2026-27. Parents and teachers objected to the proposal during public comment, citing inadequate notice and lack of community input. “The first we heard of a possible closure of the school and merging with Pinole Middle was yesterday, and we only learned at this meeting today,” said Brian Mendez, a parent of two special education seventh graders at Soskin. “If parents are only finding out about this at the last minute, then you haven’t done the work that you need to do.” Cristina Kountz, an elective teacher at Betty Reid Soskin Middle School, urged district leaders to reconsider proposed changes she said would disproportionately harm vulnerable students and families. “These proposals are rushed and harmful. Families will leave, and I’m asking you to think about community schools,” Kountz said. “Our district has a pattern of disrupting its most vulnerable communities. That is structural racism. It’s not fair that district leaders can resign and take accountability with them. I’m a child of that harm, and I’m fighting for my child and my students so they don’t experience it. Please reconsider voting on these proposals.” District officials said the merger would provide expanded opportunities for students at both schools. Putting Soskin with Pinole Middle would actually give both students a more robust support system, including community school support and access to more electives and classes. Trustee Demetrio Gonzalez-Hoy made the motion to approve only the 2025-26 fiscal solvency plan and “table all other proposals for the February 11 meeting to get further feedback,” while directing staff to “bring us a plan for revenue enhancement strategies” and to meet “with the various groups affected, such as our labor groups, K-8 schools, Betty Reid Soskin, Pinole Middle.” Trustee Jamela Smith-Folds questioned the delay, asking what alternatives exist to the district’s proposal. “This is the plan. Their plan is what has been put before us,” Smith-Folds said. “What’s the board’s plan to create that gap in revenue that comes when you don’t do what was presented?” Gonzalez-Hoy responded that the public and labor groups needed more time for input. “We might not find solutions, and we might end up in the same place, but we need to do that. We can’t do that in a silo,” Gonzalez-Hoy said. “We have two weeks. It might not be very long, but we can go sit in a room together with different groups and hear them out. We owe that respect to them, and they might have better ideas.” The vote came at 11:31 p.m., when the board was legally required to adjourn. Trustees Cinthia Hernandez, Demetrio Gonzalez-Hoy, and Guadalupe Enllana voted yes on the motion to table, while Leslie Reckler and Jamela Smith-Folds voted no. The school merger proposal is expected to save the district more than $900,000 annually and will be reconsidered at the February 11 board meeting. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.*three-year deficit-reduction plan ### What happened in Richmond: vehicle thefts pile up alongside robberies, DUIs and arrests URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/what-happened-in-richmond-vehicle-thefts-pile-up-alongside-robberies-duis-and-arrests/ Last updated: 2026-01-26T16:53:18.000Z Richmond police responded to a week of crimes between January 19 and 25, including numerous vehicle thefts, domestic violence incidents, and drug-related arrests across the city, according to department logs. Officers made arrests in several violent incidents and recovered stolen vehicles throughout the week. ### Richmond crime incident map *A citywide map highlights where crimes and public safety incidents were reported in Richmond during the week of January 19-25, 2026.* ## Monday, January 19 **Pennsylvania pilfering:** 400 block of Pennsylvania Avenue. A vehicle was taken without the owner's consent at 12:22 a.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 1200 block of Barrett Avenue. Police recovered a stolen vehicle at 4:55 a.m. **Residential burglary and grand theft:** 2800 block of Humphrey Avenue. A residence was forcibly entered, and a theft over $400 was reported at 10 a.m. **Criminal threats:** 2100 block of Nevin Avenue. Someone allegedly threatened a crime with the intent to terrorize at 10:13 a.m. **Contempt of court:** 2300 block of Lancaster Drive. A person allegedly disobeyed a court order at 12:16 p.m. **Drug paraphernalia and vandalism:** 3400 block of Macdonald Avenue. Police arrested someone after allegedly discovering unlawful paraphernalia. Property damage less than $400 was also reported at 12:22 p.m. **Armed robbery and brandishing:** 100 block of 2nd Street. A robbery with a knife or cutting instrument was reported. The suspect also allegedly exhibited a deadly weapon at 12:36 p.m. **Domestic battery and vandalism:** 200 block of 15th Street. Someone allegedly committed battery on a spouse or dating partner, damaged property valued at $400 or more, and earned a trip to the Gray Bar Hotel at 3:30 p.m. **Petty theft:** 4500 block of Macdonald Avenue. A theft was reported at 4:03 p.m. **Trespassing:** 600 block of 18th Street. Someone who refused to leave a posted land was given free lodging courtesy of the police at 4:14 p.m. **Contempt of court:** 1700 block of Regatta Boulevard. A person allegedly disobeyed a court order at 4:30 p.m. **Petty theft:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. A theft was reported at 7 p.m. **Driving without a license:** In the 94801 zip code. Police nabbed a driver for driving without a license at 7:12 p.m. **Warrant arrest and resisting:** 4600 block of Potrero Avenue. Officers arrested someone on a felony warrant. The suspect also allegedly obstructed a peace officer at 7:30 p.m. **Domestic battery:** 3600 block of Sierra Ridge Avenue. Police busted someone who allegedly committed battery on a spouse or dating partner at 7:30 p.m. **Vandalism:** 12500 block of San Pablo Avenue. Property damage valued at $400 or more was reported at 10 p.m. **Grand theft shoplifting:** 2300 block of Macdonald Avenue. A shoplifting incident involving grand theft was reported at 10:18 p.m. **The Ohio Avenue exodus:** 3700 block of Ohio Avenue. A vehicle was taken without consent at 10:50 p.m. ## Tuesday, January 20 **Battery:** 300 block of South 6th Street. A battery on a person was reported at 12:14 a.m. **DUI bust:** Lincoln Avenue. A young (under 21) rocket-fueled driver was taken off the road at 2:30 a.m. **DUI:** 2700 block of Center Avenue. Police arrested another motorist for driving under the influence at 3:02 a.m. **Battery and vandalism:** 200 block of Macdonald Avenue. A battery on a person occurred, and property damage valued at $400 or more was reported at 6:57 a.m. **Fraud:** 5200 block of Heavenly Ridge Lane. It was reported that someone obtained money by false pretenses at 7:42 a.m. **Hit-and-run and unlicensed driver:** 2900 block of Birmingham Drive. An unlicensed driver allegedly fled a hit-and-run with property damage at 8:45 a.m. **The 18th Street surprise:** 400 block of 18th Street. A vehicle was taken without the owner's consent at 8:45 a.m. **Residential burglary:** 3200 block of Annapolis Avenue. A home was entered without force at 9:43 a.m. **Criminal threats:** 2400 block of Lancaster Drive. Someone allegedly threatened a crime with the intent to terrorize at 10:08 a.m. **Petty theft:** 4500 block of Macdonald Avenue. A theft was reported at 10:19 a.m. **Trespassing and battery on an officer:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. Someone allegedly refused to leave posted land, committed battery on a peace officer, and was welcomed into police custody at 10:31 a.m. **DUI:** 500 block of Marine Street. Police arrested a driver suspected of being under the influence at 11:44 a.m. **Drug possession and ammunition violation:** 2400 block of Aberdeen Way. Officers arrested someone after discovering controlled substances. The person was also said to be a person prohibited from possessing ammunition at 1:20 p.m. **Petty theft:** 200 block of Macdonald Avenue. A theft was reported at 2:17 p.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 2400 block of Aberdeen Way. A stolen vehicle was recovered at 2:25 p.m. **Extortion:** 3800 block of Roosevelt Avenue. An extortion was reported at 4 p.m. **Robbery:** 900 block of 13th Street. Police arrested a robbery suspect at 4:01 p.m. **Shoplifting:** 1300 block of Macdonald Avenue. A shoplifting incident occurred at 4:18 p.m. **Brandishing a firearm:** Undisclosed location in the 94804 zip code. Someone allegedly exhibited a firearm at 4:34 p.m. **Petty theft:** 2900 block of Groom Drive. Motor vehicle parts or accessories went missing at 5:26 p.m. **Drug paraphernalia:** In the 94801\. Someone was found with unlawful paraphernalia and arrested at 6:08 p.m. **Midnight motor mischief:** 4200 block of Roosevelt Avenue. A vehicle was stolen at 9 p.m. **The Hilltop heist:** 2600 block of Hilltop Drive. Another vehicle was taken without consent at 10 p.m. ## Wednesday, January 21 **Protective order violation and contempt:** 800 block of Lassen Street. A frequent flyer was picked up suspected of violating a court order to prevent domestic violence at 3 a.m. **Warrant arrest:** In the 94804\. Officers arrested someone on a misdemeanor warrant at 3:47 a.m. **Child cruelty:** 2800 block of Sheldon Drive. Willful cruelty to a child was reported at 6:30 a.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 200 block of 15th Street. A stolen vehicle was recovered at 6:54 a.m. **Grand theft pickpocketing:** In the 94805\. A pickpocket was reportedly at work at 9:57 a.m. **Assault with force:** Seabreeze Drive. An assault with force causing possible great bodily injury was reported at 10 a.m. **Open alcohol container:** 900 block of Cutting Boulevard. Someone was found with an open alcohol container in a vehicle at 10:45 a.m. **Petty theft:** 3000 block of Andrade Avenue. A theft was reported at noon. **Vanishing act on 23rd:** 1000 block of 23rd Street. A vehicle was taken without the owner's consent at 12:45 p.m. **Trespassing:** 2400 block of Aberdeen Way. Trespassing was reported at 2:07 p.m. **Battery:** 600 block of Berk Avenue. A battery on a person was reported at 3:52 p.m. **Firearm discharge:** 1000 block of Hensley Street. A firearm was discharged in a grossly negligent manner at 7:17 p.m. **Resisting arrest:** 100 block of West Macdonald Avenue. An unsuccessful attempt was made to obstruct a peace officer at 7:30 p.m. **Elder abuse and sexual battery:** 3600 block of Barrett Avenue. Elder or dependent adult cruelty, sexual battery, and indecent exposure were reported at 7:59 p.m. **The Rheem removal:** 2700 block of Rheem Avenue. A vehicle was stolen at 8:00 p.m. **DUI combo platter:** Richmond. Police arrested someone for driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, and a combination of both. The driver was also operating without a license at 10:51 p.m. ## Thursday, January 22 **Shoplifting and weapon brandishing:** 2300 block of Macdonald Avenue. Someone allegedly shoplifted and exhibited a deadly weapon at 12:40 a.m. **Protective order violation:** 2700 block of Shane Drive. A protective order was said to have been violated at 1:46 a.m. **Arson:** 600 block of Sanford Avenue. Arson causing great bodily injury was reported at 1:56 a.m. **Domestic battery:** 4900 block of Clinton Avenue. Battery on a spouse or dating partner was reported at 3 a.m. **Loaded firearm possession:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. Someone was carrying a loaded firearm in public and was also not the registered owner of the handgun at 3:22 a.m. [Richmond police officer involved in shooting on I-80 near Highway 4; CHP investigatingLast update: 4:22 p.m. Thursday, January 22, 2026 A Richmond Police detective reportedly shot and killed a man welding a tire jack on Interstate 80 near Hercules Thursday morning, shutting down part of the freeway, and causing a massive traffic snarl that persisted for much of the day.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--216.png)Grandview IndependentLinda Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/IMG_3746-1-1.jpg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-police-officer-involved-in-shooting-on-i-80-near-highway-4-chp-investigating/) **Domestic violence with priors:** 3100 block of Garrity Way. Officers made an arrest for aggravated assault after someone allegedly inflicted corporal injury on a spouse with prior convictions at 12:42 p.m. **Brandishing a weapon:** 10200 block of San Pablo Avenue. A deadly weapon was reportedly exhibited at 2:01 p.m. **Auto burglary and vandalism:** 1100 block of 23rd Street. A vehicle was broken into, and property damage of less than $400 was reported at 2:47 p.m. **Grand theft:** 300 block of East Richmond Avenue. A theft was reported at 4 p.m. **Vandalism and tampering:** 1400 block of Macdonald Avenue. Property damage valued at $400 or more was reported, and someone tampered with a vehicle at 4:30 p.m. **Drug possession and paraphernalia:** 2700 block of Ohio Avenue. Police arrested someone after discovering controlled substances and unlawful paraphernalia at 5 p.m. **Contempt of court:** 2600 block of Shane Drive. A court order was allegedly disobeyed at 5:14 p.m. **Vandalism:** 700 block of Amador Street. Property damage valued at $400 or more was reported at 6 p.m. **Domestic violence:** 100 block of Chanslor Avenue. Someone allegedly inflicted corporal injury on a spouse at 6:30 p.m. **Residential burglary and resisting arrest:** 5200 block of Colusa Avenue. A residence was forcibly entered. The suspect also allegedly obstructed a peace officer and was arrested at 7:11 p.m. **Battery:** 1400 block of Atlas Road. Battery on a person was reported at 8:20 p.m. **DUI:** 1000 block of 28th Street. Police arrested a motorist for driving under the influence at 9:00 p.m. **The Barrett bandit:** 1900 block of Barrett Avenue. A vehicle was taken without consent at 10 p.m. ## Friday, January 23 **Drug paraphernalia and false ID:** In the 94804\. Police arrested someone after discovering unlawful paraphernalia. The person also gave false identification to officers at 1:27 a.m. **Brandishing a firearm:** 3500 block of Morningside Drive. Someone allegedly exhibited a firearm at 3:18 a.m. **Commercial burglary:** 12600 block of San Pablo Avenue. A commercial property was forcibly entered at 4:53 a.m. **DUI and resisting arrest:** 400 block of South 11th Street. Police arrested someone for driving under the influence. The person also allegedly obstructed an executive officer at 10:23 a.m. **Shoplifting:** 1200 block of Macdonald Avenue. A shoplifting incident occurred at 1:43 p.m. **Battery:** 2000 block of Macdonald Avenue. A battery on a person was reported at 3:10 p.m. **Residential burglary:** 1400 block of York Street. A residence was entered without force at 4:12 p.m. **The Florida flight:** 2100 block of Florida Avenue. A vehicle was stolen at 6 p.m. **Trespassing:** 1000 block of Cutting Boulevard. Someone refused to leave a property after the owner requested at 6:14 p.m. **Commercial burglary:** 4900 block of Macdonald Avenue. A commercial property was forcibly entered at 7:30 p.m. **Wheels go walkabout:** 600 block of 38th Street. A vehicle was taken without consent at 8 p.m. **The Ohio Avenue overnight:** 1900 block of Ohio Avenue. Another vehicle was stolen at 8:58 p.m. **Mystery mobile missing:** Richmond. A vehicle was taken without consent at 9:30 p.m. **Community noise:** 2800 block of Jo Ann Drive. A community noise violation was reported at 10:45 p.m. **Warrant arrest:** 600 block of 3rd Street. Police arrested someone on a misdemeanor warrant at 10:56 p.m. ## Saturday, January 24 **Petty theft:** 600 block of Lucas Avenue. A theft was reported at 12:34 a.m. **Domestic battery:** 2400 block of Lancaster Drive. Police made an arrest for assault after a battery on a spouse or dating partner was reported at 2:45 a.m. **Domestic battery:** 600 block of South 31st Street. Another battery on a spouse or dating partner, another person arrested at 3:39 a.m. **Parkway pilfering:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. A vehicle was taken without the owner's consent at 12:02 p.m. **Domestic violence and child cruelty:** 1300 block of Bissell Avenue. Someone was said to have inflicted corporal injury on a spouse and committed willful cruelty to a child at 12:04 p.m. **Battery:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. A battery on a person was reported at 4:53 p.m. **Residential burglary:** 300 block of 21st Street. A residence was entered without force at 6:36 p.m. **DUI:** 5300 block of Clinton Avenue. Police arrested someone for driving under the influence at 7:10 p.m. **Domestic battery:** 3900 block of Selmi Grove. Battery on a spouse or dating partner was reported at 7:50 p.m. **The Garvin grab:** 2000 block of Garvin Avenue. A vehicle was stolen at 10:37 p.m. **Late-night Hinkley heist:** 2600 block of Hinkley Avenue. Another vehicle was taken without consent at 11:23 p.m. ## Sunday, January 25 ​​**Petty theft:** 2400 block of Lancaster Drive. A theft was reported at 10:46 a.m. **Metro walk-off:** 400 block of Metro Walk Way. A vehicle was taken without the owner's consent at 11:04 a.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 400 block of 32nd Street. A stolen vehicle was recovered at 2:58 p.m. **The Roosevelt roll-out:** 1000 block of Roosevelt Avenue. A vehicle was stolen at 7 p.m. **Drug paraphernalia:** Somewhere in the 94804\. Police discovered someone with unlawful paraphernalia at 8:48 p.m. **Petty theft:** 3200 block of Pierce Street. Theft of motor vehicle parts or accessories was reported at 10:22 p.m. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### On the agenda: Chevron money, civil-rights litigation and crime trends URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-agenda-chevron-money-civil-rights-litigation-and-crime-trends/ Last updated: 2026-01-25T18:06:43.000Z The [Richmond City Council will meet Tuesday](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx?Id=7089743b-46fb-4cdb-b56d-66adcbe55d7d&Agenda=Agenda&lang=English&ref=grandviewindependent.com) to debate competing proposals for spending millions in Chevron settlement funds, consider changes to how council liaisons are appointed to boards and commissions, and weigh a $4 million contract amendment for sewer rehabilitation, while also conferring in closed session on a federal civil rights lawsuit tied to a 2021 in-custody death and moving through a packed consent calendar of appointments, budget items and resolutions, including a measure expressing solidarity with the people of Iran. ### Closed session litigation The council will talk with attorneys about a federal civil rights lawsuit stemming from the 2021 in-custody death of Ivan Gutzalenko. Court records show the case has moved into its final pretrial stage, with recent court orders issued in January 2026 and the judge ruling on evidentiary motions. The matter is proceeding toward trial while settlement discussions remain ongoing, according to the docket. [At least 16 people died in California after medics injected sedatives during encounters with policeAn investigation by The Associated Press has found that at least 16 people died in California over a decade following physical encounters with police during which medical personnel also injected them with a powerful sedative.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/apple-touch-icon-8.png)AP NewsRYAN J. FOLEY![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/90)](https://apnews.com/article/california-lethal-restraint-police-sedation-injections-midazolam-e4f96a2f237ffbd0f63d979e0bdefd9c?ref=grandviewindependent.com) ## Study and action items ## Chevron cash is back on the agenda Two proposals for spending millions in Chevron settlement funds are back on the agenda. Councilmember Claudia Jimenez, Mayor Eduardo Martinez, and Vice Mayor Doria Robinson want to [hire a consultant to gather community input ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60290&ref=grandviewindependent.com)on spending Polluters Pay settlement funds. Separately, Councilmember Cesar Zepeda proposes [six annual district meetings to collect public input ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60293&ref=grandviewindependent.com)on settlement expenditures before budget deliberations. Zepeda’s item sits near the very end of the agenda, where proposals have recently gone to quietly not be heard. ## [Advanced life support first responder devices ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60345&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The council will receive an update on the Advanced Life Support (ALS) First Responder Services, Fire Station Upgrades and Replacements, and associated Five-Year Financial Forecast. ## [$4 million Veolia contract amendment ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60277&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The council will vote on a $4 million contract amendment with Veolia Water for sanitary sewer rehabilitation work, increasing the total project cost to $6.5 million. ## The price of maintenance The Public Works department is also requesting [$269,747 for three fuel-reduction mowing units](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60308&ref=grandviewindependent.com), $125,000 for [bicycle circulation improvements](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60337&ref=grandviewindependent.com) near West Cutting Boulevard, and approval of a [$25,000 agreement with Union Pacific Railroad](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60274&ref=grandviewindependent.com) for Barrett Avenue pedestrian project engineering. The council will also consider a $44,500 contract amendment for moving and storage services. ## [Synchronising the machinery of city hall](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60288&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Mayor Martinez proposes shifting to a two-year appointment cycle for council liaisons to boards and commissions, aligned with election cycles. Current liaisons would serve through December 2026. ## Fine-tuning city hall’s pay machine The council will consider three human resources measures, including approval of updated salary schedules for all employee unions to meet [state retirement system requirements.](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60334&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The council will also vote on adding a new salary range for the [City Attorney position](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60329&ref=grandviewindependent.com) ($341,391.60) to the municipal pay schedule. Councilmembers will review [proposed changes to salaries and benefits ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60331&ref=grandviewindependent.com)for unrepresented executive management employees that would align their compensation with represented management staff in the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers Local 21 bargaining unit. ## [December crime report](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60328&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The council will receive the December 2025 crime report from the Richmond Police Department. The department reported a rise in both violent and property crimes during December 2025, driven largely by a spike in robberies and thefts. [Richmond records lowest homicides in years, but gun violence surges in final quarterRichmond police recorded the city’s lowest number of homicides in years in 2025, but a surge in shootings during the final three months has officials working to address what they’re calling one of the most significant spikes in gun violence in half a decade. The city recorded six homicides last![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--215.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/ihop-shooting-hilltop-richmond-1-1-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-records-lowest-homicides-in-years-but-gun-violence-surges-in-final-quarter/) According to the monthly report issued by Police Chief Tim Simmons, robberies surged by 63 percent and thefts, including auto burglaries, jumped 59 percent compared to November. Despite the overall 3 percent increase in violent incidents, sexual assaults saw a significant 48 percent decline, and the city’s homicide count matched the previous month with two reported cases, including a fatal shooting on Macdonald Avenue and a Klose Way homicide that ended in a suspect’s suicide. The month was marked by several high-profile incidents, including a violent attempted murder on McBryde Avenue, where a passerby intervened to save a woman from an armed attacker, and a shooting near a local school on Chanslor Avenue that struck a campus building. While police noted a 19 percent decrease in vehicle impounds and a dip in total calls for service across most districts, the department saw a 29 percent increase in DUI-related collisions. Enforcement efforts remained active despite the shifts, with the Parking Enforcement Unit issuing over 2,800 citations and towing dozens of abandoned vehicles to address community complaints. ## On the consent calendar ## [A resolution supporting Iranian protesters ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60323&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Councilmember Soheila Bana has sponsored a resolution expressing solidarity with Iranian citizens protesting for human rights and democratic reforms, while simultaneously opposing any foreign military intervention in the country. The resolution condemns the violent crackdowns on peaceful demonstrators who have taken to the streets in recent years, demanding economic justice and political reform. The measure specifically supports a “Hands Off Iran” policy that recognizes Iranians’ right to self-determination without external interference. ## Mayor names eight to boards, from aging to police oversight Mayor Martinez has nominated eight residents to various boards: Lorene Ransbottom, Beverly A. Dynes, and Regina Whitney to the Commission on Aging; Linda Whitmore to the Richmond Zhoushan Friendship Commission; Free Brown to the Workforce Development Board; and Ana Tellez Witrago to the Community Police Review Commission. ## Recognitions and proclamations The agenda includes recognitions for [International Holocaust Remembrance Day](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60294&ref=grandviewindependent.com), [Black History Month ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60297&ref=grandviewindependent.com)and the [Watson Ellison Foundation’s Alzheimer’s awareness work.](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60315&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The city has announced the [2025 Richmond Women of the Year, ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60317&ref=grandviewindependent.com)recognizing ten local leaders for their contributions to the community. This year’s honorees include Anna Duran from the Richmond Police Department, community advocate Cheryl Collier, civic leader and community advocate Lakisha Mitchell-Keith, Miriam Wong from The Latina Center, Naomi Williams of the Pullman Neighborhood Council, Regina Whitney from the Richmond Branch of the NAACP, Sara Wally of Richmond Main Street and PLANN-A Development, Tiffany Harris from the Bay Area Girls Club, Trina Jackson-Lincoln from the City Council Office, and Yvette Williams-Barr from the city’s LEAP program. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2026 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### UPDATE: DOJ assumes investigation into fatal officer-involved shooting on I-80 URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/update-doj-assumes-investigation-into-fatal-officer-involved-shooting-on-i-80/ Last updated: 2026-01-23T03:08:14.000Z The California Department of Justice has assumed responsibility for investigating a fatal officer-involved shooting on Interstate 80 near Highway 4, Richmond police said Thursday, citing uncertainty over whether the person involved was armed at the time of the shooting. In a detailed news release issued late Thursday, police said the shooting followed reports of a gold or gray Nissan sedan driving recklessly at high speeds through Vallejo and along westbound I-80. [Richmond police officer involved in shooting on I-80 near Highway 4; CHP investigatingLast update: 4:22 p.m. Thursday, January 22, 2026 A Richmond Police detective reportedly shot and killed a man welding a tire jack on Interstate 80 near Hercules Thursday morning, shutting down part of the freeway, and causing a massive traffic snarl that persisted for much of the day.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--214.png)Grandview IndependentLinda Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/IMG_3746-1.jpg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-police-officer-involved-in-shooting-on-i-80-near-highway-4-chp-investigating/) “On January 22, 2026, at approximately 6:35 a.m., California Highway Patrol Golden Communications Center received multiple calls regarding a gold or gray Nissan sedan traveling westbound on Interstate 80 through Vallejo,” Richmond Police Lt. Patchin said. Callers reported the vehicle was “driving recklessly, at high speeds, cutting in and out of traffic, and was involved in several collisions.” Police said a Richmond Police Department detective later encountered the vehicle stopped and blocking a westbound lane near Highway 4. “At approximately 7:17 a.m., a Richmond Police Department detective was traveling westbound on I-80, near Highway 4 in an unmarked department vehicle,” Patchin said. “The detective stopped and activated their emergency lights to render aid to what appeared to be a stranded motorist." According to police, the detective contacted an adult male standing near the vehicle who was holding a metal object. “During the encounter, an altercation occurred with the individual, and the detective discharged their service weapon, striking the individual,” Patchin said. Emergency medical personnel responded and transported the man to a local trauma center, where he later died. The detective sustained minor injuries and was treated at a hospital, police said. Patchin said preliminary information indicates the Nissan sedan encountered by the detective “is the same vehicle previously reported to the CHP.” The detective was not wearing a camera at the time of the shooting. “At the time of the incident, the detective was not in uniform and was not wearing a body-worn camera because detectives assigned to investigative divisions are to wear business attire and are not required to wear body-worn cameras,” Patchin said. Under California Assembly Bill 1506, the Department of Justice assumes responsibility for investigating officer-involved shootings when it is unclear whether a subject was armed with a dangerous weapon at the time of the shooting. Anyone with information, including video recordings, is encouraged to contact the California Department of Justice, police said. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond police officer involved in shooting on I-80 near Highway 4; CHP investigating URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-police-officer-involved-in-shooting-on-i-80-near-highway-4-chp-investigating/ Last updated: 2026-07-03T22:12:57.000Z *Last update: 4:22 p.m. Thursday, January 22, 2026* A Richmond Police detective reportedly shot and killed a man welding a tire jack on Interstate 80 near Hercules Thursday morning, shutting down part of the freeway and causing a massive traffic snarl that persisted for much of the day. According to media reports, the detective, who wasn't named, was on his way to work in an unmarked police vehicle when he spotted a car stopped in the fast lane and pulled in behind it to offer assistance. A man brandishing a scissor jack came toward the detective, who responded by discharging his service weapon at the man, who reportedly died. Richmond police public information officer Lt. Donald Patchin confirmed to *Grandview* that an RPD officer was involved in a shooting on Thursday morning. “An RPD officer was involved in a shooting this morning on I-80 near Hwy 4\. Due to the location of the shooting, CHP is handling the investigation,” Patchin said. No additional details about the circumstances of the shooting were immediately released. A statement from Ted Asregadoo, Public Information Officer for the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office, said they are participating in the investigation with the California Highway Patrol, which has primary jurisdiction over the investigation; however, the California Attorney General's Office will lead the legal investigation based on the specific circumstances of the incident. "The Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office’s participation in the investigation is in accordance with the County’s Law Enforcement-Involved Fatal Incident protocol," Asregadoo said. "While Assembly Bill 1506 requires the California Department of Justice to investigate officer-involved shootings of unarmed civilians, this particular case does not explicitly fall under that mandate. However, the Attorney General's Office has assumed the lead role due to the dynamics of the incident." Westbound I-80 between Hercules and Pinole Valley Rd. remains closed as investigators continue to work at the scene. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond City Council accepts mayor’s apology, approves antisemitism training URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-city-council-accepts-mayors-apology-approves-antisemitism-training/ Last updated: 2026-01-22T04:12:50.000Z Richmond Mayor Eduardo Martinez publicly apologized Tuesday night for reposting social media content that included antisemitic tropes, as the council voted to recognize his participation in antisemitism training but rejected an effort to censure the mayor after hours of contentious debate. “It’s difficult to apologize, not because one is insincere, but because there are people who are not ready to accept an apology,” Martinez said as he opened the agenda item. “The problem with making apologies is that, especially to a large group, is that everyone needs to hear something different.” [A censure effort returns as Richmond’s mayor offers his own remedyThe Richmond City Council will vote Tuesday on whether to formally censure Mayor Eduardo Martinez for sharing social media content that community leaders say promoted antisemitic conspiracy theories. This comes as Martinez submitted his own agenda item proposing a “restorative process” including antisemitism training. The censure resolution, sponsored by Vice![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--211.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/eduardo-martinez-chevron-protest-richmond-city-council-censure-1-1-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/a-censure-effort-returns-as-richmonds-mayor-offers-his-own-remedy/) Martinez read a prepared statement addressed to Jewish residents of Richmond and the broader community, saying, “I owe you a clear and unambiguous apology.” Martinez said antisemitism “is real” and “creates fear, isolation and danger for Jewish people, including right here in Richmond.” ![Richmond Mayor Eduardo Martinez](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/01/eduardo-martinez-richmond-city-council-mayor-apology-antisemitism-training-meeting.webp) Richmond Mayor Eduardo Martinez read an apology during the January 20, 2026 Richmond City Council meeting. #### Read the mayor’s full written apology **To Jewish community members of Richmond, and to our broader community:** ****I owe you a clear and unambiguous apology.** Antisemitism is real. It is not abstract or theoretical — it creates fear, isolation, and danger for Jewish people, including right here in Richmond. As mayor, my words carry weight. In this instance, I failed to meet the responsibility that my position requires. I reposted content online that included antisemitic tropes and conspiracy theories, which have long been used to dehumanize Jewish people and justify violence against them. I was wrong to share them, and I take full responsibility for the harm I caused. I regret the content I reposted, and I am deeply sorry. Racism and bigotry of any kind have no place in our city. My apology is also dedicated to the people who felt they had to choose between taking concerns of antisemitism seriously, or continuing to support me and the larger vision of justice we strive toward. We must be clear that we will not allow antisemitism in our movements, nor will we allow antisemitism to be weaponized against progressive causes. It is legitimate and important to critique political ideologies and power structures — but it is never acceptable to invoke dehumanizing ideas. I have been outspoken in my criticism of the Israeli government. By allowing valid criticism of Israel’s policies and actions to drift into incorrect and unsubstantiated claims, I regret that I compromised the integrity of the Palestinian solidarity movement. Here in Richmond, we are serious about confronting racism in every form, and I am grateful that the public is holding me accountable. I received direct, constructive engagement from Rabbi Julie Saxe-Taller from Temple Beth Hillel, who responded with honesty and care. She met with me face to face to help me understand, on a human level, why what I reposted was antisemitic, how it landed, and how it contributed to fear among some Jewish members of our community. She also guided me toward concrete steps to begin repairing the harm I caused. Rabbi Saxe-Taller’s leadership reflects the very best of Richmond — a commitment to mutual respect and collaboration. I also sought advice from Rabbi Yitzchok Wagner and Rabbi Cat Zavis and will follow their recommendations to study the history of antisemitism. I understand that learning alone is not the same as repair. But learning is essential if repair is to be real and lasting. Richmond is a proud multi-faith community, and our city is strong because we meet our challenges together. I believe in a future we can be proud of — not because we avoided mistakes, but because we faced them together with courage and honesty. “As mayor, my words carry weight,” Martinez said. “In this instance, I failed to meet the responsibility that my position requires. I reposted content online that included antisemitic tropes and conspiracy theories, which have long been used to dehumanize Jewish people and justify violence against them. I was wrong to share them.” Martinez said he took “full responsibility for the harm I caused” and described meetings with several rabbis, including Rabbi Julie Saxe-Taller, who he said helped him understand “on a human level, why what I reposted was antisemitic, how it landed, and how it contributed to fear among some Jewish members of our community.” [Richmond mayor’s social media posts spark controversy: the media coverageThe recent controversy surrounding Richmond Mayor Eduardo Martinez has drawn scrutiny from a wide range of local, regional, and international news outlets. The media coverage focuses on a central debate: whether Martinez’s social media activity was a “careless mistake” or a “dangerous pattern of conduct.” Last week, Martinez engaged![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--212.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/eduardo-martinez-richmond-mayor-1-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-mayors-social-media-posts-spark-controversy-the-media-coverage/) Public comment followed, with dozens of speakers weighing in on both a restorative process and formal discipline. Several speakers urged the council to give the mayor an opportunity to learn and repair relationships, while others said an apology alone was insufficient and that the council needed to formally condemn antisemitism through a censure. Following public comment, Martinez introduced a motion to recognize his participation in antisemitism training led by trainers recommended by Temple Beth Hillel leadership, direct him to meet at least two more times with Rabbi Saxe-Teller in the first quarter of the year, and require him to issue a public apology at a council meeting and in a local newspaper. [Richmond mayor controversy dominates meeting after emergency item rejectedThe Richmond City Council swiftly cleared new business items from its agenda Tuesday night, sent city staff home, and spent hours hearing public comment focused on Mayor Eduardo Martinez and the council’s failed effort to formally censure him for controversial social media posts. Vice Mayor Cesar Zepeda and Councilmember Jamelia![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--213.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/ichmond-city-hall-public-attendance-council-meeting-1-1-2.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-mayor-controversy-dominates-meeting-after-emergency-item-rejected/) Martinez initially proposed requiring all council members to attend the training, but that language drew objections. Councilmember Sue Wilson suggested a friendly amendment stating that most council members had voluntarily agreed to attend instead. “I want to make sure that I am there,” Wilson said. “I think we all have a lot to learn.” Councilmember Jamelia Brown said the council’s response failed to adequately address the harm caused by the mayor’s actions, arguing that education and training alone did not replace the need for formal accountability. “I believe that the city council has the obligation to formally acknowledge that. Name the harm and set clear boundaries for the unacceptable conduct that took place using the only tool that’s afforded to us by the charter, which is a censure,” Brown said. Councilmember Cesar Zepeda moved to fold a censure into the original agenda item, but the amendment failed after a split vote. The council then approved the original motion, as amended, on a 6-1 vote, with Brown voting no. The council agreed to continue a separate censure resolution at a future meeting but did not select a date. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### On the Richmond Burrito Trail: the second-best La Flor de Jalisco taco truck URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-richmond-burrito-trail-the-second-best-la-flor-de-jalisco-taco-truck/ Last updated: 2026-01-22T05:09:52.000Z We kept riding around looking for lunch, and it was cold out. We kept getting denied. Locked doors with faded handwritten notes peeling at the corners. Dark taquerías that claimed to be open on Yelp but were never actually open when you showed up shivering in the parking lot on a Tuesday afternoon. Then we saw a La Flor De Jalisco truck parked where [La Alma De Sol ](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-richmond-burrito-trail-la-alma-de-sol-mexican-cuisine-leaves-you-wanting-more/)normally stands at 37th and Macdonald. That works. That'll do. Jalisco, México, is two thousand miles away, but La Flor De Jalisco is right here at 37th and Barrett on a cold and rainy day when everything else has let you down. See, we've burned through most of the burrito dealers in Richmond by now. We have mixed reviews of La Flora as a franchise operation. [The La Flora Jalisco on San Pablo Avenue](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-richmond-burrito-trail-la-flor-de-jaliscos-san-pablo-avenue-location/) is one of our favorites, top three, easy. The one on [Macdonald](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-richmond-burrito-trail-la-flor-de-jalisco/) used to be a favorite but isn't anymore. Something changed. Different cook, maybe. Different motivations. We don't know. But this is the fourth Jalisco we've tried, and it's probably the second-best one, which in this town means it's still pretty damn good. [On the Richmond Burrito Trail: completing the La Flor de Jalisco triadRichmond Burrito Trail returns to 23rd Street for a Super Carne Asada Burrito from La Flor de Jalisco.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--210.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/La-Flor-de-Jalisco.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-richmond-burrito-trail-completing-the-la-flor-de-jalisco-triad/) In honor of RFK Jr.'s new food pyramid, we went with the Carne Asada for our Super Burrito. Is that how it works? We usually prefer Grilled Chicken or Carnitas Burritos, but we are willing to do Our Part. ![La Flora de Jalisco](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/01/carne-asada-super-burrito-la-flora-jalisco-richmond.webp) The Carne Asada Super Burrito from La Flora Jalisco features a good steak-to-rice ratio, refried beans doing that melty-cheese thing, but the spicy herby red salsa is what makes it complete. Pour it on or don't bother ordering. The Super Steak Burrito arrived quickly. Lots of steak cut small, just one small step above ground beef in terms of grind, but tender enough. Lots of sour cream coated the beef. Refried beans are doing that melty cheese thing that makes bean and cheese burritos so good in the first place, that textural, tasty magic act where you can't tell where bean ends and cheese begins. Good mix of ingredients. Not rice-heavy like some places that pad their margins with carbs. Onions and cilantro added sharp, green notes. Spanish rice with those little tomato-stained grains. Untoasted tortilla, which is not the end of the world. But here's the thing: pour that spicy herby red salsa on top. The burrito is not complete without it. It wakes everything up. It cuts through the sour cream. It makes the steak remember it used to be meat that moved around in a field somewhere. It ties the whole construction together. The burrito cost $16.11 and weighed in at 678 grams, short of the favorite La Flor de Jalisco burrito truck on San Pablo Avenue always a 700-plus honker. We kept riding around looking for food, and we found it. Fourth Jalisco, second-best result. Some days that's a victory. Some days that's exactly what you needed. The truck is parked where it shouldn't be, but exactly where it should be. And the burrito does what a burrito is supposed to do on a cold day in Richmond when all the other doors are locked. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community - Burrito reviews **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Photo of the day URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/photo-of-the-day/ Last updated: 2026-01-20T00:43:22.000Z Stunning weather and a day off from school and work brought out residents and wildlife alike on Monday, as temperatures around the city were unseasonably warm for mid-January. But don't pack the sweater and jacket away just yet, temperatures are expected to be much cooler the rest of the week. --- [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### What happened in Richmond: multiple arrests, robberies, and stolen vehicles reported URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/what-happened-in-richmond-multiple-arrests-robberies-and-stolen-vehicles-reported/ Last updated: 2026-01-19T17:16:20.000Z Richmond police responded to a week of crimes between January 12 and 18, including multiple armed robberies, domestic violence arrests, and a steady stream of vehicle thefts across the city, according to department logs. Officers arrested suspects in several violent incidents, documented numerous burglaries, and recovered multiple stolen vehicles. *A citywide map highlights where crimes and public safety incidents were reported in Richmond during the week of January 12-18, 2026.* ## Monday, January 12 **Domestic violence:** 900 block of Barrett Avenue. Police arrested someone on aggravated assault charges. The suspect allegedly inflicted corporal injury on a spouse, cohabitant, or dating partner at 1:32 a.m. **Protective order violation, resisting arrest, and drug paraphernalia:** 800 block of Lassen Street and 900 block of McLaughlin Street. Officers arrested someone for all other offenses. Someone allegedly violated a court order to prevent domestic violence, obstructed a peace officer, and possessed unlawful paraphernalia and was arrested at 4:15 a.m. **Wheels of misfortune:** 3000 block of Jo Ann Drive. Someone took a vehicle without the owner's consent at 5:04 a.m. **Vandalism:** 1600 block of Lincoln Avenue. A vandal defaced property at 5:30 a.m. **Domestic violence:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. It was reported that someone inflicted corporal injury on a spouse, cohabitant, or dating partner at 7 a.m. **Elder abuse:** 4100 block of Overend Avenue.Elder abuse was reported at 8:40 a.m. **Battery:** 200 block of Harbour Way South. Battery on a person occurred at 1:27 p.m. **Fraud:** 600 block of 3rd Street. Someone allegedly benefited from a false financial statement at 1:30 p.m. **Robbery:** 300 block of 11th Street. Officers responded to reports of a strong-arm robbery and conspiracy to commit a crime and made an arrest at 2:39 p.m. **Hit-and-run:** 2000 block of Barrett Avenue. Police arrested a man after they allegedly drove under the influence, fled a hit-and-run involving property damage, and obstructed a peace officer at 3:17 p.m. [Richmond police Tase dog during arrest as video spreads onlineRichmond police said officers used a Taser on a dog during the arrest of a heavily intoxicated driver suspected in a hit-and-run collision, an encounter later captured on video and widely shared on TikTok, Reddit, and other social media platforms. The incident occurred at about 3:17 p.m. on![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--209.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2026-01-13-at-5.40.08-PM-1-1.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-police-tase-dog-during-arrest-as-video-spreads-online/) **Robbery:** 1500 block of Carlson Boulevard. A strong-arm robbery reportedly occurred at 3:55 p.m. **Child abuse:** 1400 block of Hilltop Mall Road. Someone reportedly inflicted injury upon a child at 4:40 p.m. **Shoplifting and false ID:** 2900 block of Hilltop Mall Road. Police arrested someone for shoplifting. The person allegedly gave false identification to officers at 5:08 p.m. **Brandishing a weapon:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. An individual reportedly brandished a deadly weapon at 7:09 p.m. **Auto burglary and battery:** 5300 block of Silva Avenue. Officers responded to reports of a vehicle break-in and a battery on a person at 8:10 p.m. Silva is a short street that runs parallel to Barrett in the hills between Mount Street and Zara. **Battery:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. Police arrested someone for simple assault after a physical altercation was reported at 8:35 p.m. **Drug paraphernalia:** In the 94801 zip code. Police arrested someone for drug equipment violations after discovering unlawful paraphernalia at 9:50 p.m. **Kidnapping, false imprisonment, domestic battery, and vandalism:** 800 block of 9th Street. Police arrested someone on kidnapping charges. Charges include felony false imprisonment, domestic battery, and damaging a communication device to prevent a report to police at 10 p.m. **Shoplifting and grand theft:** 2300 block of Macdonald Avenue. Police arrested an alleged shoplifter who was said to have committed petty theft with prior jail time, shoplifting, and grand theft at 10:19 p.m. **Protective order violation:** 2600 block of Hinkley Avenue. Officers arrested someone after they allegedly violated a court order to prevent domestic violence at 10:30 p.m. ## Tuesday, January 13 **Drug possession and paraphernalia:** In the 94804 zip code. Police arrested someone for drug/narcotic violations. Officers allegedly discovered a controlled substance and unlawful paraphernalia at 2:10 a.m. **Driveway depletion: 2100 block of Visalia Avenue.** Someone took a vehicle without the owner's consent at 4 a.m. **Car-napped: Richmond.** Another vehicle was taken without consent at 7:29 a.m. **Pickpocketing and drug paraphernalia:** 100 block of Jetty Drive. A suspected pickpocket was reportedly arrested for grand theft and discovered with unlawful paraphernalia at 9:16 a.m. **Vandalism:** 1700 block of Costa Avenue. Property damage valued at $400 or more was reported at 10:52 a.m. **Identity theft: 1500 block of Mariposa Street.** A person was said to have used another person's ID to obtain credit at 11:59 a.m. **Elder theft:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. A suspect allegedly stole over $400 from an elder or dependent adult at 12:48 p.m. **Contempt of court:** 1700 block of Regatta Boulevard. A person allegedly disobeyed a court order at 1:30 p.m. **Petty theft:** 200 block of Harbour Way South. Theft of motor vehicle parts or accessories was reported at 5:07 p.m. **Assault:** 100 block of 17th Street. Police arrested an alleged assailant for aggravated assault at 6:44 p.m. **Sudden change of ownership:** 2700 block of Roosevelt Avenue. Another vehicle was taken without consent at 7 p.m. **Assault with a deadly weapon:** 900 block of 9th Street.Police made an arrest for aggravated assault after an assault with a deadly weapon was reported at 7:03 p.m. **Auto burglary:** 3200 block of Pierce Street. A vehicle was broken into at 8:30 p.m. **Vandalism: Richmond.** Property damage valued at $400 or more was reported at 9 p.m. **Criminal threats and harassing calls:** 600 block of 2nd Street. Annoying calls and threats were made at 9:40 p.m. and 9:48 p.m. ## Wednesday, January 14 **Robbery, domestic violence, and false imprisonment: 5200 block of Panama Avenue.** Police made an arrest on aggravated assault charges. The suspect allegedly committed a strong-arm robbery, inflicted corporal injury on a spouse or dating partner, and falsely imprisoned someone with violence at 12:48 a.m. **DUI:** Bayview Avenue and Carlson Boulevard. A suspected drunk driver was busted at 2:14 a.m. **Protective order violation:** 200 block of South 16th Street. A court order to prevent domestic violence was reportedly violated, and an arrest was made at 4:11 a.m. **The old switcheroo on wheels:** 2800 block of Downer Avenue. A vehicle was taken without consent at 6:11 a.m. **Battery:** 2500 block of Macdonald Avenue. One person was said to have struck another at 7:15 a.m. **Gone in 60 seconds:** 2600 block of Barrett Avenue. A vehicle was stolen at 7:37 a.m. **Involuntary vehicle donation:** In the 94801\. Another vehicle was taken without consent at 8:26 a.m. **Domestic violence and child cruelty:** 700 block of 23rd Street. Someone allegedly inflicted corporal injury on a spouse or dating partner and committed willful cruelty to a child at 9:17 a.m. **Petty theft: 900 block of Nevin Avenue.** A theft was reported at 10:53 a.m. **Resisting arrest, child abuse, and domestic battery:** 3400 block of Waller Avenue. Police made an arrest for simple assault. The suspect was also accused of obstructing a peace officer, assaulting a child, and committing battery on a spouse or dating partner at 1:53 p.m. **Grand theft: 3400 block of Cutting Boulevard.** A theft occurred at 3:51 p.m. **Drug possession and paraphernalia:** 600 block of 21st Street and 2000 block of Roosevelt Avenue. Officers reportedly discovered controlled substances and unlawful paraphernalia and took someone to the pokey at 3:56 p.m. **DUI, hit and run, and child cruelty:** In the 94801\. Police arrested someone for aggravated assault. The person allegedly drove under the influence, fled a hit and run, and committed willful cruelty to a child, causing possible injury at 5:49 p.m. **Hot wheels:** 800 block of 30th Street. A vehicle was taken without consent at 6 p.m. **Robbery:** 1500 block of Coalinga Avenue. A robbery with a dangerous weapon was reported at 6:02 p.m. **Hit-and-run, police evasion, and resisting arrest:** In the 94804\. Police arrested a driver who allegedly fled a hit-and-run resulting in injury, evaded police with disregard for safety, and obstructed a peace officer at 7:42 p.m. **Robbery and drug possession:** 4500 block of Macdonald Avenue. While arresting a shoplifter for robbery, officers reportedly found drugs at 8:10 p.m. **Domestic violence, protective order violation, and child cruelty:** West Bissell Avenue and Circle Court. Someone allegedly violated a court order to prevent domestic violence, inflicted corporal injury on a spouse, and committed willful cruelty to a child at 10:26 p.m. **Firearm discharge:** South 33rd Street. A gun was discharged in a grossly negligent manner at 10:47 p.m. **Sexual assault**: In the 94801\. A rape by force or fear was reported at 11:13 p.m. ## Thursday, January 15 **Fast and the felonious:** 2900 block of Tulare Avenue. A vehicle was taken without consent at 12:30 a.m. **Criminal threats:** 5200 block of Imperial Avenue. Threats of crimes were made with the intent to terrorize at 2:44 a.m. **Car redistribution and petty theft:** 2700 block of Moyers Road. A vehicle was taken without consent, and a theft reported at 4:26 a.m. **Residential burglary:** 900 block of 15th Street. Officers responded to a home that was forcibly entered at 8:22 a.m. **Armed robbery:** 1300 block of Macdonald Avenue. A caller reported a robbery with a firearm at 8:29 a.m. **Grand theft:** 800 block of South 49th Street. A theft was reported at 9:58 a.m. **Battery and criminal threats:** 200 block of Macdonald Avenue. A suspect struck another person and issued terroristic threats at 10:13 a.m. **Battery:** 5000 block of Valley View Road. Another physical altercation was reported at 10:15 a.m. **Vandalism:** 100 block of Harbour Way. Property damage valued at $400 or more was reported at 12:28 p.m. **Fraud:** 300 block of South 35th Street. A fraudulent report was made with the intent to defraud at 2:06 p.m. **False report of a crime:** 2100 block of Macdonald Avenue. Officers arrested a person suspected of making a false report of a crime at 3:45 p.m. **False imprisonment:** 5000 block of Valley View Road. Police received reports of felony false imprisonment involving the use of force or violence at 4:50 p.m. **Robbery:** 12600 block of San Pablo Avenue. A robbery was reported at 5:14 p.m. **Petty theft:** 1300 block of Bissell Avenue. Theft of motor vehicle parts or accessories was reported at 6 p.m. **Drug possession:** 100 block of Harbour Way. Police busted someone for drug/narcotic violations after allegedly discovering a controlled substance at 7:44 p.m. **Firearm discharge:** 1400 block of Kelsey Street. A firearm was discharged in a grossly negligent manner at 8:33 p.m. ## Friday, January 16 **DUI:** In the 94804\. Police arrested someone for driving under the influence at 1:36 a.m. > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DTrad9MlBZZ/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by Richmond Police Department (@richmondpdcali)](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DTrad9MlBZZ/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) **Borrowed without asking:** 1500 block of Lincoln Avenue. A vehicle was taken without consent at 2:30 a.m. **Parking space surprise:** 2nd Street. Another vehicle was stolen at 7:20 a.m. **Grand theft from vehicle:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. Theft from a motor vehicle was reported at 7:41 a.m. **Battery:** 5000 block of Valley View Road. A battery on a person at a school was reported at 10 a.m. **Petty theft:** 100 block of South 41st Street. A theft was reported at 12:57 p.m. **Brandishing a weapon and child cruelty: 100 block of 19th Street.** Someone allegedly exhibited a deadly weapon and was willfully cruel to a child at 4:04 p.m. **Petty theft:** 3200 block of Auto Plaza. Theft from a motor vehicle occurred at 4:34 p.m. **Brandishing a weapon:** In the 94801\. Someone was said to have exhibited a deadly weapon at 5:47 p.m. **The vanishing sedan:** 2100 block of Coalinga Avenue. A vehicle was taken without consent at 7 p.m. **Auto burglary:** 3200 block of Pierce Street. A vehicle was broken into at 7:08 p.m. **Mystery road trip:** 4100 block of Klose Way. A vehicle was stolen at 7:30 p.m. **Vandalism:** 5500 block of Deer Run Drive**.** Property damage less than $400 was reported at 7:52 p.m. **Petty theft: 2600 block of Hilltop Drive.** Theft from a motor vehicle occurred at 10 p.m. ## Saturday, January 17 **Vehicle violations:** In the 94804\. Officers arrested someone after they allegedly aided and abetted in an exhibition of speed and allowed an unlicensed driver to operate a vehicle at 12:02 a.m. **DUI:** In the 94804\. Police arrested a driver suspected of being under the influence at 3:49 a.m. **DUI:** In the 94804\. Officers arrested another person for driving under the influence at 5:25 a.m. **Driving without a license:** 3100 block of Klose Way. An unlicensed driver was busted at 9:14 a.m. **Vandalism:** 100 block of South 42nd Street. Property damage valued at $400 or more was reported at 9:49 a.m. **Battery:** 3400 block of Fleetwood Drive**.** A physical altercation was reported at 10:30 a.m. **Vandalism:** 3200 block of Southampton Court. Property damage valued at $400 or more was reported at 10:49 a.m. **Impromptu test drive:** 5700 block of Bayview Avenue. A vehicle was taken without consent at 10:59 a.m. **Domestic battery and petty theft:** 200 block of Marina Way South. Someone allegedly committed battery on a spouse or dating partner, and a theft occurred at 12:30 p.m. **Drug possession:** 5000 block of Hartnett Avenue. Police busted a person with marijuana for sale at 3:58 p.m. **Vandalism:** West Nevin Avenue. Property damage valued at $400 or more was reported at 4:06 p.m. **Domestic violence and child cruelty: 3100 block of Southampton Court.** Someone reportedly inflicted corporal injury on a spouse with priors and committed willful cruelty to a child at 6:17 p.m. **Curb-side commandeering:** 1600 block of Chanslor Avenue. A vehicle was taken without consent at 10:56 p.m. ## Sunday, January 18 **Battery with serious injury:** In the 94801\. A battery with serious bodily injury reportedly occurred at 1 a.m. **Mobile misappropriation:** 300 block of South 8th Street. A vehicle was taken without the owner's consent at 1 a.m. **Carjacking, robbery, and battery:** In the 94801\. A strong-arm carjacking, strong-arm robbery, and battery were reported at 1:58 a.m. **DUI:** In the 94801\. Police arrested a motorist for driving under the influence at 2:30 a.m. **Assault with a deadly weapon:** 1200 block of Macdonald Avenue. An assault with a deadly weapon was reported at 5:22 a.m. **Grand theft:** 300 block of Ohio Avenue. A theft occurred at 6 a.m. **Battery and criminal threats:** 200 block of South 44th Street. An individual allegedly battered another person and threatened a crime with the intent to terrorize at 7:32 a.m. **Vehicular vaporization:** 800 block of Lucas Avenue. A vehicle was stolen at 8:38 a.m. **Four-wheeled flight:** 900 block of Triangle Court. A vehicle was taken without consent at 11:28 a.m. **Auto abduction:** 900 block of Triangle Court. Another vehicle was stolen at 11:41 a.m. **Resisting arrest and vandalism:** 500 block of Harbour Way. A suspect allegedly obstructed an executive officer and damaged property valued at $400 or more at 12:07 p.m. **Robbery and contempt of court:** 3500 block of Bissell Avenue. A person allegedly committed a strong-arm robbery and disobeyed a court order at 12:51 p.m. **Petty theft:** 200 block of 18th Street. A theft was reported at 2:10 p.m. **Auto burglary:** 3200 block of Pierce Street. A vehicle was broken into at 8:05 p.m. **Petty theft:** 2500 block of Macdonald Avenue. A theft occurred at 10:10 p.m. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond honors Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy through community service URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-honors-dr-martin-luther-king-jr-s-legacy-through-community-service/ Last updated: 2026-01-22T21:18:30.000Z Richmond celebrates the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Monday, January 19, with a day of service offering volunteer opportunities along the Richmond Greenway and in Parchester Village. Dr. King, who visited Richmond twice in the 1960s — the final time just a month before his assassination in 1968 — left an indelible mark on the city, promoting civil rights and education in the community. While in Richmond, King met with Rev. Booker T. Anderson and other leaders, hoping to gain their help in bolstering the Civil Rights movement on the West Coast. Despite his young age at the time, Rev. Anderson's son, Ahmad, remembers Dr. King's visits well. "He came to Richmond," Anderson said. "He came to my house, he and Abernathy, and Jesse; they were there at 1131 South 55th Street. Not everybody in Richmond can say that." Not only did the younger Anderson meet with Dr. King in his own home, but both his parents would go on to serve as mayors of Richmond, carrying King's vision and spirit in much of their work. [Former Richmond Mayor Irma Anderson has diedFormer Richmond Mayor Irma Anderson has died. Anderson was the fourth elected mayor of Richmond and the first female Black mayor. She was 93\. A Richmond City Councilmember from 1993 through 2000, Anderson was the first Black woman to serve on the City Council. Anderson earned a BSN from Cornell![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--208.png)Grandview IndependentLinda Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Irma-Anderson-1-1-1.jpg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/former-richmond-mayor-irma-anderson-has-died-2/) "He \[King\] came in '61, and he came again months before he was assassinated as well, so you know, I was much older then, and could truly appreciate what was going on in the world," Anderson said. "I was an eight-year-old kid when Martin died, and I watched my father cry for the first time." Anderson said those early meetings with King impressed on him the importance of building equity and fairness in the community. "It led me to where I am today, my exposure to Martin through his relationship with my father at a very young age really impressed on me the importance of community and understanding, and my sense of equity in America," Anderson said. In Richmond and throughout Contra Costa County, annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day events have always held a special significance. Contra Costa County Supervisor John Gioia said Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is always important in Contra Costa, where we work to foster a culture of equity, tolerance, and service. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/01/Screenshot-2026-01-17-at-2.10.02-PM-1.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/01/610479319_2003813710189166_5895401625816209753_n.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/01/Screenshot-2026-01-17-at-2.24.34-PM.png) "Participating in a Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. event is a powerful way to express our support for democratic values, equity, tolerance, love, service, and justice. I love joining my fellow community members in our neighborhoods, where we work together to achieve Dr. King's vision," Gioia said. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### On the agenda: Censuring the mayor, youth programs, a new vice mayor, and how to make the polluter's payment count URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-agenda-censuring-the-mayor-youth-programs-a-new-vice-mayor-and-how-to-make-the-polluters-payment-count/ Last updated: 2026-01-17T17:07:54.000Z The Richmond City Council faces a contentious agenda Tuesday, including a formal censure resolution against Mayor Eduardo Martinez, competing proposals for how to allocate $550 million in Chevron settlement funds, and the election of a new vice mayor. Vice Mayor Cesar Zepeda and Councilmember Jamelia Brown are sponsoring a resolution to formally censure Martinez for what they describe as “antisemitic conduct and for actions inconsistent with the duties and standards of the office.” A separate agenda item directs Martinez to participate in antisemitism training led by trainers recommended by Temple Beth Hillel leadership and issue a public apology at a council meeting and in a local newspaper. [A censure effort returns as Richmond’s mayor offers his own remedyThe Richmond City Council will vote Tuesday on whether to formally censure Mayor Eduardo Martinez for sharing social media content that community leaders say promoted antisemitic conspiracy theories. This comes as Martinez submitted his own agenda item proposing a “restorative process” including antisemitism training. The censure resolution, sponsored by Vice![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--206.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/eduardo-martinez-chevron-protest-richmond-city-council-censure-1-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/a-censure-effort-returns-as-richmonds-mayor-offers-his-own-remedy/) The controversy has already disrupted recent council proceedings. At the last meeting, the council rejected an emergency item, followed by heated exchanges and extended public comment by the mayor’s supporters and detractors. Tuesday’s meeting could see similar tensions as the censure resolution comes up for a vote. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/01/richmond-mayor-1.webp) [Richmond mayor controversy dominates meeting after emergency item rejectedThe Richmond City Council swiftly cleared new business items from its agenda Tuesday night, sent city staff home, and spent hours hearing public comment focused on Mayor Eduardo Martinez and the council’s failed effort to formally censure him for controversial social media posts. Vice Mayor Cesar Zepeda and Councilmember Jamelia![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--205.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/ichmond-city-hall-public-attendance-council-meeting-1-1-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-mayor-controversy-dominates-meeting-after-emergency-item-rejected/) The first order of business after roll call is the election of a new vice mayor to serve through the end of the year. The vice mayor serves as acting mayor in the mayor’s absence or disability and represents the mayor upon request. There are several new items up for discussion, as well as several held over from previous meetings, including the mayor’s State of the City address. ### [Half a billion reasons to argue: How Richmond should spend its Chevron windfall](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60257&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Two competing approaches are on the agenda for gathering community input on how to spend the city’s settlement funds from Chevron, which will provide approximately $550 million over 10 years. When divided among Richmond’s 115,000 residents, the settlement is almost five racks per person. Councilmember Claudia Jimenez, Mayor Martinez, and Councilmember Doria Robinson are proposing the city hire a consultant for up to $300,000 to work with community-based organizations, particularly those part of the Make Polluters Pay Campaign, to design what they call “a robust, inclusive, and culturally competent community engagement process.” [City announces $550 million settlement with Chevron, withdrawal of oil refinery tax ballot measureUpdated: Tuesday, August 13, 2024 at 2:15 p.m. According to the proposed settlement, Chevron, the City Attorney, and a City Council ad hoc committee have negotiated an agreement that will end the current lawsuit and the threat of new ones. Chevron initially offered the city $300 million or![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--207.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/make-polluters-pay-5.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/city-announces-550-million-settlement-with-chevron-withdrawal-of-oil-refinery-tax-ballot-measure-2/) Their framework emphasizes a “Just Transition” away from fossil fuel dependence through five investment categories, including large-scale economic development, workforce training, community-visioned projects with oversight from a new community board, infrastructure improvements, and city staffing. Vice Mayor Zepeda is offering an alternative: direct the city manager to hold at least [six community meetings annually](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60256&ref=grandviewindependent.com) across all council districts to gather resident input before each budget cycle, funded from existing city budgets without hiring outside consultants. Both proposals stem from a September resolution that called for settlement funds to reduce Richmond’s dependence on Chevron tax revenues. ### [Counting the cargo](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60185&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Council members will receive a financial overview of the Port of Richmond, including revenue sources, tariff structures, and funding mechanisms for larger infrastructure projects. This presentation, continued from the December 16 meeting, comes as the city seeks to understand the port’s economic operations and future capital needs. ### [Assessing the Richmond Fund for Children & Youth grant programs ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60187&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The council will review an independent evaluation by WestEd assessing the impact of the Richmond Fund for Children & Youth grant programs from fiscal years 2021 through 2024\. The third-party evaluation report, also continued from December 16, will provide insights into how effectively the fund has served Richmond’s young people over the past three years. # On the consent calendar On the consent calendar, Mayor Martinez will make several board and commission appointments, including the mayor’s former Deputy Chief of Communications, [Ana Tellez Witrago](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60206&ref=grandviewindependent.com), and [Charlene Engle](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60205&ref=grandviewindependent.com) to the Community Police Review Commission, [Ellen Seskin’s](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60212&ref=grandviewindependent.com) reappointment to the Human Rights and Human Relations Commission, and [Alexander Rony](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60214&ref=grandviewindependent.com) to the Recreation and Parks Commission. The mayor is also proposing to modify the [council liaison appointment cycle ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60247&ref=grandviewindependent.com)for boards and commissions to a two-year term aligned with election cycles, with current liaisons remaining through the end of the year. The council will approve a request for proposals to recruit a new city attorney and issue a [proclamation recognizing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day.](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60242&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Financial items include approving a $780,000 agreement with the Contra Costa County Flood Control and Water Conservation District for the [Wildcat Creek Fish Passage Project](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60249&ref=grandviewindependent.com) and a $4 million contract amendment for [sanitary sewer rehabilitation work](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60215&ref=grandviewindependent.com). City staff is requesting that the council receive the [city’s Investment and Cash Balance Report,](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60198&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Monthly Overtime Reports, Documentary Transfer Tax Report, and Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) and Pension Report for the month of November 2025. A contract amendment with DCI Group for [personnel investigations](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60226&ref=grandviewindependent.com) and DebtBook for [debt management software. ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60235&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The council will also approve an after-the-fact contract with J. Majors & Associates for [public outreach services](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60193&ref=grandviewindependent.com) totaling $108,160. Other consent items include waiving fees for a February celebration of life event [honoring Betty Reid Soskin](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60240&ref=grandviewindependent.com) at the Richmond Auditorium during Black History Month, releasing $715,000 in [competitive grants ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60208&ref=grandviewindependent.com)under the Environmental and Community Investment Agreement, and approving a three-year contract for Fire Department [annual physical examinations](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60231&ref=grandviewindependent.com). Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment is requesting an [endorsement letter](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60260&ref=grandviewindependent.com) from the City of Richmond and Richmond City Council on official letterhead. The letter will be used while door-knocking to demonstrate support for ACCE's Clean Energy and Healthy Homes Project from elected officials and build trust with community members, many of whom are wary of electrification due to predatory solar scams and confusion around the many energy efficiency programs that are being offered. The meeting begins at 6 p.m. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### West Contra Costa School District faces $127 million deficit, plans major cuts URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/west-contra-costa-school-district-faces-127-million-deficit-plans-major-cuts/ Last updated: 2026-01-16T16:13:57.000Z The West Contra Costa Unified School District is confronting a $127 million budget shortfall over the next three years, prompting officials to propose widespread staff reductions, program cuts affecting 400 positions and restructuring that could merge small middle schools and reconfigure K-8 campuses. Superintendent Cheryl Cotton outlined the financial situation during a community listening session at Pinole Middle School and Korematsu Middle School this week, less than a month after the district ended a four-day teacher strike with a tentative contract agreement that includes salary increases and enhanced health benefits. Both the United Teachers of Richmond and Teamsters Local Union 856 ratified their contracts in December, but the agreements significantly increased the district’s financial obligations. [West Contra Costa teachers end strike with tentative contract agreementTeachers in the West Contra Costa Unified School District reached a tentative agreement with district officials early Wednesday morning featuring wage increases, fully paid family healthcare, and program enhancements, according to statements from both sides. The agreement was reached after a 12-hour bargaining session that stretched past 2 a.m.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--204.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/West-Contra-Costa-Unified-teachers-strike.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/west-contra-costa-teachers-end-strike-with-tentative-contract-agreement/) The deficit stems from multiple factors, including declining enrollment and a structural budget imbalance that existed before the strike. District enrollment has dropped from 28,247 students in 2019-20 to a projected 24,792 students this year, according to district data presented at the meeting. “We’re looking at the difference between the students that we project to be here, the students that are actually here, and then how we’re funded to support those students,” Cotton told community members. ### WCCUSD enrollment trends ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/01/west-contra-costa-school-district-127-million-deficit-staff-cuts-enrollment-1.webp) West Contra Costa Unified School District enrollment has declined significantly since 2019-20, dropping to a projected 24,792 students this year. The graph shows enrollment trends and average daily attendance rates that determine district funding. Graphic/WCCUSD Acting Associate Superintendent of Business Services Jeff Carter said the tentative agreements will cost $25.7 million, $39 million, and $41 million over the next three years across all unions for salary increases, health benefits and other negotiated items. Combined with the district’s existing operating deficit, the total reaches $127 million. To address the shortfall, the district plans to exhaust $28.5 million from its reserve funds, with $23.5 million drawn this year and $5 million next year. Officials also plan to borrow $13 million from the district’s retiree health benefits fund. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/01/west-contra-costa-school-district-127-million-deficit-staff-cuts-1.webp) The remaining gap will require $42.4 million in staffing and program reductions for the 2026-27 school year, which must be identified now to meet California’s March 15 deadline for notifying employees of layoffs. District officials propose approximately 10 percent cuts across all employee groups, reducing the workforce from about 4,000 to roughly 3,600\. For teachers, the reduction would be slightly less than 10 percent, with officials hoping to achieve most cuts through attrition, including retirements and resignations. Associate Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Katherine Acosta-Verprauskus presented the redesign proposals, describing them as difficult trade-offs made after careful consideration of impact, alignment, and sustainability. “We are in a place where decisions have to be made,” Acosta-Verprauskus said. “We’re not going to be presenting abstract numbers now. We’re going to be presenting and representing difficult trade-offs that need to be made in a system that we all care very deeply about.” The proposed cost-saving measures include a 33 percent reduction in materials and supplies totaling $2.4 million, cuts to district-wide contracts while maintaining site-level contracts that principals determine with staff and parent advisory committees, and “right-sizing” of classroom staffing to match contractual maximums of 22 students in kindergarten through third grade and 30 students in fourth through sixth grade. At the secondary level, class sizes would increase to the contractual maximum of 35 students, representing $5.3 million in reductions. Schools are being asked to send out student choice sheets earlier to prioritize highly preferred courses and avoid opening sections with low student interest, Acosta-Verprauskus said. The district also proposes $3 million in elementary classified staff reductions and $1.1 million at the secondary level, along with $2 million in district-wide program cuts based on their alignment to district priorities and impact on student achievement. The district is also considering restructuring some K-8 schools and merging small middle schools with enrollment under 400 students. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/01/west-contra-costa-school-district-127-million-deficit-staff-cuts-proposed.webp) “Every single one of the tiles up there represents both people and programs, and you know, many of them are very beloved, but they are carefully being brought to you forward because they represent our current reality,” Acosta-Verprauskus said. The district currently holds qualified budget status, indicating potential financial difficulties within three years. Cotton said the district submitted the required AB 1200 disclosure forms to the Contra Costa County Office of Education for review. The AB 1200 form, created after the district became the first in California to go into state receivership in 1991, requires the superintendent and chief business official to attest that the district can meet its financial obligations. The school board is scheduled to vote on ratifying the union contracts on January 21. By February 25, the board must vote on any staff reductions to meet the March 15 notification deadline. The board also requested an equity impact report for the February 11 meeting, explaining the rationale for the reductions and their effect on students and programs. The district is collecting [community feedback through online forms](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdfEr4Tr8MX3ZtJkfINwJuM2Lfk5rEMd%5FsOqZMRvfoElfj8dQ/viewform?ref=grandviewindependent.com) and additional listening sessions scheduled this month before the board makes its final decisions. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### A censure effort returns as Richmond’s mayor offers his own remedy URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/a-censure-effort-returns-as-richmonds-mayor-offers-his-own-remedy/ Last updated: 2026-01-16T00:30:18.000Z The Richmond City Council will vote Tuesday on whether to formally censure Mayor Eduardo Martinez for sharing social media content that community leaders say promoted antisemitic conspiracy theories. This comes as Martinez submitted his own agenda item proposing a [“restorative process”](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60245&ref=grandviewindependent.com) including antisemitism training. The [censure resolution](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60243&ref=grandviewindependent.com), sponsored by Vice Mayor Cesar Zepeda and Councilmember Jamelia Brown, charges that Martinez “shared and amplified social media content that advanced conspiracy theories and generalized claims attributing responsibility for antisemitism and violence against Jews” following the December attack at Bondi Beach, Australia. The vote comes two weeks after the council rejected an attempt to add an emergency censure item to its January 6 agenda, a contentious meeting where dozens of speakers filled city hall for hours of public comment focused on the mayor’s conduct. The motion failed after receiving only two yes votes, with several council members citing procedural concerns and saying they needed more time to review the resolution. [Richmond mayor controversy dominates meeting after emergency item rejectedThe Richmond City Council swiftly cleared new business items from its agenda Tuesday night, sent city staff home, and spent hours hearing public comment focused on Mayor Eduardo Martinez and the council’s failed effort to formally censure him for controversial social media posts. Vice Mayor Cesar Zepeda and Councilmember Jamelia![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--203.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/ichmond-city-hall-public-attendance-council-meeting-1-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-mayor-controversy-dominates-meeting-after-emergency-item-rejected/) The controversy has drawn widespread condemnation from elected officials across the Bay Area. More than 80 current and former elected officials, including the mayors of Walnut Creek, El Cerrito, Moraga, and Brentwood, signed a “Unity Letter” in late December stating Martinez’s posts “language rooted in dangerous antisemitic tropes and unacceptable from any public official.” The letter called on Martinez to engage privately with Jewish community leaders, issue a public apology, and host antisemitism education for city leadership, or resign. “Should Mayor Martinez be unwilling or unable to take these steps, he should step down from his role as mayor in the best interest of the community,” the letter said. The censure resolution states that Martinez’s LinkedIn posts “promoted false-flag conspiracy theories and reposted messages tacitly supporting the October 7 Hamas terror attacks.” Council members report receiving thousands of emails calling for action against conduct they say “substantially violated the public trust.” Martinez’s competing agenda item proposes a “restorative process” that includes antisemitism training led by educators recommended by Temple Beth Hillel. His proposal acknowledges “recent social media posts reshared by the Mayor that used and spread antisemitic ideas.” “This initiative aims to guard Richmond against the national increase in antisemitic speech and actions, including violence, as well as the ways that it is used to divide coalitions that are dedicated to social progress, a vital part of Richmond’s history and present,” Martinez’s agenda item states. The censure resolution calls on Martinez to publicly acknowledge the harmful content, participate in 16 hours of antisemitism training by March 31, and “honestly analyze if he is able to continue leading our city fairly and equitably for all of our residents.” Martinez’s proposal requests that he meet with Rabbi Julie Saxe-Taller at least twice more in the first quarter of 2026 and issue a public apology at a council meeting and in a local newspaper. Martinez has already apologized on social media, writing: “I want to apologize for sharing my previous posts without thinking. Of course, we know that antisemitism was here before the creation of the state of Israel.” The clash over Martinez’s conduct has roiled Richmond, with some supporters viewing the censure effort as an attack designed to fracture progressive coalitions. Rob Lipton, a longtime activist, suggested at a January 10 protest in front of Chevron’s Richmond refinery that the controversy wasn’t really about antisemitism or concerns about the mayor himself. “It’s the problem of the good example. Richmond’s the most left or top two left cities in the country. That’s not an accident,” Lipton said. [Richmond protest at Chevron refinery denounces U.S. military actions in VenezuelaProtesters gathered Saturday outside the Chevron Richmond Refinery to denounce U.S. military actions in Venezuela and accuse the oil giant of profiting from war, environmental damage, and political influence, chanting slogans such as “no blood for oil” at a demonstration organized by the Oil and Gas Action Network. The![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--202.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-chevron-refinery-venezuela-protest-jan-10.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-protest-at-chevron-refinery-denounces-u-s-military-actions-in-venezuela-2/) Lipton warned that outside forces were targeting Richmond’s progressive leadership and urged supporters to attend Tuesday’s council meeting. “We’ve been made visible to the forces that are going to be coming for us, and we’re going to be trying to push back,” Lipton said. “We’re going to have to deal with this thoughtfully in a very organized way." Residents can attend Tuesday’s City Council meeting in person at Richmond City Hall, 440 Civic Center Plaza, or watch online. The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Road closure on Carlson Boulevard continues as demolition planned after Public Storage fire URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/road-closure-on-carlson-boulevard-continues-as-demolition-planned-after-public-storage-fire/ Last updated: 2026-01-15T17:17:41.000Z Richmond officials say a section of Carlson Boulevard will remain closed until demolition work begins at a fire-damaged Public Storage facility, following a three-alarm blaze that burned for nearly a full day over the Christmas holiday. Richmond Fire Chief Aaron Osorio told the Richmond Neighborhood Coordinating Council that the fire broke out around midnight on Christmas Eve at the Public Storage facility at 398 Carlson Boulevard and quickly escalated to three alarms, requiring every fire engine in the city and mutual aid from El Cerrito and Contra Costa fire departments. Osorio said fire crews did not clear the scene until about 10 p.m. the following night. [Richmond firefighters battle blaze at Public Storage facility on Carlson BoulevardFirefighters battled a fire Wednesday morning at a Public Storage facility at 398 Carlson Boulevard, attacking the blaze from two ladder trucks as heavy smoke rose from the building. Smoke from the fire is visible in the surrounding area, including Ohio Avenue and Carlson Boulevard/South 37th Street, city officials![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--201.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/QvNO11cXQuCrAk_maRN6DQ-1-1-1.jpeg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-firefighters-battle-blaze-at-public-storage-facility-on-carlson-boulevard/) "A lot of folks are wondering when that's going to open up, and unfortunately, we don't have a response for them yet," Osorio said. "As we phase out of an emergency operation and it transitioned into a recovery and a demolition operation, fire department is no longer the lead agency." On January 7, Public Storage applied for a demolition permit with the city, Osorio said, adding that the city is working to expedite the review process. Osorio said officials hope demolition will begin soon and that Carlson Boulevard can reopen once the hazardous wall is taken down. “Once that wall, the concrete wall on Carlson, is down, then we can reopen Carlson Boulevard," Osorio said. “The concrete walls on the Carlson side are actually starting to bow out towards Carlson, which is why we had Carlson shut down.” City records show the permit calls for the partial demolition of the existing fire-damaged two-story structure at 398 Carlson Boulevard, with the slab-on-grade and foundations to remain. Osorio said the entire wing of the building burned and that the fire caused significant structural damage, including the collapse of the roof and second floor. He said the building remains unsafe to enter, preventing investigators from reaching the origin of the fire, which remains under investigation. Osorio apologized to residents and commuters for the continued closure, saying the decision was made for public safety. Osorio also noted that firefighters must use the same detours as the public while the street remains closed. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond police Tase dog during arrest as video spreads online URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-police-tase-dog-during-arrest-as-video-spreads-online/ Last updated: 2026-01-14T03:13:08.000Z Richmond police said officers used a Taser on a dog during the arrest of a heavily intoxicated driver suspected in a hit-and-run collision, an encounter later captured on video and widely shared on TikTok, Reddit, and other social media platforms. The incident occurred at about 3:17 p.m. on Monday January, 12, 2026, after officers responded to a report of a traffic collision with injuries in the 2000 block of Barrett Avenue. Police said the driver fled the scene before officers arrived. Officers later located the suspect several blocks away in front of the [Mr. Pizza Man ](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-richmond-pizza-trail-mr-pizza-man/)restaurant in the 2500 block of Nevin Avenue. Police said the man was intoxicated, refused to submit to arrest, and was accompanied by a large dog that officers described as aggressive. Warning: This video contains graphic images. Video/ RPD Cellphone video footage shared online shows officers struggling to take the suspect into custody as the dog moves toward them. An officer then deploys a conducted energy device on the dog, causing it to collapse. The dog is alive and is currently recieving medical care. The video drew thousands of comments, with some users criticizing the use of force against the animal while others defended the officers’ actions. According to police, officers repeatedly asked the suspect to secure the dog while they attempted to negotiate a peaceful surrender. The suspect refused to comply, and due to his apparent level of intoxication, the dog pulled and knocked him to the ground multiple times. Police said the dog also bit the suspect during the encounter. “To safely resolve the situation and prevent injury to officers, the suspect, and the dog, officers developed a plan,” Lt. Donald Patchin said in a press release. “This option was selected as one of the safest available methods to avoid injury to the dog or responding officers.” Police said officers deployed a less-lethal conducted energy device to temporarily incapacitate the dog so it could be safely secured while the suspect was taken into custody. The dog was transferred to Contra Costa Animal Services, where it was examined and treated. Police said the dog does not appear to have any lasting injuries and remains under observation. The suspect was arrested and booked on suspicion of driving under the influence and hit and run, police said. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond considers housing development for long-vacant Central Avenue site URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-considers-housing-development-for-long-vacant-central-avenue-site/ Last updated: 2026-01-12T21:35:31.000Z A vacant lot on Central Avenue that has cycled through multiple failed housing proposals over the past decade, including a 393-unit apartment building approved in 2023, is back before city planners, this time with a far more modest development plan. The Richmond Design Review Board will consider a 46-unit townhome project at its January 14 meeting, the latest iteration for the 2.58-acre site at 5620 Central Avenue that has remained undeveloped since the Dolan Lumber Company closed more than two decades ago. The property's development saga began in earnest in 2015, when AMG & Associates proposed a six-story, 155-unit affordable housing complex. According to an[ April 2015 East Bay Times article](https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2015/04/22/richmond-approves-affordable-housing-complex-that-may-not-get-built/?ref=grandviewindependent.com), the Planning Commission initially approved the project but attached requirements including more parking, more open space around the building, and the nearby creek. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/01/richmond-cascade-townhome-development-5620-central-avenue-map.webp) Map showing the Central Avenue site in Richmond slated for a 46-unit townhome development. Developer Alexis Gevorgian challenged those requirements, and the city reached a settlement in late 2016, according to a[ January 2016 East Bay Times](https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2016/01/08/richmond-to-consider-final-approval-of-central-avenue-housing-development/?ref=grandviewindependent.com). By 2017,[ the Times reported](https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2017/09/12/developer-considers-altering-central-avenue-residential-project-in-richmond/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) that Gevorgian was questioning whether the project remained economically viable and was considering converting it into assisted living facilities. In 2018, AMG returned with a dramatically different proposal: 46 units consisting of 42 townhomes and four "stacked flats," according to[ SFBay coverage](https://sfbay.ca/2019/07/02/richmond-considers-46-unit-housing-development-near-bart/?ref=grandviewindependent.com). The Design Review Board reviewed that project in December 2018, but it too failed to move forward. The city approved a 393-unit apartment building under Senate Bill 35 in 2023, allowing a streamlined ministerial review for qualifying affordable housing projects. That project, designated PLN22-045, requested three concessions under the State Density Bonus Law but did not proceed to the building phase. The site remains vacant with only concrete slabs and temporary fencing. The current application, submitted by AMG & Associates in November 2024, proposes 46 single-family townhomes in an earth-toned design similar to the 2018 proposal. Each three-story unit would include three bedrooms, a covered front porch, a second-story balcony, and a two-car garage. Five units, or 10 percent, would be designated as affordable for moderate-income households, allowing the project to request density bonus concessions and waivers from certain development standards. The proposal includes about 18,340 square feet of landscaping, 93 trees, a central recreation area with play equipment, and a 7,672-square-foot right-of-way dedication along Central Avenue and San Mateo Street. Throughout the [property's development history](https://www.radiofreerichmond.com/new%5Faffordable%5Fhousing%5Fcomplex%5Fcoming%5Fto%5Frichmond?ref=grandviewindependent.com), Richmond Annex residents have raised concerns about traffic congestion on the heavily traveled Central Avenue corridor, parking impacts, flooding risks from Cerrito Creek, and whether projects fit the neighborhood character. As of the staff report's release, no public comments had been submitted on the current project. The site sits within a half-mile of the El Cerrito Plaza BART station and is near the Pacific East Mall, Costco, and other commercial developments. City staff note the location is ideal for transit-oriented development. If approved by the Design Review Board, the project would proceed to the Planning Commission for final approval of the tentative parcel map, density bonus provisions, and a zoning waiver for the creek setback. The property is owned by Affordable Housing Land Consultants, LLC, a Glendale-based company that has been involved in affordable housing development since 2000. [Marina Bay waterfront housing project moves to design reviewA proposed waterfront housing development in Marina Bay is back in the spotlight after the city missed state-mandated deadlines for reviewing the plan. The Marina Point Residential Project calls for 70 three-story homes plus 30 accessory dwelling units on a 4.92-acre vacant parcel next to the Rosie the Riveter![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--200.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Marina-Bay-waterfront-housing-project-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/marina-bay-waterfront-housing-project-moves-to-design-review/) The board will also consider a 71-unit condominium project in Marina Bay that has drawn community opposition over shoreline protections and emergency access concerns. The Design Review Board meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. January 14 at Richmond City Hall, 440 Civic Center Plaza. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### What happened in Richmond: Weekly police log details crime, arrests, and vehicle thefts URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/what-happened-in-richmond-weekly-police-log-details-crime-arrests-and-vehicle-thefts/ Last updated: 2026-01-12T16:15:37.000Z The *What Happened in Richmond* column is back, offering a snapshot of police activity across Richmond based on department data. Between January 5 and 11, officers responded to a wide range of incidents, including numerous vehicle thefts, residential and commercial burglaries, assaults, domestic violence cases, and several arrests involving weapons, DUI, and court order violations. ### Crime reports map *A citywide map highlights where crimes and public safety incidents were reported in Richmond during the week of January 5–11, 2026.* ### Monday, January 5, 2026 **Residential burglary:** 600 block of South 52nd Street. A home was broken into by force at 12:46 a.m. **Commercial burglary:** 94801 area. A business was found to have been burglarized after hours at 7:13 a.m. **Battery:** 15500 block of San Pablo Avenue. A physical assault was reported at 1:17 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 94804 area. A vehicle was reported stolen at 2:28 p.m. **Petty theft:** 5600 block of Van Fleet Avenue. Vehicle parts or accessories were stolen at 2:39 p.m. **Court order violation and resistance:** 13th Street. A person suspected of violating a court order and resisting officers was arrested at 7:49 p.m. **Terrorist threats:** 5000 block of Par Court. A threat intended to cause fear was reported at 8:33 p.m. **Domestic battery:** 700 block of Morton Avenue. A domestic assault was reported at 9:05 p.m. **Battery:** 500 block of South 47th Street. An assault was reported at 9:21 p.m. **Negligent firearm discharge:** 600 block of 1st Street. A gun was fired negligently at 11:22 p.m. **Residential burglary and stalking:** 2600 block of Hinkley Avenue. A suspect was arrested after a home was forcibly entered, and stalking allegations were reported at 11:25 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 94805 area. A vehicle was reported stolen at 11:54 p.m. ### Tuesday, January 6, 2026 **DUI and open container:** 94804 area. A driver was arrested for impaired driving and possessing an open alcohol container at 1:41 a.m. **Residential burglary:** 500 block of Stege Avenue. A home was entered without force at 4:30 a.m. **Commercial burglary:** 3500 block of Cutting Boulevard. A business was forcibly entered at 7:10 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 600 block of Chanslor Avenue. A vehicle was reported stolen at 7:18 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 500 block of 4th Street. A vehicle was reported stolen at 7:41 a.m. **Domestic violence and battery:** 3100 block of Southampton Court. A restraining order was violated, and a battery was reported at 9 a.m. **Identity theft:** 2700 block of Chanslor Avenue. Personal information was used fraudulently to obtain credit at 9:13 a.m. **Terrorist threats:** 700 block of 18th Street. A threat intended to cause fear was reported at 9:28 a.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 94801 area. A previously stolen vehicle was recovered at 10:05 a.m. **Petty theft:** 500 block of Marina Way. Property was stolen at 11:55 a.m. **Petty theft:** 300 block of 20th Street. More property was reported stolen at 12:31 p.m. **Vandalism:** 2000 block of Macdonald Avenue. Property damage exceeding $400 was reported at 12:33 p.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 400 block of B Street. A stolen vehicle was recovered at 1:11 p.m. **Tear gas violation:** 3200 block of Auto Plaza. Someone unlawfully used tear gas at 1:13 p.m. **Check fraud:** 700 block of 23rd Street. Fraudulent checks were passed at 2:28 p.m. **False pretenses:** 2300 block of Lowell Avenue. A victim was defrauded of more than $400 at 3 p.m. **Kidnapping:** 300 block of 37th Street. Police arrested someone on kidnapping charges at 3:31 p.m. **Weapons violations:** 94804 area. A person was arrested for possessing an unregistered loaded firearm and a large-capacity magazine at 4:29 p.m. **Drug paraphernalia:** 800 block of Carlson Boulevard. Illegal drug-related items were found at 4:31 p.m.; an arrest was made. **Vandalism:** 1300 block of Fred Jackson Way. Property damage was reported at 5 p.m. **Court order violation:** 12900 block of San Pablo Avenue. Someone was arrested for allegedly violating a court order and resisting police at 6:07 p.m. **DUI and license violation:** 94801 area. A driver was arrested for DUI while driving on a suspended license at 6:30 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 900 block of Ventura Street. A vehicle was reported stolen at 7:30 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 700 block of McLaughlin Street. A vehicle was reported stolen at 8:00 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 500 block of 16th Street. A vehicle was reported stolen at 8:10 p.m. **Illegal ammunition possession:** 94801 area. An individual prohibited from possessing firearms was arrested after being found with ammunition at 8:20 p.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 3100 block of Goodrick Avenue. A stolen vehicle was recovered at 10:31 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 2800 block of Lowell Avenue. A vehicle was reported stolen at 10:34 p.m. **Residential burglary:** 5200 block of Creely Avenue. A home was entered without force at 10:42 p.m. **Court order violation:** 5200 block of Gordon Avenue. A court order was violated at 10:52 p.m. ### Wednesday, January 7, 2026 **Vehicle recovery:** 2400 block of Lancaster Drive. A stolen vehicle was recovered at midnight. **Assault with a deadly weapon:** 300 block of 22nd Street. An assault involving a weapon other than a firearm around midnight was reported. **Drug paraphernalia:** 94804 area. Someone was found with illegal drug paraphernalia at 2:08 a.m. **Grand theft:** 1100 block of South 27th Street. High-value property was stolen from a vehicle at 4:17 a.m. **License violation:** 94801 area. A driver was busted for driving with a DUI-suspended license at 4:36 a.m. **Commercial burglary:** 200 block of 23rd Street. A business was entered without force at 5:15 a.m. **Weapons possession:** 94804 area. A felon was found in possession of a firearm and a concealed weapon at 6:28 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 100 block of South 4th Street. A vehicle was reported stolen at 6:56 a.m. **Grand theft:** 800 block of Lassen Street. High-value items were stolen from a vehicle at 7:26 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 300 block of South 6th Street. Another vehicle was reportedly lost to the night at 7:53 a.m. **Domestic violence order violation:** 5200 block of Gordon Avenue. A restraining order was reportedly violated at 8:20 a.m. **Auto burglary:** 1100 block of Roosevelt Avenue. A vehicle was broken into, and items were stolen at 9:03 a.m. **Commercial burglary:** 700 block of National Court. Someone broke into a business at 9:59 a.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 3300 block of Center Avenue. A stolen vehicle was recovered at 10:12 a.m. **Fraud:** 6th Street. Money was obtained through fraudulent means at 11:38 a.m. **Terrorist threats:** 4800 block of Macdonald Avenue. Threats intended to cause fear were reported at 12:23 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 2nd Street. A vehicle was reported stolen at 2:01 p.m. **Vandalism:** 94804 area. Property damage was reported at 3:28 p.m. **Grand theft and vehicle theft:** 1900 block of Gaynor Avenue. A vehicle and high-value items were stolen at 6:24 p.m. **Auto burglary and vandalism:** 3200 block of Pierce Street. A vehicle was broken into and heavily damaged at 7:00 p.m.; a second report followed at 7:40 p.m. **Identity theft and obscene calls:** 1300 block of Macdonald Avenue. Identity theft and obscene phone calls were reported at 7:38 p.m. **Robbery:** 1200 block of Macdonald Avenue. A theft escalated into a robbery at 8:40 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 300 block of South 15th Street. A vehicle was reported stolen at 9:30 p.m. ### Thursday, January 8, 2026 **Involuntary vehicle donation:** 2700 block of Downer Avenue. A vehicle was reported stolen at midnight. **Terrorist threats and stalking:** 4400 block of Taft Avenue. Stalking and threats intended to cause fear were reported at midnight. **Public drinking:** 500 block of Nevin Avenue. An individual was cited for drinking alcohol in public at 12:44 a.m. **DUI:** 94801 area. A driver was arrested for driving under the influence at 4:09 a.m. **Assault with a deadly weapon:** 1000 block of Lassen Street. An assault likely to cause serious injury was reported at 9 a.m. **Child cruelty and domestic battery:** 500 block of 23rd Street. Police made an arrest after abuse involving a child and spouse was reported at 10:46 a.m. **Deadly weapon and vandalism:** 13th Street. A suspect displayed a deadly weapon and caused felony-level property damage at 1:24 p.m. **Court order violation:** 900 block of Triangle Court. A court order was violated at 2 p.m. **Petty theft:** 2400 block of Lancaster Drive. Vehicle parts or accessories were stolen at 2 p.m. **Aggravated assault:** 5000 block of Hartnett Avenue. A spouse or cohabitant was injured, and an arrest was made at 4:36 p.m. **Sexual assault:** 94804 area. Police took a report involving the rape of an intoxicated victim at 4:48 p.m. **Drug paraphernalia:** 94804 area. Officers found someone with illegal drug-related items at 6:22 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 2000 block of Burbeck Avenue. A vehicle was reported stolen at 6:29 p.m. **Probation and license violation:** 600 block of South 29th Street. A driver on probation was found driving on a suspended license at 6:40 p.m. **Resisting arrest and assault on an officer:** 94806 area. A suspect resisted arrest, injured an officer, and earned a trip to the Gray Bar Hotel at 8:27 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 3200 block of Center Avenue. Car thieves played the old switcheroo on wheels at 9 p.m. **Assault and domestic injury:** 700 block of 21st Street. An assault involving domestic injury was reported at 10:07 p.m. **Residential burglary:** 400 block of 20th Street. Burglars broke into a home at 11:07 p.m. **Drug possession:** 94804 area. Police busted someone in possession of controlled substances and paraphernalia charges at 11:13 p.m. ### Friday, January 9, 2026 **Battery and threats:** 2400 block of Maine Avenue. An assault and verbal threats were reported at 8:30 a.m. **Gone in 60 seconds:** 4200 block of Florida Avenue. A vehicle was reported stolen at 12:27 p.m. **Hot wheels:** 2900 block of Ohio Avenue. A vehicle was reported stolen at 3 p.m. **Vandalism and battery:** 94801 area. Officers took someone into custody after property damage, and an assault was reported at 3:29 p.m. **Battery:** 2nd Street. An assault was reported at 6:58 p.m. **Commercial burglary:** 1900 block of Meeker Avenue. A business was found to have been forcibly entered at 7:28 p.m. **Domestic battery:** 3200 block of Annapolis Avenue. Police arrested a suspect on simple assault charges at 7:29 p.m. **Auto burglary:** 3200 block of Pierce Street. A vehicle was broken into at 8:46 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 500 block of South 49th Street. A vehicle went on a mystery road trip at 9 p.m. **Petty theft:** 94804 area. Property was reported stolen at 9:55 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 1800 block of Coalinga Avenue. Another car was borrowed without asking at 11 p.m. **Vandalism:** West Macdonald Avenue. Property was said to have been damaged at 11:16 p.m. ### Saturday, January 10, 2026 **Petty theft:** 3100 block of Shane Drive. Vehicle parts were stolen at 1 a.m. **Domestic violence and assault:** 2800 block of Lowell Avenue. Domestic battery, child cruelty, terroristic threats, and assault with a deadly weapon were reported at 1:25 a.m.; a suspect was arrested. **Fast and the felonious:** 1100 block of Roosevelt Avenue. A vehicle was reported stolen at 3:09 a.m. **Child cruelty and domestic battery:** 3600 block of Macdonald Avenue. Abuse involving a child and a partner was reported at 12:30 p.m. **Battery:** 1200 block of Macdonald Avenue. An assault was reported at 2:41 p.m. **DUI:** 94804 area. A driver was arrested for driving under the influence at 9:43 p.m. ### Sunday, January 11, 2026 **Domestic violence:** 2100 block of Costa Avenue. Someone reportedly inflicted corporal injury on a spouse, cohabitant, or dating partner at 3:40 a.m. **Robbery and firearm violations:** 5400 block of Central Avenue. Three people were arrested in connection with a robbery reported at 3:56 a.m. The suspects were booked on charges including strong-arm robbery, conspiracy to commit a crime, carrying a loaded firearm in a public place, carrying a concealed weapon, possession of a loaded handgun by a non-registered owner, carrying a loaded firearm with intent to commit a felony, and resisting or obstructing a peace officer. **Vandalism:** 300 block of South 38th Street. Property damage valued at $400 or more was reported at 5:18 a.m. **Assault with a deadly weapon and petty theft:** 2300 block of Macdonald Avenue. An assault with a deadly weapon was reported, and theft from a building occurred at 6:57 a.m. **Assault, domestic violence, and child cruelty:** 2600 block of Hilltop Drive. Someone reportedly committed assault with force, causing possible great bodily injury, inflicted corporal injury on a spouse, cohabitant, or dating partner, and willfully caused cruelty to a child at 8 a.m. **Battery with serious bodily injury:** 900 block of West Cutting. Police responded to a report of domestic battery at 3:41 p.m. **Domestic battery:** 600 block of 32nd Street. A battery involving a spouse, ex-spouse, or dating partner was reported at 6:23 p.m. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond protest at Chevron refinery denounces U.S. military actions in Venezuela URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-protest-at-chevron-refinery-denounces-u-s-military-actions-in-venezuela-2/ Last updated: 2026-01-11T01:55:04.000Z Protesters gathered Saturday outside the Chevron Richmond Refinery to denounce U.S. military actions in Venezuela and accuse the oil giant of profiting from war, environmental damage, and political influence, chanting slogans such as “no blood for oil” at a demonstration organized by the Oil and Gas Action Network. The protest, held at the front gate of the Richmond Chevron Refinery, drew environmental activists, anti-war organizers, and local political figures who linked foreign policy, fossil fuel extraction, and long-standing community grievances with Chevron’s presence in Richmond. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/01/richmond-chevron-refinery-venezuela-protest-jan-10-20263.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/01/richmond-chevron-refinery-venezuela-protest-jan-10-20261.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/01/richmond-chevron-refinery-venezuela-protest-jan-10-20262-2.webp) Protesters gather outside of the Chevron Richmond Refinery on January 10, 2026, to oppose U.S. military actions in Venezuela and criticize Chevron’s role in global oil extraction. Photos/ Soren Hemmila “When I say no blood, you say for oil,” organizer Ilonka Zlatar told the crowd. “No blood.” Zlatar, a climate justice organizer with the Oil and Gas Action Network, said the protest was organized in response to recent U.S. actions in Venezuela, which demonstrators described as illegal and driven by access to oil reserves. Zlatar accused Chevron of benefiting from the conflict while communities abroad and at home bear the costs. “We are here in front of the Richmond Chevron refinery,” Zlatar said, calling Chevron “the one oil company” that remained in Venezuela after other firms left. “They are scared of us,” Zlatar said, alleging the company covered its logos and deployed police to restrict access near the gates. Speakers repeatedly tied international conflicts to Chevron’s environmental record in Richmond. “Chevron is not a good neighbor. This is not an energy company, this is a criminal enterprise,” said Paul Paz y Miño, deputy director of Amazon Watch, citing Chevron’s pollution in Ecuador and its continued oil operations despite climate concerns. “Every single drop of that oil is illegal,” Paz y Miño said, referring to Venezuelan crude. Local activists emphasized Richmond’s decades-long struggle with refinery pollution and political influence. Melvin Willis, lead organizer with the Richmond Progressive Alliance, described growing up preparing for shelter-in-place orders due to chemical spills. “I see a company that is poisoning communities,” Willis said. “As long as it’s profitable for them, they’re going to do whatever they need to.” Richmond Mayor Eduardo Martinez also addressed the crowd, framing corporate power as a threat to democracy and public welfare. He began by recounting the unusual circumstances under which he prepared his remarks. “I was in the bathtub thinking, what can I say today?” Martinez said, drawing laughter before launching into a critique of corporate political influence. Martinez referenced the U.S. Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision, arguing it reshaped democracy in favor of corporations. “Citizens United designated corporations to be people,” Martinez said. “What they did was create Frankensteins, wielding gilded daggers to rip out the soul of the government. They want to murder Lady Liberty so they can reanimate her as their bride, Mrs. Frankenstein, with their moneyed megaphones. They want to drown out the voice of the people, but we know that our voice, united, is much louder.” Martinez accused Chevron of exercising unchecked power while avoiding accountability for environmental harm in Richmond and elsewhere. Martinez said the city should not have to plead with corporations for basic protections. “We will not beg Chevron to give us what is rightfully ours,” he said. “The health, the environment, the Earth, the water, the air, it’s ours. They are commons that belong to all of us.” The demonstration concluded with chants, songs, and a brief march toward another refinery gate, as organizers encouraged attendees to remain active beyond the day’s event. “We need clean air, not another billionaire,” protesters chanted as the rally wound down. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond Planning Commission to take up Hilltop Chevron beer and wine permit URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-planning-commission-to-take-up-hilltop-chevron-beer-and-wine-permit/ Last updated: 2026-01-10T20:36:37.000Z Richmond’s Planning Commission is scheduled to hold a public hearing on January 15, 2026, on a proposal to allow beer and wine sales at a Chevron gas station food mart on Hilltop Mall Road, following months of community opposition and an earlier hearing that resulted in the project being deferred. The proposal seeks a [conditional use permit](https://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/DocumentCenter/View/77225/PC%5F1%5FPLN25-087-Chevron-Food-Mart-Beer-and-Wine-Sales?ref=grandviewindependent.com) to allow off-sale beer and wine retail sales at the Chevron Food Mart located at 2900 Hilltop Mall Road. The site is zoned CM-5 Commercial Mixed Use within the city’s Activity Center District. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/01/hilltop-chevron-beer-wine-planning-commission-hearing-richmond-1.webp) City planners have issued a tentative recommendation for conditional approval of alcohol sales at the Hilltop Mall Road Chevron, though no final decision has been made. Planning staff has issued a tentative recommendation for conditional approval. The Planning Commission has not yet taken final action. A public hearing on the proposal was previously held on August 21, 2025\. During that hearing, numerous community members raised concerns about the proximity of the gas station to nearby schools and the potential for an increase in crime and loitering if alcohol sales are approved. [On the Richmond Burrito Trail: Hilltop Mall’s El Burrito LocoNestled inside a gas station taqueria on Hilltop Mall’s Ring Road, El Burrito Loco delivered a culinary surprise: tender carnitas and a generous helping of guacamole that lent each bite a creamy embrace. The Chevron Burrito defied expectations with every bite. The Super Carnitas Burrito assembly invited reflection — each![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--199.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Hilltop-Mall-El-Burrito-Loco-carnitas-1-2.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-richmond-burrito-trail-hilltop-malls-el-burrito-loco/) According to a report provided to the city by the Richmond Police Department, loitering is an ongoing issue at the nearest approved alcohol retailer, located at 15531 San Pablo Avenue. City records show the Chevron site is approximately 900 feet from the nearest school property, which includes two schools: Summit Tamalpais Public School, serving grades 7-12, and Aspire Richmond Academy, serving grades 6-12. While the site meets city distance requirements from schools, community members expressed concern about the number of students who patronize nearby stores during the proposed hours of alcohol sales. Following the August 21 hearing, the Planning Commission deferred the project and directed the applicant to conduct additional outreach and address neighborhood concerns. Written opposition continued after that hearing. In October, Arto Rinteela, president of the Fairmede Hilltop Neighborhood Council and the Richmond Neighborhood Coordinating Council, wrote that he was “deeply disturbed by the way the Planning Commission disregarded community opinion.” “My neighborhood is right next door to Chevron (Food Mart), and we were never notified,” Rinteela wrote. “Our neighbors would never approve alcohol sales profits over community safety, and that is exactly what is happening here.” In the same letter, Rinteela criticized commissioners’ familiarity with the area, writing, “I was surprised that most of the Planning Commission members didn't even know how to get to Hilltop.” A written comment submitted by the president of the Hilltop District Neighborhood Council Bhavin Khatri said opposition to the permit remained unchanged following earlier discussions. “Nothing has changed since our last meeting; we do not support this permit as it would undoubtedly create a nuisance in our area,” Khatri said. “It's clear that the city is going to force this on us, however I'd like to be pleasantly surprised by the planning commission.” April Roy, a representative of the Hilltop Village Homeowners Association, also raised concerns about the applicant’s proposed security plan and a suggestion that customers carrying backpacks be required to leave them in a designated area while shopping. “To add this would be a frustrating disservice to our community,” Roy wrote, citing concerns about “theft and personal safety of one's belongings.” Roy also questioned whether the applicant’s decision not to hire private security was appropriate, given earlier discussions. “During the meeting, the applicant stated they would provide added security,” Roy said. “In the attached set of concessions they are stating this would not be cost effective. Is that OK for you, given our limited number of police?” City planning staff has said the conditions under consideration include limits on alcohol sales hours and restrictions on certain high-alcohol products. The Planning Commission may approve the permit with conditions, deny it, or continue the item for further review. Any final decision would be subject to appeal under city procedures. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### New observation point highlights Richmond’s industrial and maritime heritage URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/new-observation-point-highlights-richmonds-industrial-and-maritime-heritage/ Last updated: 2026-01-09T20:13:32.000Z Richmond’s waterfront has a new public gathering place with panoramic views of the San Francisco Bay and the region’s active port, as city leaders tout the recently completed Portside Observation Point as part of efforts to balance industrial activity and public access along the city’s shoreline. Located at Terminal 3 on Harbour Way South, the observation point features benches, picnic areas, and interpretive panels that explain the history and operations of the Port of Richmond. The scenic outlook connects directly to the San Francisco Bay Trail, inviting pedestrians and cyclists to pause and take in views of vessels, cargo operations, and the working waterfront. City officials say the site underscores Richmond’s commitment to expanding public access to its shoreline while preserving the port’s role as a hub of maritime commerce and industrial activity. The observation point sits amid a cluster of major economic development projects, including the [Portside Commerce Center,](https://www.portsidecommercecenter.com/home.html?ref=grandviewindependent.com) a nearly 202,400‑square‑foot industrial warehouse and distribution facility at 1411 Harbour Way South. Designed with dedicated deep‑water port access, office space, and extensive dock doors, the commerce center is being marketed as a versatile logistics asset for maritime‑oriented businesses. The site was initially slated for Moxion Power, a Richmond‑based manufacturer of zero‑emission mobile battery systems, which planned to use the location to expand production capacity and create hundreds of jobs. But after a tumultuous period of layoffs and financial shifts at the company, Moxion’s initial tenancy dissolved before the center was completed, and the space has since been listed for lease to new tenants. [Portside Commerce Center seeks new tenant after Moxion meltdownRichmond’s nearly completed Portside Commerce Center is now available for lease after its first tenant, Moxion Power, vaporized last summer, leaving a hundred employees scrambling for employment and making the building’s future occupancy unclear. Brookfield Properties is offering the massive space for an undisclosed amount and marketing it as a![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--198.png)Grandview IndependentLinda Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Portside-Commerce-Center-inside-1-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/portside-commerce-center-seeks-new-tenant-after-moxion-meltdown) Supporters of the Portside Commerce Center say the facility’s proximity to the bay and to regional transportation infrastructure positions Richmond to attract maritime and logistics firms that can help diversify the local economy while building on the port’s historic strengths. Community members are also watching two waterfront developments: the possible relocation of the historic SS Red Oak Victory museum ship and the return of the Craneway Pavilion to public use. Richmond leaders are considering plans to move the World War II Victory ship to a new berth near the new observation point. [On the agenda: port finances, youth programs, and fire safetyThe Richmond City Council’s January 6, 2026, meeting will address approving a contract to relocate the historic SS Red Oak Victory ship, discussing in closed session a liability claim filed by former Police Chief Allwyn Brown, and reviewing Port of Richmond financial reports and an independent evaluation of youth grant![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--196.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-12-26-at-7.22.03-PM-1.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-agenda-port-finances-youth-programs-and-fire-safety%C2%A0) After months of behind-the-scenes discussions, Richmond city officials are moving forward on plans for the Craneway Pavilion, a beloved waterfront venue that has sat largely unused since mid-2025\. The city is exploring taking back control of the historic building from Orton Development, which has leased the space for $1 a year since its restoration two decades ago. [On the agenda: Taking back the keys to Craneway, Riggers Loft leases, and garbage strike creditsThe Richmond City Council will consider an inspection of the historic Craneway Pavilion as the city prepares to regain control of the waterfront venue, approve 12-month leases with three beverage producers at the Riggers Loft Building, and vote on a settlement providing billing credits to residents affected by July’s![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--197.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/inspect-Craneway-Pavilion-1-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-agenda-taking-back-the-keys-to-craneway-riggers-loft-leases-and-garbage-strike-credits/) The potential transfer comes after Orton reportedly booted the pickleball subtenant and indicated that donating the lease could provide valuable federal tax benefits. City staff have now authorized a property inspection and a financial analysis to evaluate maintenance needs and potential revenue streams. Councilmembers say the goal is to return the pavilion to public use, including hosting the Fourth of July celebration, while carefully managing the costs and liabilities that come with city ownership. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond records lowest homicides in years, but gun violence surges in final quarter URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-records-lowest-homicides-in-years-but-gun-violence-surges-in-final-quarter/ Last updated: 2026-01-08T19:14:47.000Z Richmond police recorded the city's lowest number of homicides in years in 2025, but a surge in shootings during the final three months has officials working to address what they're calling one of the most significant spikes in gun violence in half a decade. The city recorded six homicides last year, a record low, while overall shooting incidents dropped 27 percent from 2024, Assistant Police Chief Tim Simmons told the Community Police Review Commission on Wednesday. The figure does not include fatal police shootings in [February](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/coroner-identify-51-year-old-richmond-man-fatally-shot-by-richmond-police/) and [August](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-police-fatally-shoot-armed-man-outside-home-investigation-underway/). At least 32 victims were struck by gunfire during the year, with one person still on life support. Simmons said he was awaiting a medical update on a possible second victim on life support. But 50 of the year's 110 shooting incidents were in just the last 90 days of 2025, a 163 percent increase over the previous quarter. "It is something that we are dedicating a good portion of our investigative resources to," Simmons said during the meeting. He called the 90-day jump one of the largest over the last five years. The Iron Triangle neighborhood and the Annex area in South Richmond bore the brunt of the violence, with both areas "disproportionately victimized," according to Simmons. "When you have 110 shooting incidents, the way I look at these things, most of these are just homicides that didn't end up as a homicide," Simmons said. The uptick comes as old feuds between factions have resurfaced, and gun violence has spread to parts of the city that don't typically see such crimes, Simmons said. He plans to meet with neighborhood councils to increase police presence in affected areas. Despite the recent surge, the city saw improvements in several crime categories. Shots-fired calls dropped 14 percent from 2024, with 259 calls compared to 301 the previous year. ShotSpotter activations, which detect gunfire, also declined from 482 to 370. *A ShotSpotter map displays gunfire detection locations in Richmond during 2025.* The year began with [Claude Richard III](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-records-first-homicide-of-2025-after-nearly-nine-month-lull)’s fatal shooting at the Triangle Court Apartments in July and continued in September with the killing of [Jerry Williams](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/second-richmond-homicide-of-2025-reported-after-fatal-lincoln-avenue-shooting/) near Lincoln Avenue. November saw two homicides: 20-year-old [Griffin Hammond](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/coroner-identifies-20-year-old-richmond-man-killed-in-weekend-shooting/) near Potrero Avenue and Carlson Boulevard and 23-year-old [Josue Cornejo](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-police-seek-help-identifying-person-of-interest-in-fatal-bissell-avenue-shooting/) on Bissell Avenue. In December, [Larry Russel Jr.](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-man-identified-as-victim-in-macdonald-avenue-homicide/) was killed on Macdonald Avenue, and the year ended with the fatal shooting of [Romario Raso Garcia](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/family-identifies-man-killed-in-richmond-ihop-shooting/) at the Hilltop IHOP. Robberies fell to 251 from 334 in 2024, and vehicle thefts dropped significantly to 863 from 1,139, a decline Simmons partially attributed to automated license plate reader cameras that were operational for most of the year. However, sexual assaults reached their highest level in five years, with 139 reported victims, and residential burglaries hit a five-year high at 360 homes broken into. Staffing remains a challenge for the department. While 124 sworn positions are filled out of 147 authorized, only 71 officers are available for patrol and investigations once those in training, on leave, or injured are excluded. The city's long-awaited community crisis response team, called "Reaching Out with Care and Kindness" or ROCK, is expected to begin service in early February after training throughout January. Total violent crime fell to 1,208 incidents in 2025 from higher numbers in previous years, while property crimes dropped to 2,691 from 3,216 in 2024. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond mayor controversy dominates meeting after emergency item rejected URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-mayor-controversy-dominates-meeting-after-emergency-item-rejected/ Last updated: 2026-01-07T16:57:30.000Z The Richmond City Council swiftly cleared new business items from its agenda Tuesday night, sent city staff home, and spent hours hearing public comment focused on Mayor Eduardo Martinez and the council's failed effort to formally censure him for controversial social media posts. Vice Mayor Cesar Zepeda and Councilmember Jamelia Brown attempted to add an [emergency agenda](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/FileStream.ashx?DocumentId=60182&ref=grandviewindependent.com) item calling for Martinez’s censure, arguing that immediate action was necessary to address community harm stemming from the posts. [Richmond mayor’s social media posts spark controversy: the media coverageThe recent controversy surrounding Richmond Mayor Eduardo Martinez has drawn scrutiny from a wide range of local, regional, and international news outlets. The media coverage focuses on a central debate: whether Martinez’s social media activity was a “careless mistake” or a “dangerous pattern of conduct.” Last week, Martinez engaged![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--193.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/eduardo-martinez-richmond-mayor-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-mayors-social-media-posts-spark-controversy-the-media-coverage/) Zepeda cited California’s Brown Act standard for emergency items, saying the need for action arose after the agenda was published. “Waiting until the next meeting will continue to cause harm to our community,” Zepeda said. “Many of our Richmond residents feel unsafe by the mayor’s actions, and also, we have a lot of people here to speak on the item.” ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/01/rowd-outside-richmond-city-hall-council-meeting-jan-2026.webp) People gather to enter Richmond City Hall before a city council meeting that focused on Mayor Eduardo Martinez and a proposed censure. Photo/ Soren Hemmila Several council members opposed the move, citing procedural concerns and stating the issue did not warrant declaring an emergency. Councilmember Claudia Jimenez said the item should be properly added to the agenda for a future meeting. “I feel like bringing something that doesn’t meet all the standards of an agenda, an emergency item, situation, with everything could be an emergency in many ways,” Jimenez said. “This issue can be discussed, and it can be put into an agenda item for another time with the proper rules and procedures that we follow.” Councilmember Sue Wilson said she had not seen the resolution before the meeting and objected to being asked to vote on it without advance notice. “I have not read this censure proposal,” Wilson said. “To ask me right now to make a decision on it is bad public policy. I don’t think that there’s harm that will come from waiting two weeks to have it on a proper agenda item.” Brown argued that the council had a responsibility to respond immediately to community members who said they felt harmed by the mayor’s actions. “We don’t get to escape and say we didn’t have time to read or we don’t want to take the time to read the resolution,” Brown said. “Justice can’t wait for people who have expressed harm.” Brown added that she had publicly called for Martinez’s resignation and said the proposed censure was a minimum step. “I actually called for the mayor’s resignation,” Brown said. “However, I think the censure is the least that the council can do.” Councilmember Doria Robinson said she agreed the reposts were harmful and antisemitic, but opposed advancing the resolution as written without more time for review. “I felt like they were wrong. They were absolutely antisemitic, and they were disappointing,” Robinson said of the posts. “I think that they did cause harm. They do make people feel unsafe.” However, Robinson said the resolution went beyond acknowledging that harm and raised concerns about its scope. “What I’m reading here tonight goes beyond acknowledging what I just said,” Robinson said. “It includes the mayor not participating, not doing his job, not participating in regional committees, taking part of his salary, and doing other things with it.” Robinson also said portions of the resolution appeared to criticize political speech related to Gaza. “There’s language in here that leans towards criticizing political speech in a couple of the sections, and political speech that I feel is very warranted,” Robinson said. “This, to me, needs more time.” During the discussion on whether to add the censure resolution as an emergency item, Martinez objected to the proposal's introduction and argued it violated open meeting rules. “I am concerned about the process today,” Martinez said. He told the council that Zepeda and Brown had approached him earlier that day to discuss changes to the resolution. “Vice Mayor Zepeda and Council Member Brown came to my office to discuss this item with me, to see if we could make changes to it before it even gets out to the public,” Martinez said. He added that he had already spoken with another council member about the issue and said the discussion raised Brown Act concerns. “I don’t think process is being taken seriously here,” Martinez said. After further exchange, Martinez explicitly tied his objection to the open meeting law. “Because of the lack of respect and the lack of rule of law, I will have to vote no,” Martinez said before the roll call vote. The motion to add the emergency item failed, receiving yes votes only from Zepeda and Brown. City Attorney Shannon Moore outlined the legal requirements, explaining that adding the item would require a two-thirds vote and a finding that immediate action was necessary to prevent undue harm, but emphasized that the determination rested with the council. With the censure proposal off the agenda, the council entered open forum, where dozens of speakers addressed the mayor’s posts for hours. Some urged Martinez to resign, while others defended him as a progressive leader who apologized and should be allowed to pursue dialogue and repair. Mindy Pines, a 20-year Richmond resident, urged the council to act, saying the issue was about leadership, not foreign policy. “This isn’t about Palestine or Gaza,” Pines said. “It’s about fitness for public office and your responsibility as a governing body when our mayor echoes antisemitic conspiracy theories.” Pines said the impact of the posts was felt locally, adding, “The harm is real. It lands on real people in our community.” ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2026/01/Screenshot-2026-01-06-at-6.44.33-PM.png) Richmond resident Mindy Pines speaking at Tuesday's city council meeting. Others defended the mayor. Kate Laster, who said she works at the NIAD Art Center in Richmond, praised Martinez’s record and said the focus on censure ignored what she described as concrete support for residents. “There’s a lot of talk about harm here, but there’s not a lot of talk about material solidarity,” Laster said, citing Martinez’s advocacy on environmental and social justice issues. Public comment continued for hours before the meeting ended, though council members said the issue could return on a future agenda. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Family identifies man killed in Richmond IHOP shooting URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/family-identifies-man-killed-in-richmond-ihop-shooting/ Last updated: 2026-01-01T17:03:05.000Z The man killed in a shooting at a Hilltop restaurant has been identified by his family as Romario Raso Garcia. Garcia’s family publicly identified him in a GoFundMe fundraiser created to help cover funeral and burial expenses. In a post, his sister, Arianna Garcia, wrote in Spanish that her brother was “deprived of his life at his workplace” on December 29\. The family thanked the community for its support and said they are going through very difficult moments. [Richmond Police investigate homicide at Hilltop IHOP RestaurantUpdated: Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. Richmond police are investigating a homicide after a person was found unconscious and later pronounced dead Monday afternoon inside an IHOP restaurant at the Hilltop Plaza, authorities said. Officers responded at about 1:43 p.m. to assist the Richmond![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--191.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/police-tape-ihop-klose-way-homicide-richmond-2-1-1-1-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/police-investigate-homicide-after-person-found-injured-on-klose-way/) The shooting occurred on December 29 at the IHOP restaurant in the 3400 block of Klose Way. Richmond police said officers were dispatched to what was initially reported as a medical call. The incident was later determined to be a homicide. Those wishing to contribute to the fundraiser can find more information [here](https://www.gofundme.com/f/romario-garcia-funeral-expenses?ref=grandviewindependent.com). --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Police: IHOP homicide person of interest shoots self near San Pablo Police Department URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/police-ihop-homicide-person-of-interest-shoots-self-near-san-pablo-police-department/ Last updated: 2025-12-31T18:05:55.000Z *Updated: Wednesday, December 31, 2025, at 9 a.m.* Authorities say a man critically injured by an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound near the San Pablo Police Department is a person of interest in the fatal shooting of a coworker a day earlier at a Richmond IHOP restaurant. Police confirmed Tuesday evening that the shooting near the San Pablo Police Department is directly related to the ongoing homicide investigation in Richmond. [Richmond Police investigate homicide at Hilltop IHOP RestaurantUpdated: Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. Richmond police are investigating a homicide after a person was found unconscious and later pronounced dead Monday afternoon inside an IHOP restaurant at the Hilltop Plaza, authorities said. Officers responded at about 1:43 p.m. to assist the Richmond![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--190.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/police-tape-ihop-klose-way-homicide-richmond-2-1-1-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/police-investigate-homicide-after-person-found-injured-on-klose-way/) “The incident that occurred earlier this evening near the San Pablo Police Department is related to the homicide investigation that took place yesterday in the City of Richmond,” Richmond police Lt. Donald Patchin, the department’s chief of staff and public information officer, said in a statement. "Through diligent investigative efforts, detectives identified a person of interest in this homicide," Patchin said. "The person of interest, who is not being identified at this time, is a coworker of the victim and a resident of San Pablo. Detectives obtained a warrant for the individual’s arrest and were actively attempting to locate him." According to San Pablo Police Capt. James Laughter, officers were handling an unrelated call for service when the man briefly approached one of them in the station parking lot. “A male subject approached one of our officers, and there was a language barrier during this brief interaction,” Laughter said. “The male subject then walked away from our officers, and then our officer turned his attention back to the original call for service.” Shortly afterward, officers heard a gunshot. “Our officers heard one single gunshot from within the parking lot of the San Pablo Police Department,” Laughter said. “We then located a male subject lying on the ground with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.” San Pablo Police Public Information Officer Peggy Chou said officers rendered life-saving aid, and the man was transported to a local hospital, where he remains in critical condition. "During the course of the investigation, it was determined that the male subject, a 44-year-old San Pablo resident, is a person of interest in a homicide investigation which occurred in the City of Richmond on December 29, 2025," Chou said. "Following the shooting incident on December 30, Richmond PD Detectives responded to the San Pablo Police Department to process the scene and assume their investigation." --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond Police investigate homicide at Hilltop IHOP Restaurant URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/police-investigate-homicide-after-person-found-injured-on-klose-way/ Last updated: 2025-12-31T02:10:57.000Z *Updated: Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at 5:30 p.m.* Richmond police are investigating a homicide after a person was found unconscious and later pronounced dead Monday afternoon inside an IHOP restaurant at the Hilltop Plaza, authorities said. Officers responded at about 1:43 p.m. to assist the Richmond Fire Department at the restaurant in the 3400 block of Klose Way, where the incident was initially reported as a medical call, police said. [Worker fatally shot inside IHOP in RichmondAn employee was fatally shot inside an IHOP restaurant in Richmond, law enforcement authorities said.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/cropped-NBC_Bay-Area-1.png)NBC Bay AreaJodi Hernandez![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/44674931674-1080pnbcstations.jpg)](https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/ihop-shooting-richmond/4005570/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) “The victim had been alone and was discovered unconscious by coworkers, suffering from a head injury,” Lt. Donald Patchin said in a statement. Fire personnel determined the injuries appeared suspicious and requested police assistance, Patchin said. Emergency medical responders attempted life-saving measures, but the victim died at the scene. “The preliminary investigation revealed evidence leading officers to believe the victim may have been shot,” Patchin said. Richmond Vice Mayor Cesar Zepeda told NBC Bay Area the victim may have been targeted. “The investigation is still ongoing, but we believe it was targeted, so it wasn’t just a random shooting,” Zepeda said. “The person came in looking for this person.” Zepeda said investigators believe the suspect entered the restaurant through a back door. While surveillance cameras inside the business captured some evidence, he said the shooter appeared to know how to avoid being clearly identified. “It’s very unfortunate this happened, and that this happened as we’re so close to the end of the year, in the middle of the holidays, in the middle of the day in a business district,” Zepeda said. Richmond police homicide detectives have taken over the investigation, which remains active. No arrests have been made, and the victim’s name has not yet been released. The killing marks the sixth homicide of the year in the city of Richmond, Patchin said. Anyone with information is asked to contact homicide Detective Marecek at 510-621-1835. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### On the agenda: port finances, youth programs, and fire safety URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-agenda-port-finances-youth-programs-and-fire-safety/ Last updated: 2025-12-28T02:39:28.000Z The Richmond City Council's January 6, 2026, meeting will address approving a contract to relocate the historic SS Red Oak Victory ship, discussing in closed session a liability claim filed by former Police Chief Allwyn Brown, and reviewing Port of Richmond financial reports and an independent evaluation of youth grant programs. The council will also consider a proposal requiring non-combustible fencing in high fire-hazard areas and elect a new vice mayor for 2026. ### [A ship comes in](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60150&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The Richmond City Council is set to approve a nearly $300,000 contract to begin planning the relocation of the SS Red Oak Victory, the last surviving ship from the 747 vessels built at Richmond's Kaiser Shipyards during World War II. The council will consider awarding the contract to Oakland-based Liftech Consultants, Inc., for preliminary design work on a new dock structure to relocate the historic cargo vessel next to the San Francisco ferry parking lot, bringing it closer to the Rosie the Riveter/WWII Home Front National Historical Park. Built in just 87 days in 1944, the Boulder-Class cargo ship transported munitions from Port Chicago to the Pacific Theater in early 1945\. The vessel has served as a museum ship since 1998, when the Richmond Museum Association brought it to the city as a monument to the thousands of shipyard workers who contributed to the war effort. Currently berthed at Basin No. 5 at Point Potrero Marine Terminal, the relocation would free up Basin No. 5 for commercial maritime leases, generating additional revenue for the port. The Port estimates the total project cost between $16 million and $20 million, with construction of the new dock representing the largest unknown expense. ### A chief's complaint The council will discuss a claim against the city filed by Allwyn Brown in a closed session at 5 p.m., according to the agenda, though the nature and details of Brown's complaint have not been publicly disclosed. [Richmond police chief ‘out of the office’ following union’s vote of no confidenceAssistant Chief Bisa French will step in as interim chief in his stead.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/32x32-mercury-news-white-2.png)The Mercury NewsErin Baldassari![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/ebt-l-richpdbust-0831-01-1.jpg)](https://www.mercurynews.com/2019/09/07/richmond-police-chief-out-of-the-office-following-unions-vote-of-no-confidence/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) --- ## **New business items** ### [Counting the cargo](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60129&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Council members will receive a financial overview of the Port of Richmond, including revenue sources, tariff structures, and funding mechanisms for larger infrastructure projects. This presentation, continued from the December 16 meeting, comes as the city seeks to understand the port's economic operations and future capital needs. ### [Measuring youth's moment](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60131&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The council will review an independent evaluation by WestEd assessing the impact of the Richmond Fund for Children & Youth grant programs from fiscal years 2021 through 2024\. The third-party evaluation report, also continued from December 16, will provide insights into how effectively the fund has served Richmond's young people over the past three years. ### [Embers and defenses](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60167&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Councilmember Soheila Bana and Vice Mayor Cesar Zepeda are asking staff to draft an ordinance requiring homeowners' associations in high-fire-hazard areas to adopt architectural design guidelines for non-combustible fences and gates. The proposal directs staff to study California Assembly Bill 3074 and Senate Bill 504, which establish an ember-resistant "Zone Zero," and return within 60 days with a draft ordinance establishing similar protections in Richmond. ## Consent calendar items *The council's consent calendar includes more than a dozen items covering city operations, infrastructure projects, and community programs:* ### [Words and images for hire](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60150&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The City Manager's Office is seeking approval of contract amendments with Justin Page Design Co. (increasing the payment limit by $10,000 to a total of $20,000) and Folger Graphics (increasing by $100,000 to a total of $235,000) to expand their scope for additional citywide design and printing projects. The amendments require appropriating $110,000 to support these services. ### [A committee takes shape](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60173&ref=grandviewindependent.com) A resolution would authorize the creation of the Black Resiliency Project Community Advisory Committee and establish its purpose, membership, meeting procedures, and conflict-of-interest requirements. [On the agenda: Richmond council proposes $1.5 million Black Resiliency FundThe Richmond City Council will address a wide range of community issues at its June 17 meeting, from the Harbour 8 Park Expansion Project to historic preservation, and an initiative aimed at addressing racial disparities. Three Richmond City Council members are proposing a $1.5 million initiative to address racial![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--189.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/civic-1-2.jpg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-agenda-richmond-council-proposes-1-5-million-black-resiliency-fund/) ### [Experts on call](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60121&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The Community Development Department is requesting authorization for on-call financial and economic analysis services contracts not to exceed $500,000 per vendor for a three-year term, with options for two additional one-year extensions. These services would support multiple departments, including Community Development, Economic Development, Finance, the Port of Richmond, and the Richmond Housing Authority. ### [Art meets appetite ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60142&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Two contracts totaling $250,000 would fund public art at the Allen Brothers Steak and Seafood Facility, with Hungry Ghost Productions receiving up to $210,000 for mural design, fabrication, and installation, and Debra Koppman receiving up to $40,000 for mosaic tabletop work. The projects are funded by private developer arts contributions and would run through December 31, 2026. ### [Keeping boats afloat](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60142&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The Fire Department is seeking a sole-source contract with Jet Dock Systems, Inc. for up to $100,000 over three years (January 2026 through January 2029) to repair and maintain the department's boat lift, with options for two additional one-year extensions at up to $20,000 per year. ### [Grants and compliance](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60163&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Five Richmond nonprofit organizations will each receive $10,000 grants through the city's Environmental and Community Investment Agreement for fiscal year 2025-2026, totaling $50,000 in Category 3 awards approved by the City Council. The recipients are Greater Richmond Interfaith Program, Richmond Community Tennis Association, Fierce Advocates, House of Loving Hands, and Inspiring Communities, all of which had applied for but were not initially funded under the competitive grant categories in the ECIA program established through a 2014 agreement with Chevron Products Company. ### [Tracking the work](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60170&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The Community Services Department is requesting approval of a $27,999 sole-source contract with LCPtracker for web-based labor compliance monitoring software to track compliance with the city's Local Employment Program Ordinance and Business Opportunity Ordinance. ### [When cars need moving](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60155&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The Richmond Police Department is requesting three-year contracts with five vendors, Oliver's Tow Inc., Civic Center Auto Care, Certified Towing, Checker's Towing, and Bay Area Tow Inc., for citywide rotational tow and automotive services. Each vendor would be limited to $50,000 per year, with total annual spending capped at $250,000\. The contracts would run from January 2026 through December 2028, with each vendor having the option to renew for two additional years at up to $100,000 per vendor, bringing the total potential contract value to $250,000 per vendor. ### [Making streets complete](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60145&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The Public Works Department is seeking approval for a construction agreement with Bauman Landscape and Construction Inc. for the 13th Street Complete Street Project. The base contract amount is $3,993,481.50, with an additional 10% construction contingency of $400,000, bringing the total not-to-exceed amount to $4,393,481.50. The closed session begins at 5 p.m., followed by the regular city council meeting at 6 p.m., at the Community Services Building, 440 Civic Center Plaza. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community - Eat more burritos **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Road closures remain in place after fire damages Carlson Boulevard storage facility URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/road-closures-remain-in-place-after-fire-damages-carlson-boulevard-storage-facility/ Last updated: 2025-12-26T21:21:51.000Z Multiple road closures remained in effect Friday after a third-alarm fire caused extensive structural damage at the Public Storage facility at 398 Carlson Boulevard, prompting safety concerns, officials said. Carlson Boulevard is closed between Cutting Boulevard and the Pullman apartment area, and portions of Ethel Dotson South Street are also closed. The closures are expected to remain in place while officials assess the stability of the damaged building. [Richmond firefighters battle blaze at Public Storage facility on Carlson BoulevardFirefighters battled a fire Wednesday morning at a Public Storage facility at 398 Carlson Boulevard, attacking the blaze from two ladder trucks as heavy smoke rose from the building. Smoke from the fire is visible in the surrounding area, including Ohio Avenue and Carlson Boulevard/South 37th Street, city officials![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--188.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/QvNO11cXQuCrAk_maRN6DQ-1-1.jpeg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-firefighters-battle-blaze-at-public-storage-facility-on-carlson-boulevard/) The fire broke out early Wednesday morning and escalated to a third alarm, drawing assistance from the El Cerrito Fire Department and the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District. Flames tore through the roof along the Carlson Boulevard side of the building, triggering multiple collapses inside the structure. Following an inspection by the city’s deputy building official, the tilt-up concrete building was deemed unstable because the roof had been compromised, fire officials said. Authorities said the road closures are necessary to protect the public from potential falling debris or further structural failure. Fire crews remained on scene, urging pedestrians away from the building. Officials said the entire property will be fenced off to prevent unauthorized access while the owner determines next steps to secure or remove unstable portions of the structure. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community - Eat more burritos **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond man identified as victim in Macdonald Avenue homicide URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-man-identified-as-victim-in-macdonald-avenue-homicide/ Last updated: 2025-12-24T20:10:06.000Z Authorities have identified a 50-year-old Richmond man as the victim of a fatal shooting last week on Macdonald Avenue. Larry Russel Jr. was killed on December 16 in the 300 block of Macdonald Avenue, according to the Contra Costa County Coroner's Office. He was a Richmond resident. [Richmond police investigate fatal shooting on Macdonald AvenueRichmond police are investigating the city’s fifth homicide of the year after an adult man was found shot late Tuesday night in the 300 block of Macdonald Avenue, authorities said Wednesday. Officers responded to a ShotSpotter activation at 11:23 p.m. December 16 in the area, according to![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--187.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-12-17-at-12.43.54-PM-1-1.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-police-investigate-fatal-shooting-on-macdonald-avenue/) Richmond Police officers responded to a ShotSpotter gunfire detection alert at approximately 11:23 p.m. and found Russell suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. Officers administered first aid and life-saving measures, but Russell died at the scene. Homicide detectives are continuing to investigate. No arrests have been made. The slaying marked Richmond's fifth homicide of 2025. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Farr at 510-620-6622. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community - Eat more burritos **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond firefighters battle blaze at Public Storage facility on Carlson Boulevard URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-firefighters-battle-blaze-at-public-storage-facility-on-carlson-boulevard/ Last updated: 2025-12-24T17:59:39.000Z Firefighters battled a fire Wednesday morning at a Public Storage facility at 398 Carlson Boulevard, attacking the blaze from two ladder trucks as heavy smoke rose from the building. Smoke from the fire is visible in the surrounding area, including Ohio Avenue and Carlson Boulevard/South 37th Street, city officials said. There is no need for residents to shelter in place, but officials advised people nearby to remain vigilant while crews continue response operations. According to Richmond Fire Chief Aaron Osorio, the fire quickly escalated to a third alarm, requiring assistance from the El Cerrito Fire Department and Contra Costa County Fire. "The blaze ran the length of the roof on the main building along the Carlson Boulevard side, causing multiple roof collapses throughout the structure," Osorio said. "Richmond Fire still has crews on scene trying to extinguish some of the deep-seated fire that is trapped under portions of the collapsed roof." Osorio said one firefighter sustained minor injuries and was treated at Kaiser Richmond. No civilian injuries have been reported. Four occupants were displaced from an apartment unit and the Public Storage office. The Red Cross is on scene assisting with firefighter rehabilitation. This is a developing story; check back for updates. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/12/public-storage-fire-richmond-california-firefighters2.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/12/public-storage-fire-richmond-california-firefighters1.webp) --- [YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community - Eat more burritos Quality journalism costs money. Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) \- Starting at just $10/month FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS: • Twitter:[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • Instagram:[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • Facebook:[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Preservation work begins on WWII-era Richmond shipyard cafeteria URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/preservation-work-begins-on-wwii-era-richmond-shipyard-cafeteria/ Last updated: 2025-12-23T17:25:05.000Z Demolition crews have begun clearing non-original materials from a historic World War II-era cafeteria at Richmond's Point Potrero Marine Terminal as part of efforts to preserve one of the city's significant wartime structures. The City of Richmond awarded a $113,000 contract to Greentech Industry Inc. in late August to conduct selective interior demolition at Building 23, which served hot meals at Kaiser's Shipyard No. 3 during the war effort. Built in September 1943, the cafeteria is one of five historic structures at the shipyard listed in the National Register of Historic Places and part of the Rosie the Riveter World War II Home Front National Historical Park. [Cafeteria - Shipyard No. 3 (U.S. National Park Service)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/favicon-15.ico)National Park Service![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/logo-1.png)](https://www.nps.gov/places/cafeteria-shipyard-no-3.htm?ref=grandviewindependent.com) Port Director Charles Gerard said preliminary work is already underway at the site and is expected to wrap up within the week. Looking ahead, he outlined the next steps for the building once the initial work is complete. “In 2026, we plan to complete an architectural assessment and put this building on the City’s bid opportunities platform for RFPs,” Gerard said. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/12/richmond-point-potrero-building-23-wwii-cafeteria-20252.webp) Building 23, a World War II–era cafeteria at Richmond’s Point Potrero Marine Terminal, where selective interior demolition is underway to preserve the historic structure. The project aims to remove non-historical ceiling materials, tiles, walls and doors added during short periods of occupancy over recent decades. The building has been unoccupied for approximately 15 years, leaving both its exterior and interior in deteriorating condition. The selective demolition will prepare the structure for an architectural assessment to preserve its historical integrity while supporting the port's goal of expanding industrial and marine operations. Hazardous materials testing in April revealed asbestos in floor tiles and adhesive, as well as lead paint on walls, windowsills, and ceiling drywall. Greentech will handle the removal of these materials in compliance with state and federal regulations. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/12/richmond-point-potrero-building-23-wwii-cafeteria-2025-weekend-1.webp) Crews remove non-original ceiling materials and interior walls inside the former shipyard cafeteria at Building 23 in Richmond on Saturday, December 20, 2025. The shipyard was constructed between 1941 and 1942 by industrialist Henry J. Kaiser and employed thousands of workers who produced more than 747 vessels as part of America's wartime production effort. The cafeteria operated 24 hours a day during the war, providing a crucial space for workers to eat and socialize between demanding shifts at the shipyard. Five contractors submitted bids for the project, with Greentech selected as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. The company must complete additional hazardous materials testing once demolition is finished. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/12/Rosie-The-Riveter_Final-Tear-Off-Map_2016.webp) Map of the Rosie the Riveter/WWII National Historical Park. Image/NPS --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community - Eat more burritos **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Q’s Halal Pizza brings global comfort food to San Pablo Avenue URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/qs-halal-pizza-brings-global-comfort-food-to-san-pablo-avenue/ Last updated: 2025-12-22T17:53:23.000Z The gyro plate arrived like an argument won before it started. Twenty bucks at Q’s Halal Pizza on San Pablo Avenue, and what you get is this: a mountain of ground lamb formed into tender, seasoned pieces, sitting on a bed of rice that actually matters. The lamb doesn't look like it was sliced from a rotating spit. It was ground and formed, which sounds like a downgrade until you taste it and realize somebody in that kitchen spent time getting the seasoning right, getting the texture right, making sure each piece held together without turning into a hockey puck. Lots of it, too. Enough that you’re not doing mental math about whether you got your money’s worth. Basmati rice. Long-grain. Each grain is separate. This matters more than people think. Rice is half the meal at places like this, and Q’s knows it. The rice gleamed under the lights like it was trying to make a point about standards. Pita bread came warm on the side. Soft enough to tear, sturdy enough to hold up under sauce and meat and whatever you’re about to pile onto it. The salad was what it was: lettuce, cucumber, tomato. Nothing fancy. Nothing trying to be California about it. Just cold and crisp and doing its job. Then the sauces showed up and justified the whole operation. Two containers. One was yogurt-based, probably tzatziki or something close, cool, tangy, the kind of sauce that exists to put out fires and make you feel like you’re taking care of yourself even while you’re not. The other was bright green coriander chutney, sharp and herby and aggressive in the way cilantro always is when it’s fresh and unrepentant. That green sauce didn’t apologize for anything. You’d take some lamb, drag it through the yogurt, hit it with the chutney, and suddenly understand what people mean when they talk about San Pablo Avenue opening up. Not just Five Star Chicken moving in from Vallejo or Taco El Tucan holding down the block, but places like Q’s that have been here doing this thing where the menu sprawls in six different directions and somehow all of it works. Because here’s what Q’s is doing: They’re making halal pizza. They’re making Indian food, biryani, tikka masala, and chicken kabobs. They’re making Mediterranean wraps with falafel and hummus. They’re making burritos with rice, beans, and pico de gallo. They’re making Philly cheesesteaks. They’re making samosas stuffed with potatoes and peas. They’ve got a pizza called “Mama Mary’s” with lamb gyro and pepperoni on it, which sounds insane until you remember that this is America and nobody asked permission to mix things up. The menu is like a map of who’s living in Richmond and what they want to eat. You want wings? Holla at their Halal wings, regular or spicy. You want a bowl? They’ve got lamb bowls, chicken bowls, falafel bowls, all over basmati rice with tzatziki and chutney. You want something wrapped in pita? They’ve got regular gyros, Philly gyros, and falafel wraps. You want pizza? They’ve got cheese pizza and they’ve got “Da Meats” with pepperoni and lamb and chicken piled on top. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/12/Q-Halal-pizza-san-pablo-avenue-wings-1.webp) It’s the kind of place where the pizza oven and whatever they’re using to cook tikka masala are probably within arm’s reach of each other, and nobody thinks that’s weird because why would it be weird? This is where San Pablo Avenue runs through the North and East. This is Richmond’s Gourmet Ghetto. People eat different things. Sometimes people eat different things on the same day. Sometimes they eat different things on the same plate. The gyro plate held up all the way through. The lamb stayed tender. The rice stayed separate. The pita stayed soft. The sauces didn’t run out even though we were using them liberally, which is how you’re supposed to use sauces when they’re that good. By the end, we’d cleaned the plate down to nothing, scraping the last bit of rice and chutney mixed with the last bit of yogurt. Outside, San Pablo Avenue was doing what San Pablo Avenue does. Cars passing. People working. The tire shops, body shops, taco trucks, and chicken spots all doing their thing. Inside Q’s, dudes were scrolling their phones, waiting for to-go orders, people scurrying out the door with white bags tightly held. This is what the corridor is now. Places like Q’s making six kinds of food and making all of it work. **Q’s Halal Pizza:** 12847 San Pablo Avenue, Richmond, California --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community - Eat more burritos **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Betty Reid Soskin, nation's oldest park ranger and civil rights pioneer, dies at 104 URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/betty-reid-soskin-nations-oldest-park-ranger-and-civil-rights-pioneer-dies-at-104/ Last updated: 2025-12-21T21:33:31.000Z Betty Reid Soskin, who became the nation's oldest active National Park Service ranger and spent more than a decade sharing often-overlooked stories of African American contributions during World War II, died peacefully at her home Sunday morning, according to her family. She was 104. Her family announced her death on social media, saying she "was attended by family" and "led a fully packed life and was ready to leave." Born Betty Charbonnet in 1921 in Detroit, Soskin arrived in Oakland at age 6 after the catastrophic 1927 Mississippi River flood devastated her family's New Orleans home, according to the National Park Service. She grew up in a Cajun-Creole family descended from enslaved people, her great-grandmother Leontine Breaux Allen having been born into slavery in 1846. During World War II, Soskin worked as a file clerk in a segregated boilermakers union hall in Richmond, according to park records. "The history as I had lived it was nowhere in sight," she said in a recorded park presentation about early narratives that celebrated wartime unity while omitting racial segregation. Soskin didn't join the National Park Service until age 85, initially as a consultant helping develop the Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park, according to the park. As the only person of color at early planning meetings, she recognized the park's proposed sites as monuments to racial segregation, housing developments, child care centers, and villages where Black workers were excluded. Soskin became a permanent ranger in 2007, leading programs at the park's visitor center and ensuring the public understood the complete story of the home front. Soskin gained national attention in 2013 during the federal government shutdown, when her status as the oldest park ranger drew widespread media coverage, according to the Park Service. She published her memoir, "Sign My Name to Freedom," in 2018 and received numerous honors, including the California State Legislature's Woman of the Year award in 1995 and the World War II Museum's Silver Medallion in 2016, according to the Park Service. In recent years, filmmaker Bryan Gibel documented her rediscovery of dozens of original songs she had hidden away for more than 50 years, according to the documentary's fundraising materials. The songs chronicled her family's experiences as among the first African Americans to integrate an all-white San Francisco suburb. "Betty's final wish is to see this film and her unreleased music out in the world before she dies," Gibel said in the[ campaign materials as the documentary "Sign My Name to Freedom"](https://signmynametofreedom.allyrafundraising.com/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) entered its final editing phase. Soskin retired from the Park Service in March 2022 at age 100. Her family is requesting donations to Betty Reid Soskin Middle School and to complete the documentary film in lieu of flowers. A public memorial will be announced at a later date. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community - Eat more burritos **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond mayor's social media posts spark controversy: the media coverage URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-mayors-social-media-posts-spark-controversy-the-media-coverage/ Last updated: 2025-12-21T18:00:50.000Z The recent controversy surrounding Richmond Mayor Eduardo Martinez has drawn scrutiny from a wide range of local, regional, and international news outlets. The media coverage focuses on a central debate: whether Martinez’s social media activity was a “careless mistake” or a “dangerous pattern of conduct.” Last week, Martinez engaged with and shared several posts on LinkedIn related to a mass shooting at a Hanukkah event in Bondi Beach, Australia. The content in question included claims that the incident was a "false flag" operation orchestrated by Israel to garner international sympathy and suggested that the behavior of the state of Israel is a root cause of antisemitism. The media has widely quoted two specific LinkedIn posts issued by Martinez in response to the backlash: December 17: *"I want to apologize for sharing my previous posts without thinking. Of course we know that antisemitism was here before the creation of the state of Israel. As I’ve said many times before, we should not conflate Zionism with Judaism. They are two separate beliefs."* December 18: *"I want to assure everyone that these postings are my opinions (or my mistakes) and mine only. They are not statements from my office or the city of Richmond. If I make a mistake, that mistake is mine only. Once again, I apologize for posting in haste without full understanding of the posting."* ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/12/eduardo-martinez-linkedin2.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/12/eduardo-martinez-linkedin3.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/12/eduardo-martinez-linkedin.jpg) On Saturday, Martinez issued a [formal apology](https://www.facebook.com/eduardoformayor/posts/pfbid0giVQAGooARyx88pw9JUK2vubYnWMkuAvtNZrRnsFrRobUEh8NRFu8TGmsrvaKRhcl) to the community. Martinez admitted to sharing content that was conspiratorial and factually inaccurate, noting that the posts portrayed Judaism in a negative light. Here is how various news outlets are reporting on the situation. ### Local media & regional TV coverage Bay Area outlets are primarily focusing on the internal political breakdown within Richmond and the formal demands from regional leadership. The Mercury News reported on the rapid escalation of the situation, highlighting the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of the Bay Area’s formal demand for Martinez’s resignation. The outlet detailed how the mayor’s engagement with "false flag" conspiracy theories served as the final straw for advocacy groups, who described his actions as part of a "deeply troubling" pattern of behavior that has left Jewish residents feeling "unsafe and abandoned." [Jewish group calls for Richmond mayor to resign following controversial social media postsThe posts raised questions about the recent fatal mass shooting at a Hanukkah celebration on Australia’s Bondi Beach and blamed Israel for antisemitism.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/32x32-mercury-news-white.png)The Mercury NewsSierra Lopez![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/SJM-L-EMARTINEZ-XXXX-2.jpg)](https://www.mercurynews.com/2025/12/18/jewish-group-calls-for-richmond-mayor-to-resign-following-controversial-social-media-posts/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) KTVU Fox 2 linked the recent LinkedIn posts to Martinez’s past public appearances. The station reported on the JCRC’s stance that the mayor can “no longer effectively serve” because his conduct has made residents feel “unsafe and abandoned.” The Richmond Standard centered its reporting on the local political fallout. It highlights that Councilmember Jamelia Brown has formally supported calls for the mayor’s resignation, stating that his actions have caused “continued harm” to the Jewish community. The *Standard* also reports that Councilmember Cesar Zepeda is actively considering a formal censure motion for the January 6, 2026, council meeting. [Local leaders condemn Richmond mayor’s antisemitic posts - Richmond StandardLocal leaders on Thursday spoke out against antisemitic social media posts that Richmond Mayor Eduardo Martinez reportedly shared after a deadly attack during Hanukkah in Sydney, Australia, on Dec. 14\. \[…\]![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/rsFavicon_16x16-3.png)Richmond StandardStaff![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Richmond-Mayor-Eduardo-Martinez-speaks-at-Peoples-Conference-For-Palestine-in-Detroit.jpg)](https://richmondstandard.com/community/2025/12/19/local-leaders-condemn-richmond-mayors-antisemitic-posts/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) Contra Costa News documented the widening circle of officials demanding action, including County Supervisor John Gioia, who called the mayor’s posts “deeply offensive, disrespectful, and unacceptable.” Gioia has explicitly urged the City Council to censure the mayor at the first meeting of 2026. [More Calls for Richmond Mayor to Resign After Antisemitic PostsOver the last 48-hours, local leaders in Richmond have come out against Richmond Mayor Eduardo Martinez and are seeking his resignation.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/contracosta.news_-1.jpg)Contra Costa NewsCC News![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/eduardo-martinez-john-gioia.gif)](https://contracosta.news/2025/12/19/more-calls-for-richmond-mayor-to-resign-after-antisemitic-posts/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) ### Regional & international press As the story moved beyond Contra Costa County, other media organizations have provided deep-dive analyses into the mayor’s rhetorical history. SFGATE reported that the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) is also condemning the mayor for “amplifying warped antisemitic conspiracy theories.” SFGATE specifically revisited Martinez’s August 2025 appearance in Detroit, where he allegedly wore a hat reading “DDTTIDF” (Death to the IDF) and compared himself to Hamas. [Bay Area mayor called to resign after sharing Bondi Beach attack postsA Jewish organization in the Bay Area called the posts offensive.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/apple-touch-icon-196x196-3.png)SFGATEOlivia Hebert![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/rawImage-4.jpg)](https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/bay-area-mayor-called-resign-bondi-beach-attack-21253081.php?ref=grandviewindependent.com) The Forward focuses on the nuances of the mayor’s apology. *The Forward* highlighted that Martinez notably did not disavow the specific “false flag” conspiracy theory in his public statements. Instead, he pivoted to a discussion on the distinction between Zionism and Judaism, which the outlet noted “left cold” many who were seeking a direct retraction. [Richmond mayor facing resignation calls over posts calling Sydney massacre ‘false flag’The posts shared by Richmond Mayor Eduardo Martinez, a vocal critic of Israel, blamed Jews for the attack that left 15 dead in Sydney.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/cropped-favicon-270x270.png)The ForwardLouis Keene![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Screen-Shot-2025-12-18-at-5.33.03-PM.jpg)](https://forward.com/fast-forward/792202/richmond-mayor-martinez-antisemitism-false-flag-sydney/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) The New York Post frames the situation as a consequence of radical local politics. In a scathing report, the *Post* identified Eduardo Martinez as a “socialist mayor” and detailed how his social media activity has sparked a revolt among Jewish leaders and his own colleagues. [Calif. Jewish leaders blast socialist Mayor Eduardo Martinez over antisemitic conspiracy theoriesJewish leaders and groups in California’s Bay Area have blasted socialist Richmond Mayor Eduardo Martinez’s apology for sharing heinous antisemitic conspiracies online — and have …![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/apple-icon-144x144.png)New York PostJamie Paige![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/117621669.jpg)](https://nypost.com/2025/12/19/us-news/calif-jewish-leaders-blast-socialist-mayor-eduardo-martinez-over-antisemitic-conspiracy-theories/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) The [Times of Israel](https://www.timesofisrael.com/california-mayor-urged-to-resign-for-spreading-antisemitic-bondi-beach-conspiracies/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) brought global attention to the controversy, framing it as a “stark example” of the dangers of toxic social media. They detailed how Martinez’s reposts blamed Jews for the Bondi Beach terror attack that left 15 people dead. Media attention is now shifting toward the January 6, 2026, Richmond City Council meeting. Outlets are monitoring whether the mayor will issue a more comprehensive apology or if the council will proceed with a censure or support a recall effort. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community - Eat more burritos **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### District Attorney declines to file charges in Richmond November shooting URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-police-say-no-charges-will-be-filed-in-fatal-november-shooting/ Last updated: 2025-12-20T20:07:27.000Z Prosecutors have declined to file criminal charges in the fatal shooting of a 20-year-old Richmond man following a gunfire exchange near Carlson Boulevard and Potrero Avenue, police said. The Richmond Police Department presented the case to the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office for review, Richmond Police Public Information Officer Lt. Donald Patchin said. “After evaluating the investigation, the District Attorney’s Office declined to file charges against either subject." On November 8, 2025, at approximately 8:09 p.m., the Richmond Police Department Communications Center received multiple reports of shots fired in the area of Potrero Avenue and Carlson Boulevard, with at least one person reportedly struck by gunfire. “Responding officers located an adult male victim suffering from gunshot wounds,” Patchin said. “Despite immediate life-saving efforts by officers and emergency personnel, the victim was pronounced deceased at the scene.” Police identified the victim as Griffin Hammond, a 20-year-old Richmond resident. [Coroner identifies 20-year-old Richmond man killed in weekend shootingA man killed in a Richmond shooting last weekend has been identified as 20-year-old Griffin Hammond of Richmond, officials said Wednesday. Police responded around 8:09 p.m. Saturday to multiple reports of gunfire near Potrero Avenue and Carlson Boulevard, according to the Richmond Police Department. Officers found Hammond suffering![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--186.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-ca-fatal-shooting-griffin-hammond-identified-november-2025-1-1-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/coroner-identifies-20-year-old-richmond-man-killed-in-weekend-shooting/) According to police, homicide detectives conducted an exhaustive investigation, interviewing witnesses and reviewing surveillance footage. Investigators said Hammond was inside a store in the 800 block of Carlson Boulevard when another person entered. “After a verbal exchange, Subject #1 brandished a firearm at Hammond,” Patchin said. “Hammond backed away, moved toward the exit, and drew a concealed firearm. He exited the store and collided with Subject #2, who was approaching the entrance.”Police said Hammond then fired at a second man outside the store. “Hammond pointed his firearm at Subject #2 and fired,” Patchin said. “Subject #2 fled to the side of the building as Hammond continued firing.” The man who initially brandished the firearm “remained inside the store and did not re-engage.” “Hammond then moved toward the intersection of Carlson Boulevard and Potrero Avenue while continuing to fire in the direction of Subject #2,” Patchin said. Police said the second man returned fire. “Subject #2 produced a firearm he had concealed on his person and returned fire, striking Hammond once, fatally,” Patchin said. “Subject #2 was also struck by gunfire from Hammond.” Patchin said because the subjects were not charged with a crime, their identities are not being released at this time. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community - Eat more burritos **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond student enters city council race, cites youth as strength URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-student-enters-city-council-race-cites-youth-as-strength/ Last updated: 2025-12-19T16:06:19.000Z A 21-year-old college student and retail worker has entered the race for Richmond City Council District 3, positioning himself as a voice for everyday residents in next June's primary election. Manmeet Matthew Singh says youth is his strength, not a weakness, in seeking public office. "I am 21 years old, and I see that as a strength," Singh told the *Grandview Independent. "*Being young means I bring fresh energy, a student's perspective, and the lived experience of working and renting in Richmond today." Born in Richmond in 2004, Singh's family immigrated from Fiji in search of a better life. Singh says his campaign centers on representation and the experiences of living in this city. [Singh4RichmondOfficial Website: Manmeet Singh for Richmond (California) City Council 2026.![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)Navbar logo![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/e8fbfad97f155f3d06291407416cf7e7.jpg)](https://singh4richmond.com/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) "Residents should vote for me because I represent the everyday experiences of Richmond as a student, renter, and retail worker," Singh said. "I understand the challenges people face, and my campaign is about ensuring City Hall listens to and acts on the voices of its residents." Singh will face two other candidates in the District 3 race. The incumbent, Doria Robinson, and newcomer Brandon Evans. [Richmond city council races kick into gear ahead of 2026 electionDoria Robinson held her campaign kickoff event to formally enter the race for Richmond City Council District 3 last Saturday, officially declaring her reelection bid. “We knew the holidays were coming up, and people kept asking me, ′ Are you running?” Robinson said at the Richmond Civic Center Plaza event.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--183.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/doria-robinson-richmond-city-council-race-1-1-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-city-council-races-kick-into-gear-ahead-of-2026-election/) The candidate's website, singh4richmond.com, describes him as "your neighbor seeking change in the community." On the site, Singh wrote that he never set out to be a politician but became motivated to run after witnessing issues affecting his community. "I've always been more of a problem-solver, whether it's helping my neighbors, creating an understanding of civic issues, or helping friends think through civic challenges," Singh said. "But living in Richmond, I've seen how everyday issues affect all of us. I realized that waiting for someone else to fix things wasn't enough." The June 2026 primary will be Richmond's first under a new majority-vote system. In addition to the District 3 race, four candidates have filed to run for mayor, including incumbent Eduardo Martinez and challengers Ahmad Anderson, Demnlus Johnson III, and Mark Wassberg. [Four candidates file for Richmond mayor’s race; council seats draw challengersFour candidates have filed to run for mayor of Richmond, and multiple city council seats also drew challengers, as the city prepares for its first primary under a new majority-vote system, according to documents filed with the city clerk as of October 3, 2025\. The June 2026 election will be![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--184.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-council-election-2026-2-1.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/four-candidates-file-for-richmond-mayors-race-council-seats-draw-challengers/) District 4 has also drawn multiple challengers, with Jamin Pursell and Keycha Gallon running to unseat incumbent Soheila Bana. District 2 incumbent Cesar Zepeda is running for reelection and has not yet drawn any challengers. The primary election is scheduled for June 2026. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community - Eat more burritos **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### That's Right: OLCHI and the long road from Apgujeong to San Pablo Dam Road URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/thats-right-olchi-and-the-long-road-from-apgujeong-to-san-pablo-dam-road/ Last updated: 2025-12-18T20:40:36.000Z So there's this family. From 2002 to 2008, they're running a Korean BBQ joint on Rodeo Street in Apgujeong, that's Seoul, the nice part, and they're doing charcoal-grilled galbisal and this budae jjigae that people keep coming back for. Same customers, same tables, same recipes getting better through pure repetition. Then 2008 hits, the whole economy goes sideways, and the restaurant, like a lot of places, closes, and that's that. The family ends up in the Bay Area. Mom's working in different Korean restaurants, always waitressing, always carrying this idea in her head about opening another place of her own. The kind of dream that immigrant families hold onto even when the odds are stacked weirdly. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/12/olchi-korean-cuisine-pork-bulgogi-japchae-el-sobrante1-1-1-1.webp) OLCHI Korean Cuisine, located at 4068 San Pablo Dam Road in El Sobrante, opened in the former Pho Nation. Photos/Soren Hemmila When the old Pho Nation spot came up in El Sobrante, they looked at each other and figured it was now or never. It's a full-scale family operation. Dad tore the whole place down to the studs and rebuilt it. Mom's running the kitchen with those same recipes from Rodeo Street. Tony did the menu and the website. Olivia handles operations and makes sure the dishes make sense together. We ordered the Pork Bulgogi — which literally means "fire meat," and yeah, you can taste why. It comes with kimchi that's got that proper, vinegary tang and a gentle heat that builds rather than punches. The japchae, those translucent sweet potato starch noodles they call dangmyeon, comes tangled up with vegetables and sesame, slippery and sweet. Then there's the eomuk bokkeum, stir-fried fish cakes that hit with that specific oceanic funk. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/12/olchi-korean-cuisine-pork-bulgogi-japchae-el-sobrante2-1-1.webp) The family-run restaurant serves classic Korean dishes rooted in recipes developed over many years in Seoul. And here's the thing about living where we live. You wave a magic wand of square plastic, and suddenly you're eating food that somebody's grandmother made in Seoul twenty years ago. Food that crossed an ocean, survived an economic collapse, was carried in someone's memory through a decade of waiting tables, and now lands on your table in El Sobrante on a Wednesday afternoon. That's the actual miracle of this place, this time, this weird American moment where the whole world's cooking is just down the street if you know where to look. It's the kind of cooking where you can tell someone's been doing this a long time. Not trying to impress you, just trying to feed you the way they'd feed their own people. The budae jjigae is the same one they made on Rodeo Street. The galbisal is still charcoal-grilled. Fresh ingredients every day because that's how mom does it, and that's how it's going to be. Olchi means "that's right," and yeah, that tracks. Like when something clicks, and you nod and think, yeah, that's exactly what this should be. The space isn't fancy. But you're not here for the ambiance. You're here because this family spent twenty years getting to this moment, and they know what they're doing. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/12/olchi-korean-cuisine-pork-bulgogi-japchae-el-sobrante3-1-1.webp) El Sobrante's has itself a spot now. A place where the people cooking actually lived this stuff, where the recipes have history, and the history has weight. They made it back. Same dream, different city, same family putting it all on the line. That's right. *OLCHI is at 4068 San Pablo Dam Road, El Sobrante. They're open now.* --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community - Eat more burritos **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond police investigate fatal shooting on Macdonald Avenue URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-police-investigate-fatal-shooting-on-macdonald-avenue/ Last updated: 2025-12-17T20:48:37.000Z Richmond police are investigating the city’s fifth homicide of the year after an adult man was found shot late Tuesday night in the 300 block of Macdonald Avenue, authorities said Wednesday. Officers responded to a ShotSpotter activation at 11:23 p.m. December 16 in the area, according to a Richmond Police Department statement. Upon arrival, officers located the man with apparent gunshot wounds. Despite attempts to provide first aid and life-saving measures, the victim died at the scene. Homicide detectives were called to the scene and are actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting, police said. Officials have not released the victim’s identity. Anyone with information is asked to contact Homicide Detective Farr at 510-620-6622. The shooting comes amid a series of recent gun violence incidents in the city. On Saturday, police investigated a separate shooting in the 400 block of South 25th Street that left a victim hospitalized and shots fired near a local school. [Police investigate shooting on South 25th Street in RichmondUpdated Monday, December 15, 2025, at 9:10 a.m. Update: Lt. Donald Patchin, a public information officer for the Richmond Police Department, said Monday that the victim wounded in the Saturday night shooting remains in critical but stable condition and is expected to survive their injuries. “The investigation remains![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--179.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-police-south-25th-street-shooting.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/police-investigate-shooting-on-south-25th-street-in-richmond/) [Shots fired near Sylvester Greenwood Academy, no injuries reportedRichmond Police officers responded to reports of a fight and shots fired in the 800 block of Chanslor Avenue near Sylvester Greenwood Academy on Monday, around 12:06 p.m. Police said an altercation involving students and adults occurred, and at least one shot was fired. No injuries were reported,![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--182.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/IMG_3337.jpg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/shots-fired-near-sylvester-greenwood-academy-no-injuries-reported/) Richmond has recorded a relatively low number of homicides compared with previous years, but has seen a spate of lethal shootings in 2025\. [Police investigate fatal shooting near Carlson Boulevard and Potrero AvenueA man was shot and killed Saturday night, and police are investigating whether a second person, who later arrived at a hospital with a gunshot wound, was injured in the same incident, authorities said. The Richmond Police Department Communications Center received multiple reports of shots fired in the area of![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--180.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-shooting-potrero-carlson-boulevard-3.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/police-investigate-fatal-shooting-near-carlson-boulevard-and-potrero-avenue/) In November, 20-year-old Griffin Hammond was killed near Carlson Boulevard and Potrero Avenue. Another fatal shooting on Bissell Avenue in mid-November took the life of 22-year-old Josue Cornejo. [Richmond police seek help identifying person of interest in fatal Bissell Avenue shootingRichmond police are asking for the public’s help identifying a person of interest after a 23-year-old man was shot and killed last month. Officers responded around 5:55 a.m. on November 17 after a ShotSpotter activation and multiple 911 calls reported gunfire in the 1400 block of Bissell![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--181.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-homicide-scene-bissell-avenue-nov-17-2025-1-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-police-seek-help-identifying-person-of-interest-in-fatal-bissell-avenue-shooting/) Police data also show elevated gunfire activity in November compared with October, with more ShotSpotter activations and calls reporting shots fired, even as overall calls for service slightly declined. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community - Eat more burritos **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Quarry Residential Project to be discussed at special meeting Wednesday URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/quarry-residential-project-to-be-discussed-at-special-meeting-wednesday/ Last updated: 2025-12-16T23:36:26.000Z A 76-unit residential development planned for a former quarry site in Point Richmond will be discussed at a special Design Review Board meeting on Wednesday, December 17. The [Quarry Residential Project](https://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/DocumentCenter/View/77841/1%5FPLN25-0267-1135-CANAL-BLVD-QUARRY-RESIDENTIAL-PROJECT?ref=grandviewindependent.com) is proposed for 1135 Canal Boulevard, an 18.4-acre site sits south of the intersection of Canal Boulevard and Seacliff Drive, overlooking the Phillips 66 Richmond Marine Terminal. The property is bounded by Seacliff Drive and Miller/Knox Regional Shoreline Park. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/12/Quarry-Residential-Project-1.webp) An aerial view shows the 18.4-acre Quarry Residential Project site at 1135 Canal Blvd. in Point Richmond. The proposal would build 76 single-family homes on 6.3 acres, with the remaining land preserved as open space adjacent to Miller/Knox Regional Shoreline Park. Developer Richmond Cove 1 LLC, through New West Company, is proposing to build on 6.3 acres of the property, with the remaining 12.1 acres to remain as open space. The plans call for 76 single-family detached homes ranging from 1,645 to 1,840 square feet, all two stories with a maximum height of 30 feet. Ten percent of the units, or eight homes, would be deed-restricted as affordable to moderate-income households. The project includes requests for five waivers under the state Density Bonus Law, including modifications to minimum lot size, lot width, and setback requirements. The project would require importing approximately 68,000 cubic yards of soil to grade the site, which was previously used as a rock quarry. The Point Richmond Neighborhood Council submitted letters raising concerns about the project. In a December 2 letter signed by President Philip Rosenthal, the council said it "enthusiastically awaits a presentation and an opportunity to continue the previous review of this project." The council attached a detailed analysis by resident Norma Wallace that questioned traffic studies for Seacliff Drive. "The issue that the community has is that this study assumed that this was an isolated evacuation route with a 25 mph speed limit, not the actual use," Wallace said. "The community fears that the City knowingly misled the DRB and the public when its traffic study stated the road was safe at 25 mph, when legitimate studies would show that the speeds are significantly higher (averaging 35 mph)." Wallace's analysis raised questions about building on the hillside, stating the development "ignores existing, easily located standards and guidance from the American Society of Planning Officials regarding building on hillsides." The analysis criticized tree removal plans, stating "the existing trees are fine, stable and healthy" and that 14 trees on the site meet the city's definition of significant trees requiring an arborist report. City planning staff is recommending conditional approval of the project to the Planning Commission, based on six Planned Area findings and four Design Review findings, with 56 conditions of approval. The project includes improvements to the Bay Trail along Seacliff Drive, converting it to a 12-foot-wide paved trail. Plans also call for improvements to the Miller/Knox Park trailhead, including parallel parking stalls. An Environmental Impact Report was certified by the city in 2018 for an earlier version of the project. The city approved an addendum to that report in 2022\. Planning staff has determined that the current revised project does not require additional environmental review. The project provides 186 parking spaces, including 152 private two-car garages, 30 guest spaces, two accessible spaces, and two electric vehicle charging stations. The Design Review Board's decision will be a recommendation to the Planning Commission. The board meeting is scheduled for December 17, 2025. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community - Eat more burritos **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Shots fired near Sylvester Greenwood Academy, no injuries reported URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/shots-fired-near-sylvester-greenwood-academy-no-injuries-reported/ Last updated: 2026-08-13T00:45:31.000Z *Updated: 9:01 p.m. Wednesday, December 17, 2025\.* ### Four suspects detained following search warrant execution Richmond Police Department SWAT Team executed a search warrant on Wednesday morning in North Richmond as part of the ongoing investigation into the December 15 incident. Four suspects were detained on various charges related to a fight that preceded the gunfire, including felony battery. Police said the investigation remains active. Richmond Police officers responded to reports of a fight and shots fired in the 800 block of Chanslor Avenue near Sylvester Greenwood Academy on Monday, around 12:06 p.m. Police said an altercation involving students and adults occurred, and at least one shot was fired. No injuries were reported, and the school building sustained minor damage. The suspect fled before officers arrived. Sylvester Greenwood Academy and the neighboring Leadership Public Schools campus were briefly placed on lockdown as officers secured the area. Both schools remained in session. Anyone with information is asked to contact RPD at 510-233-1214. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community - Eat more burritos **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond police report November crime spike, cite year-to-date decline URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-police-report-november-crime-spike-cite-year-to-date-decline/ Last updated: 2025-12-15T16:05:17.000Z ◾ Grandview Independent's *‘What Happened in Richmond’ weekly crime roundup is currently unavailable due to the city’s Daily Incident Log not having been updated since November 29.* Property and violent crime increased sharply in Richmond during November compared with October, according to a crime report prepared for the City Council and on the agenda for Tuesday's meeting. However, police officials said year-to-date crime totals remain lower than last year. The Richmond Police Department reported a 58 percent increase in total crime from October to November. Violent crime rose 61 percent, from 74 incidents to 119, while property crime increased 57 percent, from 145 incidents to 227, according to the November 2025 crime report. Violent crime increases included two homicides in November, compared with none in October. Aggravated assaults rose from 53 to 80 incidents, robberies increased from 10 to 16 incidents, and sexual assaults rose from 11 to 21 incidents, the report states. Property crime, driven by vehicle thefts, increased from 55 incidents in October to 103 in November. Burglaries, excluding auto burglaries, increased from 23 to 39 incidents, and thefts, including auto burglaries, rose from 66 to 82 incidents. Arson also increased from one incident in October to three in November. Richmond Police Captain John Lopez, who oversees the department’s patrol bureau, told the Community Police Review Commission this month that while November saw a significant month-to-month increase, overall crime totals for the year remain lower than in 2024. “Year to date, January through November of 2025, violent crime is down 17 percent citywide compared to the same period in 2024,” Lopez said. “Property crime is also down 18 percent year to date compared to last year.” Lopez said the department has recorded four homicides so far in 2025\. All four cases remain open and under investigation. Three of the homicides occurred in the Central District, and one occurred in the Southern District. [Police investigate fatal shooting near Carlson Boulevard and Potrero AvenueA man was shot and killed Saturday night, and police are investigating whether a second person, who later arrived at a hospital with a gunshot wound, was injured in the same incident, authorities said. The Richmond Police Department Communications Center received multiple reports of shots fired in the area of![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--174.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-shooting-potrero-carlson-boulevard-2.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/police-investigate-fatal-shooting-near-carlson-boulevard-and-potrero-avenue/) [Richmond police seek help identifying person of interest in fatal Bissell Avenue shootingRichmond police are asking for the public’s help identifying a person of interest after a 23-year-old man was shot and killed last month. Officers responded around 5:55 a.m. on November 17 after a ShotSpotter activation and multiple 911 calls reported gunfire in the 1400 block of Bissell![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--175.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-homicide-scene-bissell-avenue-nov-17-2025-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-police-seek-help-identifying-person-of-interest-in-fatal-bissell-avenue-shooting/) Gunfire activity increased in November compared with October, Lopez said. The department recorded 17 shooting incidents in November, compared with 16 in October. ShotSpotter activations rose from 29 in October to 34 in November, and calls from the public reporting shots fired increased from 12 to 16. Lopez told commissioners that both homicides reported in November were detected by the ShotSpotter system. Despite the rise in reported crime, calls for service declined in all six police districts in November, according to the police report. District-level decreases ranged from 1 percent to 18 percent. The department also reported that 21 firearms were recovered in November, up from 10 the previous month. The police report noted staffing shortages within the department, reporting 22 sworn vacancies and 17 professional staff vacancies. Richmond remains authorized for 147 sworn officer positions, with 125 currently filled, including officers in or awaiting police academy training. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community - Eat more burritos **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond’s Jewish community to light a menorah following deadly Australian attack URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmonds-jewish-community-to-light-menorah-following-deadly-sydney-attack/ Last updated: 2025-12-14T19:37:01.000Z Members of Richmond's Jewish community are pressing forward with a public Chanukah menorah lighting Sunday evening, hours after a terrorist attack at a similar celebration in Sydney, Australia, left at least 11 people dead and 29 hospitalized. Rabbi Yitzchok Wagner of Chabad of Richmond said the ceremony at Marina Bay will proceed as scheduled at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, with Richmond Police coordinating security for the event. [Live updates: At least 11 people killed in shooting at Australia’s Bondi Beach | CNNAt least 11 people have been killed in a shooting on Australia’s Bondi Beach which targeted the Jewish community, police say. Follow for live updates.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/apple-touch-icon-7.png)CNNLuke Jacobs![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/ap25348331370589.jpg)](https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/bondi-beach-gunshots-reported-12-14-25?ref=grandviewindependent.com) "We are absolutely shocked and devastated by devastating news from Australia," Wagner said in a statement released Sunday morning, describing the attack at Bondi Beach as targeting "the very idea of Jewish light, Jewish presence, and Jewish pride." The Sydney incident occurred during what would have been one of the first public menorah lightings worldwide for the eight-day Festival of Lights, which began Sunday evening. Wagner invoked the teachings of Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, who pioneered public menorah lightings globally, in calling for the Richmond community to gather in solidarity. "Our response to darkness and evil is more light," Wagner wrote. "Our response to fear is unity and strength." The Richmond event continues the community's Chanukah tradition. [Hanukkah’s symbolism shines bright in Marina Bay menorah lightingThe Richmond community came together on Sunday night to celebrate Hanukkah at a public menorah lighting at the Barbara and Jay Vincent Park in Marina Bay. Rabbi Yitzchok Wagner of the Chabad Jewish Center of Richmond told the story of Hanukkah and the small jug of oil that was only![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--173.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Richmond-menorah-marina-bay4.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/hanukkahs-symbolism-shines-bright-in-marina-bay-menorah-lighting/) Wagner urged attendees to view their participation as both a memorial and an act of resilience. "We WILL light the menorah in their memory and honor," Wagner said, emphasizing that the celebration would proceed "with strength, dignity, and resolve." The Chanukah holiday commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem and the miracle of oil that burned for eight days. Public menorah lightings have become common worldwide, particularly in the decades since Schneerson encouraged the practice. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community - Eat more burritos **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Police investigate shooting on South 25th Street in Richmond URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/police-investigate-shooting-on-south-25th-street-in-richmond/ Last updated: 2025-12-15T17:11:03.000Z *Updated Monday, December 15, 2025, at 9:10 a.m.* **Update:** Lt. Donald Patchin, a public information officer for the Richmond Police Department, said Monday that the victim wounded in the Saturday night shooting remains in critical but stable condition and is expected to survive their injuries. “The investigation remains open and no arrests have been made at this time,” Patchin said. Richmond police are investigating a shooting in the 400 block of South 25th Street, where officers cordoned off a residential block Saturday night during an active investigation. Police vehicles blocked the street as officers secured the scene with yellow police tape. Several investigators were seen examining evidence in the roadway, where multiple evidence markers were placed near parked vehicles. The area was lit by patrol car lights as officers worked behind the tape. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/12/richmond-police-south-25th-street-shooting2.webp) Officers examine evidence markers in the roadway near parked cars on South 25th Street in Richmond, where police were investigating a reported shooting. The Richmond Police Department issued a community alert asking residents to avoid the area while the investigation continued. Authorities did not immediately release information about injuries, suspects, or what led up to the shooting. Police said additional details would be released as they become available. *This is a developing story; check back for updates.* --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community - Eat more burritos **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond City Council to take up city attorney transition, budget adjustments & major capital projects URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-city-council-to-take-up-city-attorney-transition-budget-adjustments-major-capital-projects/ Last updated: 2025-12-14T02:27:15.000Z The Richmond City Council will meet Tuesday, December 16, for a lengthy session that includes closed-door labor negotiations, a major change in city legal leadership, budget actions, and approval of multimillion-dollar public works and port projects, as well as the mayor's State of the City Address. ## [Richmond city attorney resigns, interim replacement named](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60074&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Richmond's city attorney, Dave Aleshire, has resigned from his position, effective December 31\. The council is expected to accept his resignation at its December 16 meeting and appoint Chief Assistant City Attorney Shannon Moore as an interim replacement. Aleshire, a partner at the law firm Aleshire & Wynder, was appointed interim city attorney in December 2021 and became permanent city attorney in July 2022\. His resignation came during a follow-up meeting with an Ad Hoc Committee that had conducted a 360-degree evaluation of his performance. Despite his departure from the top position, the city plans to retain his firm on a consulting basis for $150,000 to work on ongoing projects. Moore will receive a 15 percent salary increase to $341,391 annually while serving as interim city attorney, according to the staff report. The city plans to launch a recruitment search for a permanent city attorney, with the Ad Hoc Committee overseeing the process. The arrangement will save Richmond approximately $1.65 million from the previous contract, which cost about $400,000 per quarter, though additional funds will be needed for recruitment and personnel costs in the City Attorney's Office. ## [Fiscal review shows $3.1 million deficit](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60110&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Richmond City Council will review the city's 2024-25 fiscal year results with staff reporting a $3.1 million operating deficit, but approximately $4.6 million still available for discretionary spending on council-approved projects and programs. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/12/Financial-Summary-based-Estimated-.png) The deficit resulted from actual expenditures of $257.9 million exceeding revenues of $254.8 million for the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2025\. Despite the shortfall, the city maintains a fund balance reserve of $62.2 million, well above the required 21 percent reserve level of $54.6 million. --- ## [Council to approve 15.76 percent wage increases for union workers](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60074&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The Richmond City Council is set to vote on new labor agreements with two units of Service Employees International Union Local 1021 that would provide five percent annual wage increases over three years, according to agenda documents. The agreements cover both general employees and part-time workers, with contracts running from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2028\. Union members ratified the tentative agreements reached in November, and the deals now require final council approval. The general employees' contract is estimated to have a fiscal impact of $2.3 million in fiscal year 2025-26, rising to $2.7 million by 2027-28\. The part-time unit agreement has a smaller impact, ranging from about $25,000 to $28,000 over the three years. The general employees unit also gains a new longevity pay structure, with workers receiving one percent of base pay after 10 years of service, three percent after 15 years, and five percent after 20 years. Professional development funding for general employees increases by $500 to $1,250 per fiscal year. The contracts incorporate previously approved side letters that added Cesar Chavez Day and Juneteenth as holidays and expanded parental leave to four weeks. City representatives and union officials began negotiations in April 2025 after the previous contracts expired June 30. --- ## [Richmond youth fund evaluation](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60106&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The Richmond Fund for Children and Youth delivered measurable benefits to the city's young residents over its first three years, according to an independent evaluation. The WestEd evaluation found that $9.1 million in funding supported more than 58,000 youth encounters through 56 programs operated by 46 community organizations between fiscal years 2021 and 2024\. The term "encounters," explained only in a footnote, refers to youth served per quarter and includes duplicate counts for participants in multiple programs or across multiple quarters, so the figure reflects repeat participation rather than unique individuals. Programs operated across 120 sites citywide, with most participants reporting gains in confidence, leadership skills, and academic engagement. The fund, established through voter-approved measures in 2018, focused on Richmond's most vulnerable populations in neighborhoods with high poverty rates. Programs spanned six priority areas, including out-of-school enrichment, education support, behavioral health, and violence prevention. Organizations also leveraged the city funding to secure an additional $1.5 million in outside grants. City staff will return to the council in early 2026 to discuss the potential renewal of the fund, as set forth in Article 15 of the city charter. --- ## [$2 million in Hellman Foundation grants](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59995&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The City of Richmond has been awarded two $1 million grants from the Hellman Foundation to advance park equity initiatives and urban forest management. The grants will fund development of a comprehensive urban forest management plan and continued design work for the Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center. The urban forestry grant will support a citywide tree inventory and create maintenance protocols for trees on public property and rights-of-way. The project includes selecting tree management software, developing long-term forestry goals, and updating the city's tree ordinance. The MLK Recreation Center funding will support community outreach, environmental review, and schematic design development for the facility's revitalization. The grants represent the second round of Hellman Foundation funding for [Richmond's park equity efforts.](https://richpep.org/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) In 2024, the city received $250,000 in grants for similar projects nearing completion. The foundation has committed more than $12.5 million total to the Richmond Park Equity Project. The collaborative brings together community organizations, including Rich City Rides, Asian Pacific Environmental Network, Pogo Park, Urban Tilth, Rising Juntos, FIERCE Advocates, and Trust for Public Land, along with city departments, Contra Costa County Supervisor John Gioia's office, East Bay Regional Park District, and other partners. The initiative is currently in its second phase, which runs through 2027 and emphasizes power-building, systems change, and implementing park renovations. The council is expected to vote to accept the grants and authorize the City Manager to execute the necessary agreements. ## [State of the City Address](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60056&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Mayor Eduardo Martinez is scheduled to deliver the annual State of the City address, outlining accomplishments and priorities for the coming year. ## [Major capital and infrastructure projects](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60039&ref=grandviewindependent.com) A series of major capital and infrastructure projects are on the consent calendar. The council is expected to consider approval of a construction contract exceeding $24 million for the revitalization of the Richmond Main Library, along with an additional architectural services amendment of $382,909 tied to the same project, for a total architectural services cost of $3.7 million. Other public works items include a $240,671 contract for pedestrian safety improvements on Macdonald Avenue at Nicholl Park, a $33,900 amendment for Yellow Brick Road street lighting enhancements, $110,000 for park improvement project management at Shields-Reid Park, authorization for $84,450 in change orders for Miraflores Sustainable Greenbelt interpretive signage, a $3.75 million contract for on-call construction management services with Interwest Consulting Group, stormwater and wastewater inspection services with SewerAI Corp, and a $125,000 annual cost-sharing agreement with Caltrans for state highway electrical facilities within the city. ## [Port of Richmond projects](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59969&ref=grandviewindependent.com) At the Port of Richmond, the council will review multiple items, including a financial overview of the Port enterprise fund, selective demolition and site security work at Terminal 1 for $283,000, and planning services related to the relocation of the SS Red Oak Victory totaling $299,797\. The agenda also includes acceptance of a $750,000 California Energy Commission grant and approval of a related long-term consulting contract with Moffatt & Nichol not to exceed $750,000 tied to [offshore wind planning](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60005&ref=grandviewindependent.com) efforts running through June 30, 2030. ## [Arts and culture funding and policy](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60062&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Arts and culture funding and policy will receive significant attention. The council is set to approve neighborhood public art mini-grants totaling up to $160,000 for thirteen selected artists, increase annual allocations for three major arts organizations (East Bay Center for the Performing Arts, NIAD, and Richmond Art Center) from $150,000 to $200,000 each for the remaining two fiscal years, and receive updates on the Richmond Arts Corridor project with a $15,000 contract amendment. The council will also receive a biannual arts and culture report and the city's Health in All Policies 10-year report. Additional new business directs staff to develop a transparent process for hiring an arts and culture manager and to revisit the city's grant administration process in response to concerns raised by artists. ## [Election-related actions](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=60029&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Election-related actions are also on the agenda. Councilmembers will consider a resolution formally calling the June 2, 2026, primary municipal election and setting regulations for candidate statements and election administration. ## [Boards and commissions](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59967&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The council will consider several appointments and expansions to city boards and commissions. Mayor Martinez will recommend appointing May Cooper to the Workforce Development Board. *(If this is the same May Cooper we went to school with since second grade, hi!)* Jake Goldman Rogers to fill an unexpired term on the Richmond Recreation and Parks Commission ending October 26, 2026. The council will also direct staff to work with the Mayor's Office to establish a Sister City Commission and develop its bylaws through an ordinance. [Proposal would make Sebastia Richmond’s fourth Sister CityThe Richmond Progressive Alliance, in partnership with Mayor Eduardo Martinez and the Bay Area Palestinian Youth Movement, has announced an effort to establish a Sister City relationship between Richmond and Sebastia, a town in the West Bank. If approved, Sebastia would become Richmond’s fourth Sister City. The city currently![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--171.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-08-18-at-12.40.45-PM-1-1-2.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/proposal-would-make-sebastia-richmonds-fourth-sister-city/) Additionally, the Macdonald Avenue Corridor Task Force will expand by four new stakeholder positions to be filled through the standard boards and commissions process. ## Additional consent calendar items Other consent calendar items include approval of contracts for planning and design services, on-call building plan check and inspection services not to exceed $1 million per firm over three years, a $90,000 amendment for interactive zoning map GIS application development with Canopy Mapping, a $250,000 contract amendment for financial consulting with Keyser Marston Associates, budget book compilation services with ClearGov for $78,117, library broadband services contract amendments with Imperial County Office of Education, police forensic DNA testing services with an additional $100,000, marine vessel maintenance with Bay Marine Boatworks for up to $300,000 over three years, and solid waste franchise amendments with Golden Bear Transfer Services extending service terms through 2035. The council will also receive monthly financial reports, including investment and cash balances, overtime reports, documentary transfer tax data, OPEB and pension reports for October 2025, along with the annual developer fees report. Reports from the police chief and public works director on crime statistics and abatement activities are also included. ## **Legislative and waste management updates** The council will receive a legislative update from State Senator Jesse Arreguin regarding bills and budget actions taken in 2025, and a presentation from the West Contra Costa Integrated Waste Management Authority (RecycleMore) on the new solid waste Post-Collection Agreement and rates starting January 1, 2026. ## **Proclamations and recognitions** The meeting will include proclamations honoring retiring city employees Mary Phelps, Robert Chalamedos, and Laura Canelo, recognizing Transgender Day of Remembrance sponsored by Vice Mayor Cesar Zepeda and Councilmember Jamelia Brown, and celebrating Richmond Police Chief Bisa French for her service and contributions to the Richmond community. [Richmond Police Chief Bisa French to retire after 27 years of serviceRichmond Police Chief Bisa French announced Thursday she will retire next January, ending a 27-year career with the department marked by historic firsts and a focus on community engagement. French, who joined the Richmond Police Department in 1998, made history in 2020 when she became the first woman and the![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--172.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-09-11-at-5.44.48-PM-1-1-1.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-police-chief-bisa-french-to-retire-after-27-years-of-service/) The meeting begins at 3:30 p.m. with closed session, followed by the regular session at 6 p.m. at the Community Services Building, 440 Civic Center Plaza. --- [**YOU GET MORE WITH A PAID SUBSCRIPTION**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) Your subscription enables *Grandview Independent* to deliver more: - More time devoted to in-depth reporting - Longer, more comprehensive stories - Greater coverage of what matters to our community - Eat more burritos **Quality journalism costs money.** Subscriptions allow us to keep reporting the stories that matter, without paywalls getting in the way of critical community information. [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### West Contra Costa teachers end strike with tentative contract agreement URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/west-contra-costa-teachers-end-strike-with-tentative-contract-agreement/ Last updated: 2025-12-10T15:15:57.000Z Teachers in the West Contra Costa Unified School District reached a tentative agreement with district officials early Wednesday morning featuring wage increases, fully paid family healthcare, and program enhancements, according to statements from both sides. The agreement was reached after a 12-hour bargaining session that stretched past 2 a.m., bringing to a close 10 months of contract talks and several days of picketing. The deal still requires ratification by United Teachers of Richmond members and formal approval by the school board. [Teacher strike begins at West Contra Costa Unified School District schoolsWest Contra Costa Unified School District teachers began picketing at school sites Thursday morning as union leaders continued pressing for higher wages and the addressing of other sticking points from the district. Children arriving for school were met by teachers holding picket signs, some of whom positioned themselves at campus![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--170.png)Grandview IndependentLinda Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/strike.gif.gif)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/teacher-strike-begins-at-west-contra-costa-unified-school-district-schools/) Union president Francisco Ortiz told members that the agreement “lays a foundation for the safe and stable schools our students deserve,” and credited what he called the “collective power” of educators, students and families for pushing the district to resolve the dispute. According to the union, the tentative agreement includes: - An 8 percent wage increase over two years for all educators. - Fully paid family healthcare by June 30, 2027. - Increases to salary schedules for special education teachers, intended to reduce reliance on contractors and expand permanent in-person staffing. - Retention bonuses for newly hired educators who are WCCUSD graduates and for new special education teachers. - A class-size cap of 25 students in the district’s International Academy. - New protections and support for international teachers, including district-sponsored pathways to permanent residency for educators who earn clear credentials. - Commitments to classroom safety, including adequate space for special education programs, temperature-control standards in new modernization projects and a plan for improvements to existing facilities. Ortiz said the improvements are aimed at addressing long-standing staffing shortages and stabilizing classrooms, including, according to the union, more than 70 vacant classrooms across the district. District officials confirmed the tentative agreement in a message to the community, saying it was framed around the board’s most recent counterproposal and includes “salary and healthcare increases in addition to addressing several other contractual items.” The district said more details will be released on its negotiations [webpage](https://www.wccusd.net/departments-and-areas/human-resources/unions-collective-bargaining?ref=grandviewindependent.com). Schools will remain open on Wednesday, and normal operations will resume on Thursday. Teachers were invited to return to campuses on Wednesday to collect classroom materials and prepare for students’ return. “Tomorrow, we will begin the process of returning to work with our heads held high,” Ortiz said. “Educators may return to school with pay tomorrow to retrieve their laptops and keys and can take the day to prepare. We can’t wait to see our students Thursday morning.” “We are relieved that the strike is over and our students and teachers will be reunited in the classroom on Thursday,” the district said. The union said ratification steps will begin on Wednesday. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond police halt license plate readers URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-police-halt-license-plate-readers/ Last updated: 2025-12-10T03:35:15.000Z The Richmond Police Department has shut down its automated license plate reader system after discovering that a configuration error allowed some outside law enforcement agencies to run limited searches of Richmond’s data, the department said in a social media post. Police said Flock Safety had notified the department that the error allowed external agencies to run very limited, plate-specific searches that could have revealed small portions of Richmond’s ALPR data. [Richmond City Council approves $1 million contract expansion with license plate camera company FlockIn a split vote, the Richmond City Council approved a $1 million amendment to a contract with Flock Safety on Tuesday, expanding the city’s use of automated license plate readers and pan-tilt-zoom cameras for city facilities and streets. District 1 Councilmember Jamelia Brown, Richmond’s new Vice Mayor Cesar![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--169.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-california-flock-camera-1-1-1-3.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-city-council-approves-1-million-contract-expansion-with-license-plate-camera-company-flock/) “This was not full-system access and affected only narrow, plate-specific queries,” the department said. Officials said the issue was unintentional and was disabled as soon as it was identified. ALPR data is stored for 30 days, and police said they have no evidence that any outside agency viewed or misused the information, including for immigration-enforcement purposes. Because multiple agencies were affected, Richmond temporarily turned off the system until Flock Safety provides verified safeguards to prevent similar problems. Police said they plan to resume using the network once those safeguards are in place and remain committed to using the technology in a way that is transparent and protective of residents’ privacy. Richmond has used the Flock system since April 2023\. Police said the data has become an important investigative tool and credited it with helping make more than 272 arrests, identifying suspect vehicles in 12 homicide cases, recovering more than 258 stolen vehicles, and generating investigative leads in more than 889 cases. The system also issued alerts for more than 6,670 stolen vehicles and more than 759 vehicles wanted in felony investigations. According to the department’s public transparency portal, Richmond’s network includes 184 cameras. Over the most recent 30-day period, the system recorded more than 431,000 vehicle detections and nearly 7,910 hot-list hits, which are alerts triggered when a scanned plate matches one associated with a crime. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### On the Richmond Burrito Trail: finding heat and comfort in the GASCO parking lot URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-richmond-burrito-trail-finding-heat-and-comfort-in-the-gasco-parking-lot/ Last updated: 2025-12-10T05:19:43.000Z *This story was first published on* [*GrandEats*](https://www.grandvieweats.com/?ref=grandviewindependent.com)*!* The morning had that gray Richmond wintery heaviness, not so much cold as thick, with a kind of almost-rain that just hangs, waiting, over the city. We moved with the pace of people chasing something warm, cutting through town a little too fast. We had the vague idea of hitting a taco truck somewhere on the street that kept changing its name, Rumrill, 13th, Pennsylvania. We slowed, eyeing a taco truck on Hellings. Then, a restaurant we remembered had exceptionally bad reviews online before pulling up to Ceci’s Mexican Food in the GASCO parking lot on Harbour Way. The menu offers a variety of Mexican items, including quesabirrias, tacos (with options like steak, pastor, tongue, and birria), tortas, super burritos, regular burritos, quesadillas, fajitas, and chow mein. We have to ask. Do you have chow mein? Yes. Is it good? Yes. How come you serve chow mein? Silence. The kind of silence that means the question doesn’t need answering, or maybe the answer is so obvious it’s insulting to ask. Why does anyone serve anything? Because people want it. Because a taqueria can also be a *Comida China* if it wants to be, and you don’t need to explain yourself to anyone. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/11/cecis-mexican-food-richmond-chow-mein.webp) Ceci’s Mexican Food's Chow Mein Combo We ordered a Super Chicken Burrito and the Chow Mein Combo. We waited in Ceci’s small covered dining area. Other customers dug into tacos and tortas, conversations seamlessly weaving in and out of Spanish and English. Beyond the walls, cats lounged in every open window of a low apartment building nearby. Another house had a bird cage on the porch, with hand-drawn signs offering camarón. It was the kind of block where everything feels both improvised and permanent. When we opened our bounty back at Grandview HQ, it was steaming like crazy. Like the container itself was angry, like the food was so fresh and so hot it was trying to escape into the atmosphere. Chow Mein in a gas station parking lot off of Pennsylvania Avenue, and it’s so hot you have to wait, have to let it calm down before you can even think about eating it. Grandview’s small but mighty crew gathered around the Gas Station Taco Truck Chow Mien. Smells good, someone said. Heavily flavored, saucy noodles slicked with the kind of grease that’s good, that’s intentional. Mushrooms, celery, beef, and chicken living together in harmony, carrots and cabbage. Bean sprouts and bok choy were promised, but we must have missed them. It comes with the same oily salsa they give you at the tortilla truck we just visited. We dipped our fork tines in it, not scooping, *dipping*, running them through the noodles. It’s hot enough to matter, hot enough to make you pay attention. This is real, this might have come out of a wok, this was made for you right now. [New tortillería on 23rd Street turns a parking lot into Richmond’s warmest food ritualRolling up to Tortillerias La Numero Uno’s food trailer on 23rd Street feels like walking into a quiet celebration that the whole neighborhood agreed on without actually saying anything. The parking lot hums with that familiar hopefulness: people drifting in from the sidewalk, from cars, from down the block,![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--157.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-TORTILLERIAS-LA-NU--MERO3.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/new-tortilleria-on-23rd-street-turns-a-parking-lot-into-richmonds-warmest-food-ritual/) Better than The Panda, falling short of the Uncle. So many noodles, we couldn’t finish for $19.43. The Super Chicken Burrito felt like the right call for a cold day. It came packed with rice. Good Spanish rice. But even we have our limits. The chicken tasted like it had been pulled from a simmering pot on a back burner, smoky and rich, with edges that suggested it had spent real time on a grill. The tortilla leaned greasy, and you got the sense that a little longer on the flat top could change its fate. But it stayed hot to the last bite, which counted for a lot. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/11/cecis-mexican-food-richmond-chicken-burrito.webp) Ceci’s Super Chicken Burrito cut open to show rice, avocado, and meat, served with tortilla chips and a side of green salsa. Inside were big chunks of avocado, melted cheese, pico, and a few wandering pinto beans. The whole thing weighed a respectable 648 grams and only cost $13.71\. It came with round chips in a sandwich bag tied up tight, the kind of knot you associate with small secrets. The green salsa was gentle, almost shy, and a little more fire would not have hurt. At the bottom of the bag was a single piece of pineapple candy. Ceci’s keeps going. Cars pull in and out. People walk up and order. The windows stay warm with steam. And the burritos and noodles keep coming like they are part of the weather itself. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Marina Bay waterfront housing project moves to design review URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/marina-bay-waterfront-housing-project-moves-to-design-review/ Last updated: 2025-12-09T02:27:16.000Z A proposed waterfront housing development in Marina Bay is back in the spotlight after the city missed state-mandated deadlines for reviewing the plan. The Marina Point Residential Project calls for 70 three-story homes plus 30 accessory dwelling units on a 4.92-acre vacant parcel next to the Rosie the Riveter Visitor Center, even though it does not meet the city’s density, shoreline, or housing-element requirements. [New waterfront development proposed for Richmond’s Marina BayA proposed single-family housing development at a prime waterfront location near the Craneway Pavilion is facing criticism. The Marina Point project would create 100 housing units on a 4.92-acre vacant lot once part of the sprawling World War II Kaiser Shipyard. The property is zoned for very high-density residential![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--168.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/marina-point-richmond.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/new-waterfront-development-proposed-for-marina-bay/) Richmond’s Design Review Board will review the housing project that city staff say must be processed even though the city missed deadlines, and the project does not meet the city’s density, shoreline, or housing-element requirements. Planning Manager Avery Stark said when a city does not issue a timely determination, the application is treated as “deemed consistent” for processing purposes. This designation does not exempt the project from any required entitlements or permits. “The project will still require the full set of approvals, including Design Review Board recommendation, Conditional Use Permit, Vesting Tentative Map, Planning Commission action, potential City Council appeal, and all applicable building, grading, shoreline, and compliance permits,” Stark said. The staff report says the project does not meet the minimum density of 40 units per acre required in the CM-5 Mixed Use Commercial zoning district. At 4.92 acres, the site was expected to accommodate about 197 units, which is the housing capacity the city assumed for this parcel in its state-certified Housing Element. The developer instead proposes 70 homes and 30 junior accessory units, a total of 100 units. Planners wrote that approval would result in a net loss of 100 moderate-income housing units that would no longer be built at the site. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/12/marina-point-richmond-waterfront-development-2025-bay-trail-1.webp) A rendering of proposed three-story homes along the Bay Trail. Marina Bay Neighborhood Council President Margarita Mitas said the project does not appear to comply with the rules for allowable structures in the shoreline district and listed additional unresolved issues involving parking, emergency access, unshared traffic-study results, sea level rise, soil conditions, and the absence of an environmental impact analysis. Mitas said community members consistently raised concerns about the project’s proximity to the shoreline and Bay Trail. “Placing private residential units approximately 15 feet from the existing concrete Bay Trail esplanade remains a major concern,” Mitas said. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/12/rosie-marina-point-richmond-waterfront-development-2025-bay-trail-1.webp) A rendering shows the Rosie the Riveter National Historical Park Visitor Center, adjacent to the proposed Marina Point housing site on Marina Way South. Bruce Beyaert, chair of the Trails for Richmond Action Committee, said the project does not include the required public access features in the shoreline area, and such plans should be presented to the DRB for review and approval. “Private residential facilities are shown set back 100’ feet from the shoreline. However, no plans are shown for inviting public access features such as walkways, benches, tables, and landscaping in this Shoreline Overlay District area,” Beyaert said. Beyaert also objected to the placement of visitor parking spaces in the Marina Way South right-of-way. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/12/Site-plan-Marina-Point-residential-1.webp) Marina Point site plan showing 70 residential lots on a vacant parcel between Marina Way South and the San Francisco Bay Trail. “This would take away space needed for Phase 2 of the Richmond Wellness Trial project. Ample visitor parking for the proposed residential units should be provided on site, with none located within the public right-of-way,” Beyaert said. “Inadequate visitor parking would result in site visitors occupying the current parking spaces needed for those visiting Lucretia Edwards Park and using the Bay Trail to visit the Rosie the Riveter Visitor Center and other locations.” The staff report says the developer proposes 154 parking spaces, but the city disagrees with placing visitor spaces on Marina Way South because they conflict with the Wellness Trail project. Because the project lies in the Shoreline Overlay District, the Planning Commission must review a conditional use permit and a tentative map. Under SB 330, Richmond is limited to no more than five public hearings on the project, including any city council appeal. The Richmond Design Review meeting will be held in the Multi-Purpose Room in the Community Services Building basement at 440 Civic Center Plaza on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at 6 p.m. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Eight Great Things to Do in Richmond URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/eight-great-things-to-do-in-richmond-24/ Last updated: 2025-12-05T23:13:16.000Z With 30-plus miles of shoreline, two yacht clubs, endless hiking and cycling trails, and a host of eateries and art galleries, Richmond has a lot to offer. Each week, *Grandview* highlights the best, not-to-be-missed events and offerings from around the city. This week's best of Richmond events include Opera at Richmond's historic Hotel Mac, holiday arts, a gallery art show, live music, and more! ## Festival Opera @the Mac ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/12/Screenshot-2025-12-05-at-2.17.15-PM.png) **​First Fridays from 6:30-8:30 p.m.** **1-of-a-kind art shirts, handmade dog houses, fused glass, prints, paintings, jewelry, block-print** **December 5**: Leandra Ramm, mezzo-soprano & Adam Chase, tenor The historic **Hotel Mac**, located in beautiful Point Richmond, was a legendary venue for jazz and other live music in its heyday. After a long closure during the pandemic, the Mac reopened with a fantastic new Italian restaurant. **Biancoverde** hosts **Festival Opera at the Mac** \- a monthly musical residency curated by Festival Opera’s General Director, Zachary Gordin. The series will feel like fun and casual operatic "jam sessions" for the restaurant and bar patrons, bringing favorite opera artists from the Bay Area and beyond to the Mac, performing hits from opera, Broadway, and more. A great way to *meet* opera, or for die-hard fans to enjoy their favorite arias and duets while sipping and dining!​ Since 1911, Hotel Mac has stood as one of Point Richmond’s most iconic buildings. Constructed by Kate Riordan—one of the area’s first female entrepreneurs—this beautifully restored red brick hotel is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Its timeless architecture and rich history create a unique ambiance that welcomes guests with charm and warmth.​ At the heart of this historic landmark is the celebrated restaurant, renowned for bringing authentic Italian flavors to life. From classic pastas to fresh seafood and expertly paired wines, each dish honors tradition while embracing culinary artistry. Dining at Hotel Mac is not just a meal—it’s an experience steeped in history and flavor.​ ​ **50 Washington Ave, Point Richmond, CA 94801** [**Biancoverde at Hotel Mac**](https://www.biancoverdehotelmac.com/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) # First Friday Out! @Winchaser Wine Co. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/12/scaled_512-1.jpg) **Friday, December 5, 4 p.m. - 8 p.m.** Richmond's First Friday Out with live music from The Buzzy Frets, Pickles N Smoke BBQ, and Rocky Island Oyster Co. **1352 S 49th St, Richmond** [**www.windchaserwine.com**](https://l.instagram.com/?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.windchaserwine.com%2F%3Futm%5Fsource%3Dig%26utm%5Fmedium%3Dsocial%26utm%5Fcontent%3Dlink%5Fin%5Fbio%26fbclid%3DPAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGnrHUjhUupXvRH8Ld7tBgM2xbLeFXqqDcWk6lsObva1GTYv4CmJJ-Pm6LSRI4%5Faem%5FlbjCDvtB5raEleOwojVNEg&e=AT1K-Ls-55uzmC0CMdnjH1Zlk05cOpkqqubehvWqfbjgoM4aN9GDF0Jk7wP%5Fc4lNQMnXfo69xjD1BtKDmCtGuRZxuWu541mS7sYHJMGdhPi54KW89hfzJXg1bw&ref=grandviewindependent.com) ## 4th Annual arts & Crafts show & sale @Atchison Village ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/12/Screenshot-2025-12-05-at-2.29.47-PM.png) **December 6th, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.** Residents of Historical Atchison Village will be having their 4th Annual Arts & Crafts Show & Sale. You'll find very interesting 1-of-a-kind art shirts, handmade dog houses, fused glass, prints, paintings, jewelry, block-print art cards, exceptional beaded jewelry, ceramic sculptures, & other varied creative work made by our creative artists here in Richmond. Wheelchair accessible. Small snack available by the AV Social Club. **270 Curry Street, Richmond** ## Gloria @The Magick Lantern Theater ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/12/Screenshot-2025-12-05-at-1.53.19-PM.png) **Saturday, December 13 @ 7:30 p.m.** ***Gloria!* (2024)** At its heart, Gloria! is an ode to the unheard melodies of history. Vicario constructs her narrative around interwoven themes of women’s empowerment, clashes between tradition and innovation, and the lost legacies of women composers and musicians. These themes harmonize through the relationships of the film’s characters and their rebellious pursuit of creative freedom. Anyone with a soft spot for overcoming adversity through creativity will be singing this film’s praises. *Both mainstream viewers and arthouse crowds find Gloria!’s high notes will lift their spirits*.** Pt Richmond's Biggest Little Cinema REEL Cinema [www.magicklantern.org](https://cts.vresp.com/c/?TheMagickLantern/f9fbe18305/dcc9333631/a1a4ae0ed4&ref=grandviewindependent.com) **Methodist Church 201 Martina St off W. Richmond (side entrance)** ## OPENING RECEPTION, HOLIDAY SHOW @Point Richmond Gallery ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/12/Screenshot-2025-12-05-at-2.01.07-PM.png) **SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6 2—4 p.m.** Featuring art by Judith Williams, Jackie Marr, and stone dog artist Michael Eckerman, plus AOPR artists Laura Kamian, Erin McCluskey-Wheeler, Gail Morrison, Isobel Green, and Kate Merriman. Show runs until December 21\. Gallery open weekends 1—5 p.m. **Point Richmond Gallery,** **145 West Richmond in Point Richmond** ## Frog Face @Sailing Goat ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/12/Screenshot-2025-12-05-at-2.08.57-PM.png) **December 6, 2025, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.** **Frog Face** is a five-piece bluegrass band based in San Rafael, California. Their music draws from unusual traditionals and bluegrass standards, jam favorites, fiddle tunes, and originals. They rotate between three lead singers and a mix of two- and three-part harmony stacks to keep the dynamics moving. They favor upbeat tempos, with a handful of slower ballads, and high-octane instrumentals. They strive for instrumental texture, tasteful fills, and melodic leads. The lineup includes Joe on lead guitar and vocals, Nate on mandolin and vocals, Greg on bass, Aaron on dobro, and Kat on rhythm guitar and vocals. Together they channel the spirit of a Saturday night jam—joyful, spontaneous, and rooted in tradition—while bringing a modern, melodic twist to every performance. Frog Face’s aim is simple: to serve up a fun, flavorful set that keeps audiences smiling and the energy flowing. Website: [https://sites.google.com/view/frog-face-band/home](https://sites.google.com/view/frog-face-band/home?ref=grandviewindependent.com) Facebook: **Sailing Goat at Point San Pablo Harbor, 1900 Stenmark Dr, Richmond, CA 94801, USA** ## 63rd Annual Holiday Arts Festival @Richmond Art Center ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/12/Screenshot-2025-12-05-at-2.23.45-PM.png) **Sunday, December 7, 2025, 10 a.m.** **\-4 p.m. | Admission is Free** Celebrate the season at Richmond Art Center’s **Holiday Arts Festival!** Explore and shop for **affordable, handmade gifts** from talented local artisans. The festival features: - Arts & Crafts Marketplace with unique handmade gifts from over 60 local vendors - Ceramics Studio Sale - Free Art Activities for all ages - Community Partner Pop-Ups - Food and Drinks **Richmond Art Center, 2540 Barrett Avenue, Richmond, CA** ## Festival of Lights: Crazy, Noisy Hanukkah Fair @Temple Beth Hillel ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/12/Screenshot-2025-12-05-at-2.40.29-PM.png) **Temple Beth Hille**l invites the entire community to celebrate the Festival of Lights at its Crazy, Noisy Hanukkah Fair on Sunday, **December 7, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.** This free, family-friendly event promises joy, laughter, and plenty of delicious holiday treats. Guests are encouraged to bring their menorahs and join in a communal candle lighting, symbolizing unity, tradition, and the glow of Hanukkah. **Highlights of the Fair:** · FREE Kids’ Activities: Bounce house (weather permitting), menorah making, cookie decorating, face painting, PJ Library storytelling, and festive dancing. · Homemade Latke Lunch: Enjoy crispy latkes with all the fixings, fresh sufganiyot (donuts), hot chocolate, and coffee. · Bake Sale & Gift Shop: Stock up on homemade treats from our temple mavens and browse gifts, gelt, candles, and more. · Raffle Prizes: Enter for a chance to win exciting prizes while supporting the temple community. “This fair is about more than latkes and sufganiyot—it’s about celebrating Jewish tradition with joy, noise, and togetherness,” said Temple Beth Hillel’s event organizers. “We welcome everyone to join us, whether you’re part of the Jewish community or simply curious to experience Hanukkah.” **Event Details:** Date: Sunday, December 7, 2025 Time: 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM Admission: FREE and open to all **Temple Beth Hillel, 801 Park Central Street, Richmond, CA 94803** --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Teacher strike begins at West Contra Costa Unified School District schools URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/teacher-strike-begins-at-west-contra-costa-unified-school-district-schools/ Last updated: 2026-03-07T17:47:33.000Z West Contra Costa Unified School District teachers began picketing at school sites Thursday morning as union leaders continued pressing for higher wages and addressing other sticking points with the district. Children arriving for school were met by teachers holding picket signs, some of whom positioned themselves at campus entrances as passing drivers honked in support. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/12/michelle-obama-elementary-teachers-strike-2025.WEBP) A parent drops off a student at Michelle Obama Elementary as teachers picket outside during the WCCUSD strike Thursday morning. Teachers say chronic underfunding has left more than 70 classrooms vacant, creating academic setbacks for students. Speaking while picketing at Michelle Obama Elementary School in Richmond, third-grade teacher Tiffany Chieudjui said the numbers reflect real harm. “Our district is seriously underfunded. We have over 70 vacant classrooms, and teachers and students can understand the impact of a vacant classroom,” Chieudjui said. “Last year, I had a student who was at a different school and did not have a kindergarten teacher, and when I was assessing him, it was very apparent he missed an entire year of schooling.” Chieudjui said the district needs more competitive salaries, a stronger contract, and better working conditions to retain educators. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/12/el-cerrito-high-teachers-strike-picketing-2025.webp) Teachers picket outside El Cerrito High School during the WCCUSD strike on Thursday. District leaders said schools would remain open during the strike. In a message Thursday morning, Superintendent Cheryl Cotton said the district has been working to keep campuses safe for students who attend and expressed concern about reports of individuals blocking school entrances, including access points used by special education students. “They are making a difficult choice that we should all respect, even though we might disagree with it,” Cotton said, adding that independent study remains available for families who want it. [WCCUSD says schools will be open as teachers plan Thursday strikeTeachers in the West Contra Costa Unified School District plan to begin striking Thursday after months of failed contract negotiations, even as district officials pledge to keep all schools open. The United Teachers of Richmond will begin picketing 45 minutes before the first bell at every school site, union President![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--167.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-12-03-at-10.19.23-AM-1-1.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/wccusd-says-schools-will-be-open-as-teachers-plan-thursday-strike/) Cotton also pushed back on union assertions that the district has not responded to them, saying that negotiations teams met Monday, communicated Tuesday again, and reached out early Thursday with a proposal based on a fact-finding recommendation. “We are serious about getting this matter resolved,” she wrote. “We acknowledge that our employees deserve salary and benefits increases, and we want a resolution, but this cannot happen while we are on strike and not at the negotiations table.” The United Teachers of Richmond announced the strike after contract negotiations broke down. Earlier this week, Teamsters Local 856 members rejected their own tentative agreement with the district and said they would join teachers on the picket line. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/12/Screenshot-2025-12-04-at-8.07.15-AM.png) Teachers at Michelle Obama Elementary hold signs outside the school Thursday morning. The two sides have failed to agree on pay, health care, special education needs, and additional support for international educators working in the district on temporary H-1B visas. In a statement, the district said it was “saddened” by UTR and the Teamsters' decision to strike, adding that the concerns over salaries, health benefits, staffing, and student services reflect “complex and challenging issues for our entire community.” --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### WCCUSD says schools will be open as teachers plan Thursday strike URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/wccusd-says-schools-will-be-open-as-teachers-plan-thursday-strike/ Last updated: 2025-12-03T18:44:39.000Z Teachers in the West Contra Costa Unified School District plan to begin striking Thursday after months of failed contract negotiations, even as district officials pledge to keep all schools open. The United Teachers of Richmond will begin picketing 45 minutes before the first bell at every school site, union President Francisco Ortiz announced this week. The union represents approximately 1,450 teachers, counselors, psychologists, speech pathologists, and early childhood educators. "We strike for the 2,000+ students currently without a permanent teacher," Ortiz said in a statement. "We strike so educators can afford to stay in our communities." In a statement, WCCUSD Superintendent Cheryl Cotton said schools would remain open during the strike. "All schools will remain open. We will provide safe and supportive classrooms, and we will continue to serve meals for students who depend on us." Cotton said. "It will not feel like a normal day, but we will be here for every child who comes to school." Cotton also asked the community to remember that children are watching and to remain respectful. "Please show them that people can disagree and still treat one another with respect. Whether you are on the picket line or reporting to work, please help us ensure that no student feels uncomfortable or unwelcome at school," Cotton said. **District addresses strike logistics** The district posted a frequently asked questions page addressing strike logistics, warning that striking employees will not be allowed on campus and that student absences during the strike will not be automatically excused. The district said regular attendance policies will apply during the strike, though parents may enroll students in short-term independent study for up to 15 days. The district also warned employees against encouraging students to walk picket lines, citing California's compulsory education laws. The district noted that a strike during this period could impact state funding if average daily attendance declines, potentially worsening the district's fiscal situation. The strike comes after a state-appointed factfinding panel issued recommendations last week that failed to bridge the gap between the two sides. The panel recommended salary increases totaling 6 percent over two years and gradually raising the district's health benefits contribution from 80 percent to 90 percent. On Monday night the district offered a 3 percent salary increase and adopted the health benefits recommendations, but according To WCCUSD, union leadership rejected the proposal. The union is seeking 10 percent in raises over two years and 100 percent employer-funded health coverage. "A strike will not fix these problems," Cotton said. "A strike takes teachers out of classrooms, harms relationships, and can make it harder to keep strong educators." The dispute centers on compensation and working conditions in a district struggling with high teacher turnover and chronic vacancies. According to the factfinding report, nearly 20 percent of the bargaining unit has been with the district five years or less, while enrollment has declined by more than 2,200 students since 2020-2021. Union members argue their salaries rank in the lower half among Contra Costa County unified school districts, contributing to staffing instability. The district counters that it faces severe budget constraints, with deficit spending of nearly $17 million in the 2024-2025 school year despite state cost-of-living adjustments. The factfinding panel's chairperson noted both sides agree significant resources are needed to improve learning environments and support teachers, but differ sharply on the district's financial situation and resource allocation. **Richmond City Council approves emergency support** The Richmond City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to allocate up to $50,000 for emergency programming to support families during the strike, with Mayor Eduardo Martinez emphasizing the city's responsibility to help students regardless of the labor dispute. "Any shift to school routines has real impact on our families," said Martinez, a former West Contra Costa teacher and union member. "Our focus here is simply to make sure that Richmond students and families have the support they need during this period." The council authorized city staff to identify short-term support options, potentially including extended hours at community centers and partnerships with local nonprofits. City Manager Shasa Curl said staff had already begun coordinating with organizations like YES Nature to Neighborhoods and the RYSE Center to provide safe spaces for students. Martinez acknowledged families would respond differently to the strike, with some maintaining regular schedules while others might keep children home to observe picket lines. "Whatever those decisions are, the city should be prepared to offer support," Martinez said. In a Tuesday evening update, Ortiz announced that Teamsters Local 856 members voted down their own tentative agreement and will join teachers on the picket line. The district operates 56 schools serving about 26,000 students, with 65 percent designated as socioeconomically disadvantaged and 15 percent with disabilities. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### City manager appoints Simmons as Richmond's new top cop URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/city-manager-appoints-simmons-as-richmonds-new-top-cop/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T19:57:37.000Z Richmond has selected Assistant Chief Timothy Simmons to lead its police department, city officials announced Tuesday, succeeding Chief Bisa French. Simmons, a 17-year veteran of the Richmond Police Department, will officially assume the role on January 17, 2026, following an extensive recruitment process that included community input and interviews with city stakeholders. "Simmons brings the experience, vision, and commitment to community-centered policing that will help move Richmond forward," said City Manager Shasa Curl. "We are confident that under Simmons' leadership, the department will continue strengthening trust, transparency, and public safety alongside RPD staff, Richmond residents, businesses, and community partners to build on current progress and ensure a safe and thriving Richmond for all." Simmons rose through the department's ranks from beat officer to assistant chief, serving in roles including sergeant, lieutenant, and captain. He co-facilitated the Community Safety Academy and represented the police department on the Richmond Reimagining Public Safety Community Taskforce. He holds a Master of Science in Public Safety Leadership from the University of San Diego. "I am honored to serve as Chief of Police for the Richmond Police Department. I look forward to continuing my service to the Richmond community," Simmons said. "As Chief, I will remain committed to transparency and collaborative problem-solving, and to leading a department that embraces community-policing principles and reflects the diversity and strength of Richmond." French announced in September that she would retire in January, concluding a 27-year career with the department that began in 1998\. She has served as chief since 2020. [Richmond Police Chief Bisa French to retire after 27 years of serviceRichmond Police Chief Bisa French announced Thursday she will retire next January, ending a 27-year career with the department marked by historic firsts and a focus on community engagement. French, who joined the Richmond Police Department in 1998, made history in 2020 when she became the first woman and the![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--166.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-09-11-at-5.44.48-PM-1-1.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-police-chief-bisa-french-to-retire-after-27-years-of-service/) Simmons will be formally introduced as the incoming Chief of Police for the department during the December 2, 2025, Richmond City Council meeting. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond police seek help identifying person of interest in fatal Bissell Avenue shooting URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-police-seek-help-identifying-person-of-interest-in-fatal-bissell-avenue-shooting/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T03:39:53.000Z Richmond police are asking for the public’s help identifying a person of interest after a 23-year-old man was shot and killed last month. Officers responded around 5:55 a.m. on November 17 after a ShotSpotter activation and multiple 911 calls reported gunfire in the 1400 block of Bissell Avenue, the department said Monday. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/12/richmond-police-person-of-interest-bissell-avenue-homicide-nov-2025.webp) This image released by the Richmond Police Department shows a person of interest sought in the November 17, 2025, fatal shooting of 23-year-old Josue Cornejo on Bissell Avenue. Photo/ Richmond Police Department When officers arrived, they found Josue Cornejo, a Richmond resident, suffering from at least one gunshot wound. He died at the scene despite first responders' life-saving attempts. [Richmond Police investigate early-morning fatal shooting on Bissell AvenueRichmond police are investigating a fatal shooting early Monday in the 1400 block of Bissell Avenue, the city’s second deadly shooting in nine days. Richmond police identified the victim as 23-year-old Josue Cornejo of Richmond. At approximately 5:55 a.m. on November 17, the Richmond Police Department Communications![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--165.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-bissell-avenue-homicide-fourth-killing-2025-1-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-police-investigate-early-morning-fatal-shooting-on-bissell-avenue/) Investigators located video of a person of interest during their follow-up work and released images of the individual, noting the person’s clothing and distinctive shoes. In a social media post, police urged anyone who recognizes the individual or believes they may know who they are to contact Detective Farr at 510-620-6622, saying that a tip “could help us solve this murder.” --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### What happened in Richmond: A week of break-ins, assaults, DUIs, and relentless car thefts URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/what-happened-in-richmond-a-week-of-break-ins-assaults-duis-and-relentless-car-thefts/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T17:39:10.000Z Richmond police responded to a string of crimes between November 24 and 29, including multiple domestic-violence arrests, burglaries, and vehicle thefts across the city, according to department logs. Officers reported a series of commercial and residential break-ins, repeated violations of protective orders, and several DUI arrests, some involving suspended licenses. Police also documented assaults with firearms, robberies, drug possession cases, and vandalism. ### Crime Incidents *A map shows the locations of police-reported incidents across Richmond during the week of November 24-29, 2025.* ## Monday, November 24 **Contempt of court:** 400 block of 22nd Street. Someone violated a protective order at 12:08 a.m. **Commercial burglary:** 3400 block of Macdonald Avenue. A commercial property was forcibly entered at 12:12 a.m. **Domestic battery:** 400 block of 20th Street. A battery involving a partner was reported at 1:25 a.m. **Commercial burglary:** 800 block of Chanslor Avenue. A commercial property was forcibly entered at 1:33 a.m. **Protective order violation:** 800 block of Lassen Street. Police arrested someone after a domestic violence protective order was reportedly violated at 5:56 a.m. **Residential burglary:** 500 block of 20th Street. A home was forcibly entered at 8:40 a.m. **DUI, vandalism and domestic battery:** 100 block of Chariot Court and 3400 block of Morningside Drive. Police made an arrest for driving under the influence. The person seemingly drove while their license was suspended or revoked for DUI, damaged property, and committed battery against a spouse, ex-spouse, or dating partner between 9 a.m. and 10:09 a.m. **Driveway depletion:** 1500 block of 25th Street. Another vehicle was stolen at 9:31 a.m. **Domestic battery:** 800 block of Nevin Avenue. A battery involving a partner was reported at 10 a.m. **Petty theft:** 3500 block of El Portal Drive, El Sobrante. A theft was reported at 12 p.m. **Embezzlement:** 1000 block of 23rd Street. It was reported that a rented vehicle was not returned at 12 p.m. **Child cruelty:** 3rd Street. Cruelty to a child was reported at 1:10 p.m. **Residential burglary and drug possession:** 100 block of 6th Street. Police busted a burglar and also discovered controlled substances at 2:34 p.m. **Theft from a vehicle and probation violation:** 900 block of Cutting Boulevard and 700 block of Ohio Avenue. A person on probation was allegedly caught stealing from a vehicle at 5:57 p.m. **Domestic violence court order violation:** 1500 block of Roosevelt Avenue. Someone reportedly violated a court order to prevent domestic violence and was arrested at 7:08 p.m. **Assault, domestic violence, and robbery:** 5100 block of Potrero Avenue. An assault with a deadly weapon, infliction of injury on a partner, and robbery with a knife or cutting instrument were reported at 7:26 p.m. **Vandalism:** In the 94801 zip code. Property was damaged at 8 p.m. **Residential burglary:** 1100 block of Barrett Avenue. It was reported that a home was forcibly entered at 9:34 p.m. **Wheels of misfortune:** 3900 block of Potrero Avenue. A vehicle was taken without the owner's consent at 10:22 p.m. **Domestic violence:** 1000 block of Roosevelt Avenue. Police arrested someone on aggravated assault charges after someone reportedly inflicted injury on a partner at 10:53 p.m. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/12/Sign-up-for--3-.png)](https://www.grandvieweats.com/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) ## Tuesday, November 25 **Police evasion and assault on an officer:** 23rd Street and Macdonald Avenue. Someone reportedly evaded police with a disregard for safety and committed an assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer at 4:02 a.m. **Trespassing:** 200 block of Harbour Way. A trespasser was arrested at 8:41 a.m. **Sudden change of ownership:** 400 block of S 26th Street. A vehicle was taken without consent at 9:18 a.m. **Petty theft:** 1100 block of Chanslor Avenue. A theft was discovered at 9:59 a.m. **Residential burglary:** In the 94801 zip code. A home break-in was reported at 12:05 p.m. **Warrant arrests:** In the 94801 zip code. Police arrested a couple of people for failure to appear on misdemeanor charges at 12:06 p.m. **Trespassing:** 2800 block of Moyers Road. Trespassing was reported at 2:53 p.m. **Battery:** 12000 block of San Pablo Avenue. A battery on a person occurred at 3:38 p.m. **Involuntary vehicle donation:** 1400 block of Coalinga Avenue. A vehicle was stolen and later recovered at 3:46 p.m. **Vandalism:** 4800 block of Central Avenue. Property damage valued at $400 or more was reported at 3:16 p.m. **Auto burglary:** 2900 block of Rheem Avenue. A vehicle was broken into at 4:30 p.m. **Aggravated assault:** 2100 block of Meeker Avenue. Police arrested someone on aggravated assault charges after domestic violence was reported at 5:39 p.m. **Criminal threats and kidnapping:** 2100 block of Meeker Avenue. Police arrested someone on aggravated assault charges at 5:39 p.m. **Battery and deadly weapon display:** 500 block of Marina Way. Someone was said to have exhibited a deadly weapon and committed battery on a person at 7:39 p.m. **Residential burglary:** 1600 block of Livingston Lane. Another home was found to have been forcibly entered at 11 p.m. **Car-napped:** 3500 block of Bissell Avenue. A vehicle was taken without the owner's consent at 11:22 p.m. ## Wednesday, November 26 **Drive now, ask never:** 200 block of 21st Street. A vehicle was taken without the owner's consent at midnight. **Assault with a firearm:** 600 block of 4th Street. Police responded to reports of an assault with a firearm at 1:22 a.m. **Firearm possession:** 12400 block of San Pablo Avenue. Someone with a prior violent offense conviction was found with a gun and arrested at 8 a.m. **Commercial burglary and vandalism:** 3600 block of Sierra Ridge Road. A commercial property was entered without force and property damage valued at $400 or more was reported at 8:29 a.m. **Petty theft:** 1400 block of Hilltop Mall Road. A theft occurred at 9:38 a.m. **Car redistribution:** 2900 block of Howard Street. A vehicle was stolen at 8:42 a.m. **The old switcheroo on wheels:** 900 block of Marina Way South. A vehicle was stolen at 11:28 a.m. **Parts theft:** 600 block of S 22nd Street. Theft of motor vehicle parts or accessories was reported at 12:31 p.m. **Disorderly conduct:** 4200 block of Macdonald Avenue. Police arrested two people on drug charges after responding to disorderly conduct involving alcohol at 12:33 p.m. **Petty theft with priors:** 4500 block of Macdonald Avenue. Police arrested someone on robbery charges who had apparently spent time in the pokey on theft charges at 1:15 p.m. **BB device discharge:** 1000 block of Roosevelt Avenue. A BB device was discharged in a grossly negligent manner at 5:42 p.m. [Richmond police detain juveniles after report of gun that turned out to be BB gunRichmond police detained a group of juveniles at gunpoint on Monday afternoon after receiving a 911 call reporting a person with a gun, according to the Richmond Police Department. According to the Richmond Police Department’s calls for service log, a Priority 1 call was reported at 3:37 p.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--164.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-police-video-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-police-detain-juveniles-after-report-of-gun-that-turned-out-to-be-bb-gun/) **DUI and no license:** In the 94804 zip code. A driver without a license was busted for driving under the influence at 5:30 p.m. **Assault with a firearm and civil rights violation:** In the 94804 zip code. An assault with a firearm on a person and a civil rights violation causing violent injury was reported at 5:56 p.m. **Petty theft:** 400 block of S 17th Street. A theft happened at 7 p.m. **Domestic violence:** 2600 block of Hilltop Drive. Police arrested someone after a resident said they had been assaulted by a partner at 7:04 p.m. **Petty theft:** 4900 block of Macdonald Avenue. Another theft was reported at 7:35 p.m. **Drug paraphernalia:** 5200 block of Gordon Avenue. Police arrested someone on drug equipment violations charges after discovering unlawful paraphernalia at 8:20 p.m. **Domestic violence:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. Someone was said to have injured a partner at 9:18 p.m. **Robbery and domestic battery:** 300 block of South 15th Street. A robbery with a dangerous weapon and battery involving a dating partner was reported at 10:30 p.m. **Stolen car:** 900 block of Marina Way South. A vehicle was taken without consent at 11 p.m. **Unauthorized joyride and vandalism:** 2nd Street. A vehicle was taken without consent, and property was damaged at 11:40 p.m. ## Thursday, November 27 **Assault:** 900 block of Nevin Avenue. Assault with force causing possible great bodily injury occurred at 12:03 a.m. **Gone in 60 seconds:** 5900 block of Amend Road. A vehicle was taken without consent at 3 a.m. **Trespassing:** 5800 block of Burlingame Avenue. Someone refused to leave a posted land at 11:25 a.m. **Auto burglaries:** 600 block of S 49th Street and 5200 block of Gordon Avenue. Vehicles were broken into at noon and 7:30 p.m. **Reckless driving:** In the 94804 zip code. Reckless driving at 10:41 a.m. would lead to arrest the next day. **Petty thefts:** 1600 block of Virginia Avenue. Thefts occurred at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. **Contempt of court:** 3600 block of Sierra Ridge Avenue. Someone reportedly disobeyed a court order at 1:27 p.m. **Assault and drug possession:** 2300 block of Andrade Avenue. Police arrested someone on drug charges after an assault with a deadly weapon was reported. Controlled substances were also discovered at 2:21 p.m. **Hot wheels:** In the 94801 zip code. A vehicle was stolen at 2:34 p.m. **Robbery:** 1200 block of Bissell Avenue. A strong-arm robbery occurred at 4:39 p.m. **DUI:** In the 94804 zip code. Police arrested someone on driving under the influence charges at 3:47 p.m. **DUI:** In the 94804 zip code. Police arrested somebody else on driving under the influence charges at 10:04 p.m. ## Friday, November 28 **Battery:** 3800 block of Lakeside Drive. A battery on a person occurred at 12:23 a.m. **Fast and the felonious and auto burglary:** 2000 block of Virginia Avenue. A vehicle was taken without consent, and a vehicle was broken into at 12:41 a.m. **Commercial burglary:** 4500 block of Macdonald Avenue. A commercial property was forcibly entered at 3:41 a.m. **Vandalism:** In the 94804 zip code. Property damage valued at $400 or more was reported at 3:15 a.m. **DUI:** 100 block of 22nd Street. Police found someone driving under the influence of alcohol at 1:03 a.m. **Vandalism:** 5600 block of Madison Avenue. Property damage valued at $400 or more was reported at 7 a.m. **Borrowed without asking:** 3400 block of Klose Way. A vehicle was stolen at 10 a.m. **Contempt of court:** 800 block of Lassen Street. Someone disobeyed a court order at 12 p.m. **Parking space surprise:** 500 block of Pennsylvania Avenue. A vehicle was taken without consent at 1:06 p.m. **Animal cruelty and drug possession:** In the 94804 zip code. Police arrested someone after cruelty to an animal was reported and controlled substances were found at 1:09 p.m. **Disorderly conduct:** 1200 block of Macdonald Avenue. Disorderly conduct involving someone under the influence was reported at 1:22 p.m. **Car theft:** 3100 block of Henderson Drive. A vehicle was stolen at 11 p.m. **The vanishing sedan:** 1700 block of Chanslor Avenue. A vehicle was taken without the owner's consent at 9:10 p.m. **Vandalism and vehicle tampering:** 200 block of West Chanslor Avenue and 200 block of Chanslor Avenue. Property damage valued at $400 or more and vehicle tampering occurred. **Disorderly conduct:** 100 block of 7th Street. Disorderly conduct involving alcohol was reported at 8:41 p.m. **Sex crime:** 2600 block of Downer Avenue. A sex crime was reported at 8:02 p.m. ## Saturday, November 29 **Mystery road trip:** 300 block of 1st Street. A vehicle was taken without the owner's consent at 11:30 p.m. **Impromptu test drive:** 2500 block of Moyers Road. A vehicle was stolen at 1:26 a.m. **Custody violation:** Police Station. Someone violated a custody decree at 7 a.m. **Auto burglary:** 300 block of 7th Street. A vehicle was broken into at 7:30 a.m. **Trespassing:** 500 block of Bissell Avenue. Trespassing was reported at 9 a.m. **Grand theft:** In the 94804 zip code. Police arrested someone on larceny charges at 9:45 a.m. **Firearm display and assault:** In the 94804 zip code. Someone exhibited a firearm and committed assault with a firearm on a person at 11:46 a.m. **Assault and domestic violence:** 800 block of 7th Street. An assault with a deadly weapon was reported and someone inflicted injury on a partner at 12:01 p.m. **Check fraud:** Intersection of 23rd Street and Macdonald Avenue. Someone possessed a check or order to defraud at 12:37 p.m. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### On the agenda: Taking back the keys to Craneway, Riggers Loft leases, and garbage strike credits URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-agenda-taking-back-the-keys-to-craneway-riggers-loft-leases-and-garbage-strike-credits/ Last updated: 2025-11-29T01:25:23.000Z The Richmond City Council will consider an inspection of the historic Craneway Pavilion as the city prepares to regain control of the waterfront venue, approve 12-month leases with three beverage producers at the Riggers Loft Building, and vote on a settlement providing billing credits to residents affected by July’s garbage strike. ### [Richmond's dollar-a-year tenant ready to call it quits](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59723&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The Richmond City Council will consider approving a $169,500 contract to inspect the Craneway Pavilion at the historic Ford Assembly Plant as the city prepares to potentially regain control of the waterfront venue. This is the only new business item on Tuesday’s council agenda. [Richmond in negotiations over Craneway Pavilion futureCity officials say a deal may be close with the current leaseholder of the historic Craneway Pavilion after months of private negotiations. City Councilmember Sue Wilson informed residents at the November 12 Marina Bay Neighborhood Council meeting that negotiations are ongoing, but they remain confidential due to legal requirements for![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--161.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-craneway-pavilion-negotiations-2025-1-1-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-in-negotiations-over-craneway-pavilion-future/) The assessment comes as Orton Entertainment, LLC has reportedly offered to donate its leasehold interest in the city-owned property back to Richmond. The company has operated the Craneway since 2004 under a 55-year lease with annual rent of just $1. City staff recommend hiring RDH Building Science to conduct a comprehensive pre-turnover inspection examining the building’s structural integrity, mechanical and electrical systems, environmental hazards, and accessibility compliance. The assessment would also identify deferred maintenance needs and estimated repair costs. The move follows months of community frustration over the facility’s management, including the closure earlier this year of a pickleball facility that operated at the Craneway. Community members expressed concerns that the facility’s operators had abandoned their customers and limited the historic building’s availability for public events. “This proposed donation would return to the City full control and operational responsibility for the property, presenting both opportunities and potential liabilities,” according to the city staff report. The inspection is expected to take approximately 65 days once work begins. RDH Building Science was selected from three firms that responded to the city’s request for proposals. The city is also conducting a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment and analyzing the financial implications of operating the Craneway as a public event center. Staff are studying similar publicly owned venues in Tacoma, San Francisco and Oakland to inform their approach. The facility, located at 1414-1422 Harbour Way South, includes event space but not the adjoining restaurant or some additional facilities, which are on private property. --- ### [New leases for former Riggers Loft subtenants](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59686&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The Surplus Property Authority will vote on lease agreements with three small beverage producers to continue operations at the Riggers Loft Building, but the deals prohibit tasting rooms, event spaces and kitchens. The Surplus Property Authority and City Council will consider the 12-month leases at their joint meeting, which would generate $95,232 in annual revenue for the port. [Riggers Loft closes after long legal fight with RichmondRiggers Loft, the popular waterfront wine and music venue on the Richmond shoreline, has closed its doors after years of legal disputes with the city. Owners Barbara Brown and Kevin Brown announced the closure today, describing the decision as painful but inevitable after losing their battle against eviction by the![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--163.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-09-30-at-10.25.03-AM-1.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/riggers-loft-closes-after-long-legal-fight-with-richmond/) The producers had been operating under sublease agreements at 1325 Canal Boulevard before the city regained control of the property through court action. Officials moved to preserve business continuity by offering direct leases at their previous rental rates. Far West Cider, a family-owned operation, would pay $6,186 monthly for 3,510 square feet of production space. Carica Wines and KARIBU Lounge would each pay $875 monthly for smaller areas. KARIBU Lounge, formerly Wachira Wines, is owned by Dr. Chris Wachira, the first Kenyan-born Californian winemaker. The short-term agreements restrict operations to production and storage only. City staff plan to conduct a market analysis and issue a request for proposals for future use of the facility within the next year. --- # On the consent calendar ### [$447,000 settlement over July garbage strike](http://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59699&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Richmond residents affected by a nearly two-week garbage strike in July will receive billing credits totaling approximately $447,000 under a settlement agreement city leaders are set to consider. The Richmond City Council will vote on a memorandum of understanding with Republic Services to resolve claims stemming from the work stoppage that disrupted waste collection from July 8 to 21. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/11/richmond-garbage-strike-1-1.webp) Garbage bags and loose debris piled up during the July strike. Photo/ Soren Hemmila About 30,000 residential customers would receive one-time credits ranging from $10.70 to $42.35, depending on their service tier, according to settlement documents. The credits cover two missed pickups during the sympathy strike. The work stoppage began when Teamsters Local 315 members refused to cross picket lines established by other Teamster locals at Republic Services facilities. The action was linked to a separate labor dispute at Republic’s Forward Landfill in Stockton. [DIY garbage day: Richmond residents told to haul their own trashGarbage strike disrupts Richmond waste collection; Temporary Drop-Off Site Opens![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--162.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-in-the-dumps-1-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/diy-garbage-day-richmond-residents-told-to-haul-their-own-trash/) Under the proposed settlement, the city would release Republic Services from all claims related to the work stoppage. The agreement states the credit “is not to constitute or be interpreted as an admission of any liability or wrongdoing” by either party. Credits would appear on customer bills by January 1, 2026. --- The council is also set to vote on more than a dozen consent calendar items at an upcoming meeting, including accepting $10 million in regional transportation funding and approving new labor contracts with city employee unions. The council will consider accepting Regional Measure 3 funding from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, with[ $7.5 million designated for Neighborhood Complete Streets projects](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59695&ref=grandviewindependent.com) and $2.5 million for the Richmond Wellness Trail Phase II, according to agenda documents. ### Legal services and contract amendments The City Attorney’s Office is seeking approval for a contract amendment with Best Best & Krieger LLP, adding $150,000 to bring the total agreement to[ $160,000 for general municipal law matters. ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59690&ref=grandviewindependent.com)Separately, the Community Development Department is requesting a [$250,000 legal services agreement](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59693&ref=grandviewindependent.com) with Goldfarb & Lipman LLP for land use, housing and real estate matters. ### Port and transportation projects In economic development matters, the council will vote on accepting up to[ $11.2 million in federal grant funds](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59701&ref=grandviewindependent.com) from the U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration for dock restoration, with an additional $2.8 million in Port Enterprise Fund matching contributions. The item also includes a $140,000 contract amendment with Momentum for grant administration services. ### Labor agreements Human Resources is presenting multiple items, including successor [memorandums of understanding](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59706&ref=grandviewindependent.com) with the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers Local 21 for both Mid-Management and Executive Management units. The council will also vote on side letters with Service Employees International Union Local 1021 and IFPTE Local 21 regarding a [year-end holiday closure](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59706&ref=grandviewindependent.com) from December 24, 2025, through January 1, 2026. Additionally, a contract amendment with Bob Murray and Associates will increase [recruitment services](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59712&ref=grandviewindependent.com) funding by $34,000, to a total of $68,000. ### Public Works Infrastructure The Public Works Department is seeking approval for a [$374,000 construction contract](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59717&ref=grandviewindependent.com) with WR Forde for the Richmond Art and Light Project. The council will also vote on a preliminary engineering services agreement with Union Pacific Railroad Company for the [Bayview Avenue Grade Separation](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59729&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Safety & Bike Lane Improvements Project, with authorization for the public works director to approve amendments up to $25,000. Real estate agreements for the [I-80/Central Avenue Interchange ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59720&ref=grandviewindependent.com)Improvements Phase 2 Project are also on the agenda, including required right-of-way acquisitions, easements, and grant deeds. The council will receive a third-quarter 2025 update on projects within [Richmond’s Green Blue New Deal initiative.](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59727&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Full agenda documents and attachments are available on the city’s website at [https://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/4157/City-of-Richmond-Council-Meetings](https://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/4157/City-of-Richmond-Council-Meetings?ref=grandviewindependent.com) --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond city council races kick into gear ahead of 2026 election URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-city-council-races-kick-into-gear-ahead-of-2026-election/ Last updated: 2025-12-16T20:41:20.000Z Doria Robinson held her campaign kickoff event to formally enter the race for Richmond City Council District 3 last Saturday, officially declaring her reelection bid. “We knew the holidays were coming up, and people kept asking me, ' Are you running?” Robinson said at the Richmond Civic Center Plaza event. “I realized that we really just needed to announce, like, good, bad, the ugly. We just needed to get the word out there and start this race.” Robinson, who is completing her first term on the council, highlighted accomplishments including working with colleagues to improve the city’s financial stability and removing Richmond from the state auditor’s high-risk local agencies list. She also referenced her work in bringing in new tax revenue from Chevron and her focus on public safety and economic development. Robinson’s kickoff featured speakers including Contra Costa County Supervisor John Goia, Richmond Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Vernon Whitmore, and Richmond City Councilmember Claudia Jimenez, who praised Robinson's accomplishments and leadership in the community. So far, Robinson is the only candidate in next June’s city elections to receive Gioia’s endorsement. “It’s going to be a hard race,” Robinson said. “I’ve already been warned by all kinds of dirty dealings that may or may not happen. It’s going to be a hard race, so we’re really, really going to need your support.” Robinson said she has already secured over 62 endorsements and is seeking campaign contributions to fund signs, social media outreach, and volunteer coordination. The announcement comes as another candidate, Brandon Evans, is mounting a campaign for the same seat. Evans has scheduled two public events, including a “Meet & Greet” on Sunday, December 7, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Multicultural Bookstore in Richmond. Evans is also appearing as a panelist with [Contra Costa County Board of Education Trustee Daniel Nathan-Heiss](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/nathan-heiss-defeats-caro-in-education-race-conceding-candidate-stresses-commitment-to-public-service/) at “Education & The Economy: The Intersection of a Vibrant Future,” scheduled for December 13 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Paradise Gym. The event, moderated by Richmond City Councilmember Dr. Jamelia Brown, will feature a discussion on how education and the economy connect in Contra Costa County. [Four candidates file for Richmond mayor’s race; council seats draw challengersFour candidates have filed to run for mayor of Richmond, and multiple city council seats also drew challengers, as the city prepares for its first primary under a new majority-vote system, according to documents filed with the city clerk as of October 3, 2025\. The June 2026 election will be![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--159.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-council-election-2026-2.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/four-candidates-file-for-richmond-mayors-race-council-seats-draw-challengers/) ### Pursell breaks from RPA, launches campaign for District 4 seat In District 4, candidate Jamin Pursell is seeking to unseat incumbent Soheila Bana with a message centered on revitalizing areas like Hilltop Mall and ensuring every neighborhood is safe, clean, and connected. Bana said she will launch her campaign in a couple of months and is currently focused on city council duties, her work with various boards, and preparing to spend time with her children during the holidays. At Pursell’s recent kickoff rally, El Cerrito Mayor Pro Tem Gabriel Quinto, Councilmember Doria Robinson, and Pinole City Councilmember Devin Murphy offered their support. Pursell said his campaign will center on improving infrastructure, strengthening economic development, and expanding affordable housing throughout the city. In an [interview](https://www.radiofreerichmond.com/jamin%5Fpursell%5Fcity%5Fcouncil%5Flaunch%5Fparty?ref=grandviewindependent.com), Pursell, a former member of the [Richmond Progressive Alliance](https://www.richmondprogressivealliance.net/?ref=grandviewindependent.com), said he has distanced himself from the organization over disagreements about values and approach. “I found that I had a number of issues that I was finding myself not agreeing with them on and the chances they were taking,” Pursell said. “There was flippancy with regard to the feelings of other people, and so I felt that that’s not what I want to bring to my community.” Pursell also said he felt the RPA failed to recognize long-standing community work outside its own membership. “There’s a lack of valuing the work people have been doing in this city for many years. The idea that if someone didn’t do it with the RPA, it somehow doesn’t matter. That’s completely wrong,” Pursell said. “We should be looking at what’s better for the community of Richmond, no matter where people come from. The RPA can be one aspect of the political landscape, but it shouldn’t dominate or punish people for not adhering to its ideology.” Keycha Gallon is also running for the District 4 seat. Gallon said endorsements would be announced in the coming weeks once a campaign website is completed. Gallon said her current efforts are focused on providing holiday resources for underserved families and reviewing California Violence Intervention and Prevention Program proposals to ensure funding reaches organizations serving high-risk public safety areas. Richmond City Councilmember Cesar Zepeda is running for reelection in District 2 and, so far, has not drawn any challengers. Four candidates have filed to run for Richmond mayor in the June 2026 primary, including incumbent Eduardo Martinez and challengers Ahmad Anderson, Demnlus Johnson III, and Mark Wassberg, according to city clerk filings. *If you or someone you know is considering running for office, Grandview Independent wants to hear from you. Contact* Grandview Independent *at* [*editorial@grandviewindependent.com*](mailto:editorial@grandviewindependent.com) --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Point Richmond turns out in force for Thanksgiving Turkey Shoot URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/point-richmond-turkey-shoot/ Last updated: 2025-11-27T21:17:11.000Z On Thanksgiving morning, and with more than just a little nip in the nearly winter air, a group of revelers, large and small, met at the Plunge before embarking on what seems like an age-old tradition. At least a hundred people, some families with kids and dogs, and others in costume, joined in the fun of the Point Richmond Turkey Shoot, an annual tradition dating back several decades, displaying both the wit and charm of Richmond’s people. Despite the name, no turkeys are harmed in this annual celebration, but a good time is had by all, we absolutely guarantee. It goes something like this: A signal is given, and a lumbering group of merrymakers proceeds, in mass, on a spirited trek around the historic streets that are early Richmond. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/11/IMG_3201-1-1-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/11/IMG_3205.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/11/IMG_3213-1-1.jpg) Crowd comes out for Point Richmond's annual Turkey Shoot and is greeted by this year's Master of Ceremonies, Andrew Butt. Once the obligatory jaunt around town is complete, the group comes to rest at a predetermined stop, and all wait patiently for a poem – one that expands by a singular verse each year – to be read. The joy is contagious, and the crowd calls out for more with each passing stanza. At the poem’s conclusion, the group promptly, and with a substantial roar, down a shot (or two) of Wild Turkey Whiskey or apple cider, depending upon preference. With the mission completed and the crowd slowly dwindling, people head to their prearranged destinations, and another successful Turkey Shoot is in the books. Somewhere in the exiting mass, murmurs about next year’s festivities have already been aired. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### East Bay Astronomical Society brings stargazing to Richmond waterfront URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/east-bay-astronomical-society-brings-stargazing-to-richmond-waterfront/ Last updated: 2026-06-28T15:23:36.000Z On a crisp, fall night, astronomers from the East Bay Astronomical Society gathered along the Richmond waterfront, along with locals ensconced in scarves and jackets, hoping for a glimpse of the stellar treasures a clear night sky has to offer. The Astronomical Society hosted the stargazing event at Miller-Knox Regional Shoreline, in collaboration with the Richmond Library, drawing a lively crowd of about 30, including several families with young kids and even a pet or two. Equipped with various-sized telescopes, laptops, and iPads, the volunteers worked nimbly in near complete darkness, with only a few red lights, used in astronomy events to preserve dark-adapted vision, illuminating the scene as they made equipment adjustments and checked coordinates to provide a dazzling tour of stars, planets, and nearby galaxies. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/11/IMG_3063-1-1-1-1.jpg) Several computers displayed spectacular images, much to the delight of the junior astronomers, who happily bounced between the telescopes and the screens, asking questions and discovering the cosmos — some for the very first time. "I saw Saturn!" one boy said, beckoning to his parents to look through the lens and view the tiny ringed planet for themselves. Ross Bishop, a volunteer with the Astronomical Society, patiently guided those seeking a peek up to the telescope, which was fixed on the planet shining brightly through the lens. "What do you see?" Bishop coaxed. "Do you see a line? Those are Saturn's rings." [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/11/Sign-up-for--3-.png)](https://www.grandvieweats.com/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) Bishop said this was the first time the Astronomical Society had hosted an event in Richmond, but the view from the Miller-Knox shoreline proved to be a good one, with no intrusion from bright city lights. "There's light pollution all over the Bay Area, which makes observing a little challenging, but this is a great spot," Bishop said. A waxing crescent moon obliged observers by keeping its light minimal, helping to maintain a sharp focus on dimmer, more distant night-sky objects. The society regularly partners with schools and libraries for evening star parties and other outreach events throughout the year, during which experienced astronomy volunteers bring out telescopes and other equipment to share close-up views of the Moon, planets, star clusters, nebulae, and galaxies. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/11/IMG_3056-3.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/11/IMG_3058-1-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/11/IMG_3060.jpg) The East Bay Astronomical Society, which operates out of Chabot Space & Science Center, says its mission is to "increase the public's knowledge of astronomy and the space sciences, and introduce the infinite wonder and intrigue of the night sky to everyone." The society offers events, classes, and unobstructed views of the universe from the Oakland hills and several other locations. For more information, visit: [https://eastbayastro.org/](https://eastbayastro.org/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond police detain juveniles after report of gun that turned out to be BB gun URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-police-detain-juveniles-after-report-of-gun-that-turned-out-to-be-bb-gun/ Last updated: 2025-11-25T15:38:07.000Z Richmond police detained a group of juveniles at gunpoint on Monday afternoon after receiving a 911 call reporting a person with a gun, according to the Richmond Police Department. According to the Richmond Police Department’s calls for service log, a Priority 1 call was reported at 3:37 p.m. from the 4400 block of Nevin Avenue. Videos circulating on social media show officers detaining the juveniles during the response. According to the department, the group had been passing the object around and examining it. Because the item appeared to be a real firearm, officers conducted what they described as a high-risk detention to ensure safety. Officers later determined the object was a BB gun. The juveniles were released after the scene was secured, the department said. Police said the incident shows how easily replica and BB guns can be mistaken for real weapons and urged parents to remind children and teens of the risks of carrying or displaying imitation firearms in public. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### What happened in Richmond: police respond to homicide, multiple burglaries, and vehicle thefts URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/what-happened-in-richmond-police-respond-to-homicide-multiple-burglaries-and-vehicle-thefts/ Last updated: 2025-11-25T04:38:38.000Z Richmond police responded to a homicide early last Monday morning on Bissell Avenue and numerous violent crimes, property thefts, and drug-related offenses throughout the following week from November 17–23\. Incidents across multiple neighborhoods included assaults, burglaries, carjacking, and human trafficking allegations. ### Crime Incidents *A map shows the locations of police-reported incidents across Richmond during the week of November 17-23, 2025.* ## Monday, November 17 **Unauthorized joyride:** 2400 block of Lowell Avenue. A vehicle was taken without the owner’s consent at 1:58 a.m. **Shooting:** 1400 block of Bissell Avenue. A murder occurred at 5:55 a.m. [Richmond Police investigate early-morning fatal shooting on Bissell AvenueRichmond police are investigating a fatal shooting early Monday in the 1400 block of Bissell Avenue, the city’s second deadly shooting in nine days. Richmond police identified the victim as 23-year-old Josue Cornejo of Richmond. At approximately 5:55 a.m. on November 17, the Richmond Police Department Communications![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--156.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-bissell-avenue-homicide-fourth-killing-2025-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-police-investigate-early-morning-fatal-shooting-on-bissell-avenue/) **Vandalism:** In the 94801 zip code. Property damage valued at $400 or more was reported at 10:03 a.m. **Sex crime:** 600 block of 15th Street. A sex crime was reported at 10:15 a.m. **Vandalism and drug violations:** 2500 block of Chanslor Avenue. Police arrested someone on destruction of property charges after discovering property damage, unlawful paraphernalia, and controlled substances at 10:26 a.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 0-100 block of 12th Street. A stolen vehicle was recovered at 11:16 a.m. **Petty theft:** 5400 block of Huntington Avenue. A theft occurred at 3:44 p.m. **Street sweepstakes:** 3100 block of Moyers Road. A vehicle was stolen at 3:50 p.m. **Residential burglary and drug violations:** 600 block of Pennsylvania Avenue. Police arrested someone on burglary charges after a home was entered without force, and unlawful paraphernalia and controlled substances were discovered at 5:26 p.m. **Vehicle violation:** In the 94801 zip code. A vehicle was shown on its side with a police officer in full view at 5:47 p.m. **Lost and found:** 2300 block of Macdonald Avenue. Police arrested someone on vehicle theft charges after a vehicle was taken without consent at 6:08 p.m. **Battery:** 4000 block of Florida Avenue. Police arrested someone on simple assault charges after a battery on a person occurred at 7 p.m. **Child abuse:** 2200 block of Coalinga Avenue. Police arrested someone on aggravated assault charges after someone inflicted injury upon a child at 9:52 p.m. **Human trafficking, kidnapping, and robbery:** 400 block of 4th Street. A strong-arm robbery, human trafficking to obtain forced labor or service, false imprisonment with violence, kidnapping, and pimping were reported at 10:05 p.m. ### **Tuesday, November 18** **Robbery:** 1500 block of Carlson Boulevard. A first-degree robbery in an inhabited dwelling occurred at 1 a.m. **Assault:** 2200 block of Hilltop Mall Road. An assault with a deadly weapon occurred at 3:05 a.m. **Vandalism:** 700 block of 7th Street. Property was damaged at 8:32 a.m. **Deadly weapon display and assault:** 2500 block of Macdonald Avenue. Police arrested someone on aggravated assault charges after a deadly weapon was exhibited and an assault with a deadly weapon was committed at 10:20 a.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 2000 block of Hellings Avenue. A stolen vehicle was recovered at 10:58 a.m. **Petty theft and drug violations:** 3400 block of Blume Drive. Petty theft occurred, and controlled substances and unlawful paraphernalia were discovered at 11:15 a.m. **Assault:** 3000 block of Hilltop Mall Road. An assault with a deadly weapon occurred at 3 p.m. **Firearm discharge:** 600 block of 31st Street. A firearm was willfully discharged in a grossly negligent manner at 3:26 p.m. **Petty theft:** 5200 block of Creely Avenue. Theft from a motor vehicle occurred at 3:59 p.m. **Residential burglary and vandalism:** 600 block of S 52nd Street. A home was forcibly entered, and property damage valued at $400 or more occurred at 4:07 p.m. **Assault and residential burglary:** 1300 block of Monterey Street. An assault with a deadly weapon occurred, and a home was forcibly entered at 4:57 p.m. **Grand theft:** 2100 block of Meeker Avenue. Grand theft shoplifting was reported at 5:07 p.m. **DUI:** In the 94804 zip code. Police arrested someone on driving under the influence charges at 7:48 p.m. **Vehicular disappearing act:** 3000 block of O Brien Road. A vehicle was taken without consent at 8 p.m. **Multiple charges:** 1500 block of Oscar Street. Cruelty to a child with possible injury, a loaded firearm carried in public, harm of an elder or dependent adult, willful discharge of a firearm in a grossly negligent manner, and removal of firearm identification were discovered at 8:27 p.m. **Assault with a firearm:** 19th Street. An assault with a firearm on a person was reported at 10:53 p.m. ### **Wednesday, November 19** **Vandalism:** 600 block of Humboldt Street. A wireless communication device was damaged or destroyed at midnight. **Firearm discharge:** 1800 block of Chanslor Avenue. Someone shot at an inhabited dwelling, vehicle, or other structure at midnight. **Commercial burglary:** 1400 block of Marina Way South. A commercial property was entered at 12:46 a.m. **Vandalism:** 2900 block of Oxford Avenue. Property damage valued at $400 or more was reported at 1:58 a.m. **Vandalism:** 100 block of South 7th Street. Property was defaced at 2:06 a.m. **Impromptu test drive:** 1700 block of San Joaquin Street. A vehicle was stolen at 2:30 a.m. **Car redistribution:** 300 block of S 36th Street. A vehicle was taken without the owner’s consent at 2:30 a.m. **Drive now, ask never:** 4100 block of Ohio Avenue. A vehicle was stolen at 5:02 a.m. **Vandalism:** 3000 block of Research Drive. Property damage valued at $400 or more was reported at 6:30 a.m. **Residential burglary:** 1000 block of Trailside Drive. A home was forcibly entered at 7:11 a.m. **Battery:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. A battery on a person occurred at 7:24 a.m. **Battery:** In the 94801 zip code. A battery on a person was reported at 9:39 a.m. **Vandalism:** 1000 block of Pennsylvania Avenue. Property damage valued at $400 or more occurred at 9:49 a.m. **Parts theft:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. Theft of motor vehicle parts or accessories was reported at 12:15 p.m. **Trespassing:** 800 block of Marina Bay Parkway. Police arrested a trespasser at 1:11 p.m. **Domestic battery, contempt, and stalking:** 3100 block of Southampton Court. A report was made alleging domestic battery, a violation of a court order, and stalking at 1:45 p.m. **Trespassing:** 1000 block of Market Avenue. Trespassing was reported at 5:25 p.m. **Vandalism:** 5600 block of Panama Avenue. Property damage valued at $400 or more occurred at 6:53 p.m. **Domestic violence:** 900 block of 20th Street. Someone allegedly inflicted corporal injury on a spouse, cohabitant, or dating partner at 10 p.m. **False emergency report and hit-and-run:** 3300 block of Park Ridge Drive and intersection of 23rd Street and Roosevelt Avenue. Officers arrested someone after a false report of an emergency was filed, and a hit-and-run resulting in an injury occurred at 10:40 p.m. ### **Thursday, November 20** **Theft from vehicle:** 700 block of West Cutting Boulevard. Grand theft from a motor vehicle was reported at 7:11 a.m. **Grand theft:** 200 block of Harbour Way South. A theft occurred at 7:55 a.m. **Residential burglary:** 3000 block of Tulare Avenue. A home was entered without force at 8:10 a.m. **Vandalism:** 2600 block of San Mateo Street. Property was defaced at 9 a.m. **Vandalism and drug paraphernalia:** In the 94801 zip code. Police arrested someone on vandalism charges and also discovered unlawful paraphernalia at 10:57 a.m. **Petty theft:** 1400 block of Marina Way South. A theft was reported at 2:04 p.m. **Privacy invasion:** 600 block of 5th Street. Someone invaded privacy using an electronic tracking device at 2:09 p.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 2000 block of Factory Street. A stolen vehicle was recovered at 2:52 p.m. **Borrowed without asking:** 600 block of 23rd Street. A vehicle was taken without consent at 3:30 p.m. **Unscheduled vehicle relocation:** 1500 block of Nevin Plaza. Another vehicle was stolen at 4 p.m. **Elder abuse:** 900 block of View Drive. Police arrested someone on simple assault charges after receiving reports of cruelty and battery of an elderly or dependent adult at 4:10 p.m. **Commercial burglary:** 100 block of Ohio Avenue. A commercial property was forcibly entered at 4:34 p.m. **Child cruelty, domestic violence and assault:** 200 block of 1st Street. Police arrested someone on aggravated assault charges after receiving reports of cruelty on a child, domestic violence, and an assault with a deadly weapon at 5:04 p.m. **Battery:** 1100 block of 23rd Street. Two were arrested after an assault was reported at 5:52 p.m. **The vanishing sedan:** 3500 block of El Portal Drive. A vehicle was taken without the owner’s consent at 8:23 p.m. **Gone in 60 seconds:** 900 block of Humboldt Street. A vehicle was stolen at 9 p.m. **DUI:** 1400 block of Hilltop Mall Road. Police arrested someone on driving under the influence charges at 9:16 p.m. **Grand theft:** 2100 block of Meeker Avenue. Grand theft shoplifting was reported at 9:52 p.m. **Disorderly conduct:** 500 block of Ohio Avenue. Police arrested someone on drug or narcotic violations charges after responding to disorderly conduct involving alcohol at 11:39 p.m. **Sex crime:** 200 block of 1st Street. A sexual assault was reported at 11:41 p.m. ### Friday, November 21 **Domestic battery and deadly weapon display:** 500 block of Wine Street. Police picked up someone suspected of domestic violence and exhibiting a deadly weapon at 12:10 a.m. **Deadly weapon display:** 4200 block of Macdonald Avenue. Someone exhibited a deadly weapon other than a firearm at 2 a.m. **Vandalism:** 1500 block of Carlson Boulevard. Property damage valued at $400 or more was reported at 2:46 a.m. **Hot wheels:** 2700 block of Foothill Avenue. A vehicle was taken without consent at 8:35 a.m. **Drug possession:** 2300 block of Macdonald Avenue. Police arrested someone on drug violations charges after discovering marijuana for sale at 8:52 a.m. **Drug paraphernalia:** In the 94804 zip code. Police arrested someone on drug equipment violations charges after discovering unlawful paraphernalia at 10:55 a.m. **Counterfeiting:** 12200 block of San Pablo Avenue. Someone was found with counterfeit gold or silver coins at 11 a.m. **Battery:** 5100 block of Gately Avenue. A battery on a person occurred at 11:44 a.m. **Battery on school campus:** 3000 block of Hilltop Mall Road. An assault on a school campus was reported at 1:10 p.m. **Domestic violence:** 1700 block of Regatta Boulevard. An individual was arrested on aggravated assault charges following a reported incident of domestic violence at at 5:50 p.m. **Curb-side commandeering:** 100 block of 3rd Street. A vehicle was stolen at 8 p.m. **Criminal threats:** 1300 block of Monterey Street. Someone threatened a crime with the intent to terrorize at 8:51 p.m. ### Saturday, November 22 **Mystery road trip:** 800 block of Brookside Drive. A vehicle was taken without the owner’s consent at midnight. **Auto burglary:** 600 block of 31st Street. A vehicle was broken into at 2:30 a.m. **Fast and the Felonious:** 4600 block of Potrero Avenue. A vehicle was stolen at 2:38 a.m. **Extortion:** 800 block of Meadow View Drive. Extortion was reported at 2:42 a.m. **Assault:** 400 block of 46th Street. Assault with force causing possible great bodily injury occurred at 6:05 a.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 500 block of Castro Street. A stolen vehicle was recovered at 8:25 a.m. **DUI causing injury:** In the 94805 zip code. DUI alcohol causing bodily injury was reported at 11:39 a.m. **Domestic battery:** 2400 block of Lancaster Drive. A battery involving a spouse, ex-spouse, or dating partner was reported at 12:17 p.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 1300 block of 25th Street. A stolen vehicle was recovered at 1:28 p.m. **Identity fraud:** 1800 block of Roosevelt Avenue. Someone pretended to be another to get money at 2:57 p.m. **Commercial burglary:** 4000 block of Lakeside Drive. A commercial property was entered without force at 4:35 p.m. **Carjacking with firearm and assault:** In the 94804 zip code. A carjacking with a firearm and assault with a firearm on a person occurred at 6:11 p.m. **Fireworks Complaints:** Police received 11 separate calls reporting fireworks in multiple locations throughout the city. Reports came in from residents on Gilma Drive, Macdonald Avenue, Nevin Avenue, Park Ridge Drive, Visalia Avenue, Regents Court, Jo Ann Drive, 7th Street, Rheem Avenue, and 29th Street. All calls were received starting at approximately 10:58 p.m. Officers responded to the area to investigate. No arrests were reported. **Robbery and elder theft:** 1200 block of Macdonald Avenue. A strong-arm robbery and theft from a dependent adult was reported at 11:25 p.m. ### Sunday, November 23 **Firearm discharge:** In the 94804 zip code. A firearm was willfully discharged in a grossly negligent manner at 12:42 a.m. **Parking space surprise:** 400 block of Golden Gate Avenue. A vehicle was taken without the owner’s consent at 1:00 a.m. **Child abuse and domestic violence:** 700 block of Barrett Avenue. Someone reportedly inflicted injury upon a child and inflicted injury on a spouse at 1:12 a.m. **Credit card fraud:** 1000 block of S 47th Street. Theft by use of access card information was reported at 1:40 a.m. **DUI and restricted license violation:** Intersection of 23rd Street and Lincoln Avenue. Police found a driver under the influence of alcohol with a blood alcohol content of 0.08 percent or higher while their license was restricted for DUI at 2:04 a.m. **Child cruelty and domestic violence:** 300 block of South 18th Street. Someone else reportedly inflicted cruelty on a child and inflicted corporal injury on a spouse or dating partner at 5:39 a.m. **Disorderly conduct:** 2500 block of Macdonald Avenue. Disorderly conduct involving alcohol was reported at 12:44 p.m. **Domestic violence and child cruelty:** 100 block of 9th Street. Someone was said to have inflicted corporal injury on a spouse or dating partner and inflicted cruelty on a child at 1:20 p.m. **Drug conspiracy:** Intersection of Macdonald Avenue and 20th Street. Someone possessed marijuana for sale and conspired to commit a crime at 2:05 p.m. **Child cruelty and domestic battery:** 5200 block of Esmond Avenue. Even more reports of people inflicting cruelty on a child and battery against a spouse, ex-spouse, or dating partner at 2:40 p.m. **Domestic violence court order violation:** 13200 block of San Pablo Avenue. Someone reportedly violated a court order to prevent domestic violence at 2:46 p.m. **Assault:** 1000 block of Cutting Boulevard. An assault with a deadly weapon occurred at 3:09 p.m. **Credit card fraud:** 1500 block of Carlson Boulevard. Theft by use of access card information was reported at 3:41 p.m. **Hit-and-run:** Intersection of 23rd Street and Macdonald Avenue. A hit-and-run resulting in injury occurred at 8:36 p.m. **DUI:** Unspecified location in the 94804 zip code. Someone drove under the influence of alcohol with a blood alcohol content of 0.08 percent or higher at 8:36 p.m. **Vandalism:** 500 block of 19th Street. Property damage valued at $400 or more was reported at 10:00 p.m. **Arson:** Unspecified location in the 94801 zip code. More property was set on fire at 10:22 p.m. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### New beacons, striping, and crosswalks coming to Richmond intersections URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/new-beacons-striping-and-crosswalks-coming-to-richmond-intersections/ Last updated: 2025-11-23T19:19:37.000Z Richmond is proceeding with several traffic calming projects as construction crews prepare upgrades at intersections across the city, according to the latest city manager report. The work is part of a package of eighteen traffic calming locations approved earlier this year. The city’s contractor, Saint Francis Electric, is preparing updated striping and other improvements at two of the four remaining sites in the package. Construction is expected to begin soon and finish in December 2025. At 15th Street and Macdonald Avenue, workers will install Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons on all four sides of the intersection. The city says the beacons are intended to make people walking and bicycling more visible as they cross. Striping upgrades will also be completed as part of the project. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/11/macdonald-avenue-15th-street.richmond-1-1.webp) The 15th Street and Macdonald Avenue intersection, where crews will install Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons on all four approaches to improve pedestrian visibility and safety. Photo/ Soren Hemmila At 37th Street and Wall Avenue, the contractor will add upgraded crosswalks, new bike lane striping, and median infrastructure designed to improve alignment and increase visibility. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/11/37th-Street--Wall-Avenue-1-1-1.webp) The intersection of 37th Street and Wall Avenue, where upcoming upgrades will add new crosswalks, bike-lane striping, and median improvements aimed at boosting visibility and safer alignment. Photo/ Linda Hemmila Another project on Solano Avenue and Lassen Street is nearing completion. The city reports that work at the crosswalk is about 85 percent complete after Yerba Buena Engineering installed a high-visibility continental-style crosswalk, fluorescent pedestrian crossing signs, and traffic calming delineators to highlight the crossing and encourage drivers to reduce speed. The latest work follows a year of traffic safety efforts that included a quick-build roundabout at Barrett Avenue and Key Boulevard, as well as a series of proposals from city officials to address speeding, sideshows, and frequent pedestrian safety concerns. [Close encounters of the traffic kindThey’re back. The field of flexible traffic poles have returned to the Barrett Avenue and Key Boulevard sideshow deterrence pilot project last week. Last month, city contractors installed a surface-mounted curb system, high-visibility continental crosswalks, bikeway striping, a red curb, and refreshed turn and stop indicators in the East![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--155.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/barrett-key-sideshow-deterrence-1-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/close-encounters-of-the-traffic-kind/) --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Eight Great Things to do in Richmond URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/eight-great-things-to-do-in-richmond-23/ Last updated: 2025-11-21T21:27:25.000Z With 30-plus miles of shoreline, two yacht clubs, endless hiking and cycling trails, and a host of eateries and art galleries, Richmond has a lot to offer. Each week, *Grandview* highlights the best, not-to-be-missed events and offerings from around the city. This week, Richmond residents can enjoy holiday arts and crafts at Point Richmond's annual Holiday Faire, Star gaze with the East Bay Astronomy Society at Miller-Knox Park, a host of live music events, and on Thanksgiving, The Point Richmond Annual Turkey Shoot is sure to liven things up! # Holiday Faire @AOPR ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/11/AOPR-holiday-fair-flier-2025.jpg) **November 22, 2025, 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.** Point Richmond Community Center A fun annual holiday sale of arts & crafts! Bring the entire family and get a start on your holiday shopping! Jewelry, fused glass, textiles, art, and more! **Point Richmond Community Center, 139 Washington Ave, Point Richmond, CA 94801** # Closing Reception & Art Pickup "Around Town" @ Point Richmond Gallery ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/11/Screenshot-2025-11-21-at-9.46.28-AM.png) **November 22, 2025, 2 p.m. – 5 p.m. Point Richmond Gallery** Last chance to see artwork celebrating local personalities! **Point Richmond Gallery, 145 W Richmond Ave., Point Richmond, CA** # Live music from The Strange Angels @Windchaser Wine Co. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/11/Screenshot-2025-11-21-at-8.46.12-AM.png) **Windchaser this Sunday, 11/23, 2-6** Don't sleep on this party! One of the bay's best blues bands, some damn fine locally made wine, and all the pizza and oysters you could ever want! Come on down to **1352 S 49th St, Richmond, California 94804** ## The Real John Gary @ Sailing Goat Restaurant ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/11/Screenshot-2025-11-21-at-8.52.50-AM.png) **November 23, 2025, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.** "The Real John Gary" offers us an impressive debut album in the world of folk rock and alt-country. A musical reflection of his life on a farm, searching for love, and finding a home, Goodbye Home is intriguing, relatable, and impressive in both its lyrical honesty and musical technicality. Reminiscent of the late great John Prine, Clinard’s lyrics are poetic in their blunt simplicity and sprinkled with progressive politicism ranging from subtly quiet to obviously loud. Clinard’s rough vocals and twangy string-pluckin’ in Goodbye Home plays like a country funeral song in mourning of stability. His lyrics “can’t get work, and that’s the start of my trouble,” are timelessly relatable but hit particularly hard in the context of a global pandemic. Almost anyone anywhere could blast this track in their kitchen and suddenly become a drummer, grabbing a wooden spoon and beating the shit out of some pots and pans for all that’s been lost in their world. While listening to his vocals, I sometimes hear glimpses of the grief and grit of Jeff Mangum of Neutral Milk Hotel, but Clinard’s voice is distinctly his, as is his clean-while-still-somehow-messy-sometimes-even-violent-sounding guitar playing." - Claire Winzenburg [https://therealjohngary.com/](https://therealjohngary.com/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) **Sailing Goat at Point San Pablo Harbor, 1900 Stenmark Dr, Richmond, CA 94801, USA** # Live Music @The Backyard with DJ Califia & Red Kicks Krewe ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/11/Screenshot-2025-11-21-at-9.27.00-AM.png) # **Sunday, November 23, 2025, 12 p.m. 4 p.m.** Step back in time and groove to the nostalgic beats with DJ Califia & Red Kicks Krewe at The Backyard! 🎶 Join us Sunday, November 23rd from 12pm-4pm! 💿🎧 Let DJ Califia take you on a musical journey through the decades, spinning classics that will have you dancing all day long. 🕺💃 Indulge in delicious Backyard treats and local beer and wine, as you relive the magic of past eras. 🍹 Don't miss out on this retro celebration – gather your crew and join us for an unforgettable day of music, memories, and good vibes! 🌟🎉 **The Backyard 205 Cutting Boulevard Richmond, CA** [**(map)**](http://maps.google.com/?q=205%20Cutting%20Boulevard%20Richmond,%20CA,%2094804%20United%20States&ref=grandviewindependent.com) ## Stargazing & Astronomy @ Miller/Knox Regional Shoreline ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/11/Screenshot-2025-11-21-at-10.14.14-AM.png) **Monday, November 24, 2025 6 p.m. - 7 p.m.** The Richmond Public Library and East Bay Astronomical Society are providing an evening of stargazing and astronomy! The sun sets at 5:00 p.m. Families are encouraged to dress warmly for the outdoors and bring their own blanket, chairs, and flashlights as they wait their turn to use the telescopes. We will be meeting in the parking lot across the street from the Golden State Model Railroad Museum. **900 Dornan Drive, Richmond, CA** ## Duane Patton & Mikelle Morgan @The Factory Bar ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/11/Screenshot-2025-11-21-at-10.20.41-AM.png) **November 27, 6-8 p.m.** **Duane Patton & Mikelle Morgan** will be bringing their big energy and smooth sounds to the Factory Bar. **Duane Patton** \- Entertainer, Singer, Songwriter, & Musician. (known from his background vocals multi-platinum album “Short Dog’s In The House The Ghetto) **Mikelle Morgan -** is a musician with an album released in 2012. **The Factory Bar** [**(map)**](http://maps.google.com/?q=12513%20San%20Pablo%20Avenue%20Richmond,%20CA,%2094805%20United%20States&ref=grandviewindependent.com) **12513 San Pablo Avenue** ## **Turkey Shoot @**Point Richmond ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/11/turkey.png) **Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 10:30 a.m.** The Annual Point Richmond Turkey Shoot Meet in front of the Plunge. **1 E Richmond Ave., Richmond, CA 94801** --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Renewable fuels company brings new technology to Richmond URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/renewable-fuels-company-brings-new-technology-to-richmond/ Last updated: 2026-06-19T20:12:23.000Z Raven SR Inc., a renewable fuels company specializing in producing clean hydrogen from waste, has cleared the hurdles to construct a facility in Richmond that will convert organic waste into renewable hydrogen. The facility, located at the West Contra Costa Sanitary Landfill, plans to process up to 99 wet tons of organic waste per day, producing approximately 2,400 metric tons of renewable hydrogen annually. Hydrogen will be collected and supplied to regional fueling stations serving passenger and commercial fuel cell vehicles, according to the company, which says hydrogen will not be stored on-site. The company's technology utilizes a non-combustion, non-catalytic thermal, chemical-reductive process that converts organic waste and landfill gas into hydrogen and Fischer-Tropsch synthetic fuels. Differing from other hydrogen production technologies, its Steam/CO2 Reformation does not require fresh water as a feedstock and uses less than half the energy of electrolysis. The process is more efficient than conventional hydrogen production and can deliver fuel with low to negative carbon intensity. Matt Murdock, CEO of Raven SR, said the new facility will demonstrate that it can convert waste that would otherwise emit methane into clean hydrogen without combustion or toxic emissions. “At a time when many hydrogen projects have stalled or been cancelled, Raven SR’s Richmond facility will stand as proof that innovation and persistence still win,” Murdock said. Chevron New Energies is collaborating on the project, working alongside Raven SR to help bring renewable energy to Richmond. Chevron spokesperson Caitlin Powell told *Grandview* that Chevron is delivering the energy a growing world needs today, while building the global energy system of tomorrow. "We are investing in innovative projects and technology start-ups that can lower the cost and carbon intensity of hydrogen production and delivery, such as the waste-to-hydrogen production facility here in Richmond with Raven SR," Powell said. Richmond Mayor Eduardo Martinez said the project reflects the type of investment and perseverance needed to achieve both Richmond’s and California's clean-air and decarbonization goals. “California and the City of Richmond are leading the transition to a clean hydrogen economy, and projects like Raven SR’s demonstrate how innovation can turn waste challenges into clean-energy and workforce opportunities,” Martinez said. Raven says its goal is to generate as much of its own power on-site as possible to help reduce reliance on and become independent of the grid. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Fire breaks out along Greenway, sending smoke into neighborhood URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/fire-breaks-out-along-greenway-sending-smoke-into-neighborhood/ Last updated: 2025-11-19T19:03:40.000Z A small fire broke out along the Richmond Greenway on Wednesday morning, sending clouds of smoke across San Pablo Avenue, into the Target Shopping Center on Macdonald Avenue, and around the neighborhood. Richmond Fire Department was on the scene by 10:15 a.m., working to control the small blaze as concerned onlookers gathered. This section of the Richmond Greenway has seen frequent fires over the last several years and continues to attract campers and refuse. *This is a developing story; check back for updates.* ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/11/IMG_2988.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/11/IMG_2984-1-1.jpg) --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond Police investigate early-morning fatal shooting on Bissell Avenue URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-police-investigate-early-morning-fatal-shooting-on-bissell-avenue/ Last updated: 2025-11-18T23:53:43.000Z Richmond police are investigating a fatal shooting early Monday in the 1400 block of Bissell Avenue, the city’s second deadly shooting in nine days. Richmond police identified the victim as 23-year-old Josue Cornejo of Richmond. At approximately 5:55 a.m. on November 17, the Richmond Police Department Communications Center received a ShotSpotter gunshot detection alert in that area. Simultaneously, multiple callers reported hearing gunfire, officials said. Responding officers located an adult male suffering at least one gunshot wound. Despite lifesaving efforts, the victim was pronounced dead at the scene. Richmond’s Homicide Detectives have taken over the investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Farr at (510) 620-6622. This latest killing follows a violent weekend in Richmond: on November 8, 20-year-old Griffin Hammond was fatally shot near Carlson Boulevard and Potrero Avenue. The Contra Costa County Coroner identified Hammond this week; police also said a second person was wounded in that incident. That shooting was reported as Richmond’s third homicide of 2025. [Coroner identifies 20-year-old Richmond man killed in weekend shootingA man killed in a Richmond shooting last weekend has been identified as 20-year-old Griffin Hammond of Richmond, officials said Wednesday. Police responded around 8:09 p.m. Saturday to multiple reports of gunfire near Potrero Avenue and Carlson Boulevard, according to the Richmond Police Department. Officers found Hammond suffering![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--154.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-ca-fatal-shooting-griffin-hammond-identified-november-2025-1-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/coroner-identifies-20-year-old-richmond-man-killed-in-weekend-shooting/) [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### What happened in Richmond: thefts, burglaries and assaults URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/what-happened-in-richmond-thefts-burglaries-and-assaults/ Last updated: 2025-11-17T16:44:37.000Z Car-napping season arrived in force across Richmond, where police recorded dozens of vehicle thefts, break-ins, and recoveries from November 10 to 16, alongside a steady mix of burglaries, assaults, and domestic violence calls. ### Richmond crime incidents *A map shows the locations of police-reported incidents across Richmond during the week of November 10-16, 2025.* ## Monday, November 10 **Commercial burglary:** 11900 block of San Pablo Avenue. A commercial property was entered without force at 2:03 a.m. **Threatening phone call:** 3500 block of El Portal Drive, El Sobrante. An obscene or threatening telephone call was reported at 4:00 a.m. **Auto burglary:** 100 block of S 11th Street. Officers arrested a suspect on destruction of property charges after a vehicle was broken into at 5:51 a.m. **Hot wheels and recovery:** 1000 block of Carlson Boulevard. A vehicle was taken without the owner’s consent and recovered at 6:08 a.m. **Domestic violence and assault:** A person reportedly inflicted bodily injury on a spouse, cohabitant, or dating partner and is alleged to have used force that could cause serious injury at 7 a.m. **Gone in 60 seconds:** 2700 block of East Court. A vehicle was stolen at 7:36 a.m. **Elder theft:** 3800 block of Lakeside Drive. A caretaker reportedly stole from an elder or dependent adult at 9:39 a.m. **Vandalism:** 400 block of 18th Street. Property damage valued at $400 or more was reported at 9:50 a.m. **Child abuse:** 1200 block of Virginia Avenue. Officers made arrests for aggravated assault after someone allegedly inflicted injury upon a child at 2:49 p.m. **Grand theft:** In the 94804 zip code. A theft was reported at 3:19 p.m. **Auto burglary:** 100 block of S 11th Street. A vehicle was broken into at 6:04 p.m. **Revenge porn:** 5200 block of Burlingame Avenue. Officers arrested a suspected peeping tom after intimate images were distributed at 6:26 p.m. **Kidnapping:** In the 94804 zip code. A kidnapping was reported at 7 p.m. **Petty theft:** 400 block of S 23rd Street. A theft was reported at 7 p.m. **False identification:** In the 94801 zip code. Officers arrested someone for impersonation after false identification was given to a peace officer at 7:59 p.m. **Robbery:** In the 94804 zip code. A strong-arm robbery occurred at 8:30 p.m. **Driving without license:** In the 94804 zip code. Someone drove without a license at 11:10 p.m. ## Tuesday, November 11 **Vandalism and residential burglary:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. Property was damaged, and a home was forcibly entered at 9:30 a.m. **Grand theft:** 900 block of Humboldt Street. A theft was reported at 10 a.m. **Vandalism:** In the 94805 zip code. Property damage valued at $400 or more occurred at 10 a.m. **Fraud:** 3000 block of Hilltop Mall Road. Someone reportedly obtained in excess of $400 by false pretenses at 11:02 a.m. **Assault:** 2300 block of Humphrey Avenue. Officers arrested a suspect after an assault with a deadly weapon was reported at 12:44 p.m. **Embezzlement:** 1300 block of Macdonald Avenue. Embezzlement of $950 or more was reported at 1 p.m. **Domestic violence and drug possession:** 800 block of Griffin Drive. Officers arrested a person who reportedly inflicted bodily injury on a spouse, cohabitant, or dating partner and was found in possession of controlled substances at 1:29 p.m. **Assault:** 4800 block of Central Avenue. It was reported, an assault with a deadly weapon occurred at 2:47 p.m. **Auto theft:** 5200 block of Creely Avenue. A vehicle was taken without consent at 5 p.m. **Vandalism:** 800 block of Carlson Boulevard. Property was defaced at 5:30 p.m. **Domestic battery:** 200 block of South 23rd Street. Officers arrested an individual on simple assault charges after responding to a battery involving a spouse, ex-spouse, or dating partner at 6:01 p.m. **Drug possession for sale:** In the 94801 zip code. Officers picked up someone on drug violations after reportedly discovering controlled substances for sale at 6:11 p.m. **Purse snatching:** 3300 block of Waller Avenue. A purse was snatched in a grand theft at 6:47 p.m. **False emergency report:** 1000 block of Lassen Street. Officers arrested someone for allegedly filing a false report of an emergency at 6:54 p.m. **Auto theft:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. A vehicle was stolen at 7 p.m. **Robbery:** 4500 block of Macdonald Avenue. A strong-arm robbery occurred at 8 p.m. **Petty theft:** 3100 block of Clinton Avenue. A theft was reported at 8:39 p.m. **Sexual assault:** 2800 block of Rheem Avenue. Police reported a person who was unable to give consent was sexually assaulted at 10 p.m. **Domestic violence:** 200 block of 15th Street. Someone was arrested on aggravated assault charges after allegedly inflicting corporal injury on a spouse, cohabitant, or dating partner at 11:21 p.m. ## Wednesday, November 12 **Commercial burglary:** 12800 block of San Pablo Avenue. A commercial property was entered without force at 3:03 a.m. **Auto theft:** 200 block of Freethy Boulevard. A vehicle was taken without the owner’s consent at 6:15 a.m. **Resisting arrest:** 300 block of Summit Place. Someone obstructed or resisted a public officer at 7:09 a.m. [Early morning fire damages vacant Macdonald Avenue Walgreens buildingA vacant Walgreens building on Macdonald Avenue caught fire early Wednesday morning, sending Richmond firefighters into action before dawn. Richmond firefighters were dispatched just before 2:30 a.m. to the 1200 block of Macdonald Avenue, where smoke and flames were seen coming from the roofline of the old pharmacy,![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--153.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-fire-vacant-walgreens-macdonald-avenue-november-12-2025.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/early-morning-fire-damages-vacant-macdonald-avenue-walgreens-building/) **Trespassing:** 200 block of Harbour Way. Someone refused to leave a posted land and was arrested at 9:01 a.m. **Battery:** 1300 block of Burbeck Avenue. A battery on a person occurred at 11:45 a.m. **Warrant arrest:** 1700 block of Regatta Boulevard. Officers picked up someone with an outstanding misdemeanor warrant at 1:40 p.m. **Residential burglary:** 600 block of Pennsylvania Avenue. A home was reportedly forcibly entered at 5 p.m. **Protective order violation:** 800 block of Lassen Street. Officers arrested someone on charges of violating a domestic violence protective order with prior violations at 5:35 p.m. **Drug distribution:** In the 94804 zip code. A person sold, gave, transported, or otherwise distributed marijuana at 7:55 p.m. **Auto theft:** 100 block of S 41st Street. A vehicle was taken without consent at 8:30 p.m. **Battery:** 700 block of 5th Street. A battery on a person was reported at 8:33 p.m. **Battery:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. A battery on a person was reported at 10:14 p.m. **Auto theft:** 4000 block of Florida Avenue. A vehicle was stolen at 10:15 p.m. **Elder abuse and false imprisonment:** 200 block of S 20th Street. Cruelty toward an elder or dependent adult and false imprisonment with violence was reported at 11:21 p.m. ## Thursday, November 13 **Nuisance 911 calls:** 100 block of 16th Street. Annoying calls to 911 led to an arrest at 5:49 a.m. **Vandalism, auto burglary, and drug paraphernalia:** 100 block of S 11th Street. Officers made arrests for destruction of property after a vehicle was broken into, property damage valued at $400 or more occurred, and unlawful paraphernalia was discovered at the police station at 5:51 a.m. **Commercial burglary:** 3400 block of Macdonald Avenue. A commercial property was forcibly entered at 7:01 a.m. **Deadly weapon display and threats:** 100 block of South 3rd Street. Someone exhibited a deadly weapon and threatened to commit a crime with the intent to terrorize at 7:19 a.m. **Vehicle embezzlement:** 3000 block of Hilltop Mall Road. A leased or rented vehicle was embezzled at 8:36 a.m. **DUI:** In the 94805 zip code. A driver was arrested for being under the influence at 9:13 a.m. **Trespassing and drug possession:** 2400 block of Rheem Avenue. Officers made arrests for trespassing and possessing controlled substances at 9:34 a.m. **Auto burglary:** 500 block of 3rd Street. A vehicle was broken into at 9:40 a.m. **Grand theft:** 800 block of Parr Boulevard. A theft was reported at 9:50 a.m. **Vandalism:** In the 94801 zip code. Property was defaced at 10:56 a.m. **Domestic violence:** 1200 block of Cutting Boulevard. Someone reportedly inflicted corporal injury on a spouse, cohabitant, or dating partner at 11:33 a.m. **Robbery and residential burglary:** 3600 block of Cutting Boulevard. A first-degree robbery in an inhabited dwelling and residential burglary with force occurred at 11:35 a.m. **Auto theft:** 2200 block of Roosevelt Avenue. A vehicle was taken without the owner’s consent at 11:37 a.m. **Vandalism:** 800 block of 23rd Street. Property damage valued at $400 or more was reported at 11:57 a.m. **Parts theft:** 1400 block of Harbour Way South. Theft of motor vehicle parts or accessories was reported at 4:38 p.m. **Shoplifting:** 3600 block of Klose Way. Police received word of a shoplifter at 5 p.m. **Domestic violence:** 1200 block of York Street. Someone reportedly inflicted corporal injury on a spouse, cohabitant, or dating partner at 5:13 p.m. **Auto theft:** 4200 block of Taft Avenue. A vehicle was stolen at 6 p.m. **Threatening phone call:** 2100 block of Meeker Avenue. An obscene or threatening telephone call was reported at 7:21 p.m. **Petty theft:** 700 block of 23rd Street. Someone reported a theft at 7:22 p.m. ## Friday, November 14 **Vandalism:** 200 block of S 44th Street. Property damage valued at $400 or more was reported at midnight. **Arson:** 5200 block of Columbia Avenue. Property was set on fire at 2:10 a.m. **Domestic battery:** 3600 block of Waller Avenue. A battery involving a spouse, ex-spouse or dating partner was reported at 3 a.m. **Arson:** 1300 block of Garvin Avenue. More property was set on fire at 5:59 a.m. **Criminal threats:** 3600 block of Waller Avenue. Someone threatened a crime with the intent to terrorize at 1 p.m. **Grand theft:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. A theft was reported at 1:05 p.m. **Suspended license:** In the 94801 zip code. A person drove while their license was suspended for DUI at 2:55 p.m. **Residential burglary:** 5300 block of Zara Avenue. A home was entered without force at 3:24 p.m. **Firearm display:** In the 94804 zip code. Someone exhibited a firearm at 3:52 p.m. **Auto theft:** 1700 block of San Joaquin Street. A vehicle was taken without consent at 4:05 p.m. **Resisting arrest:** In the 94801 zip code. Someone obstructed or resisted a public officer at 4:29 p.m. **Auto theft:** 1400 block of Harbour Way South. A vehicle was stolen at 4:45 p.m. **Auto burglary:** In the 94804 zip code. A vehicle was broken into at 5:35 p.m. **Domestic battery:** 2300 block of Aberdeen Way. Officers arrested a person for simple assault after responding to reports of battery at 6:05 p.m. **Domestic violence and child cruelty:** 600 block of S 29th Street. Someone reportedly inflicted corporal injury on a spouse or girlfriend with prior violations and willfully inflicted cruelty on a child at 6:56 p.m. **Auto theft:** 1400 block of Harbour Way South. A vehicle was taken without the owner’s consent at 7:30 p.m. **Auto burglary:** 1200 block of Macdonald Avenue. A vehicle was broken into at 7:40 p.m. **DUI:** 700 block of 36th Street. Officers arrested a person for driving under the influence at 11:36 p.m. ## Saturday, November 15 **Auto theft:** In the 94804 zip code. A vehicle was taken without the owner’s consent at 7 a.m. **Child cruelty and domestic battery:** Unknown location. Officers made arrests for simple assault after someone allegedly willfully inflicted cruelty on a child and committed battery against a spouse, ex-spouse or dating partner at 7:14 a.m. **Auto theft:** 1600 block of Burbeck Avenue. Another vehicle was lost to the night at 8:21 a.m. **Grand theft:** 2400 block of Lancaster Drive. A theft was reported at 10 a.m. **Aggravated assault:** 12900 block of San Pablo Avenue. A battery with serious bodily injury was reported at 11:35 a.m. **Domestic violence and threats:** 1700 block of Gaynor Avenue. Someone was said to have inflicted corporal injury on a spouse, cohabitant, or dating partner and threatened a crime with intent to terrorize at 3:31 p.m. **Noise disturbance:** 300 block of 33rd Street. Someone disturbed the peace with loud or unreasonable noise at 5 p.m. ## Sunday, November 16 **Domestic battery:** 2600 block of Hinkley Avenue. A battery involving a spouse, ex-spouse, or dating partner was reported at 1:20 a.m. **The great unparking:** 600 block of 4th Street. A vehicle was taken without consent at 2:30 a.m. “The great unparking” **DUI:** 2300 block of Macdonald Avenue. Officers made an arrest for driving under the influence at 2:39 a.m. **Hot wheels:** 1900 block of Burbeck Avenue. A vehicle was stolen at 5:28 a.m. **Drug paraphernalia:** Unspecified location in the 94801 zip code. Unlawful paraphernalia was discovered at 8:12 a.m. **Auto theft:** 400 block of 35th Street. A vehicle was taken on an extended unauthorized test drive at 8:45 a.m. **Child cruelty and domestic battery:** 2400 block of Lancaster Drive. Someone reportedly inflicted cruelty on a child and committed battery against a spouse, ex-spouse, or dating partner at 10 a.m. **Auto burglary:** 1500 block of Roosevelt Avenue. A vehicle was broken into at 11:31 a.m. **Grand theft and auto theft:** 5500 block of McBryde Avenue and 600 block of 37th Street. A theft was reported, and a vehicle was stolen at 12:43 p.m. **Protective order violation:** 800 block of Lassen Street. Police picked up someone for allegedly violating a domestic violence protective order with prior violations at 1:40 p.m. **Residential burglary:** 2400 block of Aberdeen Way. A home was entered without force at 4:33 p.m. **Domestic battery:** 300 block of Civic Center Plaza. A battery involving a spouse, ex-spouse, or dating partner was reported at 5:58 p.m. **Spontaneous vehicle adoption:** 200 block of 6th Street. A vehicle was taken without consent at 7:08 p.m. **Involuntary car-sharing economy:** 2000 block of Lincoln Avenue. A vehicle was stolen at 9:17 p.m. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### On the agenda: Richmond council to weigh police transparency rules, $12 million in contracts URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-agenda-richmond-council-to-weigh-police-transparency-rules-12-million-in-contracts/ Last updated: 2025-11-15T16:54:00.000Z The [Richmond City Council](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx?Id=5e225c63-1db2-4d96-8151-8c00456c9b18&Agenda=Agenda&lang=English&ref=grandviewindependent.com) will consider new policies on Tuesday requiring faster public updates after police shootings, approve roughly $12 million in construction and legal contracts, and advance a $1.5 million initiative to address systemic inequities facing the city's Black residents. ### [New policies for police shooting transparency, mental health services](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59587&ref=grandviewindependent.com) City officials will ask the City Council to adopt new policies on how they communicate with the public after police shootings and to approve plans for a comprehensive review of mental health services. Under the proposed changes, the Richmond Police Department would be required to issue initial press releases within 24 hours of officer-involved shootings and provide updates at least every 30 days, even when investigations show no new developments, according to a staff report. [Council approves new policy for officer-involved shooting communications, adjusts meeting scheduleThe Richmond City Council meeting on Tuesday, September 23, considered two major decisions: one regarding how the city communicates with the public following officer-involved shootings, and another concerning the schedule and timing of its regular meetings. The most heated discussion of the night centered on a proposal to create rules![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--150.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-city-council-meeting-2-1-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/council-approves-new-policy-for-officer-involved-shooting-communications-adjusts-meeting-schedule/) The changes, outlined in proposed revisions to two department policies, aim to improve transparency and ensure affected families and community members receive timely information about critical incidents. "When a serious incident occurs — such as an officer-involved shooting or an in-custody death—the public expects clear, timely, and accurate information," City Manager Shasa Curl wrote in the report. Initial press releases would identify all agencies conducting investigations, explain the sequence of those probes, and direct people to the Community Police Review Commission. The releases would also explain how to access body-worn camera footage under California's Assembly Bill 748 and how those directly affected can obtain support services. [Richmond Police address shooting at press conferenceAt a press conference Monday, Richmond Police Chief Bisa French said 27-year-old Angel Magallan Montaño was fatally shot by officers last week after he advanced rapidly toward them while holding knives in both hands. French read from a prepared statement describing the officer-involved shooting on August 4 that killed Montaño![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--151.png)Grandview IndependentLinda Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-08-11-at-2.16.54-PM-1-1-1-1-3.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-police-address-shooting-at-press-conference/) Body-worn camera footage from shootings would be released in accordance with state law, with only edits or redactions necessary to protect privacy and safety. The Richmond Police Officers Association has raised concerns about the policy changes, and the city expects to hold impact discussions with the union. Separately, city staff will hire consultants to assess mental health services available to Richmond residents. The six-month study will inventory existing services, identify gaps in coverage, and recommend strategies to improve access to care, particularly for underserved populations and people in crisis. --- ### [Police ask council for $350K radios, defend full encryption](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59592&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The Richmond Police Department is requesting City Council approval to purchase up to 45 additional encrypted Motorola radios for an amount not to exceed $350,000, including a 7.5 percent contingency. The radios will be used to outfit additional patrol vehicles, motorcycles, and equipment for new police officers. The purchase comes as the department defends its decision to fully encrypt radio communications, a move that has drawn scrutiny over public access to real-time police information. [Richmond council delays police radio purchase amid public access debateThe Richmond City Council on Tuesday night deferred final approval of a $350,000 purchase of encrypted police radios after councilmembers and residents pressed for a fuller public briefing about the department’s recent move to encrypt dispatch channels. The agenda item would have authorized the purchase of 35 mobile![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--149.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-city-council-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-council-delays-police-radio-purchase-amid-public-access-debate/) [Richmond police encrypt radios, ending scanner accessFor years, the Grandview Independent monitored Richmond in real time through police scanners. Reports of shootings, police chases, and helicopters circling offered details on street closures and police activity. The scanners are now offline, removing that immediate source of information for journalists and residents. The Richmond Police Department is joining![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--148.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-police-dispatch1-1-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-police-encrypt-radios-ending-scanner-access/) --- ## On the consent calendar: $12 million in contracts, community programs ### [Black resiliency project](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59609&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The city is moving forward with its Black Resiliency Project and Fund, a $1.5 million initiative approved in June to address systemic inequities facing Richmond's Black residents. City staff are developing a request for proposals to hire a consultant who will produce a "State of Black Richmond" report compiling data on conditions affecting the city's Black community. An 11-member Community Advisory Committee will be appointed through an open application process to help guide the project, with details expected to be posted on the [city's website later this month.](https://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/4921/Black-Resiliency-Project?ref=grandviewindependent.com) [On the agenda: Richmond council proposes $1.5 million Black Resiliency FundThe Richmond City Council will address a wide range of community issues at its June 17 meeting, from the Harbour 8 Park Expansion Project to historic preservation, and an initiative aimed at addressing racial disparities. Three Richmond City Council members are proposing a $1.5 million initiative to address racial![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--152.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/civic-1.jpg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-agenda-richmond-council-proposes-1-5-million-black-resiliency-fund/) Mayor Eduardo Martinez and Councilmember Doria Robinson comprise an ad hoc committee formed in October to oversee the initiative. The committee held its first meeting November 6 and aims to finalize implementation guidelines by April 30, 2026\. The fund will support grant programs for community organizations once the State of Black Richmond report is completed. --- The Richmond City Council will also consider more than a dozen routine items on its consent calendar, including approximately $12 million in contracts for construction, legal services, and public infrastructure. The largest expenditure involves [$9 million in contracts ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59539&ref=grandviewindependent.com)with six general contractors, ATI Restoration, Bay Hawk, Marinship Development Interest, SDM Construction, Surf to Snow Environmental Resource Management and Yerba Buena Engineering and Construction for three years of building and fixing whatever breaks down in this town. The council will also authorize up to $500,000 per firm for five companies to provide [on-call civil and land development plan check](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59565&ref=grandviewindependent.com) services through 2028, totaling $2.5 million. The lawyers at Orbach Huff & Henderson are getting $400,000 to handle the[ tort cases and police lawsuits. ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59554&ref=grandviewindependent.com)Meanwhile, Infilla's picking up another [$125,000 to build some software ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59535&ref=grandviewindependent.com)so people can figure out the zoning code. At Public Works, they're converting [utility bill data for $30,000](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59549&ref=grandviewindependent.com) and grabbing $180,000 in Measure J money from the county to [fix up sidewalks.](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59569&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The [Booker T. Anderson Community Center ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59585&ref=grandviewindependent.com)is finally done after the fire restoration, and they're letting the [school district use it for free](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59609&ref=grandviewindependent.com) for an afterschool program. --- ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/11/Mond-An-ex-Christopher-Peterson.webp) Artist Christopher Peterson is donating a painting called "Mond An-ex" to the city collection. It's all routine until it isn't, and Tuesday night they'll vote it through in one motion if nobody objects. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Eight Great Things to do in Richmond URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/eight-great-things-to-do-in-richmond-22/ Last updated: 2025-11-15T01:12:15.000Z With 30-plus miles of shoreline, two yacht clubs, endless hiking and cycling trails, and a host of eateries and art galleries, Richmond has a lot to offer. Each week, *Grandview* highlights the best, not-to-be-missed events and offerings from around the city. This week's best of Richmond events include a Doggie Disco Fundraiser, a holiday pop-up art show, live music, and the opening of a new play at Point Richmond's Masquers Playhouse. ## **CATCH ME IF YOU CAN** @Masquers Playhouse ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/11/Screenshot-2025-11-14-at-4.07.52-PM.png) **Directed by Enrico Banson, November 14 – December 7** Based on the hit film and the incredible true story, *Catch Me If You Can* is the high-flying musical comedy about chasing your dreams and not getting caught. Nominated for four Tony awards, including Best Musical, this delightfully entertaining show was created by a Tony Award-winning “dream team,” with book by Terrence McNally (*The Full Monty*, *Ragtime*) and a swinging score by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman (*Hairspray*). Seeking fame and fortune, precocious teenager, Frank Abagnale, Jr., runs away from home to begin an unforgettable adventure. With nothing more than his boyish charm, a big imagination, and millions of dollars in forged checks, Frank successfully poses as a pilot, a doctor, and a lawyer – living the high life and winning the girl of his dreams. When Frank’s lies catch the attention of FBI agent Carl Hanratty, though, Carl pursues Frank across the country to make him pay for his crimes. **Masquers Playhouse Richmond, CA 94807 | 510-232-3888** [ **info@masquers.org**](mailto:info@masquers.org) ## Johnny Burgin @Windchaser Wine Co. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/11/Screenshot-2025-11-14-at-4.31.06-PM.png) **Saturday, November 15, 3 p.m. - 6 p.m.** Johnny Burgin will be performing a special set of sensational blues backed by local legends Up Jumped the Devil. Wine will flow, guitars will cry, and feet will tap. Be here! **1352 S 49th St, Richmond, California 94804** [**www.windchaserwine.com**](https://l.instagram.com/?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.windchaserwine.com%2F%3Ffbclid%3DPAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGnpxW8MH8HDCKMHq1vOw11oDjwp1rgWkDp3MUzCVpTNHSideQ8V8snvw9naAU%5Faem%5FSk1ZyRKTmKYvmuSWwRxwdA&e=AT3ktHMn6Fj9mS5n1H1eobLBclzNmuJJY9Xi2lT3msqbzTV2-qz4Xv2UCzkxZkzcNEiybfMLi50rlrBzSVY-HuIjNoQ1e-uoxSO4H-kCKcG14Na8nVg6LAG2Og&ref=grandviewindependent.com) ## Fat Produce @Sailing Goat ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/11/Screenshot-2025-11-14-at-10.55.19-AM.png) **Nov 15, 2025, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.** Fat Produce is a Miami-based soul jazz trio featuring guitarist Addison Rifkind, drummer Michael Duffy, and upright bassist Goopy Rossi. Formed by Studio City, CA natives Rifkind and Duffy, the band delivers a fresh, groove-driven blend of original compositions and reimagined deep cuts from hip-hop, soul, and jazz. Drawing inspiration from legends like Grant Green and Idris Muhammad, Fat Produce bridges classic soul-jazz energy with modern funk sensibilities. Their debut LP, Fresh Squeeze (2024), introduced listeners to their warm, organic sound, while the follow-up album Soulful Days (2025) deepened their signature mix of rhythm, melody, and feel-good improvisation. **Sailing Goat at Point San Pablo Harbor, 1900 Stenmark Dr, Richmond, CA 94801, USA** ## Holiday Pop-up Art Show @Argyle Road ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/11/Screenshot-2025-11-14-at-10.39.42-AM.png) ### Join the Festivities – A Holiday Shopping Extravaganza! Get ready for an unforgettable experience! This event is absolutely **FREE** and open to everyone! It’s the perfect opportunity to discover unique holiday gifts that will dazzle your loved ones. ***Why You Shouldn't Miss This:*** - **Shop Local:** Support talented local artisans and find one-of-a-kind treasures! - **Festive Atmosphere:** Enjoy the cheerful holiday spirit with music, light snacks, and more! Mark your calendars and get ready to shop till you drop while spreading the holiday cheer! We have 20 artisans! This promises to be a robust and wonderful holiday event to showcase the art of our talented members and other artists in the community. The event will run from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both days. **5151 Argyle Road, El Sobrante** ## DOGGIE DISCO—FUNDRAISER @Hidden City Ballroom ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/11/unnamed-1.jpg) **DOGGIE DISCO—FUNDRAISER FOR MILO ANIMAL RESCUE,** **SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15!** 4 p.m. **Doggie Meet & Greet;** 5 p.m. **Silent Auction**; 5:30 p.m. **Dance Show**; 7:30 p.m. **Raffle**; 8 p.m. **Disco Dance Party!** **With nothing more than his boyish charm, a big imagination, and millions of dollars in forged checks, Frank successfully poses as a pilot, a doctor, and a lawyer – living the high life and winning the girl of his dreams.** go to [https://www.hiddencityballroom.com/next-shows-dinner--fundraiser.html](https://artsofpointrichmond.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=291f02926bb305b6d751cf025&id=e70e0d071f&e=62254cc9c3&ref=grandviewindependent.com) **Hidden City Ballroom, 304 Washington Avenue, Point Richmond** ## Critical Grass Band @Armistice Brewing Co. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/11/Screenshot-2025-11-11-at-8.07.10-PM.png) 🎸 **SUNDAYS JUST GOT LOUDER** 🎸 Live, all-original music is taking over Armistice Richmond every Sunday from 2–4 p.m. through the end of the year! Our very own Josie has been absolutely crushing it, lining up a killer roster of bands — seriously, she’s been working overtime to bring you the good stuff. So come hang, sip something fresh, and let the music do its thing. No cover, no nonsense — just good beer and great tunes. **845 Marina Bay Parkway, Suite 1, Richmond, CA** # Amy Ukena Jazz @Windchaser Wine Co. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/11/Screenshot-2025-11-14-at-1.22.35-PM.png) **Sunday plans?** How about some wine, pizzas, and or oysters while listening to some live music?[@rockyislandoysterco](https://www.instagram.com/rockyislandoysterco/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) Sundays [@windchaserwineco](https://www.instagram.com/windchaserwineco/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) **1352 S 49th St, Richmond, California 94804** [**www.windchaserwine.com**](https://l.instagram.com/?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.windchaserwine.com%2F%3Ffbclid%3DPAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGnpxW8MH8HDCKMHq1vOw11oDjwp1rgWkDp3MUzCVpTNHSideQ8V8snvw9naAU%5Faem%5FSk1ZyRKTmKYvmuSWwRxwdA&e=AT3ktHMn6Fj9mS5n1H1eobLBclzNmuJJY9Xi2lT3msqbzTV2-qz4Xv2UCzkxZkzcNEiybfMLi50rlrBzSVY-HuIjNoQ1e-uoxSO4H-kCKcG14Na8nVg6LAG2Og&ref=grandviewindependent.com) ## Whey on Wheels @The Factory Bar ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/11/Screenshot-2025-11-14-at-4.38.30-PM.png) **Sunday, November 16, 2025, 3 p.m. – 9 p.m.** The Factory Bar is super excited to host Whey on Wheels this Sunday! They’ll be bringing their delicious cheese treats and sandwiches to Richmond! Nothing in the world pairs better than one of their amazing sandwiches and a local draft beer. Come by and see for yourself! For more info on Whey on Wheels, check out their site [HERE](https://wheyonwheels.net/?ref=grandviewindependent.com). **The Factory Bar** [**(map)**](http://maps.google.com/?q=12513%20San%20Pablo%20Avenue%20Richmond,%20CA,%2094805%20United%20States&ref=grandviewindependent.com) **12517 San Pablo Avenue Richmond, CA, 94805** --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond in negotiations over Craneway Pavilion future URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-in-negotiations-over-craneway-pavilion-future/ Last updated: 2025-11-14T17:56:15.000Z City officials say a deal may be close with the current leaseholder of the historic Craneway Pavilion after months of private negotiations. City Councilmember Sue Wilson informed residents at the November 12 Marina Bay Neighborhood Council meeting that negotiations are ongoing, but they remain confidential due to legal requirements for real estate deals. “We’re close. We’re close, I promise you,” Wilson said. “We’ll have something to say publicly soon.” The lack of public information has frustrated community members. One resident noted that Wilson had mentioned negotiations two months earlier with no updates since. “The city has lost a tremendous amount of money because of this messing around with the Craneway,” the resident said, citing lost tax revenue. Wilson acknowledged the financial impact and pledged to push for a faster resolution so details can be shared publicly. Wilson explained that real estate negotiations must remain confidential to preserve the city’s bargaining position. “If they can see our hands, then it’s not much of a negotiation,” Wilson said. Deputy Director of Public Works Tawfic Halaby highlighted the concrete actions the city has taken, noting that Richmond recently issued a request for proposals for a condition assessment of the pavilion. The city received bids from inspection firms before the October 27 deadline, including from Bureau Veritas Technical Assessments LLC, RDH Building Science Inc., and Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc. The assessment is intended to document the building’s condition “prior to turnover,” according to city documents, though officials have not disclosed who would take control of the property or under what terms. Halaby suggested the assessment indicates progress. “That, to me, triggers some thoughts that things are going to happen in the future,” Halaby said. Community members said that any deal should benefit the entire city, rather than favoring a single group. Residents pointed to the pickleball facility that recently operated at the Craneway and closed earlier in the year, which some felt impacted the historic builings' availability to host community events. “They left their people high and dry,” one resident said at the meeting, urging the council not to allow similar problems to occur again. “It should be open to everybody.” Before joining the council, Wilson was an outspoken critic of the pickleball project. In March 2024, Wilson joined protests against the pavilion’s pickleball club, saying it was replacing popular public events. Dressed as Rosie the Riveter with other demonstrators, she said the space “should be used for more than just pickleball.” [Locals protest opening of Craneway Pavilion pickleball facilityRichmond residents, dressed as Rosie the Riveters, protested the opening of the Craneway Pavilion pickleball facility at today’s opening day event. Rosie the Riveter is a cultural icon representing women who took on factory and shipyard jobs during World War II. Pickleball is a sport involving two or four![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--147.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/craneway-pickleball-richmond-protest.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/locals-protest-opening-day-of-craneway-pavilion-pickleball-facility/) The Craneway Pavilion, situated at the former Ford Assembly Plant on Richmond’s waterfront, has been a source of community concern as negotiations have stretched on. Wilson said she plans to provide more detailed updates through her newsletter once negotiations advance beyond the confidential real estate phase. No timeline has been announced for completing the negotiations or awarding the condition assessment contract. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Early morning fire damages vacant Macdonald Avenue Walgreens building URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/early-morning-fire-damages-vacant-macdonald-avenue-walgreens-building/ Last updated: 2025-11-13T01:17:53.000Z A vacant Walgreens building on Macdonald Avenue caught fire early Wednesday morning, sending Richmond firefighters into action before dawn. Richmond firefighters were dispatched just before 2:30 a.m. to the 1200 block of Macdonald Avenue, where smoke and flames were seen coming from the roofline of the old pharmacy, according to Richmond Firefighters Local 188. Crews worked for several hours to contain and extinguish the blaze. No injuries were reported, and firefighters remained on the scene through the morning to douse lingering hot spots, the union said in a social media post. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/11/richmond-fire-walgreens-1-1.webp) The former Walgreens building on the 1200 block of Macdonald Avenue shows fire damage after a blaze was extinguished by firefighters. The building, which has been vacant for some time, sustained significant damage to the roof and upper portions. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. The former Walgreens, located near downtown Richmond, has been closed since January 2025. [Walgreens to shutter 2 more Oakland stores after wave of SF closuresFive stores are now slated to close in the East Bay.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/apple-touch-icon-196x196-2.png)SFGATEAmanda Bartlett![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/rawImage-3.jpg)](https://www.sfgate.com/local/article/3-walgreens-stores-closing-oakland-19962418.php?ref=grandviewindependent.com) --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Coroner identifies 20-year-old Richmond man killed in weekend shooting URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/coroner-identifies-20-year-old-richmond-man-killed-in-weekend-shooting/ Last updated: 2025-11-12T16:36:00.000Z A man killed in a Richmond shooting last weekend has been identified as 20-year-old Griffin Hammond of Richmond, officials said Wednesday. Police responded around 8:09 p.m. Saturday to multiple reports of gunfire near Potrero Avenue and Carlson Boulevard, according to the Richmond Police Department. Officers found Hammond suffering from gunshot wounds. Despite life-saving efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene. A second person later arrived at a local trauma center with a gunshot wound, and investigators are working to determine whether the two incidents are connected, police said. No arrests have been made, and the case remains under investigation by Richmond police homicide detectives. Saturday’s killing was the city’s third homicide of 2025. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Marecek at (510) 621-1835. [Police investigate fatal shooting near Carlson Boulevard and Potrero AvenueA man was shot and killed Saturday night in Richmond’s Pullman neighborhood, and police are investigating whether a second person, who later arrived at a hospital with a gunshot wound, was injured in the same incident, authorities said. The Richmond Police Department Communications Center received multiple reports of shots fired![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--146.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-shooting-potrero-carlson-boulevard-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/police-investigate-fatal-shooting-near-carlson-boulevard-and-potrero-avenue/) --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### New tortillería on 23rd Street turns a parking lot into Richmond’s warmest food ritual URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/new-tortilleria-on-23rd-street-turns-a-parking-lot-into-richmonds-warmest-food-ritual/ Last updated: 2025-11-11T17:24:34.000Z Rolling up to Tortillerias La Numero Uno’s food trailer on 23rd Street feels like walking into a quiet celebration that the whole neighborhood agreed on without actually saying anything. The parking lot hums with that familiar hopefulness: people drifting in from the sidewalk, from cars, from down the block, phones half-raised because they know what’s coming. ****Tortillerias La Numero Uno** is located at 845 23rd Street, Richmond, CA 94804 The trailer keeps a steady glow, warm air billowing out with the scent of fresh masa. You get close, and the order taker is already working the line with that confident grace that comes from knowing exactly what people need. She leans out of the small service window with her hand full of steaming tortillas, says something quick in Spanish. The crowd hesitates for a breath, unsure if this is an invitation or a test, then one by one we each reach forward and take a tortilla from her hand. It’s warm enough to feel like a small act of trust. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/11/richmond-TORTILLERIAS-LA-NU--MERO1.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/11/richmond-TORTILLERIAS-LA-NU--MERO2.webp) Two pounds of tortillas from Tortillerias La Numero Uno along with salsa and a wedge of salty Queso Fresco. Everyone does the same thing: smear it with that oily red chile salsa they keep near the front, roll it tight, take a bite. We do the same. It’s a parking lot communion. No instructions, no ceremony, just a shared moment of people quietly falling in love with a tortilla. Some grab water bottles. *Did you get one? They’re so good. Did you try the salsa?* Yes. Yes. It mirrors all those social media clips bouncing around lately. Someone steps from the truck holding a fresh stack, peels off the top tortilla, adds cheese, paints on a line of salsa, folds it one-handed, and takes that slow, grateful first bite. No fancy editing. Just food, warmth, and relief. You watch one of those videos and suddenly your whole afternoon shifts. The crew inside the truck moves fast, with serious expressions like they mean it. There is a tortilla machine that is heavily featured on Tortilleria’s social media, along with large windows where you can watch like "El Machino" at Chevy’s when you were a kid. > [@elaztecafoodie](https://www.tiktok.com/@elaztecafoodie?refer=embed&ref=grandviewindependent.com "@elaztecafoodie") Tortillerias La Numero Uno 845 23rd Street Richmond CA [#food](https://www.tiktok.com/tag/food?refer=embed&ref=grandviewindependent.com "food") [#explore](https://www.tiktok.com/tag/explore?refer=embed&ref=grandviewindependent.com "explore") [#fyp](https://www.tiktok.com/tag/fyp?refer=embed&ref=grandviewindependent.com "fyp") [♬ Perlas Negras - Natanael Cano & Gabito Ballesteros](https://www.tiktok.com/music/Perlas-Negras-7520549283314878480?refer=embed&ref=grandviewindependent.com "♬ Perlas Negras - Natanael Cano & Gabito Ballesteros") The tortillas are sold by the pound, freshly made and puffy, from one pound for $3 to 30 pounds for $90\. Tortillerias La Numero Uno also sells a variety of cheeses that they slice and offer for sampling. We opted for the Queso Fresco and a container of that smoky, herby, and oily salsa. Wedges of cheese in plastic bags and salsa containers disappear into bags like contraband for later happiness. The line grows, but nobody complains. There’s a shared understanding that some things are worth slowing down for. Tortillerias La Numero Uno is new to 23rd Street, having only celebrated its official opening in October. Apparently, we missed the Free Carnitas for the kickoff. Sure, Yelp only has a handful of five-star reviews so far, but the real reviews are happening right here in line. People sitting in cars, tearing open bags, folding tortillas still steaming, smiling like they’ve just stumbled back into a memory they didn’t realize they were missing. Tortillería isn’t trying to reinvent anything. It’s just offering what feels like a small, steady kindness to anyone who shows up. A warm tortilla, a dab of cheese, a streak of salsa, a moment that anchors you even on the messy days. Sometimes that’s all a place needs to matter. There are two more Tortillerias La Numero Unos, one in Watsonville and another in Ceres, which is near Modesto. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### What happened in Richmond: auto thefts, threats and multiple violent crimes URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/what-happened-in-richmond-auto-thefts-threats-and-multiple-violent-crimes/ Last updated: 2025-11-11T02:08:21.000Z Richmond police responded to a heavy mix of calls during the week of Nov. 3–8, ranging from auto thefts and reports of vandalism to several serious violent crimes, including assaults, robberies and a fatal shooting on Carlson Boulevard. The following is a summary of incident reports released by the department. ### Richmond crime incidents *A map shows the locations of police-reported incidents across Richmond during the week of November 3–9, 2025.* ## Monday, November 3 **Assault with a firearm:** In the 94804 zip code. An assault with a firearm on a person was reported at 1:39 a.m. **Grand theft:** 6th Street. A theft was reported at 2:30 a.m. **Auto theft:** 700 block of S 45th Street. A vehicle was taken without the owner’s consent at 3 a.m. **Auto theft:** 900 block of Carlson Boulevard. A car had a sudden change of ownership at 5:22 a.m. **Firearm brandishing:** 1000 block of Cutting Boulevard. Officers arrested someone suspected of brandishing a firearm replica at 6:43 a.m. **Drug possession:** 900 block of Nevin Avenue. Possession of a controlled substance for sale was reported at 6:54 a.m. **Auto theft:** 3700 block of Waller Avenue. Someone took a car on an impromptu test drive at 6:56 a.m. **Auto burglary:** 600 block of Canal Boulevard. A vehicle was broken into at 8:25 a.m. **Elder abuse:** 3500 block of Center Avenue. Officers made an arrest for destruction of property after responding to reports of cruelty toward an elder or dependent adult at 1:36 p.m. **Criminal threats:** 700 block of 8th Street. Someone threatened a crime with the intent to terrorize at 1:40 p.m. **Domestic violence violation and threats:** 500 block of Ripley Avenue. Officers made arrests after someone allegedly violated a court order to prevent domestic violence and threatened to commit a crime with the intent to terrorize at 1:55 p.m. **Weapon violation:** 100 block of Harbour Way. Officers made an arrest for weapon law violations after discovering an unloaded firearm at 1:56 p.m. **Financial fraud:** 900 block of Ventura Street. Someone benefited from a false financial statement at 3:28 p.m. **Grand theft:** In the 94801 zip code. A theft was reported at 8 p.m. **Battery:** 400 block of Marina Way South. Officers made arrests for simple assault after someone reportedly committed battery against a spouse, ex-spouse, or dating partner and inflicted injury upon a child at 8:49 p.m. **Suspended license:** In the 94804 zip code. A driver was busted after driving while their license was suspended or revoked for DUI at 11:12 p.m. **Vandalism:** 600 block of Acacia Avenue. Officers made an arrest for destruction, damage, or vandalism of property valued at $400 or more at 11:19 p.m. ## Tuesday, November 4 **Firearm display:** 2500 block of Macdonald Avenue. A firearm was exhibited at 12:32 a.m. **Contempt of court:** Circle Court. Someone disobeyed a court order at 12:49 a.m. **Vandalism:** 100 block of 15th Street. Property was defaced at 6:11 a.m. **Auto theft:** 5400 block of Amend Road. A vehicle was commandeered at 10 a.m. **Elder abuse:** 1400 block of Monterey Street. Harm to an elder or dependent adult was reported at 10:38 a.m. **Grand theft from a person:** In the 94804 zip code. A theft from a person occurred at 2:15 p.m. **Residential burglary and resisting arrest:** 1500 block of Nevin Plaza. A home was forcibly entered, and someone obstructed or resisted a public officer at 2:23 p.m. **Auto theft:** 5500 block of Central Avenue. A car was stolen at 3:55 p.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 1000 block of Macdonald Avenue. A stolen vehicle was recovered at 4:10 p.m. **Residential burglary:** 300 block of 40th Street. A home was entered without force at 4:19 p.m. **Mail theft:** 500 block of 42nd Street. Mail was stolen at 6:43 p.m. **Police evasion and resisting arrest:** 5000 block of Hartnett Avenue. Someone evaded police with disregard for safety and obstructed or resisted an officer at 6:49 p.m. **Auto theft:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. Someone’s car experienced an involuntary change of ownership at 10:02 p.m. **Drug and probation violation:** In the 94804 zip code. Officers made arrests for drug or narcotic violations after discovering controlled substances, unlawful paraphernalia, and a probation violation at 11:37 p.m. **Vandalism, resisting arrest and assault:** Intersection of Giant Road and Atlas Road. Someone damaged property valued at $400 or more, obstructed or resisted a public officer, and committed assault with a deadly weapon and with force, causing possible great bodily injury at 11:44 p.m. ## Wednesday, November 5 **Vandalism:** 1200 block of Florida Avenue. Property damage valued at $400 or more was reported at 3 a.m. **Multiple DUI charges and resisting arrest:** 500 block of Wine Street. A driver, reportedly under the influence of alcohol, was arrested for allegedly obstructing or resisting a public officer and driving with a suspended or revoked license for DUI at 3:22 a.m. **Auto theft:** 500 block of 2nd Street. A car was abducted by rogue elements at 5:23 a.m. **Residential burglary:** 2500 block of Spinnaker Way. Officers arrested someone on burglary and breaking and entering charges after a home was entered without force at 6:55 a.m. **Grand theft:** 200 block of 23rd Street. A theft was reported at 8:24 a.m. **Petty theft:** 300 block of S 15th Street. A theft occurred at 9 a.m. **Illegal dumping:** 1500 block of Carlson Boulevard. Waste in commercial quantities was dumped at 9:28 a.m. **Marijuana possession:** 5000 block of Valley View Road. A minor possessed marijuana at school at 10:05 a.m. **Vandalism:** 500 block of 16th Street. Property was defaced at 12:13 p.m. **Disorderly conduct:** In the 94801 zip code. Officers arrested someone for drug violations after responding to disorderly conduct involving being under the influence at 1:11 p.m. **Residential burglary:** 200 block of S 13th Street. A home was forcibly entered at 2 p.m. **Sex crimes:** 300 block of South 8th Street. Multiple serious sex crimes were reported at 2:52 p.m. **Petty theft:** 11900 block of San Pablo Avenue, El Cerrito. A theft occurred at 5:44 p.m. **Aggravated assault:** 1600 block of Portola Avenue. Officers arrested someone for aggravated assault at 6:17 p.m. **Robbery:** 1100 block of Macdonald Avenue. A strong-arm robbery was reported at 7:06 p.m. **Petty theft:** 4800 block of Central Avenue. A theft was reported at 7:30 p.m. **Criminal threats and contempt of court:** Circle Court. Officers made arrests for intimidation after someone threatened a crime with the intent to terrorize and disobeyed a court order at 11:52 p.m. ## Thursday, November 6 **Weapon violations:** 100 block of Espee Avenue. Officers made arrests for weapon law violations after discovering a loaded firearm carried by someone with a prior felony conviction, a criminal street gang member carrying a loaded firearm, a loaded handgun not registered to the carrier, prohibited possession of ammunition, and a probation violation at 1:25 a.m. **Aggravated assault:** 2500 block of Macdonald Avenue. A battery with serious bodily injury occurred at 3:28 a.m. **Commercial burglary:** 3400 block of Blume Drive. A commercial property was forcibly entered at 3:40 a.m. **Weapon violations:** 600 block of 1st Street. Officers made arrests after discovering a loaded handgun not registered to the carrier and illegal possession of an assault weapon at 5 a.m. **Deadly weapon display:** 200 block of South 13th Street. Officers apprehended someone on aggravated assault and exhibition of a deadly weapon at 6:22 a.m. **Robbery:** 2300 block of Macdonald Avenue. A strong-arm robbery occurred at 9:37 a.m. **Vandalism:** Harbour Way. Property damage valued at less than $400 was reported at 9:40 a.m. **Fraud:** 4900 block of McBryde Avenue. Someone defrauded an innkeeper of $950 or less at 11:32 a.m. **Auto theft and vandalism:** 100 block of Harbour Way. Officers made arrests for motor vehicle theft after a vehicle was taken without consent, and property damage valued at $400 or more occurred at 1 p.m. **Robbery with knife:** 600 block of Harbour Way. A robbery with a knife or cutting instrument occurred at 1:29 p.m. **Identity theft:** 3200 block of May Road. Someone obtained credit using another person’s ID at 4:29 p.m. **DUI:** In the 94803 zip code. Someone drove under the influence of alcohol with a blood alcohol content of 0.08 percent or higher at 6:23 p.m. **Criminal threats:** 900 block of 23rd Street. Someone threatened a crime with the intent to terrorize at 6:31 p.m. **Vandalism:** 700 block of 7th Street. Property damage valued at less than $400 was reported at 8:32 p.m. **Auto theft, resisting arrest and drug violations:** In the 94801 zip code. Officers made arrests for drug equipment violations after a vehicle was taken without consent, someone obstructed or resisted a public officer, and controlled substances and unlawful paraphernalia were discovered at 10:17 p.m. **BB device discharge:** 400 block of S 38th Street. A BB device was discharged in a grossly negligent manner at 11:37 p.m. ## Friday, November 7 **Vandalism:** 100 block of 5th Street. Officers captured a suspected vandal at 4:25 a.m. **Auto theft:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. A car was borrowed indefinitely without asking at 4:49 a.m. **Contempt of court:** 1700 block of Regatta Boulevard. Someone disobeyed a court order at 8 a.m. **Auto theft:** 600 block of 31st Street. A vehicle was taken without the owner’s consent at 11:40 a.m. **Suspended license:** In the 94805 zip code. A person drove while their license was suspended or revoked for DUI at 1:49 p.m. **Driving without a license:** Intersection of 23rd Street and Nevin Avenue. Someone drove without a license at 2:40 p.m. **Petty theft:** 300 block of 27th Street. A theft occurred at 6:09 p.m. **Auto theft:** 700 block of 31st Street. A car began pursuing other opportunities at 6:30 p.m. **Commercial burglary:** Harbor Way. A commercial property was forcibly entered at 7 p.m. **Residential burglary:** 700 block of Western Drive. A home was entered without force at 8:10 p.m. **Vehicle tampering:** 500 block of 7th Street. A vehicle was tampered with at 10:00 p.m. **Auto theft:** 800 block of 6th Street. Someone’s parking spot became roomier than expected at 10 p.m. **Auto theft:** 3000 block of Barkley Drive. A car owner experienced a sudden lack of a car at 11 p.m. **DUI:** In the 94801 zip code. Someone drove under the influence of alcohol with a blood alcohol content of 0.08 percent or higher at 11:04 p.m. ## Saturday, November 8 **Assault:** 200 block of 23rd Street. An assault with a deadly weapon occurred at 12:02 a.m. **DUI:** 2300 block of McBryde Avenue. Officers arrested a driver suspected of being under the influence at 12:37 a.m. **Reckless driving and resisting arrest:** In the 94801 zip code. Officers made arrests for all other offenses after someone drove recklessly on a highway and obstructed or resisted a public officer at 1:11 a.m. **Aggravated assault:** 3500 block of El Portal Drive. Officers made an arrest for aggravated assault at 2:05 a.m. **DUI:** 900 block of 24th Street. Someone drove under the influence of alcohol at 2:43 a.m. **Firearm storage violation:** 600 block of Griffin Drive. Criminal storage of a firearm in the second degree was reported at 4:36 a.m. **Vehicle recovery:** In the 94801 zip code. A stolen vehicle was recovered at 5:10 a.m. **Contempt of court:** 1700 block of Regatta Boulevard. Someone disobeyed a court order at 6:58 a.m. **Criminal threats:** In the 94801 zip code. Someone threatened a crime with the intent to terrorize at 9:15 a.m. **Vandalism:** 4100 block of Nevin Avenue. Property was defaced at 10:30 a.m. **Resisting arrest and stolen vehicle:** 500 block of South 12th Street. Someone obstructed or resisted a public officer and possessed a stolen vehicle at 10:47 a.m. **Petty theft:** 2700 block of Nevin Avenue. A theft occurred at 1 p.m. **Alcohol violation:** In the 94801 zip code. An alcohol-related quality of life violation was reported at 3:01 p.m. **Commercial burglary and theft:** 12600 block of San Pablo Avenue. A commercial property was forcibly entered, and theft from a building occurred at 9 a.m. **Criminal threats:** In the 94801 zip code. Someone threatened a crime with the intent to terrorize at 9:15 a.m. **Vandalism:** 4100 block of Nevin Avenue. Property was defaced at 10:30 a.m. **Resisting arrest and stolen vehicle:** 500 block of S 12th Street. Officers made arrests after someone obstructed or resisted a public officer and possessed a stolen vehicle at 10:47 a.m. **Petty theft:** 2700 block of Nevin Avenue. A theft occurred at 1 p.m. **Alcohol violation:** In the 94801 zip code. An alcohol-related quality of life violation was reported at 3:01 p.m. **Gone in 60 seconds:** 1500 block of South 59th Street. A vehicle was taken without the owner’s consent at 3:30 p.m. **Assault and false documents:** 600 block of 27th Street. Officers made arrests for forgery after an assault with a deadly weapon was reported, along with possessing a birth or baptism certificate to deceive, at 4:25 p.m. **Criminal threats:** 700 block of 17th Street. Someone threatened a crime with the intent to terrorize at 7:22 p.m. **Hot wheels:** In the 94804 zip code. A vehicle was stolen at 8:00 p.m. **Homicide:** 800 block of Carlson Boulevard. A murder and shooting at an unoccupied dwelling, vehicle, or other structure occurred at 8:09 p.m. [Police investigate fatal shooting near Carlson Boulevard and Potrero AvenueA man was shot and killed Saturday night in Richmond’s Pullman neighborhood, and police are investigating whether a second person, who later arrived at a hospital with a gunshot wound, was injured in the same incident, authorities said. The Richmond Police Department Communications Center received multiple reports of shots fired![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--145.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-shooting-potrero-carlson-boulevard.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/police-investigate-fatal-shooting-near-carlson-boulevard-and-potrero-avenue/) **Firearm discharge:** 100 block of S 29th Street. A firearm was willfully discharged in a grossly negligent manner at 10:04 p.m. **Disorderly conduct and resisting arrest:** 500 block of B Street. Someone engaged in disorderly conduct while under the influence or drunk and obstructed or resisted a public officer at 11:59 p.m. ## Saturday, November 9 **Battery:** West Macdonald Avenue. A battery on a person occurred at 1 a.m. **Domestic violence:** 3000 block of Andrade Avenue. Someone was said to have inflicted corporal injury on a spouse, cohabitant or dating partner at 1:16 a.m. **Auto theft:** 5300 block of Creely Avenue. A car unmatched with its owner at 6:45 a.m. **Auto theft:** 12800 block of San Pablo Avenue. A vehicle was yoinked at 7:51 a.m. **Firearm discharge:** 500 block of 26th Street. Someone shot at an inhabited dwelling, vehicle, or other structure at 8:52 a.m. **Kidnapping:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. A kidnapping was reported at 10:17 a.m. **Robbery:** 3100 block of Macdonald Avenue. A strong-arm robbery occurred at 12:06 p.m. **Contempt of court:** 1000 block of Lassen Street. Someone disobeyed a court order at 3:19 p.m. **Criminal threats and domestic battery:** 3100 block of Garrity Way. Someone threatened a crime with the intent to terrorize and committed battery against a spouse, ex-spouse, or dating partner at 9:07 p.m. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Packed open house reviews long-awaited McBryde Avenue safety fix URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/packed-open-house-reviews-long-awaited-mcbryde-avenue-safety-fix/ Last updated: 2025-11-10T03:53:10.000Z Richmond residents packed into Café McBryde on Saturday morning to review long-planned safety and street improvements for the corridor, a project the city says will add bike lanes, repair pavement, and slow traffic on a stretch many neighbors describe as feeling more like a freeway than a neighborhood street. The November 8 open house centered on the city’s [McBryde Avenue Safe Routes to Parks](https://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/4837/23039---McBryde-Safe-Routes-to-Park-OBAG?ref=grandviewindependent.com) project, funded through the region’s [One Bay Area Grant](https://mtc.ca.gov/funding/federal-funding/federal-highway-administration-grants/one-bay-area-grant-obag-3?ref=grandviewindependent.com) program to improve access to nearby Alvarado Park and Wildcat Canyon. The city must use the grant funds soon or risk losing them, officials said. “We’ve had about 80 percent supportive feedback today,” said Hillal Hamdan, a senior civil engineer with Richmond Public Works. “We want to rehab the pavement, add buffered bike lanes, improve signage, and address safety issues from the park all the way to 37th Street.” [Big street changes planned for McBryde AvenueThe City of Richmond Public Works is working to create a safe and comfortable walking and biking route on McBryde Avenue by removing traffic lanes and adding bike lanes from 37th Street to Wildcat Regional Park. The McBryde Avenue Safe Routes to Parks project will reduce the street’s four![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--142.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/McBryde-avenue-gets-a-road-diet-1.jpg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/big-changes-planned-for-mcbryde-avenue/) Hamdan said the city hopes to finalize the design and put the project out to bid in time to begin construction in summer 2026. Residents have long complained about speeding on McBryde. Plans call for reducing much of the corridor to one lane in each direction, adding high-visibility striping, and installing a small traffic circle near the Wildcat Canyon Regional Park entrance at Arlington Boulevard. For longtime resident Marcy Greenhut, the project represents years of pushing the city to fix the corridor. “I asked the city years ago to pave McBryde because it was awful from here to the park,” Greenhut said. “I’m excited about everything in the plan. It can’t come soon enough.” Greenhut said she also supports additional crosswalks, more native trees and intersection “bike boxes” that give cyclists a visible position in front of cars at stoplights. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/11/McBryde-Safe-Routes-Parks-Project.2.webp) Residents look over street-improvement plans during a community meeting at Café McBryde on Saturday, November 8, as the city gathered feedback on the McBryde Avenue redesign. Engineers from BKF collected comments throughout the morning. Armando Lara, a senior project engineer, said safety concerns topped the list, though some residents questioned whether reducing lanes could worsen peak-hour congestion. “What we’re hoping is that reducing speeds will actually improve flow,” Lara said. “But we’ll need to analyze the traffic questions we heard today.” City staff said community comments will guide the next revisions. “You can’t please everyone, but if 80 to 90 percent of the community is supportive, we’re on the right path,” Hamdan said. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Police investigate fatal shooting near Carlson Boulevard and Potrero Avenue URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/police-investigate-fatal-shooting-near-carlson-boulevard-and-potrero-avenue/ Last updated: 2025-11-18T00:24:27.000Z A man was shot and killed Saturday night, and police are investigating whether a second person, who later arrived at a hospital with a gunshot wound, was injured in the same incident, authorities said. The Richmond Police Department Communications Center received multiple reports of shots fired in the area of Potrero Avenue and Carlson Boulevard, with at least one person reportedly struck by gunfire at 8:09 p.m., said Richmond Police Public Information Officer Lt. Donald Patchin. [RPD investigating shooting near Potrero Avenue and Carlson BoulevardRichmond police closed streets around Carlson Boulevard and Potrero Avenue on Saturday night after a shooting near the Stop and Shop Market at 800 Carlson Boulevard. Numerous evidence markers were visible in the street and in the store’s parking lot, though police have not released details on injuries or![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--143.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-shooting.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/rpd-investigating-shooting-near-potrero-avenue-and-carlson-boulevard/) "Responding officers located an adult male victim suffering from gunshot wounds. Despite immediate life-saving efforts by officers and emergency personnel, the victim was pronounced deceased at the scene,” Patchin said. “This tragic incident marks the third homicide of the year in the City of Richmond.” A short time later, an individual seeking treatment for a gunshot wound arrived at a local hospital. Detectives have not determined whether the two shootings are related. Police closed streets around the area Saturday night. Numerous evidence markers were visible in the street and in the store’s parking lot, though no arrests have been made. Drivers were urged to avoid the area and use alternate routes. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Marecek at 510-621-1835. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### RPD investigating shooting near Potrero Avenue and Carlson Boulevard URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/rpd-investigating-shooting-near-potrero-avenue-and-carlson-boulevard/ Last updated: 2025-11-09T20:06:22.000Z Richmond police closed streets around Carlson Boulevard and Potrero Avenue on Saturday night after a shooting near the Stop and Shop Market at 800 Carlson Boulevard. Numerous evidence markers were visible in the street and in the store’s parking lot, though police have not released details on injuries or arrests. Drivers are urged to avoid the area and use alternate routes. Police said additional information will be released as it becomes available. *This story will be updated as information becomes available.* --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond board to weigh 45-unit Hilltop townhome project as state law limits hearings URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-board-to-weigh-45-unit-hilltop-townhome-project-as-state-law-limits-hearings/ Last updated: 2025-11-08T18:41:37.000Z A state law limiting the number of public hearings cities can hold on housing proposals will shape the review of a 45-unit townhome project at 3151 Garrity Way, set to go before the Richmond Design Review Board on November 12. The proposal, filed by Vanguard Properties on behalf of Zhangs Management Group LLC, would build 45 townhomes in 12 mid-rise buildings at 3151 Garrity Way, a long-vacant 2.2-acre site next to the former Chevy’s restaurant. The property was once approved for a 98-unit apartment complex in 2008, but remains undeveloped. ****Where:** 3151 Garrity Way, a long-vacant 2.2-acre parcel next to the former Chevy’s restaurant in Richmond. Plans call for two- to six-bedroom units, private garages, a U-shaped private driveway, and terraced open space built into the site’s steep northern slope. Five of the homes would be reserved for moderate-income buyers. ![ 45-unit townhome development ](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/11/hiltop-45-unit-townhome-project.webp) An aerial map highlights the project site for a proposed 45-unit townhome development off Garrity Way in Richmond, just east of Blume Drive and north of Hilltop Drive. Under California’s Housing Crisis Act of 2019, known as SB 330, cities may hold no more than five hearings on a housing project, including Design Review Board meetings, Planning Commission actions, and any City Council appeals. To stay within that cap, staff says the board is effectively limited to one or two hearings before the project must advance. The environmental review timeline is also accelerating the process. A third-party consultant is evaluating whether the project qualifies for an exemption under AB 130, a 2025 law that streamlines certain urban infill housing developments. The CEQA review is expected to be completed before the project reaches the Planning Commission. Developers are seeking a major design review, a vesting tentative map, and a conditional use permit to accommodate 87 parking spaces, rather than the 92 spaces normally required. A previous site design included nine guest spaces, but those were removed to meet the city’s minimum open-space requirement. The project does not include any on-site guest parking. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/11/Richmond-board-weigh-45-unit-Hilltop-townhome-project-1.webp) A for-sale sign lies in the vacant lot at 3151 Garrity Way, where a 45-unit townhome project is proposed. City staff recommends approval and states that the reduction is permitted under Richmond’s zoning code with a conditional use permit. Staff also notes that on-street parking is available along the south side of Garrity Way. The buildings would rise up to 43 feet and feature brick veneer, stucco, fiber-cement panels, and wood siding, along with stormwater treatment facilities, street trees, walkways, and bicycle parking. If the Design Review Board recommends approval, the Planning Commission will take up the project at a future meeting. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Eight Great Things to do in Richmond URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/eight-great-things-to-do-in-richmond-21/ Last updated: 2025-11-07T23:22:54.000Z With 30-plus miles of shoreline, two yacht clubs, endless hiking and cycling trails, and a host of eateries and art galleries, Richmond has a lot to offer. Each week, *Grandview* highlights the best, not-to-be-missed events and offerings from around the city. Start the weekend off right with First Friday Out, and on Saturday, support the Richmond Museum of History and Culture and Red Oak Victory at their end-of-the-year celebration, or check out a movie at Point Richmond's own Magick Lantern theater. # First Friday Out! @Windchaser Wine Co. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/11/Screenshot-2025-11-06-at-12.40.40-PM.png) **Friday, Nov 7, 4 p.m. - 8 p.m.** Richmond's First Friday Out with Live Music from Cougar Unleashed.Food and drink from local favorites: The Factory Bar, Pickles N Smoke, Mr Dim Sum, Rocky Island Oyster Co. **1352 S 49th St, Richmond** ### Red Oak Victory & Richmond Museum End of Year Celebration @Galileo Club ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/11/Screenshot-2025-11-06-at-12.30.57-PM.png) ### **Saturday, November 8, 2025, 4–7:30 p.m.** The evening will feature: - Hors d’oeuvres - A **silent auction**, with proceeds supporting the day-to-day operations of the Richmond Museum Association - Plenty of **onsite parking** for your convenience Cash bar available for additional drinks Live swing music by the [**Nick Rossi Band**](https://nickrossimusic.com/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) Tickets are **$75** and include food, entertainment, and your first drink. Come dressed comfortably, whether that be **casual or swing dance ready!** This is more than just a party—it’s a chance to celebrate everything we’ve achieved together in 2025, and to set a joyful, hopeful tone for the remainder of the year. **Richmond Galileo Club:** 371 S. 23rd Street, Richmond, CA ## The Marching Band @Magick Lantern Theater ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/11/Screenshot-2025-11-06-at-12.50.15-PM.png) **Saturday, November 8, 2025** Doors Open 7 p.m. Film Starts 7:30 p.m. *Please arrive on-time!* 7 pm French Comedy Drama Music English Subtitles 1hr 43 min Methodist Church of Point Richmond **201 Martina (side entrance off West Richmond)** [**magick-lantern@att.net**](mailto:magick-lantern@att.net) **Phone 510-232-2559** ## Rich City Kickback @Richmond Recreation Complex ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/11/Screenshot-2025-11-07-at-7.29.32-AM.png) **Come join the fun this Saturday, November 8 from 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.** and take advantage of the Annual Richmond City Kickback event in support of our Richmond youth! Join Richmond young adults in advocating for increased mental health support & enjoy wellness demos, entertainment, and community resources! The Rich City Kickback is a fun, free event focusing on wellness and community healing to promote healthy alternatives to substance use for the Richmond community to lead healthier lives with pride and purpose. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rich-city-kick-back-2025-tickets-1439438903509 **Richmond City Recreation Complex 3230 Macdonald Avenue Richmond** # Tom Bekeny and Friends @ The Sailing Goat ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/11/Screenshot-2025-11-07-at-2.02.51-PM.png) **November 8, 2025, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.** Tom Bekeny has been passionate about playing the mandolin since the early 1970s and has been a well-known figure in the Bay Area music scene for decades. Before studying jazz, he focused exclusively on bluegrass, performing with notable groups such as the Kathy Kallick Band, Laurie Lewis, Done Gone, Bangers and Grass, and playing fiddle with High Country—the West Coast’s longest-running traditional bluegrass band. He has shared the stage with acclaimed artists including Peter Rowan, David Grisman, and Jerry Garcia. Around 20 years ago, Tom began exploring jazz and co-founded the Missing Man Quartet before forming his current group, *Jazz With Tom Bekeny and Friends*. In 2013, he released *Jazzolin*, a collection of jazz standards that received praise from respected outlets such as Jazz Weekly, Mandolin Cafe, and the Folk and Acoustic Music Exchange. [https://www.tombekenymusic.com/bands](https://www.tombekenymusic.com/bands?ref=grandviewindependent.com) **Sailing Goat at Point San Pablo Harbor, 1900 Stenmark Dr, Richmond, CA 94801, USA** ## Tango @Hidden City Ballroom ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/11/Screenshot-2025-11-07-at-2.28.48-PM.png) **This Sunday! 1:30 p.m.** Tango Workshop with Ariel and Yesica $30 includes practica at 2:30 Learn Argentine Tango Fundamentals on Sunday mornings with **Suzanne Bare**. Her fun class will give you a sense of confidence and community. If you choose, you also have the opportunity to join in performances and her **formation team!** One hour practica included at end of class. **Hidden City Ballroom** **304 Washington Ave.** **Pt. Richmond, CA 94801** **​​**[**(510) 235 - 2949**](tel:5102352949) # Live Music @The Backyard with Kaitlyn Williams ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/11/Screenshot-2025-11-07-at-2.34.44-PM.png) **Sunday, November 9, 2025, 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.** Experience the magic of [Kaitlyn Williams](https://www.instagram.com/kkaitlynwilliamss/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) on Sunday, November 9 from 12 p.m.-2 p.m. 🌟 Indulge in the perfect blend of jazz and alternative pop. 🎤 Join us for a beautiful Saturday afternoon – an unforgettable musical journey awaits! 🔥 Who’s excited?! **The Backyard 205 Cutting BoulevardRichmond, CA, 94804United States** ## Scientific Adventures for Families @ Richmond Auditorium ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/11/Screenshot-2025-11-07-at-2.51.19-PM.png) ### Monday, November 10, 2025 Nature's Superheroes: learn about biomimicry and how it can help human designers and engineers. Design, test, and engineer based on what you learn! November 10, 2025, 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. **403 Civic Center Plaza, Farallon Room** --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond moves to tighten oversight on tenant buyout deals URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-moves-to-tighten-oversight-on-tenant-buyout-deals/ Last updated: 2025-11-07T22:25:14.000Z The Richmond City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to move forward with regulating "cash for keys" agreements between landlords and tenants, directing staff to draft an ordinance with the strictest oversight measures. The council approved a recommendation from the Richmond Rent Board to adopt a "high level of oversight" policy for tenant buyout agreements, in which landlords offer tenants money to vacate rental units. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/11/Richmond-journalism--750-x-175-px---2-.png) "Buyouts are happening all the time in Richmond," said Nicolas Traylor, executive director of the Richmond Rent Program. "They're happening without the city's knowledge because they're just not required to record them with the city at this time." The Richmond Rent Program, an independent agency that administers the city's rent control ordinance, will work with the city attorney's office to draft the new regulations. The program currently oversees rent control protections and eviction procedures for rental units in Richmond. [On the agenda: new tenant protections, police shooting policy updatesThe Richmond City Council on Tuesday, November 4, will consider new rules to regulate “cash for keys” agreements in which landlords pay tenants to move out, while also approving updates to the Police Department’s officer-involved shooting policy and launching a review of the city’s mental health services. The![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--141.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/IMG_8840-1-1.jpg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-agenda-new-tenant-protections-police-shooting-policy-updates/) Under the proposed ordinance, landlords would be required to provide tenants with written notice of their rights before buyout negotiations begin and file that notice with the rent program. Tenants would have 45 days to rescind any signed agreement, and minimum payments would need to match what tenants would receive under the city's relocation ordinance, currently $21,009.41 for qualified households in units with two or more bedrooms. "Without oversight, tenants, especially seniors, immigrants or low-income families, may feel pressure to take a deal without fully understanding their rights or the long-term consequences," Traylor said. The rent program will also maintain a public database that shows buyout compensation amounts and neighborhoods, while keeping personal information confidential. Landlords may offer tenants financial incentives to move out for a range of practical reasons. Sometimes, they want to sidestep drawn-out eviction processes, prepare a property for sale, or increase the rent to current market levels once a long-term tenant leaves. These types of agreements are also common in real estate transactions because empty units tend to attract higher sale prices. Councilmember Soheila Bana said the city needs a better way to distinguish between large corporate landlords and small, local owners. Bana referenced a resident who had difficulty relocating his disabled mother into the duplex he owned due to these rules. "I strongly hope those categories would be treated differently," Bana said, adding she looked forward to seeing an ordinance that "looks at it in a very fair manner and considers the situation of a landlord too." The rent board, which debated three policy options at public meetings, unanimously recommended the high-oversight approach in July. The board had originally approved the policy in 2018; however, implementation was delayed due to the pandemic. Before final adoption, city staff will conduct at least three community meetings with tenants, landlords, tenant advocates, and property managers. Meetings will include childcare and Spanish translation services, with options to attend in person or via Zoom. "The public process may suggest some additional changes that weren't considered this evening," said Lina Velasco, director of community development. "There may be refinements that come back for council consideration based on feedback." Staff expects to return to the council with a final ordinance in early 2026. Cities such as San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley, San Jose, and Los Angeles have already adopted similar regulations that require written disclosures, rescission periods, and the filing of agreements with local agencies. Richmond had been among the last rent-controlled jurisdictions in the Bay Area without such protections. "We're doing our best to align both city and rent board policy around buyouts with the policies that exist in sister jurisdictions," Traylor said. The proposed ordinance would include enforcement mechanisms that allow tenants to sue for actual damages plus statutory damages of up to $1,000 per violation. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond council delays police radio purchase amid public access debate URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-council-delays-police-radio-purchase-amid-public-access-debate/ Last updated: 2025-11-05T23:04:53.000Z The Richmond City Council on Tuesday night deferred final approval of a $350,000 purchase of encrypted police radios after councilmembers and residents pressed for a fuller public briefing about the department’s recent move to encrypt dispatch channels. The agenda item would have authorized the purchase of 35 mobile radios and 10 motorcycle units from Motorola Solutions as an add-on to the equipment the city purchased in 2023\. Instead, councilmembers asked staff to return with a presentation at the council’s November 18 meeting, allowing elected officials and the public to review the sequence of approvals, the legal guidance behind encryption, and how transparency will be maintained. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/11/richmond-police-department.webp) Richmond Police Administration Services Captain Matt Stonebraker, center, and Assistant Police Chief Tim Simmons speak at the City Council meeting on Tuesday, November 4, 2025. Richmond resident Sara Cantor, who requested that the item be pulled from the consent calendar for discussion, stated that she supported privacy protections but wanted a public conversation about the loss of transparency that accompanies encrypting dispatch channels. “This isn’t about officers talking to each other; those channels are already encrypted,” Cantor said. “It’s about whether the public should be able to hear dispatcher communications that help the press and residents understand what’s happening in real time.” Cantor said that other jurisdictions have balanced privacy and openness in different ways, some by encrypting dispatch, while others limit the sharing of personally identifying information over the air. “I’m not fully opposed,” Cantor said, “but it’s important to talk through these issues in public.” Richmond Assistant Police Chief Tim Simmons told the council that Richmond’s switch to full-time encryption was implemented in early October to protect sensitive personal information and to align with regional and state privacy guidelines. Simmons said the encryption protects victims, witnesses, and officers from the risk that open radio traffic can be recorded or exploited. [Richmond police encrypt radios, ending scanner accessFor years, the Grandview Independent monitored Richmond in real time through police scanners. Reports of shootings, police chases, and helicopters circling offered details on street closures and police activity. The scanners are now offline, removing that immediate source of information for journalists and residents. The Richmond Police Department is joining![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--140.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-police-dispatch1-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-police-encrypt-radios-ending-scanner-access/) The push for police radio encryption stems from a 2020 advisory issued by the California Department of Justice, which directed law enforcement agencies to prevent the public broadcast of personal, identifying information such as names, dates of birth, driver’s license numbers, and criminal histories over unencrypted radio channels. The California DOJ stopped short of requiring full encryption of all police communications, but many departments, including Richmond’s, chose to encrypt their entire dispatch systems to ensure compliance and avoid accidental disclosure. The change has drawn concern from journalists and transparency advocates who say it cuts off long-standing public access to routine police activity that was once available through radio scanners. During the meeting, Councilmember Sue Wilson questioned when and how the city decided to fully encrypt its police dispatch, ending public access to scanner traffic that had been open for decades. “I did not know that there was a decision made about encryption in 2023, and it would have been helpful for me if the agenda report said that,” Wilson said. “For 75 years, we’ve had this sort of open channel of communication, and on October 7, we closed that door. I never had a chance to opine on that, and I think that’s part of what I was elected to do.” Supporters of encryption, including the Richmond Police Officers Association and several community speakers, argued that the change is a necessary safety measure. RPOA President Ben Therriault described an incident in which suspects appeared to be listening to unencrypted transmissions during a pursuit, saying that encryption would reduce the risk of suspects evading law enforcement actions. Oscar Garcia, president of the 23rd Street Merchants Association, said local business owners support encryption because it protects callers’ privacy when reporting crimes. “Merchants feel safer knowing their information is protected when they call police,” Garcia said. “With recent problems near smoke shops, and with victims of domestic violence or undocumented residents who may already be afraid to reach out, it’s important that their identities stay confidential.” Some police agencies, such as Palo Alto, reversed their earlier decision to encrypt routine police radio traffic and restored real-time public access. The department announced a change in August 2022, following a reevaluation of options to both protect personal identifying information and increase transparency. City officials said the rollback would keep sensitive details protected by new on-air procedures while allowing the public and press to follow routine dispatches in real-time. [Radio Encryption Change Provides Real-Time Access to Police ActionsAfter a comprehensive analysis of options, the Palo Alto Police Department is planning a forthcoming change to radio communications by September 1 that will provide real-time access to police radio transmissions while safeguarding personal identifying information and officer safety.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/apple-touch-icon-6.png)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/papd-news-release-star-logo-for-oc-news-releases-page.png)](https://www.paloalto.gov/News-Articles/Police-Department/Radio-Encryption-Change-Provides-Real-Time-Access-to-Police-Actions?ref=grandviewindependent.com) One common compromise is a short broadcast delay, allowing officers to protect victims and execute tactical movements while still providing the public with timely information. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Fire destroys what remained of Richmond’s historic International Hotel URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/fire-destroys-what-remained-of-richmonds-historic-international-hotel/ Last updated: 2026-01-21T22:57:08.000Z What was left of Richmond's historic International Hotel turned to ashes late Tuesday afternoon, after its already charred framework had been left sitting amid garbage and rubble for more than two years following a 2023 fire. Richmond Deputy Fire Chief Rico Rincon said firefighters responded just before 5 p.m. Tuesday to yet another fire at the vacant property. “Our first alarm crews arrived on scene. Smoke was visible from Carlson and neighboring areas,” Rincon said. “We previously had fires at this building. There were only a few walls still standing from the old hotel property.” *Richmond Deputy Fire Chief Rico Rincon details the fire department’s response to the International Hotel fire on Tuesday, November 4, 2025.* The response to the blaze brought out four fire engines, one fire truck, and one supporting engine from El Cerrito, according to Rincon, who said the building wasn't occupied at the time of the fire. “Our initial plan was to attack the fire as well as search those to make sure we didn’t have any occupants there, and those searches provided all clear,” Rincon said. Due to the location of and intensity of the fire, Rincon expected crews to remain at the scene until the fire was fully extinguished. “We’re going to have some crews from Public Works come in and bring some heavy equipment to help us get into some of the deep-seated areas of the fire,” he said. “We’ll be here for quite some time.” ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/11/Screenshot-2025-11-04-at-5.43.17-PM-2.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/11/richmond-international-hotel-fire.webp) Richmond's Historic International Hotel burned for a second time on Tuesday, November 4, 2025\. Photos/ Soren HemmilaA Omar Rojas, whose parents own the property next door, said the property has frequent visitors. “There’s a lot of people going in and out living here. The city does well on kicking them out, but we didn’t think it would happen again,” Rojas said. “The flames were pretty high. So I don’t know if they used gasoline or who knows.” The hotel, where the Pullman Brotherhood of Black Sleeping Car Porters Union members would stay during Richmond's early years, was reduced to a burnt frame in April of 2023 in an intense early morning blaze that gutted the building. [Update: Richmond’s historic International Hotel, red tagged after fireThe historic International Hotel, where the Pullman Brotherhood of Black Sleeping Car Porters Union members would stay during Richmond’s early years, was reduced to burnt framework and ash early Monday morning after a fire sped through it, destroying the 108-year-old historic building. Now red-tagged, along with neighboring structures, the historic![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--137.png)Grandview IndependentLinda Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/IMG_9222-3.jpg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/one-of-richmonds-most-historic-buildings-the-pullman-hotel-burns-down/) The property at 396 South Street was formerly owned by Richmond activist Ethel Dotson and was located near the Pullman Rail Car Shops, which closed in 1959\. South Street was recently renamed Ethel Dotson South Street in an effort by the Pullman Neighborhood Council to honor Dotson, who passed away in 2007\. The property's current owner is Dotson's son, Kariti Eric Hartman. Since the 2023 fire, the property has been a dumping ground for garbage, old mattresses, and other discarded items. [Pullman neighborhood’s historic International Hotel now hosts old mattresses, garbageOne of Richmond’s important historical resources, destroyed in a massive fire earlier in the year, has become a dumping ground for old mattresses and assorted garbage. The Pullman Neighborhood’s International Hotel burned down last April in a fire intense enough to quickly reduce the structure to a scorched frame and![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--138.png)Grandview IndependentLinda Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Pullman-neighborhood-historic-International-Hotel-.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmondpullmaninternationalhotel/) In the fall of 2023, the Pullman Neighborhood Council held a discussion with councilmembers Doria Robinson and Gayle McLaughlin, as well as Hartman, to explore ideas, including a vision to transform the property into a cultural center dedicated to preserving the history of the hotel and the surrounding neighborhood. [Pullman Neighborhood hosts discussion about historic International Hotel propertyA meeting hosted by the Pullman Neighborhood Council and District 3 Councilmember Doria Robinson was held last week to explore the future of Richmond’s historic International Hotel, which was destroyed along with two adjacent homes in a fire last April. The small 20-room hotel, located at 396 Ethel Dotson South![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--139.png)Grandview IndependentLinda Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/IMG_9187-1.jpg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/international-hotel-richmond-ca-pullman-history/) In the months following the discussion, plans failed to materialize, and the hotel continued to deteriorate due to exposure to the elements. “Our fire investigators and our fire marshal are here currently,” Rincon said. “They’ll be doing some interviews and questions to try to determine the cause and see if there’s any information that helps us out with that.” --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Contra Costa County allocates $21 million to replace frozen federal food benefits URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/contra-costa-county-allocates-21-million-to-replace-frozen-federal-food-benefits/ Last updated: 2025-11-06T01:56:57.000Z Contra Costa County supervisors declared a local emergency on Tuesday, allocating up to $21 million to provide food assistance to more than 65,000 households after the federal government suspended nutrition benefits due to the ongoing government shutdown. The county will distribute debit cards loaded with food assistance funds at four Employment and Human Services Department offices starting the week of November 10\. Richmond will serve as a distribution hub for debit cards. More than 17,000 households in District 1, which includes Richmond, San Pablo, El Cerrito, and Pinole, received approximately $5.5 million in CalFresh benefits in September. The emergency action affects roughly 108,000 county residents, more than half of whom are children and seniors. "It is shameful that we're having this discussion at all," said Supervisor John Gioia, who represents West County. "But at least the silver lining is we weren't discussing whether or not we were going to do this. We are discussing how to fund it and how to do it." This past September, 91 Richmond retailers recorded more than $2 million in CalFresh sales, the highest of any city in the county. San Pablo stores saw an additional $1.3 million in sales from the benefits, known federally as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Recipients must present identification and verify their CalFresh eligibility to receive cards. The county plans to initially load 50 percent of November benefits, with additional funds added in subsequent weeks if the federal freeze continues. Congress failed to pass a federal budget for fiscal year 2026, triggering a government shutdown that began on October 1\. Employment and Human Services Director Marla Stuart told supervisors the county has no expectation of federal reimbursement for the emergency expenditure. The Board of Supervisors debated funding sources before agreeing to draw approximately $12.8 million from the county's appropriation for contingencies and $8.2 million from unallocated COVID-19 FEMA reimbursement funds. The board initially considered using an additional $9.7 million set aside during budget hearings, but supervisors expressed concern about preserving those funds for a community engagement process. "We have over 500 million in emergency funds because we have been financially prudent in how we manage our budget and our expenditures," Gioia said. "These are the most vulnerable folks in our county." But Low-income families aren't the only ones feeling the pinch while the SNAP program is on hold. Retailers also benefit economically from the program. In September, Contra Costa households received approximately $21 million in CalFresh benefits, which were spent at 705 retailers in the county. Data shows CalFresh recipients spent all but $596,000 of their September issuances, leaving only 3 percent on their cards at month's end. As an immediate stopgap measure, the county purchased 10,000 food boxes from the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano and began distributing them on Sunday at EHSD locations. On the first day, 1,150 boxes delivered before 8 a.m. were gone by noon. Supervisor Diane Burgis warned that the one-month allocation is unsustainable. "This is just one moment of triage in a whole bunch of issues that we're going to have to deal with," Burgis said. The Employment and Human Services director must report back to supervisors within 60 days on whether to continue the local emergency. Special distribution arrangements will be made for foster youth, home-care consumers, and WIC recipients. Additionally, Chevron is contributing $50,000 in funding to five frontline organizations, including the Community Housing Development Corporation’s Corrine Sain Senior & Family Community Center, the Bay Area Rescue Mission, the Greater Richmond Interfaith Program, the Multicultural Institute of Richmond, and the Contra Costa College Food Pantry. Contra Costa County Supervisor John Gioia said Chevron's support is aligned with Contra Costa County’s action to provide grocery debit cards to families whose Federal food. “The only way we can meet the food and nutrition needs of our residents is through a public-private partnership," Gioia said. "That’s why we appreciate Chevron’s support of Richmond community organizations that are helping feed our most vulnerable residents, especially children and seniors." **Distribution sites will be located at:** - 1305 Macdonald Avenue, Richmond - 151 Linus Pauling Drive, Hercules - 400 Ellinwood Way, Pleasant Hill - 4545 Delta Fair Boulevard, Antioch --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond police investigating early morning North & East shooting URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-police-investigating-early-morning-north-east-shooting/ Last updated: 2025-11-04T20:37:44.000Z Richmond police are investigating a shooting that left one person injured early Monday morning. Officers responded to a report of a shooting at 1:38 a.m. in the 900 block of 30th Street and found a victim suffering from a gunshot wound, according to Lt. Donald Patchin, Richmond Police Department public information officer. "The victim was transported to a local trauma center for treatment," Patchin said. "The victim provided vague and conflicting statements, and officers were unable to confirm where the shooting occurred. The incident remains under investigation." ![shooting](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/11/900-block-30th-street-richmond.png) Richmond Police responded to a report of a shooting at 1:38 a.m. in the 900 block of 30th Street. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Finger lick n’ kick n’ chicken: Five Star lands in Richmond URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/finger-lick-n-kick-n-chicken-five-star-lands-in-richmond/ Last updated: 2025-11-04T16:19:42.000Z We had to eat through all the fries first. That’s just how it works when you’re at Five Star Chicken on San Pablo Avenue, where the old H. Salt Fish & Chips used to be, back when things were different and the corridor was quieter and nobody was talking about the "Richmond Gourmet Ghetto" yet. ****Richmond Five Star Chicken:** 12951 San Pablo Avenue Some are calling it that now. Richmond’s Gourmet Ghetto. All this stuff opening up along The Avenue. Five Star Chicken expanding from Vallejo to Richmond. Flora de Jalisco’s truck next door serving what they’ve always served. New spots popping up between the tire shops and the auto body places. The vanguard across the street watching another storefront fill up on San Pablo Avenue. ![Five Star Chicken Combo ](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/11/five-star-chicken-richmond.webp) The Five Star Chicken Combo cost $13.16 with tax. The interior of Five Star Chicken is clean and modern with a playful attitude. Pops of red come from both the décor and the glowing wall sign, a bold, cartoon chicken with crossed wings under the slogan “Finger Lick N’ Kick N’ Chicken.” Imagine the Colonel raising an eyebrow, or perhaps tipping his hat. The menu features fried chicken combos and sandwiches, such as the “Five Star Chicken Combo” we ordered ($13.16 with tax), as well as hot-honey, buffalo, or mango-habanero variations. You’ll also find loaded fries and bowls. Think: mac-and-cheese topped with chicken or a “Flamin’ Mac Fries” option, accompanied by sides like coleslaw and cheese sauce. On the beverage side, there's a lot of stuff we are too old for. Milkshakes (vanilla, strawberry, chocolate, Oreo, mango, Fruity Pebbles, Captain Crunch) and “energy refreshers” like tropical mango and cosmic berry are available alongside fountain drinks and lemonades. Two plumbers were eating inside, still in their work clothes, and one was giving the other grief about ordering the chicken sandwich combo instead of the mac and cheese bowl. "*Oh man, you ordered the wrong thing..."* The other one just shrugged and kept eating, not defending his choice, not arguing, just working through his sandwich. The sandwich came out hot, hot. Not just hot. Hot hot. The kind of heat that makes you wait and think about your choices and remember other times you didn’t wait and burned your mouth on something you should’ve respected more. The brioche bun was sweet and soft like a good memory from before everything got complicated. The chicken stayed crispy through the whole thing. You could see it in the coating, that orange-gold crunch that didn’t quit even after sitting next to hot fries in a plastic container. The kind of crispy that survives the journey home, that holds up against steam and time and the reality of takeout physics. And the chicken itself was juicy, probably brined if we had to guess, the kind of moisture that means someone in the kitchen figured out the science and made sure it worked every single time. There was lettuce, tomato, and pickle. The holy trinity of sandwich architecture that never goes out of style. Some sauce, nothing too fancy. Just honest construction from people who started in Vallejo and worked their way down to San Pablo Avenue, where El Pollo Loco sits a few blocks north, and now there’s competition, now there’s a scene developing. The crinkle fries were good, but they were just the opening act. They gave us two sauces: we're going to call'em Ranch and Thousand Island. The sandwich was the headliner. And yeah, it delivered. It held up under scrutiny, hunger, and the weight of expectation that comes with filling a burned-out space in a neighborhood that’s suddenly got people talking about gourmet ghettos and food corridors, and whether Richmond is having a moment or if Richmond was always having a moment, and we just weren’t paying attention. Five stars out of Five Stars. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### What happened in Richmond: police report a week of gunfire, robberies, and car thefts URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/what-happened-in-richmond-police-report-a-week-of-gunfire-robberies-and-car-thefts/ Last updated: 2025-11-03T15:48:41.000Z Richmond police responded to numerous reports of crime between October 27 and November 2, logging dozens of vehicle thefts, multiple reports of gunfire, and several assaults and domestic violence cases across the city. ### Richmond crime incidents ### **Monday, October 27** **Firearm discharge and alcohol violation:** In the 94801 zip code. Officers responded to the willful discharge of a firearm in a grossly negligent manner and possession of open alcohol in public at 1:17 a.m. **Drug paraphernalia:** In the 94804 zip code. Officers arrested someone on drug equipment charges at 3:48 a.m. **Vandalism:** In the 94804 zip code. Property damage valued at $400 or more was reported at 9:51 a.m. **Grand theft:** 400 block of 6th Street. A theft was reported at 10:52 a.m. **Domestic battery:** 100 block of Buchanan Street. Officers arrested someone for simple assault after responding to a report of a battery involving a spouse, ex-spouse, or dating partner at 11 a.m. **Driving on a suspended license:** In the 94805 zip code. A person was caught driving while their license was suspended or revoked at 11 a.m. **Deadly weapon display:** In the 94801 zip code. Someone exhibited a deadly weapon other than a firearm at 11:27 a.m. **Trespassing:** 800 block of Chevron Way. A person refused to leave a posted land at 12:10 p.m. **Robbery and battery:** 700 block of Rock Rose Way. A strong-arm robbery and battery involving a spouse or dating partner was reported at 12:37 p.m. **Sex crime:** 2nd Street. A sex crime was reported at 1:53 p.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 5200 block of Fresno Avenue. A stolen vehicle was recovered at 3:01 p.m. **Commercial burglary:** 4800 block of Bissell Avenue. A commercial property was forcibly entered at 4:30 p.m. **Drug violations and trespassing:** 800 block of Chesley Avenue. Officers made arrests for drug violations after discovering unlawful paraphernalia, controlled substances, and a trespassing violation at 4:48 p.m. **Trespassing:** 3200 block of Roosevelt Avenue. A person refused to leave a property at 6:16 p.m. **Aggravated assault:** 600 block of 32nd Street. A battery with serious bodily injury was reported at 7:35 p.m. **Gone in 60 seconds:** 600 block of S 16th Street. A vehicle was taken without the owner’s consent at 8 p.m. **Hot wheels:** 2600 block of Chanslor Avenue. Another vehicle was taken without consent at 8:30 p.m. **Auto theft:** 2600 block of Gaynor Avenue. A vehicle was stolen at 9 p.m. **Trespassing:** 2500 block of Macdonald Avenue. Officers busted someone for trespassing at 9:21 p.m. **Auto theft:** 300 block of S 23rd Street. A car was taken on an unauthorized test ride at 11:58 p.m. ### **Tuesday, October 28** **Grand theft:** 1800 block of Cutting Boulevard. Officers collared somebody for larceny at 1:30 a.m. **Petty theft:** 100 block of 12th Street. A theft was reported at 6:50 a.m. **Auto theft:** 500 block of 3rd Street. Somebody needed the car more than the owner at 7:27 a.m. **Parts theft:** 900 block of W Cutting Boulevard. Officers made an arrest for theft of motor vehicle parts or accessories at 8:34 a.m. **Vandalism:** 3200 block of Auto Plaza. Property damage valued at $400 or more was reported at 8:36 a.m. **Domestic violence:** 1200 block of Virginia Avenue. Someone reportedly inflicted corporal injury on a cohabitant with prior violations at 11:00 a.m. **Vandalism:** 3700 block of Wall Avenue. Property was defaced at 4:45 p.m. **Auto theft:** 5000 block of Hartnett Avenue. The car situation got complicated at 6:16 p.m. **Firearm discharge:** 400 block of S 25th Street. Someone pulled out and started popping off at 7:54 p.m. **Mail theft:** 3100 block of Birmingham Drive. Mail was stolen at 8:14 p.m. **Vandalism:** 400 block of S 26th Street. Officers nabbed a vandal for destruction of property valued at $400 or more at 9:06 p.m. **Domestic battery:** 3500 block of El Portal Drive, El Sobrante. A battery involving a spouse, ex-spouse, or dating partner was reported at 10:30 p.m. **Auto theft:** 5800 block of Knobcone Court. A car disappeared at 11:20 p.m. **Criminal threats and arson:** 1500 block of Carlson Boulevard. Officers made arrests for arson after someone threatened a crime with the intent to terrorize and allegedly set fire to property at 11:56 p.m. ### **Wednesday, October 29** **Vandalism:** Harbour Way. Property damage valued at $400 or more was reported at 1:42 a.m. **Auto theft:** 1700 block of Roosevelt Avenue. Car thieves spirited an automobile away at 4 a.m. **Auto theft:** 3000 block of Glynis Drive. A car was gone by first light at 6:15 a.m. **Auto theft:** 3900 block of Jenkins Way. Another vehicle vanished come morning at 6:55 a.m. **Resisting arrest:** 2900 block of Florida Avenue. Someone obstructed or resisted a public officer or emergency medical technician at 11 a.m. **Battery:** Intersection of 23rd Street and Rheem Avenue. A battery on a person was reported at 11:38 a.m. **Vandalism:** 3900 block of Potrero Avenue. Property damage valued at $400 or more was reported at noon. **Carjacking:** In the 94804 zip code. A carjacking with a firearm was reported at 3:37 p.m. **Petty theft:** 4500 block of Macdonald Avenue. A theft was reported at 4:01 p.m. **Battery:** 3100 block of Southampton Court. A battery on a person was reported at 4:09 p.m. **Auto theft:** 5300 block of Conestoga Way. Someone spirited an automobile away at 4:30 p.m. **Marijuana violation:** In the 94806 zip code. Someone was smoking or ingesting marijuana while driving at 12:03 a.m. ### **Thursday, October 30** **Contempt of court and domestic battery:** 800 block of Lassen Street. Someone allegedly disobeyed a court order and committed battery against a spouse, ex-spouse, or dating partner at 4:16 a.m. **Domestic battery:** 100 block of 6th Street. A battery involving a spouse, ex-spouse, or dating partner was reported at 7:15 a.m. **Sexual battery and false imprisonment:** 100 block of 6th Street. A sexual battery and false imprisonment with violence was reported at 7:28 a.m. **Battery:** 2300 block of Esmond Avenue. Officers made arrests for simple assault at 8:30 a.m. **Vehicle embezzlement:** 3000 block of Hilltop Mall Road. A leased or rented vehicle was embezzled at 1:18 p.m. **Auto theft:** 300 block of S 37th Street. A vehicle was taken by persons unknown at 3:22 p.m. **Commercial burglary:** 1900 block of Meeker Avenue. A commercial property was forcibly entered at 4:37 p.m. **Armed robbery and assault:** 5500 block of McBryde Avenue. A robbery with a firearm and assault with a gun on a person was reported at 10:34 p.m. ### **Friday, October 31** **Assault, DUI and battery on emergency personnel:** 900 block of Nevin Avenue. Someone assaulted another with a deadly weapon, drove under the influence of alcohol, and battered emergency personnel at 3:17 a.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 2600 block of Hilltop Drive. Someone’s car ended up in Hilltop somehow at 8:02 a.m. **Assault:** 700 block of Pennsylvania Avenue. Officers made an arrest after an assault with a deadly weapon was reported at 9:38 a.m. **Vehicle recovery:** In the 94801 zip code. A stolen vehicle was recovered at 10:46 a.m. **Grand theft and vandalism:** 1000 block of Canal Boulevard. A theft and property damage valued at $400 or more were reported at noon. **Warrant arrest:** 4900 block of Bayview Avenue. Officers picked up a wanted person on an outstanding misdemeanor warrant at noon. **Contempt of court:** West Richmond Avenue. Someone was said to have disobeyed a court order at 1:12 p.m. **So anyways, I started blasting:** In the 94801 zip code. Shots were fired at an inhabited dwelling, vehicle, or other structure at 1:22 p.m. **Reckless driving:** In the 94801 zip code. Reckless driving on a highway was reported at 1:26 p.m. **DUI and hit-and-run:** 3800 block of Solano Avenue. Someone drove under the influence of alcohol with a blood alcohol content of 0.08 percent or higher and fled the scene after causing property damage at 3:41 p.m. **Battery:** 300 block of S 15th Street. A battery on a person was reported at 5:06 p.m. **Battery:** 2900 block of Hilltop Mall Road. Officers made arrests for simple assault at 5:18 p.m. **Auto theft:** 200 block of Marina Way South. A car was carried off by forces unseen at 7 p.m. **Auto theft:** 500 block of 2nd Street. A vehicle disappeared like a whisper at 8:01 p.m. **Police evasion:** In the 94804 zip code. A driver evaded police with disregard for safety at 8:45 p.m. **Domestic battery:** 200 block of Nevin Avenue. Officers made an arrest for simple assault after responding to reports of battery involving a spouse, ex-spouse or dating partner at 9:08 p.m. **DUI:** 4500 block of Macdonald Avenue. Officers made arrests for driving under the influence at 10:28 p.m. **Auto theft:** 5500 block of Modoc Avenue. A car was gone, swallowed by the Annex night at 11 p.m. **Battery:** 900 block of Nevin Avenue. A battery on a person was reported at 11:42 p.m. ### **Saturday, November 1** **Vehicle recovery:** 100 block of S 20th Street. A stolen vehicle was recovered at midnight. **Firearm discharge:** 700 block of 18th Street. Someone shot at an unoccupied dwelling, vehicle, or other structure at 12:50 a.m. **Domestic battery:** 700 block of S 13th Street. Officers made an arrest for simple assault after responding to a battery involving a spouse, ex-spouse, or dating partner at 1:05 a.m. **Firearm discharge:** 400 block of S 16th Street. It got all Wild West for a minute at 2:13 a.m. **Vandalism:** 700 block of McLaughlin Street. Property damage valued at $400 or more was reported at 2:36 a.m. **Multiple weapon violations:** In the 94804 zip code. Officers made arrests for weapon law violations after discovering a concealed weapon in a vehicle, a concealed weapon on a person, a loaded firearm in public, a minor illegally possessing a concealed weapon, a loaded handgun not registered to the carrier, and a large capacity magazine at 3:58 a.m. **Residential burglary:** 900 block of 9th Street. A home was forcibly entered at 4:31 a.m. **Custody violation:** 1700 block of Regatta Boulevard. Someone was said to have deprived another of custody or visitation rights at 7 a.m. **Battery:** 700 block of 17th Street. A battery on a person was reported at 8:29 a.m. **Auto theft:** 2400 block of Gaynor Avenue. A vehicle was taken without the owner’s consent at 10:11 a.m. **Custody violation:** 2300 block of San Joaquin Street. It was reported that someone deprived another of custody or visitation rights at 4:30 p.m. **Domestic battery:** 2000 block of Hoffman Boulevard. A battery involving a spouse, ex-spouse, or dating partner was reported at 9:28 p.m. **Noise violation:** 600 block of Phanor Drive. A community noise complaint was reported at 10:50 p.m. ### **Sunday, November 2** **Commercial burglary:** 3200 block of Pierce Street. A commercial property was forcibly entered at midnight. **Auto theft:** 4400 block of Wall Avenue. A vehicle was taken by thieves in the night at 12:56 a.m. **Assault:** 600 block of Sanford Avenue. An assault with a deadly weapon was reported at 1:26 a.m. **Carjacking and domestic violence:** 300 block of Nevin Avenue. Officers made an arrest after responding to reports of a strong-arm carjacking, vehicle theft, assault with force causing possible great bodily injury, and infliction of corporal injury at 1:43 a.m. **Auto theft:** 2700 block of East Court. A vehicle was taken without consent from a street we’ve never heard of at 1:51 a.m. **Aggravated assault:** 1300 block of Gaynor Avenue. Officers made an arrest for aggravated assault at 4:26 a.m. **Auto theft:** 2900 block of Wiswall Drive. Thieves reportedly took another car in the night at 6:21 a.m. **Residential burglary:** 700 block of S 41st Street. A home was entered without force at 6:23 a.m. **Auto theft:** 700 block of 15th Street. Come sunrise, only tire tracks remained at 7:43 a.m. **Attempted extortion:** 2100 block of Virginia Avenue. An attempted extortion was reported at 9 a.m. **Petty theft:** 3500 block of El Portal Drive. A theft from a building was reported at 11 a.m. **Alcohol violation:** Unspecified location in the 94804 zip code. An alcohol-related quality of life violation was reported at 12:36 p.m. **Criminal threats and firearm display:** 2300 block of Macdonald Avenue. Someone threatened a crime with the intent to terrorize and exhibited a firearm at 4:17 p.m. **Domestic battery:** 400 block of Metro Walk Way. A battery involving a spouse, ex-spouse, or dating partner was reported at 6:05 p.m. **Auto theft:** 200 block of Vernon Avenue. A car got borrowed by some guys at 6:40 p.m. **Arson and vandalism:** In the 94803 zip code. Arson of a structure or forest land and property damage valued at $400 or more were reported at 7:41 p.m. **Assault:** 4200 block of Macdonald Avenue. A kidnapping and assault with force causing possible great bodily injury were reported at 8:12 p.m. Police made an arrest. **Vehicle recovery:** In the 94801 zip code. A stolen vehicle was recovered at 8:14 p.m. **Firearm display and battery:** 3800 block of Fleming Avenue. Someone exhibited a firearm and committed battery on a person at 9:01 p.m. **Drug paraphernalia:** In the 94801 zip code. Unlawful paraphernalia was discovered at 9:47 p.m. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond police encrypt radios, ending scanner access URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-police-encrypt-radios-ending-scanner-access/ Last updated: 2025-10-31T18:01:56.000Z For years, the *Grandview Independent* monitored Richmond in real time through police scanners. Reports of [shootings](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-police-investigate-deadly-shooting/), [police chases](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/driver-leads-police-on-a-chase-to-san-fransico-and-back-to-richmond/), and helicopters circling offered details on street closures and police activity. The scanners are now offline, removing that immediate source of information for journalists and residents. The Richmond Police Department is joining law enforcement agencies across Contra Costa County in encrypting its police radio communications — a move officials say is intended to comply with state privacy guidelines, but transparency advocates warn could limit public oversight. Assistant Chief Timothy Simmons said the department adopted encryption “to protect sensitive information and community privacy, such as domestic violence and sexual assault victims’ information,” and to comply with a 2020 California Department of Justice bulletin requiring agencies to safeguard personally identifiable and criminal justice information transmitted over public channels. “Many agencies — RPD included — chose full-time encryption to reliably meet those requirements and reduce the risk that open-air transmissions could be misused to endanger victims, witnesses, or responding officers,” Simmons said. The Richmond Police Department operates on the East Bay Regional Communications System Authority, a multiagency network serving Alameda and Contra Costa counties. Simmons said all agencies on the system must either be encrypted or unencrypted for operations to function properly. The department’s public information officer, Lt. Donald Patchin, said Richmond made the switch on October 7 in line with other Contra Costa County agencies. “We do not have anything in the works to allow media access,” Patchin said. “As per the new law, the personal information would have to be redacted before release. We currently have the daily bulletin in place for community members to see our calls for service.” Simmons said the Berkeley City Council voted this week to allow the Berkeley Police Department to encrypt its radio channels as well. [Op-Ed: Berkeley should not vote for police secrecy over transparencyBerkeley has a proven track record as a champion for transparency. Will this City Council vote for government secrecy tonight instead?![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/The-Berkeley-Scanner_Icon_Color-1-1.jpg)The Berkeley ScannerEmilie Raguso![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/8346058648908931728.jpg)](https://www.berkeleyscanner.com/2025/10/28/editors-desk/op-ed-berkeley-can-still-lead-the-way-police-radio-traffic/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) Media and transparency advocates have expressed concern that full encryption could limit public oversight in Richmond and other cities. Ginny LaRoe, advocacy director for the First Amendment Coalition, said the move could have broader consequences. The First Amendment Coalition is a California-based organization that advocates for press freedom and open government. “Berkeley City Council was required to act if it wanted to give the police the authority to move to encryption. Specifically, it had to vote to repeal a 2021 resolution preventing full encryption in order to move forward,” LaRoe said. “Silencing police scanners hurts newsgathering, hinders police oversight, and ultimately leaves the community less informed. Police already have the tools to keep sensitive information off the public channels, as they have for decades, and we encourage Richmond and other agencies to reconsider a more transparent approach that preserves public access to general channels,” LaRoe said. The coalition argued that police radio access allows journalists and the public to monitor emergencies, assess response efforts, and provide independent oversight of police actions. “While we appreciate there may be staffing or resource issues that pose challenges,” LaRoe said, “the solution to what appear to be imminently solvable issues should not be blanket secrecy.” The department has not indicated any plans to establish media access or delayed broadcast systems similar to those used in other California cities. Simmons said the department “remains committed to transparency” and will continue sharing information through press releases and community updates. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### On the agenda: new tenant protections, police shooting policy updates URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-agenda-new-tenant-protections-police-shooting-policy-updates/ Last updated: 2025-10-31T18:27:13.000Z The Richmond City Council on [Tuesday, November 4](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx?Id=1e301b7a-4901-4e74-a94e-b66f8df5f9e4&Agenda=Agenda&lang=English&ref=grandviewindependent.com), will consider new rules to regulate “cash for keys” agreements in which landlords pay tenants to move out, while also approving updates to the Police Department’s officer-involved shooting policy and launching a review of the city’s mental health services. The meeting’s consent calendar includes a range of public safety, infrastructure, and community development items, including new fire and police equipment purchases, emergency medical funding, and pension adjustments. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/10/richmond-rent-program.webp) ### [Council to weigh rules on ‘cash for keys’ tenant buyouts](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59515&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The Richmond City Council is considering new rules to regulate “cash for keys” agreements, deals in which landlords pay tenants to move out of their rental units. This is the only new business item on the calendar. The proposal from the Richmond Rent Program would establish oversight of these buyout arrangements to prevent coercion, protect renters’ rights, and help preserve affordable housing. The city’s Rent Board voted unanimously in July to recommend a “high level of oversight” policy and asked the council to direct the City Attorney to draft an ordinance. A “cash for keys” deal, formally called a tenant buyout agreement, is a voluntary contract in which a tenant agrees to vacate a unit in exchange for money or other compensation. Landlords often offer buyouts to avoid lengthy eviction proceedings, prepare a property for sale or redevelopment, or raise rents to market levels once a protected tenant moves out. Under the proposed policy, landlords would be required to give tenants written notice of their rights before any negotiations begin and file copies of the notice and agreement with the Rent Program. Tenants would have 45 days to cancel an agreement after signing, and payouts would have to equal at least the city’s relocation assistance amount for comparable units. Noncompliance could lead to fines or legal action. Officials say the regulations would prevent landlords from using buyouts to sidestep Richmond’s rent control and eviction protection laws. The City Council is expected to review the proposal this fall before deciding whether to move forward with drafting an ordinance. --- ### [Updating policy on officer-involved shootings](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59511&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The council is also set to adopt revisions to the Richmond Police Department’s officer-involved shooting policy and begin a review of local mental health services. This item is on the consent calendar and will be approved without discussion unless it is removed. [Council approves new policy for officer-involved shooting communications, adjusts meeting scheduleThe Richmond City Council meeting on Tuesday, September 23, considered two major decisions: one regarding how the city communicates with the public following officer-involved shootings, and another concerning the schedule and timing of its regular meetings. The most heated discussion of the night centered on a proposal to create rules![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--135.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-city-council-meeting-2-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/council-approves-new-policy-for-officer-involved-shooting-communications-adjusts-meeting-schedule/) The proposal updates Police Department Policy 306 to set clearer timelines and transparency standards for officer-involved shooting communications. The changes require an initial public statement within 24 hours of an incident and regular updates at least every 30 days, even if no new information is available. The first release must identify all investigating agencies, outline the investigation sequence, link to the Community Police Review Commission, and explain how affected individuals can access support services. [Richmond Police address shooting at press conferenceAt a press conference Monday, Richmond Police Chief Bisa French said 27-year-old Angel Magallan Montaño was fatally shot by officers last week after he advanced rapidly toward them while holding knives in both hands. French read from a prepared statement describing the officer-involved shooting on August 4 that killed Montaño![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--136.png)Grandview IndependentLinda Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-08-11-at-2.16.54-PM-1-1-1-1-2.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-police-address-shooting-at-press-conference/) The policy also confirms that the release of body-worn camera footage will follow state law, allowing only redactions necessary to protect safety and privacy under Government Code §7923.625 and Assembly Bill 748. Richmond will start a competitive process to hire consultants to assess its mental health services. The study will include an inventory of available programs, identify service gaps, and recommend ways to improve access and outreach, particularly for residents affected by trauma. According to the report, a final mental health assessment is expected to be completed by July 2026\. Funding details will be determined after the city reviews proposals. --- ## On the consent calendar Also on the consent calendar are a series of public safety, infrastructure, and community development measures, including new contracts for emergency services, police equipment, and fire department supplies. ### Fuel for the firefighters *Fire Department gains fresh funding, new equipment, and a seat on a regional rescue squad.* The council will authorize the Fire Department to accept up to [$229,462 in Measure H funding](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59495&ref=grandviewindependent.com) from Contra Costa County Health Services to support emergency medical programs and approve multiple contracts to maintain and expand firefighting readiness. Those include[ $1 million in equipment purchases from LN Curtis & Sons,](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59455&ref=grandviewindependent.com) a $120,000 contract for background checks with [The Gumshoe Group](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59408&ref=grandviewindependent.com), and $60,000 for Telestaff [personnel management software.](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59498&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Richmond also joins California Task Force 4, a [regional urban search and rescue team ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59486&ref=grandviewindependent.com)led by the Oakland Fire Department. ### Encrypted and equipped *Police eye pricier radios, new gym gear, and a longer leash on animal services.* Public safety updates also extended to the Richmond Police Department, which seeks approval to buy $350,000 in [encrypted radios from Motorola](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59486&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Solutions, purchase $55,000 in fitness equipment, and renew a $1.4 million agreement with Contra Costa County Animal Services through June 2026. Other police-related actions included a $250,000 contract with STAND! For Families Free of Violence to provide counseling and advocacy services, and a $40,000 agreement with Donnoe & Associates for promotional testing. ### **Retirees get a raise** *A modest pension bump keeps pace with inflation.* The Finance Department is looking for approval for a five percent cost-of-living increase for recipients of the city’s General Pension Fund, combining a three percent discretionary boost with the standard two percent adjustment. The council is also to receive the monthly financial reports for September. ### Pedal power and guardrails *Public Works completes one project and funds another to make Richmond safer for walking and cycling.* Public Works has $241,000 in regional transportation funds for the Downtown Point Richmond Bicycle and Pedestrian Connectivity Project and finalized the Richmond Parkway Guardrail Replacement Project, awarding a final payment of $42,740 to W.R. Forde Construction. ### Climate gets an address *A Nevin Plaza office becomes a home base for the city’s green transformation effort.* Under Economic Development, the council will approve a $16,680 annual lease for office space at 1600 Nevin Plaza to house the Transformative Climate Communities (TCC) program, funded by a state climate grant. ### Temp work, permanent extensions *Staffing agencies will remain in place through 2027 as Richmond ticks the boxes for regional transport funds.* Additional approvals included contract extensions for temporary staffing agencies TemPositions and AppleOne, each capped at $350,000 through 2027, and adoption of the city’s Measure J Growth Management Program compliance checklist for 2022–2023, required for continued participation in Contra Costa County’s regional transportation funding. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Eight Great Things to do in Richmond URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/eight-great-things-to-do-in-richmond-20/ Last updated: 2025-10-29T21:24:32.000Z With 30-plus miles of shoreline, two yacht clubs, endless hiking and cycling trails, and a host of eateries and art galleries, Richmond has a lot to offer. Each week, *Grandview* highlights the best, not-to-be-missed events and offerings from around the city. This week: Richmond Halloween favorite Trunk or Treat is back at Hilltop Community Church, Windchaser's Spooky Wine and Pizza party, and West County Saleisian Youth Club hosts its Fall Wine and Cocktail Tasting Party. ## Trunk or Treat @ Hilltop Community Church ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/10/Screenshot-2025-10-29-at-10.34.29-AM.png) **October 29**,, **7 - 8:30 p.m.** Free candy for kids 12 and under.Hilltop **Community Church 3118 Shane Drive, Richmond** ## Raise the Spirits Halloween Party @The Factory Bar ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/10/Screenshot-2025-10-29-at-1.51.32-PM.png) **Halloween!! It's one of our favorite times of the year here at The Factory Bar.** And this year we are going to celebrate it for two days. The first being that Halloween's Friday night. [Sirslushalot](https://www.instagram.com/sirslushalot/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) is going to be DJ'ing, we'll have our big costume contest, a Wheel-of-misfortune, prizes, and special drinks. - The Factory Bar[(map)](http://maps.google.com/?q=12513%20San%20Pablo%20Avenue%20Richmond,%20CA,%2094805%20United%20States&ref=grandviewindependent.com) - 12513 San Pablo Avenue - Richmond, CA, **So grab your crew and get your best costumes ready for competition!** ## Halloween Party @ Windchaser Wine Co. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/10/Untitled-design--17-.png) **Friday, October 31, 4 p.m. - 8 p.m.** Live music from The Heebie Geebies. Rocky Island Oyster Co., Pizza, and more. **1352 S 49th St, Richmond, CA 94804** ## HALLOWEEN HAUNT @THE BACKYARD ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/10/Screenshot-2025-10-29-at-10.48.47-AM.png) **Sponsored by the city of Richmond’s Neighbor to Neighbor and the Santa Fe Neighborhood Council** ❤️ Friday, October 31, from 4 p.m.-8 p.m. 🕸️ Also, our 3-year anniversary as a business! 🥰 Enjoy our famous pumpkin patch 🎃 Trick-or-treating 🍬 Live music 🎸 Face painting 🎨 And more! 🎉 We are also DECKING the whole place out in Halloween decor, so please come catch these vibes 😆 Thank you to our amazing city of Richmond for supporting our community here at [#RichmondBackyard](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/richmondbackyard/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) ❤️ **The Backyard - 205 Cutting Blvd. Richmond, CA 94804** ## Trunk or Treat @East Brother Beer Co. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/10/Screenshot-2025-10-29-at-12.29.54-PM.png) **Grab your costumes and join us for Trunk or Treat!** 📅 October 31 | ⏰ 4 p.m.– 9 p.m. ✨ Free event, all ages welcome! 🍺 First pint is $1 if you're in costume; $6 pints for the rest of the night (when in costume). Bring your best costume and get ready for a night of candy, fun, and spooky vibes! **1001 Canal Blvd, Richmond, CA** ## Fall Wine Tasting-Coctail Party @WCSYC ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/10/Screenshot-2025-10-22-at-12.22.35-PM-1.png) **Saturday, November 1**, **from 2-5 p.m.** at the West County Salesian Youth Club, **2801 Moran Ave, Richmond** ## Groove Portal @Sailing Goat Restaurant ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/10/Screenshot-2025-10-29-at-12.38.04-PM.png) **November 1, 2025, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.** Sailing Goat at Point San Pablo Harbor, 1900 Stenmark Dr, Richmond, CA 94801, Groove Portal is your funky gateway to another dimension—where the bass is deep, the horns are hot, and the dance floor is always in motion. This ten-piece Bay Area band delivers an electrifying tribute to the legends of soul, funk, and R&B—think Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Earth, Wind & Fire, and Sly and the Family Stone. With blazing horns and a rhythm section tighter than a velvet glove, Groove Portal opens up a vortex of good vibes and irresistible grooves. Step through the portal—and let the groove take over. [https://grooveportalband.com/home](https://grooveportalband.com/home?ref=grandviewindependent.com) **Sailing Goat at Point San Pablo Harbor, 1900 Stenmark Dr, Richmond, CA 94801, USA** ## Chamber and Communities Fall Mega Mixer @ El Agave Azule ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/10/unnamed--6-.jpg) **Monday, November 3, 5:30-7:30 p.m**. All members of the business community are welcome. **El Agave Azul 12955 San Pablo Ave, Richmond** --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Cars rolling at Glydways’ Hilltop hub as company prepares 2026 pilot URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/cars-rolling-at-glydways-hilltop-hub-as-company-prepares-2026-pilot/ Last updated: 2025-10-29T21:30:04.000Z Driverless electric pods are quietly circling a test track at Glydways’ 14-acre Development and Demonstration Facility at the former Hilltop Mall in Richmond, where the company is refining its on-demand automated transit system ahead of a planned public pilot next year. Autonomous vehicle company Glydways began operating vehicles on the closed guideway this year, testing its zero-emission “Glydcars” in full system runs that simulate on-demand transit service. The vehicles are part of a fully autonomous network designed to carry passengers in small, privately booked pods on dedicated lanes separate from regular traffic. [Autonomous car company to create 14-acre facility at Hilltop MallAutonomous car company Glydways announced plans on Monday for a temporary development and demonstration facility at Hilltop Mall. The facility will include a dedicated test track, a 13,000-square-foot maintenance facility, and a visitor showroom. It will allow Glydways to test its autonomous transit network technology while showcasing its operations![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--133.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Glydcar-hilltop-mall-1-1.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/autonomous-car-company-to-create-14-acre-facility-at-hilltop-mall/) The Richmond facility includes more than a mile of guideway track, a 13,000-square-foot maintenance and storage building, and a control center housed in the former Sears building at Hilltop Mall. The site serves as the company’s primary hub for testing safety, reliability, and fleet operations before the public pilot expected in 2026. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/10/IMG_2761-1.jpg) Photo/ Linda Hemmila City officials have said the project brings life back to the long-vacant Hilltop property while the broader Hilltop Horizon redevelopment plan moves forward. In a statement earlier this year, Richmond City Manager Shasa Curl said Glydways’ presence “helps activate the former mall site” and positions the city as a testing ground for innovative, zero-emission transportation. [Glydways turning Sears into AV command center at Hilltop MallConstruction continues at Glydway’s 14-acre development hub, which is transforming part of the former Sears building at Hilltop Mall into a development and demonstration core for its all-electric transit technology. In January, Glydways announced it was building a temporary 14-acre testing hub for its Automated Transit Network technology. For the![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--134.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Autonomous-car-Glydway-hilltop-sears-auto-1-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/glydways-turning-sears-into-av-command-center-at-hilltop-mall/) Glydways CEO Gokul Hemmady said the project represents progress toward building a scalable transit system that can reduce congestion and emissions. “Our goal is to show that a system like this can move people efficiently and affordably,” Hemmady said when the facility was first announced. The Richmond hub will also support future deployments, including a 28-mile automated transit network being developed with the Contra Costa Transportation Authority and Tri Delta Transit in East Contra Costa County. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/10/Sign-up-for--1--2.png) The company, founded in 2016, describes its system as offering the convenience of ride-hailing at public-transit prices, using vehicles that travel continuously without traffic or stops until passengers reach their destination. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### What happened in Richmond: violent crimes, thefts, and disputes URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/what-happened-in-richmond-violent-crimes-thefts-and-disputes/ Last updated: 2025-10-28T19:49:40.000Z From firearms violations and domestic violence to vehicle thefts and DUIs, Richmond police logged numerous arrests and investigations between October 20 and 26, 2025\. ### Richmond crime incidents ### Monday, October 20 **Weapon Law Violations:** 2900 block of San Joaquin Street. Officers made an arrest after responding to the willful discharge of a firearm in a grossly negligent manner at 1:10 a.m. Police also discovered a concealed weapon in a vehicle and a loaded handgun that belonged to someone else. **Assault:** 900 block of McLaughlin Street. Officers made an arrest after responding to reports of an assault at 1:46 a.m. **Car tampering:** Unspecified location in the 94804 zip code. A vehicle was tampered with at 5:54 a.m. **Assault:** 200 block of Bissell Avenue. Officers arrested someone on sexual assault charges at 7:20 a.m.. **Over exposure:** 900 block of Dornan Drive. It was said that someone was exposing themselves at 9:10 a.m. **Battery:** 4700 block of Macdonald Avenue. A person was assaulted at 9:29 a.m. **Gone in 60 seconds:** 1600 block of Coalinga Avenue. An automobile was taken without consent at 9:35 a.m. **Grand theft:** 1500 block of Marina Way South. A theft was reported at 10:35 a.m. **Multiple drug charges and warrant arrest:** Somewhere in the 94804 zip code. Officers discovered unlawful paraphernalia and controlled substances, and arrested someone on an outstanding misdemeanor warrant at 11:07 a.m. **Hot wheels:** 2700 block of Lowell Avenue. Another car was taken without consent at 1 p.m. **Auto burglary:** Somewhere in the 9480\. A vehicle was broken into at 3:59 p.m. **Domestic violence:** 100 block of Chariot Court. Someone reportedly inflicted corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant at 6:10 p.m. **Residential burglary:** 100 block of Chanslor Avenue. A home was entered without force at 6:21 p.m. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/10/Sign-up-for--1--1.png)](https://www.grandvieweats.com/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) ### Tuesday, October 21 **Aggravated assault:** In the 94801 zip code. Officers took a person into custody following their response to an incident involving domestic violence with priors, assault with a deadly weapon, and hit-and-run resulting in injury at 1:09 a.m. **Vandalism:** 100 block of 16th Street. Property damage over $400 was reported at 2:26 a.m. **Firearm discharge:** 100 block of S 47th Street. A firearm was willfully discharged in a grossly negligent manner at 2:36 a.m. **Warrant arrest:** 400 block of 20th Street. Officers nabbed someone on probation violation, disorderly conduct due to alcohol, prohibited person possessing ammunition, and an outstanding felony warrant at 3 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 400 block of 6th Street. An automobile was taken on an unauthorized test ride at 4:56 a.m. **Contempt of court:** 3700 block of Klose Way. Someone was said to have defied a court order at 11:20 a.m. **Battery:** W Richmond Avenue. Police responded to a report of a physical altercation and arrested an assault suspect at 12:14 p.m. **Strong-arm robbery and drug charges:** 700 block of Burbeck. A robbery without weapons transpired, and officers also discovered controlled substances and unlawful paraphernalia at 12:37 p.m. **Domestic violence:** 800 block of 20th Street. Officers responded to reports of domestic violence at 2:09 p.m. **Vandalism:** 1000 block of 23rd Street. Property damage over $400 was reported at 2:19 p.m. **Battery:** 700 block of Carlson Boulevard. A person was arrested after seemingly attacking someone at 2:31 p.m. **Deadly weapon:** 4500 block of Meadowbrook Drive. A person was arrested after reportedly wielding a deadly weapon with malicious intent at 3:36 p.m. **Battery:** 1700 block of Nevin Avenue. A person was assaulted at 5:29 p.m. **Commercial burglary:** 4100 block of Klose Way. A business was broken into with force at 6:45 p.m. **Criminal threats and a deadly weapon:** 12200 block of San Pablo Avenue. A person threatened to commit a crime with the intent to terrorize and exhibited a deadly weapon before getting arrested at 6:53 p.m. **Petty theft:** 2500 block of Lancaster Drive. Theft was reported at 9 p.m. **Multiple firearm charges:** In the 94804 zip code. Officers arrested someone after discovering a concealed weapon in a vehicle, which was loaded and registered to someone else, at 10:17 p.m. **Domestic violence:** 4500 block of Florida Avenue. Police received reports of domestic violence at 11:05 p.m. ### Tuesday, October 22 **Hot wheels:** 500 block of 17th Street. An automobile changed hands in a manner not blessed by law at 12:27 a.m. **Domestic violence:** 3100 block of Garrity Way. Someone was arrested after reportedly inflicting corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant at 1:33 a.m. **Multiple charges:** 200 block of W Macdonald Avenue. Officers made an arrest after they responded to an incident involving criminal threats, vandalism, and battery at 7:42 a.m. **Smash and grab:** 300 block of Seaview Drive. A vehicle was broken into at 9:51 a.m. **Vandalism:** 200 block of S 8th Street. Property damage under $400 was reported at 9:52 a.m. **Fraud:** 100 block of Lakeshore Court. Someone obtained money by false pretenses at 10:58 a.m. **Battery:** 2200 block of Macdonald Avenue. Officers arrested someone on assault charges at 11:52 a.m. **License violation:** In the 94806 zip code. A driver operated a vehicle while their license was suspended at 1:58 p.m. **Petty theft:** 4800 block of Central Avenue. Theft was reported at 2:27 p.m. **Embezzlement:** 3200 block of Auto Plaza. A leased or rented vehicle was reportedly embezzled at 3:04 p.m. **Petty theft:** 2400 block of Aberdeen Way. Motor vehicle parts or accessories were stolen at 4:24 p.m. **Vandalism:** 3500 block of Solano Avenue. Police made an arrest for property damage under $400 at 5:02 p.m. **Assault:** 200 block of S 47th Street. Police responded to an assault with a deadly weapon situation at 9:14 p.m. **Warrant arrest and contempt of court:** Circle Court. A person with an outstanding felony warrant was apprehended and charged with contempt of court at 11:39 p.m. ### Thursday, October 23 **Commercial burglary:** Washington Avenue, Point Richmond. A business was broken into with force at 2:57 a.m. **Aggravated assault:** 3500 block of Wall Avenue. Police responded to a battery with serious bodily injury, arresting someone in the process at 3 a.m. **Commercial burglaries:** 100 block of Park Place. Two more businesses were broken into with force at 3 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 2500 block of Moyers Road. An automobile was taken without consent at 7:01 a.m. **Battery:** Nevin Avenue. A person was assaulted at 8:05 a.m. **Vandalism:** 4900 block of Bayview Avenue. Property damage over $400 was reported at 9:11 a.m. **Gone in 60 seconds:** 2300 block of Aberdeen Way. Another car was taken for an unauthorized test drive at 10:50 a.m. **Sexual assault:** Undisclosed location. Police investigated lewd or lascivious acts at noon. **Battery:** 1200 block of Macdonald Avenue. A person was attacked at 12:15 p.m. **Battery:** 5100 block of Fleming Avenue. A person was assaulted at 12:16 p.m. **Disappearing cars:** 3100 block of Erla Way. Another vehicle disappeared into the criminal underworld at 12:56 p.m. **Petty theft:** 4100 block of Klose Way. Theft was reported at 1 p.m. **Grand theft:** 1000 block of Cutting Boulevard. A theft was reported at 3:16 p.m. **Trespassing:** 800 block of Sonoma Street. A person refused to leave a property and was arrested at 4:54 p.m. **False identification:** In the 94804 zip code. Someone provided false identification to a peace officer and ended up in cuffs at 5:52 p.m. **Residential burglary:** 2400 block of Aberdeen Way. A home was entered without force at 7:16 p.m. **Drug charges:** In the 94801 zip code. Someone was arrested after police discovered marijuana for sale at 9:02 p.m. **DUI:** Location unspecified in the 94804 zip code. A driver was busted on driving under the influence of alcohol charges at 10:48 p.m. **DUI and license violation:** In the 94804 zip code. A driver was arrested after reportedly driving while under the influence of alcohol and drugs, while their license was suspended for DUI at 10:59 p.m. **Court or violation:** 2100 block of Dunn Avenue. A court order to prevent domestic violence was said to have been violated at 11:39 p.m. ### Friday, October 24 **Firearm discharge:** 200 block of Pennsylvania Avenue. A firearm was willfully discharged in a grossly negligent manner at 2:18 a.m. **Auto burglary:** 3100 block of Pierce Street. A vehicle was broken into at 7:09 a.m. **Aggravated assault:** 1200 block of Macdonald Avenue. Police responded to an assault with force likely to produce great bodily injury at 8:57 a.m. **Disorderly conduct:** In the 94801 zip code. Someone was arrested for soliciting a lewd act at 9:04 a.m. **Multiple warrant arrests:** In the 94804 zip code. A person with outstanding misdemeanor warrants was apprehended at 12:15 p.m. **Vandalism:** 2800 block of Loyola Drive. Property damage over $400 was reported at 1 p.m. **Simple assault:** 4000 block of Mozart Drive. Someone was arrested on assault charges at 1 p.m. **Battery:** South 45th Street. A person was attacked at 1:51 p.m. [Brush fire burns along I-580 near Regatta Boulevard in RichmondFirefighters responded Friday afternoon to a brush fire burning along eastbound Interstate 580 near the Bayview Avenue off-ramp, sending up a plume of black smoke visible across Richmond. The fire was first reported around 2:23 p.m. on the right-hand side of the freeway between the road and the![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--132.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-brush-fire-580.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/brush-fire-burns-along-i-580-near-regatta-boulevard-in-richmond/) **Criminal threats:** 2700 block of Maricopa Avenue. Police responded to reports of criminal threats, battery on a spouse, willful cruelty to a child, and exhibition of a deadly weapon, arresting someone at 2:43 p.m. **Alcohol violation:** 300 block of Harbour Way South. An alcohol-related quality of life issue was reported at 3:25 p.m. **Battery:** First Street. A person was assaulted at, and another was arrested for said assault at 3:54 p.m. **Willful cruelty:** 700 block of 8th Street. Officers responded to reports of willful cruelty to a child at 5:37 p.m. **Assault:** 4600 block of Potrero Avenue. Police responded to an incident involving assault with force likely to produce great bodily injury at 7 p.m. **Deadly weapon:** Florida Avenue. A person exhibited a firearm and was arrested at 9 p.m. **Battery:** 16th Street. A person was attacked at 10:21 p.m. ### Saturday, October 25 **Trespassing:** 4400 block of Ohio Avenue. A person refused to leave a location at midnight. **DUI:** 200 block of Bissell Avenue. A driver operated under the influence of alcohol and was taken to the Gray Bar Hotel at 1:17 a.m. **Noise violation:** 900 block of 9th Street. A community noise complaint was reported at 2:20 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 5000 block of Mozart Drive. A car was taken without consent at 2:40 a.m. **Criminal threats and vandalism:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. A person reportedly threatened to commit a crime with the intent to terrorize, and caused property damage before getting arrested at 6:40 a.m. **Car theft:** 200 block of Ripley Avenue. A spontaneous change in car ownership led to an arrest at 6:45 a.m. **Residential burglary:** 3100 block of Garrity Way. A home was broken into with force at 11 a.m. **Petty theft from vehicle:** 2900 block of Mullens Drive. A car was pilfered at 2:41 p.m. **Guns and DUIs:** In the 94804 zip code. A driver without a license was busted for driving under the influence and having a gun despite a prohibition against it at 8:21 p.m. **Reckless driving:** In the 94804 zip code. A driver operated recklessly on a highway at 9:26 p.m. **Domestic battery:** 5000 block of Hartnett Avenue. Police responded to reports of battery on a spouse at 10:02 p.m. ### Sunday, October 26 **Disorderly conduct:** In the 94801 zip code. Officers responded to reports of a person under the influence in public and made an arrest on drug charges at 12:02 a.m. **Auto burglary:** 300 block of Sixth Street. A vehicle break-in was reported at 2:15 a.m. **Firearm discharge:** 2000 block of Chanslor Avenue. Police responded to reports of a firearm being discharged in a grossly negligent manner at 2:28 a.m. **Firearm discharge:** 200 block of Ripley Avenue**.** Officers investigated another report of a gun being fired negligently at 2:45 a.m. **Drug possession:** In the 94801\. Police encountered a person in possession of controlled substances, synthetic cannabinoids, and unlawful drug paraphernalia at 4:41 a.m. **Violation of court order:** 200 block of West Chanslor Avenue. A person was reported to have violated a domestic violence restraining order at 8 a.m. **Vandalism, weapons violation, and criminal threats:** 1900 block of Pennsylvania Avenue. Officers responded to reports of property damage, threats of violence, and a person brandishing a weapon at 9:09 a.m. **Vandalism and resisting an officer:** 1200 block of Harbour Way South. Someone reportedly tampered with a vehicle and obstructed a peace officer at 9:12 a.m. **Petty theft:** 2200 block of Giant Road. Officers took a report of stolen vehicle parts and accessories at 10:13 a.m. **Domestic violence:** 400 block of Carlston Street. Police responded to a report of corporal injury on a cohabitant at 12:14 p.m. **Battery:** 2200 block of Macdonald Avenue. Officers responded to a report of a physical altercation at 2:14 p.m. **Vandalism:** 0 block of West Richmond Avenue. Police investigated reports of property damage at 4:21 p.m. **False identification:** In the 94801 zip code. Officers contacted a person who provided false identification to peace officers at 8 p.m. **Violation of court order:** 500 block of Hayes Street. Police responded to reports of a person disobeying a court order with prior convictions at 9:33 p.m. **Domestic violence:** 600 block of South 20th Street. Officers responded to a domestic disturbance at 10:14 p.m. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond-San Rafael Bridge restores emergency lane after six-year absence URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-san-rafael-bridge-restores-emergency-lane-after-six-year-absence/ Last updated: 2025-10-29T17:27:44.000Z Commuters crossing the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge Monday morning encountered a major change after transportation officials restored an emergency breakdown lane that had been absent for six years, closing the bicycle and pedestrian path during most weekdays. The barrier-protected bicycle and pedestrian path that has occupied the right shoulder of the westbound upper deck since 2019 will now only be accessible Thursday afternoons through Sunday nights, closing at 11 p.m. Sundays and reopening at 2 p.m. Thursdays. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/10/Screenshot-2025-10-27-at-5.57.45-PM.png) Cameron Simmons, a Richmond Bridge bike commuter from El Cerrito, loads his e-bike onto the new shuttle in Point Richmond on Monday, October 27, 2025\. Photo/ Soren Hemmila During closed periods, the barrier will be moved aside to reinstate the emergency breakdown lane. Transportation officials also debuted a bike shuttle that will ferry cyclists across the bridge after the path closes. The free shuttle operates 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, and 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, with pickup locations near Castro Street in Richmond and Vista Point in San Rafael. [Bay Area officials demo bike shuttle for Richmond-San Rafael Bridge path closureTransportation officials unveiled a bike shuttle service Thursday that will ferry cyclists across the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge after the bike path closes later this month, drawing praise from some riders and frustration from others who say it defeats the purpose of cycling. The Metropolitan Transportation Commission and Bay Area Toll![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--131.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/shuttle-Richmond-San-Rafael-Bridge-trailer-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/bay-area-officials-demo-bike-shuttle-for-richmond-san-rafael-bridge-path-closure/) The shuttle can accommodate up to 10 standard bikes or e-bikes, with a front hitch that can hold two additional bikes. Two shuttles will operate during morning commute hours from 6 to 10 a.m. to handle traffic delays that lengthen crossing times. The roughly six-mile path connecting Marin and Contra Costa counties is part of the 500-mile San Francisco Bay Trail. The shuttle service is part of a pilot program that will run through the end of 2028, with officials collecting data to study the feasibility of future configurations that could accommodate both emergency access and active transportation. On Monday morning, the first day of the change, traffic on westbound Interstate 580 was backed up before 8 a.m. to the Harbour Way exit in Richmond, as cars inched toward the toll plaza. At the same time, cyclists lined up at the new shuttle stop near 214 Tewksbury Avenue. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/10/richmond-bridge-shuttle.webp) Among the riders was Cameron Simmons, an El Cerrito resident who commutes by e-bike to his job in San Rafael. “I’m not super excited about it,” Simmons said while loading his bike on the shuttle. “But as long as I can still ride to work every day a little bit instead of driving in traffic, it’s better than nothing.” Robert Prinz, advocacy director for Bike East Bay, said shuttle ridership appeared lower than typical bridge traffic on the first day of operation. “If you look at the bridge counters that MTC has, you can see how many people on average will use it on a Monday, and it’s definitely fewer than what we would normally expect,” Prinz said. “This isn’t our ideal solution, but we’re hoping people will still ride it and that it won’t reduce the amount of bike traffic.” Prinz said his group had asked the Metropolitan Transportation Commission to wait until other planned interchange and toll plaza upgrades were completed before closing the trail. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/10/Screenshot-2025-10-27-at-9.07.03---AM-1.png) A driver uses the new breakdown lane to bypass traffic on the San Rafael side of the Richmond–San Rafael Bridge on Monday, October 27, 2025. “We’re still hopeful those projects will help with congestion and make our case for reopening the trail,” Prinz said. “For now, we’re just trying to make the most of it.” Transportation officials said the weekday closure was needed to restore an emergency lane for disabled vehicles and to improve response times for crashes or medical calls on the upper deck. They said the pilot shuttle program will help ensure continued bicycle access while balancing safety and mobility for all bridge users. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Brush fire burns along I-580 near Regatta Boulevard in Richmond URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/brush-fire-burns-along-i-580-near-regatta-boulevard-in-richmond/ Last updated: 2025-10-24T22:20:33.000Z Firefighters responded Friday afternoon to a brush fire burning along eastbound Interstate 580 near the Bayview Avenue off-ramp, sending up a plume of black smoke visible across Richmond. The fire was first reported around 2:23 p.m. on the right-hand side of the freeway between the road and the bay, according to California Highway Patrol incident logs. Multiple callers reported seeing flames and heavy smoke in the vegetation beside the eastbound lanes. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/10/richmond-pacific-railroad-1.jpg)](https://www.levinterminal.com/community?ref=grandviewindependent.com) Richmond Fire Department crews were dispatched to the scene and reported a working fire shortly before 2:45 p.m. Drivers in the area were advised to use caution as emergency vehicles operated along the freeway shoulder. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### On the agenda: ‘Polluters Pay’ climate bill, flood defense pitch URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-agenda-polluters-pay-climate-bill-flood-defense-pitch/ Last updated: 2025-10-24T20:28:47.000Z The Richmond City Council is set to cancel two meetings during the holidays, take a stand on climate legislation, and approve several appointments to the city’s boards and commissions on [Tuesday, October 28\. ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx?Id=b8fc3bf4-2759-4323-97e6-9539be6c1a96&Agenda=Agenda&lang=English&ref=grandviewindependent.com)The council has one item not on the consent calendar, a presentation from a company that injects wood pulp into the ground to raise the ground surface to prevent flooding. ## [A climate bill would hit gas giants where it hurts](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59331&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The Richmond City Council is expected to adopt a resolution Tuesday in support of the *Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Act of 2025*. This statewide proposal would require large fossil fuel companies to contribute to the cost of climate change recovery and adaptation in California. The measure, introduced by Councilmember Claudia Jimenez, supports Senate Bill 684 and Assembly Bill 1243, which direct the California Environmental Protection Agency to study the costs of climate-related damage in the state and to assess fees on major fossil fuel producers based on their share of emissions from 1990 to 2024. According to the item’s agenda report, California communities are facing accelerating impacts from the climate crisis, including wildfires, floods, droughts, sea level rise, and extreme heat. The report cites recent events such as the January 2025 firestorms in Los Angeles and Ventura counties, which caused an estimated $250 billion in damage and 30 deaths, and record flooding in 2022 and 2023 that caused $4.6 billion in losses. The California Natural Resources Agency projects that statewide climate-related costs could reach at least $113 billion per year by 2050. According to a fact sheet provided by the Center for Biological Diversity, burning coal, oil, and gas accounts for 90 percent of global carbon dioxide emissions, and 90 of the world’s largest fossil fuel companies are responsible for about two-thirds of human-caused carbon dioxide and methane emissions. The legislation would require those companies to pay into a state-managed Climate Superfund, with at least 40 percent of funds directed toward disadvantaged communities. The council report states that supporting the legislation would align with Richmond’s environmental justice and community health goals outlined in the city’s Climate Action Plan. --- ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/10/biomass-elevation-stablization-terrain-best-technology.webp) Image/Levitree ### [A pitch on tree-based flood defense](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59305&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The Richmond City Council is set to hear a presentation from a company proposing solutions for sea-level rise. The company’s technology involves injecting wood pulp deep underground to elevate and stabilize coastal communities. Vice Mayor Cesar Zepeda requested the presentation from Levitree, a company that says it can address coastal flooding and groundwater infiltration. The item was originally scheduled for July 1 but was continued to the October meeting. Levitree describes the process as a cost-effective and sustainable way to elevate land mass without disrupting surface infrastructure. The technology uses specialized equipment to pump a wood-based slurry deep into the earth, stabilizing the soil at depths of around 60 feet. The process is reportedly controlled via iPad, allowing for precise, localized elevation. This approach is similar to academic research performed at Clemson University under the name Carbon SIRGE (Solid Injection to Raise Ground Elevation). A 2023 field study, led by Clemson researchers, demonstrated the technique’s feasibility by injecting a sawdust slurry underground. [An injection of innovation: New technique could pull double duty in protecting against climate change and floodingCarbon SIRGE would pull double duty in protecting against environmental threats.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/cropped-tiger-paw-270x270.png)Clemson NewsPaul Alongi![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Larry-Murdoch_080723_JW_029-scaled.jpg)](https://news.clemson.edu/an-injection-of-innovation-new-technique-could-pull-double-duty-in-protecting-against-climate-change-and-flooding/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) The experiment successfully showed that repeated injections could sequester carbon by burying wood under anoxic conditions and lift the ground surface by millimeters per day. According to materials submitted to the council, Levitree’s approach involves “fracture techniques” and proprietary slurry composition, paired with machine learning data analysis. The company describes these methods as its “secret sauce” and claims to be a “first-mover” in the field. The company has conducted pilot testing in Wilton, a small town in Sacramento County. City documents identify several Richmond neighborhoods as potential applications for the technology, including Parchester Village, Marina Bay, and Point Richmond, areas vulnerable to flooding as sea levels rise. The presentation carries no financial commitment for the city. Council members will only receive information, with no action required. Richmond, like other shoreline cities around San Francisco Bay, faces increasing flood risks from climate change. Traditional solutions have included levees, pump stations, and other hard infrastructure. --- ### Canceling meetings The council will also vote on [canceling its November 25 and December 23 ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59328&ref=grandviewindependent.com)meetings to accommodate the winter holidays. Meetings will continue on November 4, November 18, December 2, December 16, and January 6 as part of the council’s adjusted holiday schedule. --- ### The mayor's slate of appointments to arts, economic development, and oversight commissions Mayor Eduardo Martinez is recommending several appointments and reappointments to city commissions. Hercules resident[ Kelly Robinson would join the Arts and Culture Commission](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59307&ref=grandviewindependent.com), which advises the city on public art projects, cultural programming, and policies that support Richmond’s creative economy. The mayor is also reappointing [Edward “Don” Thompson](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59323&ref=grandviewindependent.com), [Diana Wear](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59321&ref=grandviewindependent.com), and [Michael Gliksohn](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59327&ref=grandviewindependent.com) to the Economic Development Commission, which works with businesses, community organizations, and city staff to promote local job growth and guide strategies for commercial revitalization. Each would serve through March 2028. Several new and returning members are also slated for the Community Crisis Response Program Advisory Board, which helps guide the city’s non-police emergency response initiative focused on mental health, substance use, and crisis intervention. [Alice LoCicero](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59319&ref=grandviewindependent.com) and [Keri Sullivan](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59325&ref=grandviewindependent.com) would be reappointed to terms ending in 2026, while [Amber Hatfield](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59309&ref=grandviewindependent.com) and [Hope Dixon ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59313&ref=grandviewindependent.com)would be newly appointed to terms through 2028. [James Davis](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59315&ref=grandviewindependent.com) would be appointed to the Historic Preservation Commission, which reviews applications for changes to historic structures and advises on policies that protect Richmond’s architectural and cultural heritage. [Danyell Manefee](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59311&ref=grandviewindependent.com) would join the Community Police Review Commission, an independent civilian body that investigates allegations of police misconduct and recommends policy reforms to improve accountability and trust between officers and residents. Finally, [Rauly Butler](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59317&ref=grandviewindependent.com) would be appointed to the Workforce Development Board, a regional body that connects employers with job seekers and oversees federally funded programs aimed at expanding training and employment opportunities for Richmond residents. --- ### Public Works Department In other business, the Public Works Department is seeking approval for an agreement with RailPros Field Services, Inc., a consultant for the Richmond Pacific Railroad Corporation, to provide engineering services for [Phase 2 of the Richmond Wellness Trail. ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59334&ref=grandviewindependent.com)The Transformative Climate Communities-funded project, seeks to create a safe, connected walking and biking route from downtown to the shoreline while incorporating green infrastructure and public art. --- On the closed session agenda, the Richmond City Council is set to discuss terms for a potential real estate agreement involving 1414 Harbor Way South, the site of the Craneway Pavilion. City Attorney Dave Aleshire and Finance Director Emily Combs represented the city in negotiations with Orton Entertainment, LLC. The discussion centered on the price and payment terms. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond council reviews $228 million port repair assessment, prioritizes safety fixes URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-council-reviews-228-million-port-repair-assessment-prioritizes-safety-fixes/ Last updated: 2025-10-23T14:52:14.000Z An engineering report detailing $228 million in needed repairs to Richmond’s Point Potrero Marine Terminal prompted a detailed discussion Tuesday night after Councilmember Soheila Bana pulled the item from the city’s consent calendar for public review. The presentation by Port Director Charles Gerard and a consultant from Moffatt & Nichol outlined structural deterioration across the city-owned port. Moffatt & Nichol found corroded pilings, cracked beams, pavement failures, and significant damage between Berths 6 and 7, where a fractured beam poses an immediate safety hazard. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/10/richmond-pacific-railroad-1.jpg)](https://www.levinterminal.com/community?ref=grandviewindependent.com) The $250,000 study identified 11 priority projects to be phased over the next decade. Near-term work includes stabilizing damaged sections of the wharf and repairing the interface between marine and upland areas. Longer-term efforts would rehabilitate the port’s aging piers, graving basins, and the deteriorated Whirley Crane structure. City Manager Shasa Curl told the council that, because the report and its findings had now been publicly presented, the city was obligated to act quickly on the most critical safety concerns. “From a risk management perspective, now that we’ve had this conversation in public and you’re all on notice, those two red priority projects need to begin right away,” Curl said. “Prior to this report being finalized, we didn’t have a definitive way to articulate what the priorities were. Now we do, and we have to act.” Curl said staff had already begun prioritizing the immediate safety work identified in the report. Curl said the city would use the port’s roughly $20 million in reserves to fund urgent repairs while continuing to pursue state and federal grants, including an $11.9 million Port Infrastructure Development Program application pending with the U.S. Maritime Administration. ![Richmond’s Point Potrero Marine Terminal](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/10/Port-Richmond-Point-Potrero-Marine-Terminal-Assessment.webp) Map of the Port of Richmond shows inspection areas where Moffatt & Nichol reported corroded pilings, cracked beams, pavement failures, and major structural damage between Berths 6 and 7, including a fractured beam identified as an immediate safety hazard. Image/Moffatt & Nichol The Point Potrero Marine Terminal operates as an enterprise fund, meaning its approximately $13 million in annual revenue and reserves are managed separately from the city’s general fund. Curl confirmed that no police, fire, or other general city funds would be used for port repairs. The port still owes the city less than $10 million from past advances, Curl said, with a repayment plan in place. Councilmember Bana said she pulled the item because of its size and fiscal importance. “Anything over a million should be discussed,” Bana said, adding questions about financing, debt, and the port’s ability to generate future revenue for the city. Earlier in the meeting, Richmond resident Don Gosney criticized the city’s use of consent calendar items, saying that significant policy and financial matters were sometimes placed on agendas without sufficient public scrutiny. “Consent items should be so innocuous that it doesn’t warrant a discussion,” Gosney said. “Inserting an issue onto the consent calendar is a very easy and very sneaky way of hiding something from the public.” Consultant Matt Trowbridge said most ports across the United States face similar challenges in maintaining aging maritime infrastructure and rely heavily on public grants to offset costs. Trowbridge said Richmond’s planned upgrades would extend the terminal’s life for up to 50 years and position the facility for heavier cargo and higher-value shipping operations like construction and farm equipment. Councilmember Claudia Jimenez said the assessment provides the foundation for a strategic plan to strengthen the port’s economic role. “We need to have that plan so we can start really getting into implementing it,” Jimenez said. According to Gerard, the port’s revenues have grown steadily and, while small compared with larger facilities like those in Oakland, Richmond’s marine terminals are fully leased. Gerard said the goal is to use the assessment as a “building block” toward long-term planning and future grant readiness. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Eight Great Things to do in Richmond URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/eight-great-things-to-do-in-richmond-19/ Last updated: 2025-10-22T15:07:20.000Z With 30-plus miles of shoreline, two yacht clubs, endless hiking and cycling trails, and a host of eateries and art galleries, Richmond has a lot to offer. Each week, *Grandview* highlights the best, not-to-be-missed events and offerings from around the city. This week: Richmond residents can celebrate fall at Richmond's official Fall Festival, visit a wine fair, and stop in at the annual Cops and Goblins Open House. ## Cops & Goblins Open House @Richmond Police Department ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/10/Screenshot-2025-10-19-at-10.11.53-AM.png) **Get ready for a spook-tacular evening at our annual Cops & Goblins Open House!** Join us at the Richmond Police Department on Saturday, October 25, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for candy, games, hot dogs, and fun activities for children and families. Meet your local officers, explore the police department and the haunted house experience, and enjoy a safe and festive way to celebrate the Halloween season — RPD style! **Costumes are encouraged, and candy bags are encouraged. We can’t wait to see you there!** ## Oktubrefest De Los Muertois @ Catahoula & Metztli with The Factory Bar ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/10/Screenshot-2025-10-20-at-11.02.40-AM.png) **FOOD - MUSIC - GAMES - BEER - LOCAL VENDORS** Inspired by Oktoberfest, Germany’s joyful tradition of community and festivity, and rooted in Día de los Muertos, Mexico’s timeless celebration of memory and love, this event is where both worlds meet, and we combine 3 small Richmond businesses in celebration [@metztli\_boutique\_](https://www.instagram.com/metztli%5Fboutique%5F/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) [@catahoulacoffee](https://www.instagram.com/catahoulacoffee/?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@the\_factory\_bar](https://www.instagram.com/the%5Ffactory%5Fbar/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) **Catahoula Coffee** [**(map)**](http://maps.google.com/?q=12472%20San%20Pablo%20Avenue%20Richmond,%20CA,%2094805%20United%20States&ref=grandviewindependent.com) **12472 San Pablo Avenue Richmond** ## Fall Festival @Nicholl Park ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/10/Screenshot-2025-10-19-at-10.28.50-AM.png) **Saturday, October 25, 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.** Fall-themed games, displays, pumpkin hunt for prizes, farm hay ride, and an animal farm. **3230 Macdonald Avenue, Richmond** ## BreakFEST @Point San Pablo Harbor ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/10/Screenshot-2025-10-19-at-10.32.44-AM.png) **Join us for the first-ever BreakFEST** overnight music festival—bringing a weekend of independent music, camping, and community to [Point San Pablo Harbor](https://www.pspharbor.com/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) in Richmond, California. Two stages, one harbor, and no corporate fluff—just real artists, real vibes, and real fun. ## Halloween Open House @Richmond Pacific Railroad ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/10/Screenshot-2025-10-19-at-11.05.01-AM.png) **Halloween open house and train exhibit** Saturday, October 25, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. **Richmond Pacific Railroad 402 Wright Avenue, Richmond** ## Disco Fever @Hidden City Ballroom ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/10/Screenshot-2025-10-19-at-11.06.17-AM.png) **Like Dancing with The Stars?** See a Ballroom Dance Show Live! Enjoy dinner and a performance Next Saturday, October 25th, at 7 p.m. $25 show/ $45 show with dinner. **304 Washington Avenue**, **Point Richmond** ## California Natural Wine Fair @ Purity Wine/The Study Wine Bar ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/10/Screenshot-2025-10-19-at-11.16.31-AM.png) **Join us at The Study Wine Bar for an afternoon filled with natural wine, delicious food, and live music!** By The Way features 20+ natural wine producers, food by Fins & Feathers, Lunar, Milk Cloud Bakery, and Pops Creole, art by CMD Studios and Leslie Mueller and live funk from [The TQ Collective](https://www.instagram.com/jakeandco7/?ref=grandviewindependent.com). Tickets include tastes from Coturri, Donkey & Goat, East of Eden, Everwild, Feral Ecology, Flowers and Cheese, General Psychotic Activity, Good Thing Wine, Hovik, Kareen, Kleinlerer, Laughing Gems, Los Chuchaquis, Lula, Martin Pohl, Mischief, Old World Winery, Purity, Trash Wine, TyTy, Under The Table, Wild Rejoice, Yolia, and more. Each producer will have 2-4 wines/ciders, and there is something for everyone, including bubbles, whites, rosés, oranges, and reds. Bring your tote bags because you can support all these small producers and purchase bottles on the spot. Looking forward to having you join the party and can't wait to see you for an incredible day of community! **Saturday, October 25 · 1 - 5 p.m. Purity Wine/The Study Wine Bar** **1401 Marina Way South ##280 Richmond, CA 94804** ### [Kenoli Oleari remembrance banner art walk and reception](https://www.margisullivanart.com/events-one/kenoli-oleari-remembrance-banner-art-walk-and-reception?ref=grandviewindependent.com) @Point Richmond Gallery ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/10/Art-Flyer-New-version-Final-For-Printing.webp) **Sunday, October 26, 2025 2 p.m. 4 p.m.** In honor of Kenoli Oleari, we will stroll downtown, banner display, and then meet at Point Richmond Gallery for a remembrance reception. ***All are welcome to this free event.*** --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### What happened in Richmond: officers respond to violent crimes, thefts, and disputes URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/what-happened-in-richmond-officers-respond-to-violent-crimes-thefts-and-disputes/ Last updated: 2025-10-21T15:22:02.000Z From domestic violence and firearms violations to vehicle thefts and DUIs, Richmond police logged numerous arrests and investigations between October 13 and 20, 2025\. Officers responded to attempted murder, sexual assault, multiple domestic violence cases, and a steady stream of property crimes scattered across the city. ### Richmond crime incidents ### Monday, October 13 **Domestic violence and assault:** 3100 block of Southampton Court. Police responded to reports of a conflict involving violations of court orders, residential burglary, assault with force likely to produce significant bodily injury, and inflicting corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant at 12:13 a.m. **Mobile asset misappropriation:** 400 block of W Richmond Avenue. An automobile was taken without consent at 12:30 a.m. **Residential burglary:** 100 block of S 5th Street. A home was entered without force at 2:45 a.m. **Petty theft:** W Macdonald Avenue. The ancient art of taking what wasn't theirs was practiced at 9:37 a.m. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/10/richmond-pacific-railroad-1.jpg)](https://www.levinterminal.com/community?ref=grandviewindependent.com) **Vehicle theft:** 600 block of 27th Street. An automobile changed hands in a manner not blessed by law at 3 p.m. **Multiple firearm charges:** 1000 block of Wright Avenue. Officers discovered a loaded firearm in a vehicle in a public place, a concealed weapon, a large capacity magazine, and an illegally possessed assault weapon at 3:33 p.m. **Sexual assault:** 3800 block of Nevin Avenue. Police investigated reports of a rape case involving force, fear, and an unconscious victim at 6:30 p.m. **Domestic violence:** 800 block of Chesley Avenue. Someone inflicted corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant at 11 p.m. **Hot wheels:** 300 block of S 38th Street. An automobile was taken without consent at 11:30 p.m. ### Tuesday, October 14 **Domestic battery:** 500 block of S 24th Street. Officers responded to reports of domestic violence at 12:51 a.m. **Gone in 60 seconds:** 2300 block of Northshore Dr. Another car was taken without consent at 7 a.m. **Contempt of court:** 1700 block of Regatta Boulevard. Someone was said to have defied a court order at 8 a.m. **Deadly weapon:** 1400 block of Hilltop Mall Road. A person exhibited a deadly weapon other than a firearm at 11:21 a.m. **Battery:** 2300 block of Lancaster Drive. Police responded to a report of a physical altercation at 1:13 p.m. **Battery:** 100 block of Macdonald Avenue. Another physical altercation was reported at 1:50 p.m. **Petty theft:** 1000 block of Market Avenue. A theft was reported at 2:04 p.m. **Contempt of court:** 600 block of Yuba Street. A court order was seemingly disobeyed at 2:08 p.m. **Strong-arm robbery:** 2400 block of Nevin Avenue. A robbery without weapons transpired at 2:28 p.m. **Petty theft:** 3600 block of Klose Way. A small theft was reported at 2:48 p.m. **Battery:** 1300 block of Macdonald Avenue. A person was assaulted at 2:58 p.m. **Aggravated assault:** 1300 block of Burbeck Avenue. Police responded to a battery with serious bodily injury at 3 p.m. **Criminal threats:** W Richmond Avenue. A person threatened to commit a crime with the intent to terrorize at 3:21 p.m. **Domestic battery and stalking:** 800 block of 30th Street. Officers investigated battery on a spouse and stalking at 4:57 p.m. **Grand theft:** 2100 block of Meeker Avenue. A theft was reported at 5:51 p.m. **Multiple drug and weapon charges:** Undisclosed location in the 94804 zip code. Officers discovered controlled substances and metal knuckles at 6:43 p.m. **Petty theft:** 2600 block of Andrade Avenue. A theft was reported at 7 p.m. **Warrant arrest:** Macdonald Avenue. A person with an outstanding felony warrant was apprehended at 7:01 p.m. **Mail theft:** 1200 block of Melville Square. Someone committed mail theft at 8:10 p.m. **Hit-and-run and DUI:** 500 block of 8th Street. A driver fled after causing property damage and was found to be under the influence of alcohol at 11:04 p.m. ### Wednesday, October 15 **Vandalism:** Location unspecified. Some property was defaced at midnight. **Vehicle recovery:** 10900 block of San Pablo Avenue. Police recovered a stolen vehicle at 8:34 a.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 200 block of 6th Street. Another stolen vehicle was recovered at 10:44 a.m. **Domestic violence:** 2500 block of Lancaster Drive. It was reported that someone inflicted corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant at 11 a.m. **Fraud:** 1600 block of Esmond Avenue. Police investigated a bad actor obtaining money by false pretenses at 12:07 p.m. **Assault with a deadly weapon:** 12100 block of San Pablo Avenue. A weapon was wielded with malicious intent at 12:44 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 4100 block of Klose Way. Another car disappeared into the criminal underworld at 1 p.m. **Multiple charges:** 800 block of 7th Street. Police arrested a suspected burglar after responding to a residential burglary with force. Officers also discovered unlawful paraphernalia and controlled substances at 1:38 p.m. **Domestic violence:** 12600 block of San Pablo Avenue. Police arrested someone after responding to reports of domestic violence at 2:18 p.m. **Auto burglary:** 2900 block of Andrade Avenue. A vehicle was broken into at 4:18 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 1100 block of Parkridge Drive. An automobile was taken on an unauthorized test ride at 5 p.m. **Disorderly conduct:** 2000 block of San Mateo Street. Reported public intoxication led to an arrest on drug charges at 5:35 p.m. **Robbery:** 12200 block of San Pablo Avenue. A robbery transpired at 6:20 p.m. **Multiple DUI and assault charges:** 200 block of S 37th Street and 3800 block of Florida Avenue. A driver operated under the influence of alcohol and assaulted others with a deadly weapon, then was arrested after reportedly resisting officers at 7:18 p.m. **Multiple violent charges:** 1400 block of Lincoln Avenue. Police arrested someone after responding to an incident involving attempted murder with a knife, criminal threats, assault on a child under 8 with great bodily injury, and inflicting corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant at 10:01 p.m. **Smash and grab:** 800 block of 38th Street. A vehicle was broken into at 11:24 p.m. **Extortion:** 400 block of S 22nd Street. An extortion attempt was reported at 11:30 p.m. **Auto burglary:** 3200 block of Annapolis Avenue. A vehicle was broken into at 11:53 p.m. ### Thursday, October 16 **Battery:** 900 block of Nevin Avenue. A person was attacked at 4 a.m. The same incident escalated to battery on a peace officer at 7:08 a.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 3000 block of De Anza Drive. Police recovered a stolen vehicle at 9:54 a.m. **Harassment:** 4400 block of Whitecliff Way. Someone harassed and tormented another by making personal identification information public at 1:43 p.m. **Domestic violence:** 1700 block of Burbeck Avenue. Someone violated a court order to prevent domestic violence at 4:47 p.m. **Radio interference:** Undisclosed location in the 94801 zip code. Someone obstructed public safety radio frequencies at 5:10 p.m. **Vandalism:** 100 block of 23rd Street. Property was defaced at 6:43 p.m. **Battery:** 3800 block of Macdonald Avenue. A person was attacked at 9:52 p.m. ### Friday, October 17 **Battery:** 1100 block of Macdonald Avenue. A person was attacked at 1:29 a.m. **DUI:** Macdonald Avenue. A driver was busted for driving under the influence of alcohol at 1:56 a.m. **Petty theft from vehicle:** 700 block of Maine Avenue. A car was pilfered at 7:04 a.m. **Auto burglary:** 2500 block of Pine Avenue. A vehicle was broken into at 11:14 a.m. **Petty theft:** 2600 block of Hilltop Drive. Theft was reported at 12:12 p.m. **Vandalism:** 12200 block of San Pablo Avenue. Property damage under $400 was reported at 2:12 p.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 6300 block of Highland Avenue. Police recovered a stolen vehicle at 3:28 p.m. **Contempt of court:** 19th Street. A court order was seemingly disobeyed at 5:32 p.m. **Multiple firearm charges:** 2400 block of Aberdeen Way. Officers arrested someone on aggravated assault charges after responding to criminal threats and assault with a firearm on a person at 6:58 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 300 block of S 23rd Street. An automobile was taken without consent at 8 p.m. ### Saturday, October 18 **Aggravated Assault:** 3100 block of Garrity Way. Someone reportedly inflicted corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant and was arrested at 12:15 a.m. **Firearm discharge:** Robert Miller Drive & Hilltop Drive. A firearm was willfully discharged in a grossly negligent manner at 2 a.m. **Battery:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. A person was attacked at 3:31 a.m. **Multiple drug charges:** Somewhere in the 94804 zip code. Someone was arrested after police discovered controlled substances and paraphernalia at 9:44 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** Undisclosed location in the 94806 zip code. An automobile was taken without consent at 10:22 a.m. **Vandalism:** 1000 block of 23rd Street. Property damage over $400 was reported at 10:36 a.m. **Domestic battery and child abuse:** 3100 block of Hilltop Mall Road. Officers responded to reports of battery on a spouse and willful cruelty to a child at 11:25 a.m. **Battery:** Isabel Street. Police responded to reports of a physical altercation at 11:30 a.m. **Multiple fraud and theft charges:** 800 block of Meadow View Drive. Officers investigated identity theft and grand theft at 11:56 a.m. **Battery:** 2500 block of Macdonald Avenue. A person was reportedly assaulted at 12:22 p.m. **Fraud:** 3100 block of Moran Avenue. Police investigated obtaining money by false pretenses at 12:24 p.m. **Petty theft:** 1500 block of Carlson Boulevard. Theft was reported at 2:42 p.m. **Illegal firearm:** 1000 block of Heritage Court. Someone was said to have illegally possessed an assault weapon at 4 p.m. **Assault with a deadly weapon:** Undisclosed location in the 94804 zip code. A weapon was wielded with malicious intent at 9:59 p.m. **Strong-arm robbery:** 12200 block of San Pablo Avenue. A robbery without weapons transpired at 10:55 p.m. ### Sunday, October 19 **DUI:** Undisclosed location in the 94801 zip code. A driver operated under the influence of alcohol at 1:30 a.m. **Domestic battery and criminal threats:** 400 block of S 12th Street. Police received reports of battery on a spouse and criminal threats at 2:07 a.m. **Vandalism:** 5200 block of Imperial Avenue. Someone was busted for causing property damage under $400 at 2:21 a.m. **Multiple charges:** 300 block of S 13th Street. Someone in contempt of court was reportedly committing battery on a spouse at 7:58 a.m. **Grand theft:** 600 block of 21st Street. A theft was reported at 10:31 a.m. **Multiple violent charges:** 700 block of S 40th Street. Officers responded to an incident involving kidnapping, assault with force likely to produce great bodily injury, inflicting corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant, attempting to remove a firearm from a peace officer, and resisting a public officer at 11:47 a.m. **Domestic battery:** 700 block of 23rd Street. A person allegedly committed domestic violence at 4:57 p.m. **Multiple charges:** 2200 block of Nevin Avenue. Police investigated battery, exhibiting a deadly weapon other than a firearm, and criminal threats at 10:28 p.m. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Four candidates file for Richmond mayor’s race; council seats draw challengers URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/four-candidates-file-for-richmond-mayors-race-council-seats-draw-challengers/ Last updated: 2025-10-20T15:22:23.000Z Four candidates have filed to run for mayor of Richmond, and multiple city council seats also drew challengers, as the city prepares for its first primary under a new majority-vote system, according to documents filed with the city clerk as of October 3, 2025. The June 2026 election will be the first conducted under a new primary system approved by Richmond voters in November 2024\. Under Measure J, candidates must receive more than 50 percent of the votes to win outright. If no candidate receives a majority in the primary, the top two vote-getters advance to a November runoff election. The measure, backed by local trade unions and the Richmond Police Officers Association, besting a competing ranked-choice voting initiative. The mayoral race features incumbent Eduardo Martinez and three challengers: Ahmad Anderson, Demnlus Johnson III, and Mark Wassberg. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/10/Richmond-Ahmad-Anderson-1-1.webp) Ahmad Anderson, a candidate for Richmond mayor, marches in the Richmond/San Pablo Fiestas Patrias Parade on September 13, 2025. Anderson holds a degree in political science from UC Berkeley with an emphasis in public administration, and said he’s running because the city needs new leadership that will unite rather than divide. “We need a leader who is willing to work for the entire city to bring us together,” Anderson said at a June community event. “If you look at our city council meetings, if you look at our business and how we run the city, the city is polarized.” Anderson, who was born at Richmond Hospital and grew up on South 18th Street, has worked for 25 years in the fields of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion, with expertise in human resources. Anderson previously chaired the city’s Economic Development Commission for two years. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/10/richmond-Demnlus-Johnson-III-1.webp) Demnlus Johnson III, a candidate for Richmond mayor, at the Richmond Juneteenth celebration on June 21, 2025. Demnlus Johnson III, another mayoral challenger, brings experience in local government and community advocacy to the race. Johnson is a fourth-generation Richmond resident whose great-grandparents migrated to the city during World War II to work in the Kaiser shipyards. Johnson previously served on the City Council and as vice mayor. He worked as a school community outreach worker at Richmond High School and served as shop steward for the Teamsters. “Not only do we need a new mayor, but we need a new direction for the city of Richmond,” Johnson said. “I feel as though a lot of that progress has been rolled back. The potential that we still have as a city has not been met.” Johnson, originally from the Iron Triangle neighborhood and now living in North and East Richmond, also worked in the office of the late Contra Costa County Supervisor Federal D. Glover. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/10/Mark-Wassberg-1-1.webp) Mark Wassberg campaigned for city council at the Richmond Civic Center on election day November 5, 2024 Perennial candidate Mark Wassberg, a Richmond High School graduate from the class of 1975, worked as a mechanic in Richmond for 45 years. Wassberg said he is running to make Richmond safe and criticized Martinez’s association with the Richmond Progressive Alliance, which he said supports policies he opposes. “Richmond can’t have a mayor that supports terrorists and communists as he is doing with the RPA,” Wassberg said. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/10/richmond-mayor-eduardo-martinez-1.webp) Richmond mayor Eduardo Martinez marches in the Richmond-San Pablo Fiestas Patrias Parade on September 13, 2025. Martinez, who taught in Richmond schools before entering politics, said he is running for re-election to complete projects he began as mayor. “I’m running because I started a lot of initiatives, and I want to see them through,” Martinez said. “Like the port, I still want to move the Red Oak Victory ship next to the Ferry Building so there’s synergy between the Red Oak and Rosie the Riveter. I want to diversify the economy, starting with the port.” Martinez added he hopes to push forward long-delayed development projects such as the Prologis Hilltop property. “Prologis has been holding on to it, waiting to see what kind of council we’re going to have, hoping maybe they’ll change the zoning,” Martinez said. “We’re going to make it happen.” ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/10/brandon-evans-richmond-council-1.webp) Brandon Evans, a candidate for Richmond City Council, at the Richmond Juneteenth celebration on June 21, 2025. In the council races, District 3, currently held by Urban Tilth Executive Director Doria Robinson, has so far drawn one challenger. Brandon Evans, who describes himself as “the son of the South Side,” is running for the seat. Born and raised in Richmond, Evans has worked in community and nonprofit spaces for the past decade and helped elect school board members and councilmembers, including Dr. Jamelia Brown, to the Richmond City Council. “If elected, I absolutely want to prioritize opportunities for young people,” Evans said, citing his experience with the city’s employment and training program that worked with more than 800 youth and young adults. He also wants to pursue what he calls an “industrial renaissance” by bringing innovation to the city’s industrial sites. District 4 has attracted three candidates: Soheila Bana, Keycha Gallon, and Jamin Pursell. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/10/richmond-city-council-bana-1-1.webp) Soheila Bana speaks at the Second Annual El Sobrante Pride on September 28, 2025. Bana, the incumbent District 4 councilmember, described herself as “a mother of two, a retired researcher and engineer, a community advocate, and Chair of the West Contra Costa Fire Safe Council.” “Shaped by my lived experiences, I am a pragmatic progressive with a deep commitment to public safety, equity, and community empowerment,” Bana said. “I’m running to enhance public safety and quality of life in Richmond. From expanding affordable housing to reducing violence, I’ve seen how local government can make a tangible difference. My agenda is to represent the community and ensure Richmond becomes a safer, healthier, and better place for all residents and businesses.” Bana, who was elected to the council in 2022, has focused on wildfire prevention, regional emergency coordination, and neighborhood resilience. As Fire Safe Council chair, Bana has helped bring state and federal attention to local disaster readiness. She has also advocated for balanced housing growth, fiscal transparency, and investments that improve city infrastructure and community health. “Our city’s challenges are complex, but solutions are possible when we work collaboratively,” Bana said. “Public safety doesn’t just mean policing — it’s about housing security, mental health, and having a clean, prepared city. I’m committed to making Richmond a model for how diverse communities can thrive together.” ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/10/richmond-city-council-Keycha-Gallon.webp) Keycha Gallon speaks during Richmond's National Gun Violence Community Remembrance Day in the Richmond Civic Center on Friday, June 8, 2024. Gallon, a longtime labor advocate and community organizer, said she is running to bring fairness, safety, and opportunity to all parts of Richmond. “I proudly served as a shop steward for over 15 years, advocating for fairness, respect, and equality in the workplace,” Gallon said. “I was raised in one of the most underserved areas of Richmond, so I understand firsthand the importance of making public safety a true priority — especially after losing my brother to gun violence.” Gallon, who holds an MBA in project management and serves as Executive Director of Keyz 2 The Future, said her campaign is focused on creating sustainable community programs that promote healing and opportunity. “Strong leadership means elevating the voice of the people, breaking disparities, and creating lasting equity that uplifts the entire community — not just certain organizations or groups,” Gallon said. “Our community deserves leadership that delivers on its promises.” ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/10/richmond-jamin-pursell-1-1.webp) Jamin Pursell speaks during Richmond Rainbow Pride's 10th Anniversary Pride event on June 2, 2024. Pursell, a May Valley resident, community organizer, and small business owner, said he has spent more than a decade bringing residents together around environmental safety, inclusion, and public health. Pursell serves on the Contra Costa Hazardous Materials Commission and with Richmond Rainbow Pride. “My work centers on collaboration, equity, and practical solutions that make Richmond stronger,” Pursell said. “I believe in a clean, green environment, safe streets, and neighborhoods we can all be proud to walk through — reflecting the best of who we are as a community.” “I’m running for City Council in District 4 for a unified district and city,” Pursell said. “My first priorities include filling critical vacancies, investing in robust infrastructure, and strengthening the quality of life across our community. Richmond succeeds when we put the residents, businesses, and nonprofits that form its foundation first in all decisions.” ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/10/richmond-vice-mayor-cesar-zepeda.webp) Vice Mayor Cesar Zepeda speaks during the Richmond High School groundbreaking on September 20, 2025. Vice Mayor Cesar Zepeda, who represents District 2, also confirmed he will seek re-election. “There are a lot of things that are still not done that I started,” Zepeda said. “One of the biggest is bringing a hospital back to West County. Data shows we need four more hospitals beyond Kaiser, and even getting one would be huge. It takes a lot of energy and time, but it’s something I’ve been advocating for years.” Zepeda, who co-founded Richmond Rainbow Pride and the Hilltop District Neighborhood Council, said his community involvement across many organizations helped shape his approach to city leadership. The primary election is scheduled for June 2, 2026\. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond residents gather for Harmony Walk and Arbor Day events URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-residents-gather-for-harmony-walk-and-arbor-day-events/ Last updated: 2025-10-19T16:49:00.000Z Residents turned out across Richmond on Saturday for two community events: the 39th annual Harmony Walk in the Park hosted by the Greater Richmond Interfaith Program and an Arbor Day tree planting celebration on the Richmond Greenway organized by Groundwork Richmond and city partners. The Harmony Walk in the Park took place at Nicholl Park, offering a free day of walking, music, food, games, and information booths. The event raises awareness and support for GRIP’s work, helping local residents with food and shelter needs. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/10/grip-harmony-walk-dan-noyes-1.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/10/grip-harmony-walk-chess-1.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/10/grip-harmony-walk-train-1.webp) GRIP executive Ralph Payton said this year’s Harmony Walk was centered on removing barriers to make sure everyone can be part of the celebration. “By making the event free, we’re opening the doors even wider for our neighbors to come together, enjoy a day in the park, and stand united in the fight against hunger and homelessness," Payton said. "Harmony Walk has always been about community—and 2025 will be our most inclusive year yet.” The celebration featured live jazz-funk music from Suuittcaze, food trucks from Curbside Kitchen, El Sol, and Mi Casa Grill, and activities for children, including a bounce house, face painting, a pumpkin patch, and lawn games. ABC7 reporter Dan Noyes served as master of ceremonies and addressed the crowd, reflecting on his long connection to Richmond both personally and through his investigative reporting. “This is really important to my family for a lot of different reasons,” Noyes said. “On the professional level, I’ve been in Richmond many times over the years to try to expose important issues and bring about positive change. On the personal level, I helped coach a basketball team with five young men from Richmond, including my son, and it was one of the best experiences of his life.” Noyes encouraged participants to take part in the walk and enjoy the food, games, raffles, and live entertainment. He also highlighted GRIP’s work serving more than 15,000 people with meals and shelter services. ### Arbor Day brings neighbors together on Richmond’s Greenway At the same time, across town on the Richmond Greenway, volunteers gathered for Arbor Day with Groundwork Richmond, a community event focused on greening the city and promoting environmental stewardship. The event between South Second and Fourth streets included tree planting, free food, refreshments, and activities for all ages. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/10/Arbor-Day-Richmond-Greenway.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/10/Arbor-Day-Richmond-Greenway-tree.webp) Volunteers plant trees along the Richmond Greenway during Saturday’s Arbor Day celebration. Volunteers planted Richmond’s official tree, *Quercus agrifolia*, or coast live oak. Groundwork Richmond hosted the event in partnership with the City of Richmond and the Urban Forestry Committee. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### New smash burger spot opens on San Pablo Avenue URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/new-smash-burger-spot-opens-on-san-pablo-avenue/ Last updated: 2025-10-19T00:21:59.000Z The long-awaited Tommy’s Burger Co. on San Pablo Avenue quietly opened its doors Saturday in Richmond’s North and East neighborhood, turning on the griddle for customers for the first time after months of delays. Inside, co-owner Tommy Ryan moved between the fry basket and grill, still training staff and dialing in the first-day rush. “It’s all fresh meat,” Ryan said. “We grind our own using brisket trim from our barbecue spot. Certified Angus beef; you can taste it.” [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/10/richmond-pacific-railroad-1.jpg)](https://www.levinterminal.com/community?ref=grandviewindependent.com) Ryan, who grew up in Richmond and San Pablo, is also the chef behind Tommy’s Barbecue Company, a one-time Richmond restaurant that relocated to Hercules. When the chance came to open a burger joint back in Richmond, Ryan said it felt right. [Tommy’s BBQ Co. (Copy)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/default-favicon.ico)Tommy's BBQ Co. (Copy)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/tommy-square.jpg)](https://www.tommysbbqcompany.com/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) “I come from burgers. That’s where I started. That’s where my heart is,” Ryan said. The North and East location made sense to him for another reason: the neighborhood’s trajectory. “We see this area as up and coming; it’s changing, so we want to be a part of that. We want to add to it,” Ryan said. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/10/tommys-burger-san-pablo-avenue-richmond3.webp) Ryan's burgers are not fast-food fare. “It’s top quality. You can taste it. And who doesn’t love a good burger?” he said. The opening came together quickly after the restaurant's final approval was granted last Thursday, and Ryan immediately dove in, training staff on the job with a streamlined menu to start. Ryan’s business partner, Juan Nunez, is a longtime Richmond resident who also owns Nunez Tattoo down the street. He handled nearly all of the restaurant’s build-out himself. “We don’t come from money,” Nunez said. “We work with what we have, take our time, and make sure everything passes inspection. Little by little.” Nunez said he hopes to turn the restaurant’s rear patio into a small beer garden once they recover their startup costs. “We’ll probably do beer and wine back there next year,” he said. “We’ve got plans, but we’re realistic.” Twenty years ago, Nunez was ready to walk away from Richmond, planning to pull his businesses out of the area. But he has watched the neighborhood transform over the past two decades. “I like how it’s improving. I like how there is more community now. Violence has gone down a lot around here, so it’s very welcoming now,” Nunez said. The restaurant is part of a wave of change along this stretch of San Pablo Avenue, where small, locally owned businesses have been breathing new life into a corridor that once sat quiet. In recent years, new arrivals like [El Tucan](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/decoding-the-burrito-grandview-independent-hits-the-richmond-burrito-trail/), The Factory Bar, and Prajam Thai have helped make the North and East one of Richmond’s most active dining areas. Tommy's menu is small and focused: burgers, fries, and a few variations. The cheeseburger comes with a sesame bun, American cheese, lettuce, tomato, diced grilled onions, and a patty pressed flat on the grill. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/10/tommys-burger-san-pablo-avenue-richmond2-1.webp) A cheese burger and fries from Tommy's Burger Co. Ryan’s use of brisket trimmings gives the burger a deep, beefy flavor and a rich, fatty profile. The first bites are satisfying, but quickly lean indulgent. The burger’s texture and flavor drew comparisons to the only smash burger establishment the [Richmond Burger Trail](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/tag/burger-trail/) has visited, [Johnny Boi Smash](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-richmond-burger-trail-the-points-johnny-boi-smash-burger-makes-its-case/) Burgers in Point Richmond. Ryan cooks his fries in beef tallow, allowing for a deep, golden crisp. Four cheeseburgers and fries cost $75.07, about $18.77, roughly the same as [Red Onion](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-richmond-burger-trail-red-onion-under-the-bart-tracks/)’s $18.62 burger-and-fries combo and about 13 percent cheaper than [2207](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-richmond-burger-trail-macdonald-avenues-2207/), where the average burger combo costs $21.18. Tommy's opening was delayed for several months by permits and ongoing work, and Ryan admits the operation is not quite complete.“We’re 100 percent training on the job right now,” he said. Tommy's Burger Co. is located at 12560 San Pablo Avenue in Richmond's North and East Neighborhood. [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### On the agenda: $228 million port repairs, tribal recognition, and public lands policy URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-agenda-228-million-port-repairs-tribal-recognition-and-public-lands-policy/ Last updated: 2025-10-17T00:55:57.000Z Richmond City Council’s Tuesday meeting will focus on two new business items: a proposed Public Lands Policy requiring union labor, fair wages, and local hiring on city-owned projects, and a resolution supporting federal recognition of the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe. Also up for review is a $228 million Port of Richmond assessment detailing critical repairs at the Point Potrero Marine Terminal. The rest of the agenda falls under the consent calendar, including items on affordable housing, park upgrades, immigrant services, and environmental monitoring. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/10/richmond-pacific-railroad-1.jpg)](https://www.levinterminal.com/community?ref=grandviewindependent.com) --- ### [Richmond Port assessment reveals $228 million in needed infrastructure repairs](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59295&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The Port of Richmond faces an estimated $228 million in infrastructure repairs and upgrades over the next decade to maintain operations and expand revenue capacity at its historic Point Potrero Marine Terminal, according to a comprehensive assessment. While portions of the terminal were modernized in 2009 into a roll-on/roll-off terminal now used for vehicle imports, much of the underlying infrastructure dates to the 1940s and shows significant deterioration from decades of saltwater exposure and heavy use. Engineering firm Moffatt & Nichol conducted inspections revealing conditions ranging from poor to serious at the terminal’s berths, graving basins, and finger piers. Critical issues include a broken support beam where the deck has settled, missing and damaged piles, pavement failures due to soil erosion, and extensive corrosion damage to concrete and steel structures. Some exterior columns at the graving basins show severe damage, likely from vessel impacts, while a historic Whirley crane exhibits significant corrosion, posing a falling hazard. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/10/richmond-wwii-Whirley-Crane-1.webp) The Whirley Crane assessment presents four futures for the structure: a $200,000 safety fix, a $2.5 million full preservation, a $1.4 million partial museum salvage, or a $700,000 demolition. The assessment prioritizes repairs into four phases, with immediate needs focused on structural safety. The most urgent project involves stabilizing a broken support beam at Berth 6/7, where options range from a $1.2 million repair to a $5 million complete reconstruction of the affected deck section. Within two years, the port must address pavement settlement and stormwater drainage issues, while six-to-ten-year priorities include comprehensive wharf repairs, seismic upgrades, and modernization of mooring systems. According to estimates by Moffatt & Nichol, the overall project cost totals $227.7 million. Construction at Berths 5–6 is projected at $68 million, while Berths 7–8 account for the largest share at $136.9 million. Additional components include $9.5 million for the graving basins and $13.34 million for the finger piers. The assessment provides a roadmap for strategic reinvestment without burdening city finances, according to Port Director Charles Gerard. The port plans to pursue diverse funding through public-private partnerships, state and federal grants, including the USDOT Port Infrastructure Development Program, and potential revenue bonds tied to lease income. ### [The push for federal recognition for the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59286&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Councilmember Soheila Bana is asking the council to adopt a resolution urging Congress, the Department of the Interior, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs to grant federal recognition to the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe. According to the report, the Muwekma Ohlone have maintained their cultural and political identity for more than 230 years despite what tribal advocates describe as genocide and political erasure. The Verona Band/Muwekma Ohlone tribe says it has more than 614 BIA-registered members in the Bay Area. --- ### [Public Lands Policy](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59240&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Vice Mayor Cesar Zepeda is reviving a continued item from September, bringing the Contra Costa County Building Trades Council back to present on expanding opportunities through a Public Lands Policy. The policy would formalize an agreement with the Contra Costa County Building Trades Council to require local hiring, fair wages, and state-approved apprenticeships on all projects built on public land, regardless of funding source. Supporters point to a partnership between the trades council and the West Contra Costa Unified School District. Ariel Kirshenbaum, the district’s career education coordinator, said all 18 students in Kennedy High School’s pre-apprenticeship program earned union-recognized certificates last year, calling it “a pathway to family-sustaining careers.” A presentation from the Building Trades Council said its apprenticeship programs are 94 percent minority and 13 percent female. ### [Immigration services expansion](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59291&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The city manager’s office is seeking authorization to expand the Immigrant Legal Services and Public Awareness Campaign program beyond legal services to include emergency assistance, think rent, utilities, and food. The expansion would be negotiated with contractors already selected through the RFP process. ## **Environmental and Development Projects** Community Development is bringing three items forward: a $200,000 contract with Cinquini & Passarino for long-term [environmental monitoring at Terminal 4](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59248&ref=grandviewindependent.com) (funded by state grants through 2030), the second-year progress report on the [Richmond Rising Transformative Climate Communities grant](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59289&ref=grandviewindependent.com), and approval for up to [$48 million in tax-exempt revenue bonds](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59284&ref=grandviewindependent.com) through the California Municipal Finance Authority to finance the TBV Villas at Renaissance, a 105-unit affordable housing project at 1827 San Joaquin Avenue. ### [Covering Futuro fees](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59252&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Library and Community Services is asking for two actions: authorization to use up to $22,700 in General Fund money as supportive services for Richmond residents accepted into the Futuro Health career training program, and presentation of WestEd’s third-party evaluation of the [Richmond Fund for Children and Youth grant programs](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59263&ref=grandviewindependent.com) covering fiscal years 2021–2024. ### Parks, infrastructure, and public works Public Works is bringing five items: [the quarterly abatement report](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59246&ref=grandviewindependent.com), two standing purchase orders for playground equipment with [Kompan California ($200,000) ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59273&ref=grandviewindependent.com)and [Ross Recreation/Landscape Structures ($300,000)](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59281&ref=grandviewindependent.com), approval of a [memorial bench honoring Jeff Tauber ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59276&ref=grandviewindependent.com)at Barbara and Jay Vincent Park, and a big one: a cooperative agreement with Caltrans to accept $10.25 million for four multi-site [trash capture projects.](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59266&ref=grandviewindependent.com) --- ### [Pay your trash bill, or we’ll tell the county](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59255&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Finance Director Emily Combs is seeking quarterly approval to place liens on properties with [unpaid garbage fees,](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59255&ref=grandviewindependent.com) while Fire Chief Aaron Osorio is requesting a sole-source contract with ImageTrend for [emergency medical services records management. ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59259&ref=grandviewindependent.com)It will cost $228,126 over three years, with a two-year extension option for an additional $160,000. --- ### [Democracy means no work days](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59247&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The City Clerk’s office is asking council to approve minutes from September and October meetings, plus cancel two 2026 council meetings, June 2 and November 3, when voters will be heading to the polls for primary and general elections. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond's perennial favorite: Casper's hot dogs URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmonds-perennial-favorite-caspers-hot-dogs/ Last updated: 2026-05-08T22:07:57.000Z Casper's Famous Hot Dogs has sat on the corner of Macdonald Avenue and Civic Center since the 1940s, serving up classic foot-long hot dogs to generations of Richmonders who come from all corners of the city for this lunch-time favorite that, for many, comes deeply steeped in nostalgia. When Kasper Koojoolian moved to sunny California from Chicago, he brought with him the idea of opening hot dog stands. Kasper's (yes, with a "K") started as a cart business in 1930s Oakland. Operated by Koojoolian, an Armenian-American who knew a thing or two about sausage, business was good. So good, in fact, that when word of Koojoolian's success got back to Chicago, other family members were inspired to head out west and join the hot dog cart business – which eventually led to several restaurants and the letter deviation of Casper's (now spelled with a "C"). By the late 1940s, the East Bay was dotted with both Casper's and Kasper's Hot Dog restaurants, which were no longer sold out of carts but were now housed in modest buildings with modern decor. Richmond's own Casper's opened at its current location around 1947, with its familiar mid-century orange architecture and furnishings, including counter seating with brightly colored, kid-favorite swivel chairs, along with a few tables scattered throughout the restaurant. With more of a diner feel than a restaurant, the vibe is warm and friendly; this comes from both the cheerful staff and the trademark steamed buns each Casper dog is ensconced in. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/10/IMG_2480-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/10/IMG_2479-1.jpg) The menu is comfortable and predictable, just like the service, and customers come and go at regular intervals, greeting familiar faces from around the neighborhood while ordering possibly the same thing they have ordered for years – some since childhood. According to Casper's, their hot dogs are a mix of beef and pork, which provides the famous old-time flavor. The buns are fresh and pulled from the steamer as the customer orders, specifying the condiments desired for their made-to-order dog. According to Yelp, Casper's cheese dog is a go-to favorite for many, as are the ketchup dog and mustard dog, along with a bag of chips and a fountain drink to round out the meal. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/10/Levin-600x300px--1---1-.jpg)](https://www.levinterminal.com/community?ref=grandviewindependent.com) "I've been coming here since I was 8\. My parents used to take me 2-3 times a month, and I always asked for a plain cheese dog (Jr. hot dog, I believe). Little did I know I was missing out on the toppings because I was picky. Fast forward 30 years, and the quality is still just as great, and now I get to bring my own family here. I still see the same colored seats and all, it's nostalgia for me," one Yelper wrote. Casper's prices are fair: regular hot dogs are $6.29, cheese dogs are $7.29, and chili cheese dogs are $8.39 each. Many rave about the chili dog, while others say it's a Casper's dog with "everything" that's their meal of choice – and everything means mustard, onion, tomato, and relish, and nothing else. But most consistently, it's the memories the diner provides that people say keep them coming back time and again. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### What happened in Richmond: officers respond to theft, vandalism, and disputes URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/what-happened-in-richmond-officers-respond-to-theft-vandalism-and-disputes/ Last updated: 2025-10-13T17:24:14.000Z From vandalism and domestic violence to weapons found on school campuses, Richmond police logged a flurry of arrests and investigations between October 6 and 12, 2025\. Officers responded to multiple DUIs, armed robbery, several domestic violence cases, and a spate of property crimes scattered across the city. ### Richmond crime incidents ### Monday, October 6 **Battery:** 1000 block of 23rd Street. A person laid hands on another in violence at 12:52 a.m. **Drug paraphernalia:** 700 block of Ohio Avenue. Officers discovered paraphernalia at 2:24 a.m. **Multiple drug and burglary charges:** Unknown location in the 94804 zip code. A fellow was arrested after accumulating the whole sorry catalogue of crime: warrants, narcotics possession, burglary tools, and controlled substances at 2:51 a.m. **Vandalism:** 1900 block of Meeker Avenue. Someone with a history of defacing property returned to their calling at 6:30 a.m. An arrest was made, though redemption remains uncertain. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/10/Sign-up-for-1-1-1.png)](https://www.grandvieweats.com/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) **Petty theft:** 2200 block of Nevin Avenue. The ancient art of taking what wasn’t his was practiced at 7:30 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 2600 block of Andrade Avenue. An automobile changed hands in a manner not blessed by law at 8:17 a.m. **Vandalism:** 800 block of S 19th Street. A vandal returned to deface property at 9:28 a.m. An arrest was made. **Driving on a suspended license:** Unknown location in the 94804 zip code. A driver was busted for driving with a suspended license at 11:27 a.m. **Petty theft:** 3600 block of Klose Way. A small theft was committed at 11:34 a.m. **Contempt of court:** 1700 block of Hellings Avenue. Someone defied a court order and was arrested at 3:14 p.m. **Criminal threats:** 600 block of S 26th Street. A person threatened crime with intent to terrorize at 3:25 p.m. **Vandalism:** 1400 block of Carlson Boulevard. Property was defaced at 3:44 p.m. **DUI:** In the 94806 zip code. A driver operated under the influence of drugs and was arrested at 7:31 p.m. **Firearm and child endangerment:** 400 block of S 19th Street. Officers responded to a willful discharge of a firearm in a grossly negligent manner and willful cruelty to a child at 7:40 p.m. **Auto burglary:** 1500 block of Hoffman Boulevard. A vehicle was broken into at 9:15 p.m. ### Tuesday, October 7 **Multiple domestic violence charges:** 2300 block of Emeric Avenue. Police responded to a domestic violence report, arresting one person at 1:01 a.m. **Vandalism and auto burglary:** 700 block of S 41st Street. Property was defaced, and a vehicle was broken into at 8:32 a.m. **Multiple drug charges:** 1700 block of Burbeck Avenue. Officers discovered controlled substances and paraphernalia and made an arrest at 9 a.m. **Assault:** 1200 block of Macdonald Avenue. A physical altercation was reported at 12:05 p.m. An arrest was made. **Grand theft:** Somewhere in the 94801 zip code. Police investigated a theft at 1:16 p.m. **Vandalism:** Somewhere in the 94804 zip code. Property damage under $400 was reported at 2:50 p.m. **Domestic battery:** 3100 block of Birmingham Drive. A person was arrested after a reported physical altercation at 3:30 p.m. **Driving on restricted license:** in the 94804\. A driver with DUI restrictions violated those terms at 8:36 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 2000 block of Garvin Avenue. An automobile was taken without consent at 10 p.m. **Multiple domestic violence charges:** 800 block of S 45th Street. Police responded to a domestic violence report at 11:13 p.m. One person was arrested. ### **Wednesday, October 8** **Vandalism:** 13th Street. Officers arrested someone after property was defaced at 8:18 a.m. **Battery:** 3200 block of Leona Avenue. A person was reportedly struck at 8:55 a.m. **Sex crimes:** 900 block of Nevin Avenue. Police made an arrest at 12:15 p.m. **Residential burglary:** 1900 block of Meeker Avenue. A home was forcibly entered at 2 p.m. **Warrant arrest:** 3100 block of Garrity Way. A person with an outstanding misdemeanor warrant was apprehended at 2:13 p.m. **Multiple domestic violence and assault charges:** 4300 block of Potrero Avenue. Officers responded to a domestic violence report and assault with force likely to produce great bodily injury at 4:19 p.m. **Assault with deadly weapon:** 100 block of 6th Street. A weapon was wielded with malicious intent at 5:05 p.m. **Driving on suspended license:** In the 94806\. A driver with DUI restrictions violated those terms at 6:16 p.m. **Harassment:** 3200 block of Tulare Avenue. Repeat calls were made with the intent to annoy at 7:00 p.m. **Robbery:** 4500 block of Macdonald Avenue. A shoplifter was arrested on robbery charges after reportedly being confronted by loss prevention staff at 8 p.m. **Contempt of court:** 400 block of 5th Street. A court order was disobeyed at 9 p.m. **Multiple domestic violence charges:** 700 block of 21st Street. Officers responded to reports of domestic violence with priors and willful cruelty to a child at 9:53 p.m. An arrest was made for aggravated assault. ### Thursday, October 9 **Disorderly conduct:** 2400 block of Aberdeen Way. Public intoxication was reported at 2:22 a.m. An arrest was made. **Residential burglary:** 100 block of W Barrett Avenue. A home was entered without force at 2:47 a.m. **Vandalism:** 3500 block of Bissell Avenue. Property was defaced at 3:07 a.m. **Driving on suspended license:** In the 94806\. A driver with DUI restrictions violated those terms at 9:47 a.m. **Contempt of court:** 1700 block of Burbeck Avenue. A court order was disobeyed at 11:44 a.m. An arrest was made. **Weapon on school grounds:** 4301 Cutting Boulevard. Police received word of a firearm at school at 11:50 a.m. **Petty theft from vehicle:** 400 block of 21st Street. A car was pilfered at 1:42 p.m. **Battery on school property:** 3400 block of Macdonald Avenue. A physical altercation occurred on school grounds at 1:43 p.m. **Battery:** 300 block of S 23rd Street. A person was struck at 3:15 p.m. **Petty theft:** 1600 block of Dunn Avenue. Theft was reported at 4:22 p.m. **Multiple DUI charges:** In the 94804\. A driver with prior DUI convictions drove on a suspended license while intoxicated and violated probation at 5:30 p.m. An arrest was made. **Vehicle theft:** 400 block of 3rd Street. An automobile was taken without consent at 6:00 p.m. **Petty theft:** 3500 block of Esmond Avenue. Theft was reported at 6:11 p.m. **Battery:** 3900 block of Center Avenue. A person was struck at 7:10 p.m. **Domestic violence:** 1800 block of Hellings Avenue. Someone reportedly violated a domestic violence court order at 7:58 p.m. **Drug paraphernalia:** In the 94801\. Paraphernalia was discovered at 8:57 p.m. **Stalking:** 3100 block of Southampton Court. Officers investigated stalking, residential burglary with force, and probation violation at 9:30 p.m. **Armed robbery:** 900 block of 23rd Street. A robbery involving a firearm transpired at 9:58 p.m. ### Friday, October 10 **Registration violations:** 1700 block of Regatta Boulevard. Someone failed both the 30-day and annual registration updates at midnight. **Assault on officer:** In the 94801\. Officers responded to a battery on a spouse, assault on a peace officer, probation violation, and drug paraphernalia at 12:35 a.m. **Damage to power lines:** Location unspecified in the 94804\. Power connecting lines were damaged at 2:41 a.m. **Multiple domestic violence and firearm charges:** 900 block of 24th Street. Violence and weapons joining hands reportedly led to an arrest on charges of injuring a spouse and possession of a loaded handgun by a non-registered owner at 10:59 a.m. **Battery and impersonation:** 4800 block of Macdonald Avenue. A person committed battery and impersonated another at 12:28 p.m. An arrest was made. **Sex offender registration violations:** 1700 block of Regatta Boulevard. Someone failed both the 30-day and annual registration updates at 2:03 p.m. **Assault with deadly weapon:** 3300 block of Klose Way. A weapon was wielded with malicious intent at 2:34 p.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 2300 block of San Luis Street. Police recovered a stolen vehicle at 7:27 p.m. **Vandalism:** 1000 block of 23rd Street. Property damage over $400 was reported at 7:45 p.m. **Multiple theft charges:** In the 94804\. A strong-arm robbery and theft from an elderly person occurred at 8:19 p.m. **Warrant arrest:** In the 94804\. A person with an outstanding misdemeanor warrant was apprehended at 8:23 p.m. **Contempt of court:** West Richmond Avenue. A court order was said to have been disobeyed at 8:58 p.m. **Auto burglary:** 3000 block of Groom Drive. A vehicle was broken into at 9:02 p.m. **Vandalism:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. Property was defaced at 9:21 p.m. **Assault and vandalism:** 500 block of 3rd Street. Officers investigated assault with a deadly weapon and vandalism at 9:30 p.m. **Weapon on school grounds:** 5000 block of Valley View Road. A minor was busted on charges of illegally possessing a concealed weapon, carrying it loaded in public at a school at 9:36 p.m. **Commercial burglary:** 400 block of 24th Street. A commercial property was entered without force at 11:49 p.m. ### Saturday, October 11 **Vehicle theft:** 2100 block of Hoffman Boulevard. An automobile was taken without consent at 7:40 a.m. **Battery:** 1000 block of 23rd Street. A person was assailed at 9:48 a.m. **Battery:** 600 block of S 37th Street. A physical altercation was reported at 11:23 a.m. **Reckless driving:** 2100 block of Cutting Boulevard. A driver operated recklessly on the highway at 2:14 p.m. **Multiple battery and elder abuse charges:** 900 block of View Drive. Officers made an arrest after responding to battery, elder abuse, and battery with serious bodily injury at 5:23 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 3200 block of Klose Way. An automobile was taken without consent at 7:28 p.m. **Vandalism and contempt of court:** 1700 block of Hellings Avenue. Property damage over $400 and a court order violation occurred at 10:08 p.m. **Hit-and-run and DUI arrest:** Fred Jackson Way & Chesley Avenue. A driver fled after causing property damage and was found to be under the influence of drugs at 10:55 p.m. ### Sunday, October 12 **Multiple DUI charges:** 700 block of 23rd Street. A driver was arrested after operating under the influence of alcohol at 9:42 a.m. **Vandalism:** 1000 block of 23rd Street. Property damage over $400 was reported at 10:29 a.m. **Petty theft:** 900 block of Carlson Boulevard. Theft was reported at 3:12 p.m. **Driving on suspended license:** 94804\. A driver operated despite the state’s prohibition at 3:24 p.m. **Vandalism:** 800 block of S 19th Street. Property damage over $400 was reported at 7:27 p.m. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond e-bike share shortens hours, removes batteries overnight to prevent theft URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-e-bike-share-shortens-hours-removes-batteries-overnight-to-prevent-theft/ Last updated: 2025-10-11T19:07:48.000Z Richmond's electric bike share program has reduced its operating hours and begun removing batteries from bikes overnight in response to increasing vandalism and theft, according to city officials. The program now operates from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and noon to 6 p.m. on weekends, according to the [City Manager's Weekly Report.](https://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/DocumentCenter/View/77229/City-Managers-Weekly-Report-101025?ref=grandviewindependent.com) The program, launched in September 2023, initially operated from 6 a.m. to 1 a.m. daily. [Richmond’s electric bike-share program is backRichmond has relaunched its defunct electric bike-share program with a new operator and freshly rebranded bikes. Residents can now rent bikes from several bike hubs around town. The new bikeshare contractor, Today Bikes, will manage the system. The city’s previous bike-share shut down in 2022 when the contractor, Bolt![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--130.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Richmond-bike-share3-2-1-1.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmonds-reimagined-5-million-electric-bike-share-program-is-back/) Staff now lock up or remove batteries from some bikes during off-hours to prevent theft and damage, according to Gabino Arredondo, the city's Transportation Services Project Manager. "There has been an increase in vandalism and theft across all stations," Arredondo said. "One of the main components being targeted is the battery, which costs approximately $400 to replace." When a battery is stolen, the bike goes offline and must be repaired before returning to service. The vendor, Charleston Mobility, is working to restore the original 6 a.m. to 1 a.m. hours, Arredondo said. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/10/today-bike-vandalism-richmond1-copy-1.webp) A screenshot from the Today bike share app shows an error message on Friday, September 26 at 11:27 a.m. stating "This vehicle is currently unavailable, please try another" after **Grandview* attempted to scan a QR code to unlock a bike. The Richmond City Council approved $410,000 in June to support the continued operation of the citywide program through September 2028\. The funding comes from the Environmental and Community Investment Agreement, not the city's general fund. The contract amendment brought the total amount to $3.15 million. The funding request showed a monthly operating budget of $68,173, down from an earlier estimate of $72,185 after the company offered to cut program fees by 50 percent. The six-month total came to $409,038. The monthly costs included $45,569 for maintenance and operations, $5,350 for warehouse space, $4,895 for software and SIM cards, $4,815 for insurance, $2,461 for vehicles and $1,070 for miscellaneous supplies, according to budget documents. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/10/today-bike-vandalism-richmond-facebook-copy.webp) A Today bike share social media post from August 26 shows a vandalized wayfinder sign knocked over at a Richmond hub. The post announced adjusted hours to protect bikes from vandalism. The program has served more than 3,200 riders since its launch, according to vendor data. As of early 2025, the system had logged 3,289 trips covering 7,702 miles and avoided 3.1 metric tons of CO2 emissions. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/10/hub-locations-user-app-activity.webp) A map from a Today bike share presentation shows where users have opened the app to look for bikes, marked by blue pins, overlaid with yellow circles indicating current hub locations. Today’s bike share currently has 85 bikes at multiple Richmond hubs, with plans to grow to 135 bikes, add 10 more hubs, and supply 75 extra batteries. Vandalism challenges have included stripped bikes, severe damage, spray paint, and bikes thrown into the bay, according to vendor presentations. The company added staff shifts and hired bike ambassadors while working with Richmond police to address the issues. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/10/today-bike-vandalism-richmond.webp) A slide from a Today bike share presentation shows examples of vandalism to the electric bikes, including stripped parts, spray paint and battery theft. The company reported that batteries, which cost approximately $400 each, are the most frequently stolen component. Arredondo, who recently took over the program, said he plans to work with the vendor and city staff to evaluate the program's strengths, weaknesses, and future funding. Sean Flood, co-founder of Today bike share, said in an email that he wanted to discuss the program, but did not respond to follow-up requests for comment. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Eight Great Things to do in Richmond URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/eight-great-things-to-do-in-richmond-18/ Last updated: 2025-10-11T17:09:00.000Z With 30-plus miles of shoreline, two yacht clubs, endless hiking and cycling trails, and a host of eateries and art galleries, Richmond has a lot to offer. Each week, *Grandview* highlights the best, not-to-be-missed events and offerings from around the city. This week, Richmond residents can celebrate Fleet Week, enjoy art exhibits, and even take in a play. # Mike Rufo @Sailing Goat at Point San Pablo Harbor ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/10/Screenshot-2025-10-10-at-10.12.29-AM.png) **October 10, 2025, 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.** Rooted in folk and rock, Mike’s musical language builds upon powerful lyrics, driving rhythms, and melodic riffs that explore emotional depths and transformation. [https://www.mikerufomusic.com/](https://www.mikerufomusic.com/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) **Sailing Goat at Point San Pablo Harbor, 1900 Stenmark Dr, Richmond, CA 94801, USA** ## Prelude to a Kiss @ the Masquers Playhouse ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/10/Screenshot-2025-10-10-at-11.14.08-AM.png) **October 10-19, 2025** *Prelude to a Kiss* is a sweet and funny romantic fantasy that explores love beyond appearances. At Peter and Rita's wedding, a mysterious old man kisses the bride—and their souls magically switch bodies. As Peter struggles to understand the change, he must confront what truly defines a person. The play blends humor, poignancy, and magical realism to challenge conventional ideas of identity, aging, and unconditional love. **Masquers Playhouse |** [**105 Park Place, Point Richmond**](https://maps.app.goo.gl/CL174ahVbQD9whne8?ref=grandviewindependent.com) **| P. O. Box 71037, Richmond, CA 94807 |** [**510-232-3888**](tel:+1 510-232-3888) **|** [**info@masquers.org**](mailto:info@masquers.org) ## Fall Family Day @Richmond Art Center ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/10/Screenshot-2025-10-10-at-10.08.49-AM.png) Join the fun on Saturday, October 11, from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m., at our Fall Family Day open house. This free event is open to kids of all ages and their families; no RSVP is necessary. Activities include: - Performance by **Danza Azteca Teokalli** - Artist talk with **Luis Garcia** about his exhibition, *Seeds of Tradition* - Screenprinting "Land Back" posters with **Julia LaChica** - Repujado with **Rachel-Anne Palacios** - Zine Making with **Shani Ealey** If you haven’t visited Richmond Art Center before, Fall Family Day is the perfect time for families to discover our galleries, peek into the studios, and make art together. **Accessibility, Parking, and Public Transportation**: Free parking is available in the 25th Street lot across from Richmond Art Center. Wheelchair access is via the Barrett Avenue entrance, next to a lot with six accessible spaces. We’re also accessible by BART, AC Transit, and R-Transit. [Parking and Entrance Map](https://richmondartcenter.us13.list-manage.com/track/click?u=65182c7d7479c044239fd5885&id=90a055e3c7&e=82abda67f4&ref=grandviewindependent.com) For information about Fall Family Day, visit: [richmondartcenter.org/familyday](https://richmondartcenter.us13.list-manage.com/track/click?u=65182c7d7479c044239fd5885&id=4c20e38267&e=82abda67f4&ref=grandviewindependent.com) **About Richmond Art Center**: Richmond Art Center has been sharing art and creating with the community since 1936\. Our programs include classes, exhibitions, and events at our facility in Richmond’s Civic Center, as well as off-site activities that bring free, high-quality art experiences to WCCUSD schools and community partners. [richmondartcenter.org](https://richmondartcenter.us13.list-manage.com/track/click?u=65182c7d7479c044239fd5885&id=2e3749ca84&e=82abda67f4&ref=grandviewindependent.com) ## Fleet Week Pancake Breakfast @Red Oak Victory ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/10/Screenshot-2025-10-10-at-10.01.26-AM.png) ***Every year, Fleet Week honors both the current U.S. Navy and our Naval heritage. Join us on board the World War II veteran ship USS Red Oak Victory on Sunday, October 12, for a Pancake Breakfast*, *live music, and San Francisco Fleet Week 2025!*** What could be better for **Fleet Week** than to enjoy a breakfast cooked in and served from a real World War II ship's galley? We'll be celebrating our Navy and our history while enjoying a great breakfast and great views on the decks of the ***Red Oak Victory.* Live big band music** will be on tap all morning**.** And, as a special bonus, in the afternoon, the **RCAF Snowbirds, from Canada**, will perform in the **Fleet Week Airshow** over San Francisco Bay. (For more information about San Francisco Fleet Week 2025,[ click here](https://fleetweeksf.org/?ref=grandviewindependent.com).) Our **radio room will also be in operation,** so you can **send a radiogram to anyone in the world.** Send your land-locked friends "Greetings from Fleet Week!"via our original, Morse code-only ship's radio. **Just fill out the radiogram form, including the recipient's email or phone number, and we'll take care of the rest at no charge!** We'll also feature **a detailed diorama of the attack on Pearl Harbor** from the Society of Miniature Ship Collectors. Your breakfast is only **$20 (plus $3.18 ticketing fee) for adults and $5 (plus $2.18 fee) for children** 8 and under. **Breakfast service begins at 9:00 a.m. and ends at 12:30 p.m.** (We serve until 1:00 p.m., but no new admissions will be taken after 12:30.) If you stay later in the afternoon, you can also watch the **Fleet Week Airshow**. **A limited number of** **tickets are available that include a discounted same-day audio tour or docent-led tour of the ship.** **SS Red Oak Victory 1337 Canal Boulevard Point Richmond, CA 94804** ## "Around Town" @Point Richmond Gallery ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/10/Screenshot-2025-10-10-at-9.58.51-AM.png) **October 12, 2025, 2 p.m. – 4 p.m**. Join us to celebrate a unique portrait exhibition highlighting some of our local personalities with a goal of building community through art! Arts of Point Richmond artists have each chosen a Point Richmond personality, conducted a brief interview, and created an original portrait now on display at Point Richmond Gallery. Join fellow artists and community members for this unique exhibition! **Point Richmond Gallery, 145 W Richmond Ave., Point Richmond, CA 94801** ## Boozy Brunches @The Factory Bar ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/10/Screenshot-2025-10-10-at-12.13.49-PM.png) **Sunday, October 12, from 11-2 p.m.** Enjoy Mimosas, Bloody Mary’s, Michelada, Mimosas, and more delightful cocktails in combination with our good friends [Pickles N Smoke’s](https://www.instagram.com/picklesnsmoke/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) amazing BBQ breakfasts. All in our sunny patio on the Second Sunday of every month. **The Factory Bar** [**(map)**](http://maps.google.com/?q=12513%20San%20Pablo%20Avenue%20Richmond,%20CA,%2094805%20United%20States&ref=grandviewindependent.com) **12513 San Pablo Avenue Richmond, CA, 94805 United States** ## Beats & Blues @ Braxton Park ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/10/blues.jpeg) ### Sunday, October 12, 2025 Join your neighbors for live music and fun at Abraham Braxton Park! Enjoy music and entertainment in Braxton Park with your Laurel Park neighbors! Beats and Blues in Braxton Park is in partnership with California Volunteers. Make lasting connections while enjoying the art of music! [Click here to register!](https://x.gldn.io/e/0w4WAwF9aWb?ref=grandviewindependent.com) **South 50th & Plaza Cir Richmond, CA 94804** ## Pumpkin Patch **@**The Backyard ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/10/Screenshot-2025-10-10-at-1.00.13-PM.png) **Our community asked, and we listened!** Enjoy extended business hours during the month of October here at [#RichmondBackyard](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/richmondbackyard/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) 🎃 in honor of our month long Pumpkin Patch! 🎃 ⏰ PUMPKIN PATCH HOURS ⏰ Wednesday-Thursday 3 p.m.-7 p.m. Friday-Sunday 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m. 🎃🎃🎃 Enjoy FREE live music every Saturday & Sunday, community events, and more, all month long! ❤️ **📍 The Backyard - 205 Cutting Blvd. Richmond, CA 94804** --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Bay Area officials demo bike shuttle for Richmond-San Rafael Bridge path closure URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/bay-area-officials-demo-bike-shuttle-for-richmond-san-rafael-bridge-path-closure/ Last updated: 2025-10-10T01:12:42.000Z Transportation officials unveiled a bike shuttle service Thursday that will ferry cyclists across the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge after the bike path closes later this month, drawing praise from some riders and frustration from others who say it defeats the purpose of cycling. The Metropolitan Transportation Commission and Bay Area Toll Authority demonstrated the shuttle trailer at Marina Bay Park, inviting cyclists to test whether their bikes would fit and provide feedback before the service launches on October 27. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/10/shuttle-Richmond-San-Rafael-Bridge-dani.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/10/shuttle-Richmond-San-Rafael-Bridge-trailer-door.webp) "This is a pilot that will run through the end of 2028\. As we get more feedback, we could also fine-tune the trailer and make adjustments," said James Go, a principal engineer at MTC and BATA. The shuttle will run Monday through Thursday, operating between a bus stop off Castro Street in Richmond and Vista Point in Marin County. Service hours are 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, and 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, when the bridge path is scheduled to reopen. Two shuttles will operate during morning commute hours, from 6 to 10 a.m., because traffic delays will lengthen crossing times. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/10/shuttle-Richmond-San-Rafael-Bridge-inside.webp) Inside the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge bike shuttle The trailer can accommodate up to 10 standard bikes or e-bikes, with a front hitch that can hold two additional bikes. The demonstration included testing adaptive bikes, including hand-pedaled cycles and three-wheeled bikes used by people with disabilities. Greg Milano, director of Inclusive Cycling International, a Berkeley-based nonprofit, brought three adaptive bikes to test the trailer. While the bikes fit, he noted the shuttle lacks wheelchair accessibility. "I would hope that in the future, they have a van that's a wheelchair accessible vehicle with a lift," Milano said. "I think sometimes there's a tendency to think that the cycling community doesn't include people with disabilities, and so that when you're doing a cycling thing, it doesn't have to be accessible, and that's wrong, and that's a mistake." The shuttle service is being implemented as transportation officials install a movable barrier on the bridge to restore an emergency shoulder during peak traffic periods and to make a third eastbound traffic lane on the bridge's lower deck permanent. The San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission approved the changes in August. [MTC contemplates return of Richmond Bridge breakdown laneIf everything goes to plan, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, the folks in charge of the Bay Area’s eight state-owned bridges, will open a dedicated lane for Richmond Bridge drivers to break down or chat after a fender bender. Bike East Bay Advocacy Manager Dani Lanis said MTC’s executive director told![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--129.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/break-down-lane-richmond-bridge-1-2.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-bridge-path-closure/) The barrier will close the bike path Monday through Wednesday and Thursday mornings, with pedestrians and cyclists maintaining access Thursday afternoons and all day Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and select holidays. The shuttle provides a free alternative for those who need to cross during closure hours. Not all cyclists welcomed the solution. Dani Lanis, an Advocacy Manager with Bike East Bay who attended the demonstration, expressed disappointment with losing direct access to the bridge path. "The project initially, I wish it didn't exist. We are taking away a lot of access, and this is just a plan to make up for that, and it's very unfortunate," Lanis said. "I don't usually choose to hop on a van and have to strap my bike to it in order to go across a body of water. I want to cross it on my own pedal power." Point Richmond resident and cyclist David Atlas praised the service. "I like the service, and I like the fact that they're doing it in loops, and they're gonna pick up closer to Point Richmond, where we live. It's all positive," Atlas said. Officials have been communicating with bike coalitions since proposing the project, Go said, and will use feedback from the demonstration to make minor adjustments before the October 27 launch date. The shuttle service will be free for riders. As part of the Westbound Improvement Project, MTC, BATA and Caltrans will collect data on motor vehicle, bicycle and pedestrian travel through the Richmond-San Rafael corridor to study the feasibility of establishing a part-time bus/carpool lane and a part-time bike/ped path on the upper deck. BCDC required the agencies to develop preliminary performance thresholds for the feasibility study and present them for approval by May 2026. More information is available at www.mtc.ca.gov/rsrpath. [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond clears state oversight program for financially at-risk cities URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-clears-state-oversight-program-for-financially-at-risk-cities/ Last updated: 2025-10-08T03:57:43.000Z The California State Auditor has officially removed the City of Richmond from its list of high-risk local governments, marking a major turnaround in the city’s finances after years of scrutiny over deficits, debt, and management of its housing authority. State Auditor Grant Parks announced on Tuesday that the high-risk designation for Richmond, in place since 2022, has been lifted. The decision comes after the city demonstrated "satisfactory corrective action," which included bolstering reserves, achieving balanced budgets, and implementing new financial policies. Richmond now joins Calexico in being removed from the program, while Compton continues to be listed. City Manager Shasa Curl announced the milestone during Tuesday’s City Council meeting, calling it a significant moment for Richmond after nearly three years of work with the State Auditor’s Office. “I think I’m supposed to have a drum roll now, and we are all supposed to be extremely excited,” Curl said. “On October 7, the State of California Auditor officially removed the City of Richmond from its high-risk local government agency list, recognizing the city’s remarkable progress in restoring fiscal sustainability and accountability.” Curl said the achievement reflects “a key step forward in the city’s financial recovery” and thanked the City Council and staff for their commitment through what she described as “an exceptionally difficult three years.” “This has been an exceptionally difficult three years going through this process with the state auditor,” Curl said. “I’m really pleased that we completed this significant milestone and were able to get off the state audit list.” The State Auditor’s report credited the city’s improved financial condition to several key factors, including the approval of Measure U in 2020, which restructured Richmond’s business tax and increased revenue, and a 2024 tax payment agreement with Chevron that will provide the city $550 million over 10 years beginning in July 2025\. The first $50 million payment was received this summer. Both measures helped Richmond eliminate projected deficits and maintain balanced budgets. [City announces $550 million settlement with Chevron, withdrawal of oil refinery tax ballot measureUpdated: Tuesday, August 13, 2024 at 2:15 p.m. According to the proposed settlement, Chevron, the City Attorney, and a City Council ad hoc committee have negotiated an agreement that will end the current lawsuit and the threat of new ones. Chevron initially offered the city $300 million or![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--128.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/make-polluters-pay-4.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/city-announces-550-million-settlement-with-chevron-withdrawal-of-oil-refinery-tax-ballot-measure-2/) [Measure U compromise: Richmond reduces business taxes for Hilltop auto dealersA settlement has been reached between the City of Richmond and Hilltop Auto Mall dealerships in a dispute over business taxes. It is set for approval at the July 2 city council meeting. Six Hilltop Auto Mall dealerships filed suit in 2022, claiming the rate structure under Measure U Gross![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--127.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/hilltop-auto-dealerships-2-1-1-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/measure-u-compromise-richmond-reduces-business-taxes-for-hilltop-auto-dealers-2/) According to the report, Richmond’s general fund revenues have exceeded expenditures since fiscal year 2021–22\. The city also increased its general fund reserves to more than $75 million at the end of fiscal year 2023–24, equal to about 30 percent of its annual expenditures. ### Richmond Has Maintained General Fund Expenditures Below Its Revenues ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/10/Richmond-general-fund-revenues-1.png) The California State Auditor calculations combine General Fund revenue with other financing sources, and expenditures with transfers out, for each fiscal year. Image/ California State Auditor “This achievement represents a key step forward in the city’s financial recovery and positions Richmond for sustainable growth and a future of prosperity,” Curl said. The State Auditor first designated Richmond as high-risk in 2022 because of anticipated deficits, high pension debt, and problems at the Richmond Housing Authority. The new report found that the city has “fully addressed” most of those areas, though some issues related to workforce costs and housing authority oversight are still in progress. The full audit report, [*2025-801 Local High-Risk Program*](https://www.auditor.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2025-801-Report-web.pdf?ref=grandviewindependent.com), is available on the California State Auditor’s website. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond’s 23rd Street serves homemade pupusa magic URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmonds-23rd-street-serves-homemade-pupusa-magic/ Last updated: 2025-10-07T22:39:34.000Z The pupusa truck at Richmond Eats doesn’t need to shout to get your attention. It sits there in the corner of a sunbaked lot on 23rd Street, under a white canopy flapping gently in the afternoon breeze. It's the kind of setup that reminds you that great food doesn’t always come with great fanfare. [Richmond EatsOrder online directly from the restaurant Richmond Eats, browse the Richmond Eats menu, or view Richmond Eats hours.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/favicon-13.ico)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-eats-2g4v7ql9-logo.png)](https://richmondeatsca.com/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) A few plastic chairs, a handwritten menu, and the steady hiss of something good hitting the griddle. We’d eaten at Richmond Eats before, back when the truck’s brick-and-mortar location first opened on Macdonald Avenue. There’s always that nagging guilt when you judge a restaurant by its burrito, knowing their best work might never leave the kitchen. Is it fair to evaluate a Salvadoran kitchen by its burrito? [OMG! We ate 50 burritos at 50 different local restaurants and food trucksIt started as a simple question: “Where can you get the best burrito in Richmond?” But after 50 restaurants, food trucks, and taquerias later, we’ve learned that Richmond doesn’t have just one best burrito. It has dozens of incredible ones, each telling a unique story about our city’![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--124.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/RICHMOND-BURRITO-TRAIL-richmond-eats2-1-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/omg-we-ate-50-burritos-at-50-different-local-restaurants-and-food-trucks/) Since the [Salvi burrito](https://lataco.com/salvadoran-breakfast-burrito-los-angeles?ref=grandviewindependent.com) hasn’t made it north from LA yet, our visit this time was all about the pupusas. Pupusas are El Salvador’s national dish, made with masa stuffed with various savory fillings before being cooked on a griddle. The most common fillings include cheese, refried beans, seasoned ground pork, or a combination of these, known as revuelta. You don’t even need to go to a restaurant; pupusas are also cooked up in food trucks, on street corners, and in driveways across the city. Taqueria La Bamba has been our longtime baseline. We were picking up burritos years ago when we saw the pupusa artists at work at La Bamba, grabbing a handful of masa, rolling it into a ball, pushing filling into the masa, before forming it back into a ball, slapping it back and forth into a flat disk, and laying it on the hot grill. We glanced at the diner's plates – no burritos. They were eating these enlarged, stuffed tortilla things topped with cabbage and drizzled with La Bamaba’s hot red salsa. [On the Richmond Burrito Trail: Taqueria La BambaIt is Taqueria Tuesday! Grandview is back on the Richmond Burrito Trail, chowing down on Super Carnitas Burritos from longtime neighborhood favorite Taqueria La Bamba. This San Pablo Avenue taqueria may be known for its tasty pupusas, those heavenly grilled stuffed cornflour wonders. Pupusas are like a handmade corn tortilla![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--125.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Richmond-Burrito-Trail-taqueria-La-Bamba3-2.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-richmond-burrito-trail-taqueria-la-bamba/) Richmond Eats’ take is something else: thicker, fluffier, softer in the middle, and just a bit more tender around the edges. The curtido comes in a humble Ziploc bag, vinegar bright, shredded cabbage crisp, carrots giving a little snap with a hint of oregano; it is not spicy like La Bamba’s. The salsa roja arrives in its own plastic pouch, the kind you snip open and pour like a secret. Rip off some pupusa, grab some curtido, douse it with salsa, pop it in your mouth, and suddenly the world gets quiet. The tang cuts through the richness; the warm masa, the gooey cheese, the shredded pork all magically meld together. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/10/richmond-eats-23rd-street-pupusa4-1.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/10/richmond-eats-23rd-street-pupusa3.webp) Three pupusas cost $13 and come with curtido and salsa. Puspusas look simple, but they’re not. If you’ve ever had visions of UNLIMITED PUPUSAS and headed for the corner store for a bag of masa flour and some cheese, you'll know it is hard. Is the consistency right? Too wet. Too dry. Now, squeeze it together into a ball without the filling coming out. Now flatten it enough to cook without it crumbling. Ugh. Leave it to the professionals. Which is exactly why places like Richmond Eats matter. They’ve mastered what the rest of us can only fumble through. There’s something poetic about the way a Richmond Eats food truck sits surrounded by parked cars and cracked asphalt, still turning out food that tastes like someone’s home. You can order panes con pollo or tamales de elote, but there are no burritos on the menu. It’s just doing the work, one hot, blistered pupusa at a time. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond neighbors launch fundraiser for families affected by North & East ICE operation URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-neighbors-launch-fundraiser-for-families-affected-by-north-east-ice-operation/ Last updated: 2025-10-07T17:20:32.000Z Richmond residents are organizing a fundraiser to support two local families affected by a recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation in the North & East neighborhood. The October operation occurred on Humphrey Avenue and resulted in the detention of two men. According to community members, the arrests left two mothers and their young children, including a five-month-old baby, without financial support. [Immigration officers conduct operation in Richmond’s North & East neighborhoodFederal immigration officers carried out an operation in Richmond’s North and East neighborhood Wednesday morning, city officials confirmed, but local police said they were not involved. Richmond Assistant Police Chief Tim Simmons confirmed that a United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement operation was conducted on Humphrey Avenue in Richmond![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--123.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-ice-raid-1-1-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/immigration-officers-conduct-operation-in-richmonds-north-east-neighborhood/) A GoFundMe campaign titled *Neighbors Helping Neighbors* was created to help the families remain housed and cover essential expenses. The fundraiser notes that both mothers are facing sudden hardship after being “tragically separated from some of their family members.” “We know that we take care of our own, and as such, we are hoping you will help these two mothers get on their feet by donating and sharing this fundraiser with your networks,” the organizers wrote. The campaign aims to raise enough funds to help the families pay for rent, utilities, food, diapers, and other necessities as they search for stability. Organizers said the goal is to “give them time to find jobs” and ensure that their children are properly cared for during the transition. Councilmember Claudia Jiménez shared information about the fundraiser in her newsletter, praising the neighborhood’s response and reaffirming Richmond’s commitment to immigrant protections. “I am so proud that our neighbors have come together to support these families through an online fundraiser,” Jiménez wrote. “Richmond has always been a city that looks out for one another, and this is a moment where we must come together once more.” Jiménez also highlighted the city’s ongoing investment in immigrant services. Earlier this month, the City of Richmond announced the first round of grant awardees from its $1 million Immigrant Legal Services and Public Awareness Campaigns and Outreach Program, approved by the City Council earlier this year. According to a city memo issued on October 2, 2025, the new program will provide both legal defense and affirmative immigration support, including assistance with visa, green card, and citizenship applications. The city awarded the following contracts: [East Bay Sanctuary Covenant: ](https://eastbaysanctuary.org/?ref=grandviewindependent.com)$323,118.66 for legal defense and affirmative immigration services over two years [Catholic Charities East Bay:](https://www.cceb.org/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) $394,225.26 for affirmative immigration services and a one-year public awareness campaign [Multicultural Institute:](https://mionline.org/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) $130,000 for a one-year public awareness campaign and outreach The remaining funds from the $1 million allocation will be used to expand service capacity and address potential gaps in legal or outreach coverage. The city plans to announce the program’s launch once contracts are executed and service start dates are confirmed. Richmond maintains a sanctuary city policy that prohibits city departments, including the Police Department, from cooperating with ICE. Residents are encouraged to report any suspected ICE activity to the Richmond Community Rapid Response Network at (510) 240-9420. The *Neighbors Helping Neighbors* fundraiser can be found at:[ gofundme.com/f/9zz39-neighbors-helping-neighbors](https://www.gofundme.com/f/9zz39-neighbors-helping-neighbors?ref=grandviewindependent.com) --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### What happened in Richmond: attempted murder, shootings, car thefts URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/what-happened-in-richmond-attempted-murder-shootings-car-thefts/ Last updated: 2025-10-06T16:55:55.000Z Richmond police responded to a range of incidents between September 29 and October 5, including an attempted murder, multiple shootings at occupied homes, an armed carjacking, a kidnapping, and several sexual offenses. Officers also handled reports of vehicle theft, domestic violence, fraud, and property crimes across the city. Several arrests were made, and multiple stolen vehicles were recovered during the week. Richmond Police Department Assistant Chief Tim Simmons delivered a report to the Community Police Review Commission, highlighting an uptick in violent crime for September. While overall year-to-date crime statistics are trending down, the month's figures showed a spike in specific offenses. The rise in violent crime for September included 17 reported sexual assaults (a 183 percent increase over August), 22 aggravated robberies (up 57 percent), and 71 aggravated assaults (an 8 percent increase). Simmons singled out the Iron Triangle as an area of particular concern, mentioning[ a recent homicide](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/second-richmond-homicide-of-2025-reported-after-fatal-lincoln-avenue-shooting/) and a [significant shooting](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-police-respond-to-9th-street-shooting-victim-hospitalized/) there. The department reported receiving 33 ShotSpotter activations (a 94% increase). In contrast, property crime saw some decreases, with burglaries down 38 percent and grand thefts/larcenies down 19 percent. However, vehicle thefts were up 32 percent. ### Richmond crime incidents ## Monday, September 29, 2025 **Shooting at dwelling:** 600 block of 5th Street. Shots were reportedly fired at an inhabited structure at 4:29 a.m. **Vandalism:** 600 block of Harbour Way. Property damage under $400 was reported at 7:16 a.m. **Credit card fraud:** 700 block of 20th Street. Police investigated unauthorized use of an access card over $950 that occurred at 7:30 a.m. **Petty theft:** 600 block of Virginia Avenue. Officers received a report of theft at 9:27 a.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 1000 block of Wright Avenue. Some good news! Police recovered a stolen vehicle at 10:17 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 200 block of Harbour Way South. Police busted a car thief at 11:24 a.m. **Shoplifting:** 1200 block of Macdonald Avenue. Store personnel reported unauthorized merchandise removal at 1:33 p.m. **Battery:** 11100 block of San Pablo Avenue. Police responded to a report of a physical altercation at 3:13 p.m. **Multiple domestic violence charges:** 2300 block of Lancaster Drive. Officers responded to a domestic violence incident that reportedly included criminal threats at 4:06 p.m. **Multiple drug and firearm charges:** S 34th/Hoffman area. A suspect was arrested on charges of having marijuana for sale, controlled substances, paraphernalia, and having ammunition at 4:45 p.m. **Reckless driving:** In the 94801 zip code. Officers nabbed a dangerous driver at 5:28 p.m. **Criminal threats and vandalism:** 2700 block of Moyers Road. A suspect earned some intimidation charges after officers investigated threats that were reportedly accompanied by property damage at 9:50 p.m. **Aggravated assault:** 1900 block of Lincoln Avenue. Officers responded to a domestic violence incident with reported property damage over $400 at 11:40 p.m. ## Tuesday, September 30, 2025 **Vehicle theft:** 3000 block of Groom Drive. A vehicle was reported stolen at 7:02 a.m. **Warrents:** In the 94804 zip code. Officers served outstanding felony and misdemeanor warrants and recovered a stolen vehicle at 7:10 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** In the 94804 zip code. Another vehicle was reported missing at 8:31 a.m. **Vandalism and theft:** 1000 block of 23rd Street. Police investigated property damage exceeding $400 that occurred in conjunction with a petty theft at 8:35 a.m. **Grand theft and fraud:** 3100 block of Keith Drive. Officers investigated a report of significant theft that allegedly occurred through false pretenses at noon. **Firearm theft:** 2500 block of Duke Avenue. A firearm was reported stolen at 12:19 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 200 block of Nevin Avenue. Another vehicle was reported taken without permission at 12:26 p.m. **Possession of obscene matter:** 700 block of West Cutting Boulevard. Police investigated an alleged possession of obscene matter at 1:07 p.m. **Drug violation:** In the 94804 zip code. Officers reportedly discovered controlled substances at 6:19 p.m. **Vandalism:** 400 block of 44th Street. Property damage was reported at 8:40 p.m. **Shooting and attempted murder:** 900 block of 9th Street. A man was shot at 8:46 p.m. [Richmond police respond to 9th Street shooting, victim hospitalizedRichmond police said an adult male was hospitalized Tuesday night after being shot at the Triangle Court Apartments. Lt. Donald Patchin, public information officer for the Richmond Police Department, reported that officers responded to a ShotSpotter activation in the 900 block of 9th Street at 8:46 p.m. “Officers![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--120.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-08-04-at-9.33.17-PM-1-7.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-police-respond-to-9th-street-shooting-victim-hospitalized/) **Multiple vandalism charges:** 2000 block of Potrero Avenue. An individual was arrested in connection with property damage, damage to power lines, and an outstanding probation violation at 10:30 p.m. **Auto burglary and vandalism:** 2000 block of Chanslor Avenue. Police responded to a report of a vehicle break-in accompanied by more property damage at 11:00 p.m. ## Wednesday, October 1, 2025 **Vehicle theft:** 4500 block of Gregory Way. It was reported that someone made off with an automobile in the dead of night at 3:08 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 700 block of Carlson Boulevard. Another car vanished from where it was last seen at 11 a.m. **Grand theft:** 1400 block of Hilltop Mall Road. Store personnel reported shoplifting that exceeded the petty theft threshold at 1:38 p.m. **Grand theft:** 11900 block of San Pablo Avenue. Officers investigated a cross-jurisdictional major theft at 2:37 p.m. [Immigration officers conduct operation in Richmond’s North & East neighborhoodFederal immigration officers carried out an operation in Richmond’s North and East neighborhood Wednesday morning, city officials confirmed, but local police said they were not involved. Richmond Assistant Police Chief Tim Simmons confirmed that a United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement operation was conducted on Humphrey Avenue in Richmond![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--122.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-ice-raid-1-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/immigration-officers-conduct-operation-in-richmonds-north-east-neighborhood/) **Contempt of court:** 4000 block of Florida Avenue. Police responded to a report of a court order violation at 3 p.m. **Multiple charges:** In the 94801 zip code. Officers recovered a stolen vehicle and made arrests for vehicle theft, possession of stolen property, and probation violations at 3:19 p.m. **Criminal threats:** 700 block of Monarch Court. Police investigated someone making threatening statements at 6:40 p.m. **Police evasion:** In the 94530 zip code. Officers reported a suspect fled from them during a traffic stop at 7:29 p.m. **Driving without license:** In the 94804 zip code. Officers stopped an unlicensed driver at 8:46 p.m. **Domestic battery:** 100 block of Shoreline Court. Police responded to a reported spousal violence incident at 9:31 p.m. **Multiple domestic charges:** 200 block of Bissell Avenue. Officers investigated a domestic battery incident that allegedly included the destruction of a communication device at 11:46 p.m. ## Thursday, October 2, 2025 **Vehicle theft:** 500 block of 19th Street. An individual made away with an automobile at 7:57 a.m. **Sexual battery:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. Police responded to a report of unwanted sexual contact at 12:07 p.m. **Petty theft:** 500 block of 6th Street. Auto parts were reported stolen from a vehicle at 2:49 p.m. **Multiple residential charges:** 2400 block of Aberdeen Way. Police investigated a reported home burglary that allegedly included criminal threats at 3:30 p.m. **Multiple violations:** In the 94804 zip code. Officers arrested a suspect for probation violation, driving with a suspended DUI license, and possession of burglary tools at 3:59 p.m. **Aggravated Assault:** 6200 block of Baywood Drive. Police responded to a reported domestic violence incident at 6:48 p.m. **Trespassing:** 100 block of Chevron Way. Officers investigated a report of unlawful entry onto posted property at 7:31 p.m. ## Friday, October 3, 2025 **Contempt of court:** 100 block of 16th Street. Police responded to a reported court order violation at 7:35 a.m. **Multiple charges:** Peninsula Drive. Officers made an arrest for receiving stolen property and battery on a peace officer at 8:02 a.m. [Body found near DeJean Middle School campus, police investigatingPolice are conducting an investigation after a deceased individual was discovered near the campus of DeJean Middle School this morning. Richmond Police Department officers responded to a call of an unresponsive person at 33rd Street and Macdonald Avenue at 8:02 a.m., near the front of the school at![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--121.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/dejean-middle-school-1-1-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/body-found-near-dejean-middle-school-campus-police-investigating/) **Domestic battery:** 10900 block of San Pablo Avenue. Police responded to a report of domestic violence at 10:02 a.m. **Battery:** 100 block of Macdonald Avenue. Officers investigated a physical confrontation at 12:56 p.m. **Vehicle tampering:** 2300 block of Lancaster Drive. A vehicle tampering incident was reported at 4:09 p.m. **Sex offense:** 2900 block of Hilltop Mall Road. Police investigated allegations at 5:08 p.m. **Fraud:** 3200 block of Southridge Drive. Money was said to have been obtained through false pretenses at 5:26 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 600 block of Griffin Drive. A vehicle was carried off by persons unknown at 8 p.m. **Shooting at dwelling:** 2600 block of Ohio Avenue. Police responded to a report of shots fired at an inhabited structure at 9:06 p.m. **Multiple serious charges:** In the 94804 zip code. Officers investigated a violent crime spree that allegedly included armed carjacking, armed robbery, assault with a firearm, and kidnapping at 9:30 p.m. ## Saturday, October 4, 2025 **Aggravated Assault:** 3300 block of Garvin Avenue. Police made an arrest in connection with a domestic violence incident that reportedly included false imprisonment at 1:30 a.m. **DUI:** In the 94801 zip code. A driver was suspected of operating a vehicle under the influence at 1:31 a.m. **Petty theft:** 2500 block of Macdonald Avenue. Theft from a building was reported at 5:41 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 2800 block of Sheldon Drive. A vehicle was taken unlawfully from its rightful owner at 9:57 a.m. **Credit card fraud:** 1200 block of Melville Square. Police received allegations money was obtained through fraudulent credit card use at 10:14 a.m. **Residential burglary:** 3100 block of Nevin Avenue. A home was reportedly broken into at 7:59 p.m. ## Sunday, October 5, 2025 **Firearm discharge:** 500 block of S 19th Street. A firearm was discharged in a grossly negligent manner at 1:03 a.m. **Noise complaint:** 3900 block of Jenkins Way. Police responded to a community noise disturbance at 1:05 a.m. **Petty theft:** 300 block of S 5th Street. Officers received a theft report at 4:12 a.m. **Multiple charges:** West Nevin Avenue area. Officers recovered a stolen vehicle from the 1400 block of Longitude Drive at noon. **Drug violation:** West Nevin Avenue. Police discovered drug paraphernalia at 12:40 p.m. and controlled substances a few minutes later. **Domestic battery:** 800 block of Griffin Drive. Police responded to a spousal violence report at 2:13 p.m. **Petty theft:** 2900 block of McKenzie Drive. Auto parts were stolen from a vehicle at 2:16 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 1200 block of MacDonald Avenue. A vehicle was reported stolen at 4:13 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 800 block of Yuba Street. Another vehicle was reported missing at 7:36 p.m. **Robbery:** In the 94804 zip code. A strong-arm robbery was reported at 10 p.m. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Body found near DeJean Middle School campus, police investigating URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/body-found-near-dejean-middle-school-campus-police-investigating/ Last updated: 2025-10-04T01:26:00.000Z Police are conducting an investigation after a deceased individual was discovered near the campus of DeJean Middle School this morning. Richmond Police Department officers responded to a call of an unresponsive person at 33rd Street and Macdonald Avenue at 8:02 a.m., near the front of the school at 3400 Macdonald Avenue. According to DeJean Middle School Principal Athena Valdez, the subject was not associated with the school community. The Richmond Police Department confirmed the ongoing death investigation. The subject's cause of death is unknown at this time, and investigators are on scene, the department said. "Although the location is close to De Jean Middle School, we want to reassure our community that the school has not been impacted and there is no danger to students and staff," Richmond Police Public Information Officer Lt. Donald Patchin said. "We are in direct communication with school officials to keep them informed, and investigators are on scene." Principal Valdez issued an "Important Update" to school families, stating that law enforcement is currently on site and the school is cooperating fully with the investigation. Both the school and the RPD sought to reassure the community, stating that all students and staff were "in class and safe" and continuing a normal school day, and there is no danger to students and staff. Families and visitors were asked by the school to "avoid the area near McDonald Avenue and 33rd Street" where police activity is taking place. The RPD stated it would provide additional updates as information becomes available. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### On the agenda: traffic, official tree, legal bills, and sister city trip URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-agenda-traffic-official-tree-legal-bills-and-sister-city-trip/ Last updated: 2025-10-03T14:44:50.000Z The [Richmond City Council meets on Tuesday, October 7,](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx?Id=46c37416-1185-4f21-bd33-4f5ed1234ebc&ref=grandviewindependent.com) with an agenda that includes traffic calming measures for Point Richmond, amendments to several legal services contracts, and the build-out of two mobile crisis response vans for the city’s Community Crisis Response Program, Rock. The council will also consider expanding an underground utility district along Pierce and San Mateo streets to keep a major transportation project on schedule. At the same time, Mayor Eduardo Martinez seeks approval for international travel to China to celebrate Richmond’s 32-year sister city relationship with Zhoushan. ## [Richmond tries to make Waze shortcut more annoying](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59142&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The Richmond City Council is expected to approve funding for the design of traffic calming projects in Point Richmond aimed at discouraging freeway commuters from cutting through neighborhood streets during morning rush hours. The item appears on the consent calendar, meaning it is likely to pass without discussion. The measure would accept $180,000 in Regional Measure 3 (RM3) toll revenue to pay for the design phase of the Point Richmond Traffic Improvements Project. RM3, approved by Bay Area voters in 2018, raised tolls on the region’s seven state-owned bridges to fund road, transit, and congestion relief projects. The funding would support plans based on a December 2024 study by traffic consultants Fehr & Peers, which found that congestion on westbound Interstate 580 approaching the Richmond–San Rafael Bridge has caused drivers to divert through Point Richmond streets before rejoining the freeway at the Castro Street on-ramp. To discourage that practice, the study recommended several strategies. These include adjusting traffic signal timing along Cutting Boulevard to increase delays for cut-through drivers, narrowing and restriping Railroad Avenue, and adding speed humps, raised crosswalks, and a new all-way stop sign at key intersections in the neighborhood. Collectively, officials say, the improvements are designed to make shortcuts slower and less appealing while improving conditions for pedestrians and cyclists. The project is fully funded through RM3, with no impact on Richmond’s general fund. A Notice of Exemption under the California Environmental Quality Act was filed in July, clearing the project for design and construction. City staff anticipate returning to the council in 2026 to request an additional $600,000 in RM3 funds for construction. If approved on Tuesday, the design phase is expected to be completed by April 2026, followed by construction later in the same year. City officials say the Point Richmond project will be coordinated with other neighborhood safety projects, including the Downtown Point Richmond Bicycle and Pedestrian Connectivity Project, to ensure emergency access and maintain safe routes for all road users. --- ## [Coast Live Oak gets official nod](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59146&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The City of Richmond has adopted the Coast Live Oak as its official native tree following a community survey that drew 597 responses. The evergreen species received the most votes among four California native trees considered by residents between August and September 2025. [Richmond residents invited to help pick city’s official native treeRichmond is looking for a tree to call its own, and the city wants residents to help make the choice. An online survey, approved by the City Council in June, asks the public to select Richmond’s first official native tree. The winner will be honored with a planting and![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--118.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-california-civic-center-1-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-residents-invited-to-help-pick-citys-official-native-tree/) The selection process, initiated by the City Council in June, involved the Urban Forest Advisory Committee identifying drought-tolerant native species suitable for Richmond’s climate. The Coast Live Oak, which supports over 160 species of moths and butterflies while providing habitat for numerous birds and mammals, was chosen for its ecological significance and resilience. City staff will conduct a ceremonial planting at Civic Center Plaza to commemorate the designation. --- ## [The underground isn’t big enough](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59149&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The council will hold a public hearing, the only item not on the consent calendar, on a boundary amendment to an underground utility district, a move officials say is necessary to keep a major transportation project on track. The amendment would add eight parcels along Pierce Street and San Mateo Street to the existing underground utility district, which was originally established in July 2022\. City engineers discovered that when they drew the district boundary at the Central Avenue right-of-way, they inadvertently excluded the properties immediately north of the street, even though those parcels are served by PG&E poles within the right-of-way that need to be undergrounded. City officials warn that delays in approving the amendment could jeopardize grant funding deadlines for the interchange project. However, they emphasize there will be no impact to the city’s General Fund, as the undergrounding costs will be covered by Pacific Gas & Electric’s Rule 20A program, which funds the replacement of overhead lines with underground electrical infrastructure. --- ## On the consent calendar The council will consider several contract amendments and administrative actions, including major increases to legal services agreements totaling over $875,000, the build-out of two mobile crisis response vans, and four new concrete construction contracts worth up to $2 million each. The City Attorney’s Office seeks approval to amend its [legal services agreement with Liebert Cassidy Whitmore](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59111&ref=grandviewindependent.com), increasing the contract by $400,000 to a maximum of $1.565 million. This amendment ensures the firm can continue providing specialized labor and employment legal services to the City of Richmond. The Community Development Department proposes [increasing Land Econ Group’s contract by $75,000 to $125,000\. ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59121&ref=grandviewindependent.com)This extension allows the firm to continue providing financial and economic analysis for property negotiations until December 31, 2026. The Community Development Department seeks a [$400,000 amendment to its legal services agreement with Burke, Williams & Sorensen, LLP, ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59124&ref=grandviewindependent.com)increasing the contract to $800,000 until December 31, 2028. The [Finance Department is presenting its monthly reports](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59127&ref=grandviewindependent.com) for August 2025, which include the City’s Investment and Cash Balance Report, Monthly Overtime Reports, Documentary Transfer Tax Report, and Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) and Pension Report for council review. Human Resources seeks to amend its contract with [George Hills Company, Inc. for third-party general liability claims ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59133&ref=grandviewindependent.com)administration, increasing the payment limit by $100,000 to a total of $760,000\. The contract runs from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2027\. HR is also requesting to transfer a [Community Engagement Manager position](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59164&ref=grandviewindependent.com) from the Police Department to the City Manager’s Office. The Library and Community Services Department is requesting an appropriation of $176,851.71 and approval of a contract with Glampervan Global to build out two Ford Transit [vans for the Community Crisis Response Program.](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59116&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The Mayor’s Office is presenting a proclamation recognizing and [celebrating National Manufacturing Week](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59109&ref=grandviewindependent.com) from October 6 to 10, 2025, in the City of Richmond, highlighting the importance of the manufacturing sector to the local economy. Mayor Eduardo Martinez is recommending the appointment of North & East Neighborhood Council President[ Jan Mignone to the Recreation and Parks Commission](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59107&ref=grandviewindependent.com) for a term that will expire on October 26, 2028. The Mayor’s Office is requesting direction for the City Manager to establish a Council and City staff [Ad Hoc Committee on the Black Resiliency Fund,](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59158&ref=grandviewindependent.com) composed of Mayor Eduardo Martinez and Councilmember Doria Robinson. The committee will guide the purpose, goals, and use of the fund. The mayor is seeking authorization for [international travel to Zhoushan, China,](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59155&ref=grandviewindependent.com) to celebrate the 32nd anniversary of the Sister Cities friendship, attend the Seventh China-U.S. Sister Cities Conference, and update the mutual agreement between Richmond and Zhoushan for 2026-2028. The Public Works Department is presenting a [written abatement report ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59106&ref=grandviewindependent.com)from the Public Works Director for council review and receipt. Public Works is requesting adoption of a resolution and approval of as-needed [concrete construction and repair contracts ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59136&ref=grandviewindependent.com)with four selected firms: Calico California Constructores Inc., Inder Design Build LLC, Ruvalcabo Paving Inc., and Yerba Buena Engineering & Construction Inc. Each contract has a not-to-exceed amount of $2 million over an initial three-year term, with the City Manager authorized to approve up to two optional one-year extensions of $500,000 per year per contractor. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Eight Great Things to do in Richmond URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/eight-great-things-to-do-in-richmond-17/ Last updated: 2025-10-02T17:53:29.000Z With 30-plus miles of shoreline, two yacht clubs, endless hiking and cycling trails, and a host of eateries, Richmond has a lot to offer. Each week, *Grandview* highlights what we think are the best, not-to-be-missed events and offerings from around the city. This week, Richmond residents can celebrate Friday Night Out, enjoy a Fall Fest, or check out a band, or perhaps two! ## Rose Vaughn @Little Hill Lounge ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/10/Screenshot-2025-10-02-at-9.45.42-AM-1.png) Ro **Thursday, October 2**! ✨️⁠ ⁠ ⚡️Rose Vaughn ⁠ ⚡️Sheffield Hall ⁠ ⁠ 8pm | 21+ | no cover **10753 San Pablo Avenue** ## First Friday Out! @Windchaser Wine Co. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/10/Screenshot-2025-10-02-at-9.38.32-AM.png) **Friday, October 3, 4 p.m. - 8 p.m.** Richmond's First Friday Out with local favorites: The Factory Bar, Pickles N Smoke, Mr Dim Sum, Rocky Island Oyster Co., and Live Music from Rambletone **1352 S 49th St, Richmond** ## Third annual Harvest Festival @The Backyard ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/10/Screenshot-2025-10-02-at-9.00.08-AM.png) **Third annual Harvest Festival at The Backyard!** 😎🍂 Saturday, October 4 and Sunday, October 5 from 12 p.m.-7 p.m. 🍺🍎 Celebrate our PUMPKIN PATCH at The Backyard + the bounty of your local brewers & enjoy the best Oktoberfest/Fall Season beer and cider releases from your favorite local brewers, all under one “roof”! 😉🍻 + LIVE MUSIC, games, and your favorite Backyard eats 🍔😋🌭 In support of Safe Organized Spaces (SOS) — Richmond’s Solutions for Homelessness [@sos.richmond](https://www.instagram.com/sos.richmond/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) ❤️ Enjoy new releases by all of your faves: [@mareislandbrewingco](https://www.instagram.com/mareislandbrewingco/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) [@originalpattern](https://www.instagram.com/originalpattern/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) [@berryessabrewingco](https://www.instagram.com/berryessabrewingco/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) [@farwestcider](https://www.instagram.com/farwestcider/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) & [@sierranevada](https://www.instagram.com/sierranevada/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) !!! 😍🥳 We will be collecting donations for Safe Organized Spaces Richmond and encourage our community to come out and support and learn more about this local organization doing incredible work 🙌 **The Backyard 205 Cutting Boulevard, Richmond** ## ### Michael Michael Motorcycle @Sailing Goat ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/10/Screenshot-2025-10-01-at-1.44.12-PM.png) **October 4, 2025, 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.** Since 2017, Michael Michael Motorcycle has been releasing a steady stream of Bay Area earworm weirdness out into the world. The San Francisco guitar duo of Michael Pannone and Jesse Cobb combos with the mighty rhythm section of Marin County’s Jono Clay and Greg Moye to deliver a unique brand of harmony-focused, guitar-driven music that draws from indie rock, folk, Americana, dream pop, and rock and roll. [https://motorcycle.band/](https://motorcycle.band/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) **Sailing Goat at Point San Pablo Harbor, 1900 Stenmark Dr, Richmond** ## **Fall Festival @Valley View Elementary** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/10/234fb2e79a70440d6b5d5f64dafec8cc.jpeg) ### ## Secret Lives @Golden Gate Bistro ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/10/554860349_1161409296051040_905442093186770079_n.jpg) **Sunday, OCT 5 - SECRET LIVES Live at GOLDEN GATE BISTRO - 7-10 p.m.** SECRET LIVES is a rock 'n roll band from Marin County founded by lead guitarist and singer Gene Immendorf. Their solid mix of hard-rocking originals and crowd-pleasing covers brings an electric charge to every show. **803 Wright Ave #101, Richmond, CA 94804** ## Whey on Wheels @The Factory Bar ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/10/Screenshot-2025-10-01-at-9.47.18-PM.png) **The Factory Bar is super excited to host Whey on Wheels this Sunday!** They’ll be bringing their delicious cheeses treats and sandwiches to Richmond! Nothing in the world pairs better than one of their amazing sandwiches and a local draft beer. Come by and see for yourself! **The Factory Bar 12513 San Pablo Avenue Richmond** ## Pumpkin Patch @Hilltop Mall ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/10/IMG_2103--1--1.jpg) **NEW HOURS FOR 2025.** Prepare yourself for tons of fun while your children, ages 2-12, play on the multitude of inflatable amusements. Check out our large circus tent that is great to provide that extra needed shade for the perfect Birthday Party, Group gathering, or School Field Trip. Besides the giant inflatable fun, there are many different varieties of pumpkins to choose from, pumpkin accessories, and a wonderfully decorated “memory zone” to take pictures of your little ones. ***2200 Hilltop Mall Rd, Richmond, CA 94806*** **Lot Hours** - September 13 – October 31 - Monday through Thursday from 3-9 pm - Friday from 2-9 pm - Saturday/Sunday from 10 am to 9 pm **Ages 2-12 Inflatable Admission Price: (Other activities priced separately)** - $22 for 1 Hour per child - $27 for 2 Hours (sold on a limited basis on Fri/Sat/Sun) - $35 for all day pass (sold on a limited basis per day). Not available Friday/Saturday/Sundays from October 10/10-10/31) **Under 2 Years Old MINI Toddler Inflatable Wristband** (this is for Toddle bounce only – not for large inflatables) - $10 for 1 hour per child - $15 for 2 hours per child --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Immigration officers conduct operation in Richmond’s North & East neighborhood URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/immigration-officers-conduct-operation-in-richmonds-north-east-neighborhood/ Last updated: 2025-10-02T04:56:33.000Z Federal immigration officers carried out an operation in Richmond’s North and East neighborhood Wednesday morning, city officials confirmed, but local police said they were not involved. Richmond Assistant Police Chief Tim Simmons confirmed that a United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement operation was conducted on Humphrey Avenue in Richmond on Wednesday morning. Simmons emphasized the department’s hands-off approach to federal immigration activities. “We do not inquire from them. We do not ask them what they’re doing,” Simmons said during a Community Police Review Commission meeting Wednesday evening, adding that the department only reached out to confirm the agents’ presence after becoming aware of the operation. “Our officers are not engaged in any way, shape or form with their operations,” Simmons said. “We do not coordinate with them. We will not coordinate with them. We stand behind our sanctuary policy as a city.” Residents began sharing accounts of the action earlier in the day. “ICE is in Richmond. This just happened to my neighbor this morning. My heart breaks for this family,” Ryan Zulewski posted on the neighborhood platform Nextdoor. “Look out for these mini vans and the cowards that wear masks and arm themselves with automatic rifles, driving these unmarked mini vans.” Mayor Eduardo Martinez also confirmed the reports in a statement. “This morning, DHS/ICE officers were reported on Humphrey Avenue (North & East neighborhood) in Richmond. At this time, we do not have details on the nature of the action. RPD was not involved,” Martinez wrote. “We are monitoring the situation closely and will share updates as more information becomes available.” A city community update advised residents that if they see ICE activity in Richmond, they should call the Community Rapid Response Number at 510-240-9420. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond police respond to 9th Street shooting, victim hospitalized URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-police-respond-to-9th-street-shooting-victim-hospitalized/ Last updated: 2025-10-02T00:21:52.000Z Richmond police said an adult male was hospitalized Tuesday night after being shot at the Triangle Court Apartments. Lt. Donald Patchin, public information officer for the Richmond Police Department, reported that officers responded to a ShotSpotter activation in the 900 block of 9th Street at 8:46 p.m. "Officers responded and located one victim suffering from gunshot wounds," Patchin said. "The victim, an adult male, was transported to a local hospital for treatment, where they remain." In July, police found 43-year-old Claude Richard III shot to death in the same block. That case was the city’s first homicide of 2025. [Richmond records first homicide of 2025 after nearly nine-month lullRichmond police are investigating the city’s first homicide of the year after a man was found fatally shot Thursday morning at Triangle Court Apartments. Officers responded to the 900 block of 9th Street at 6:44 a.m. following reports of a man down. When they arrived, they located![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--116.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-homcide-2025-9th-street-1-1-2.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-records-first-homicide-of-2025-after-nearly-nine-month-lull/) It also follows Richmond’s second homicide of the year, reported in September after a fatal shooting near 8th Street and Lincoln Avenue. Family members identified the victim as Jerry Williams. [Second Richmond homicide of 2025 reported after fatal Lincoln Avenue shootingLast update: Monday, September 22, 2025, at 7:30 a.m. A man was fatally shot in Richmond on Friday night, marking the city’s second homicide of 2025\. The shooting was reported around 8:37 p.m. near 8th Street and Lincoln Avenue, where officers responded after ShotSpotter technology![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--117.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-08-04-at-8.15.38-AM-1-1.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/second-richmond-homicide-of-2025-reported-after-fatal-lincoln-avenue-shooting/) “The incidents are in close proximity, so we are investigating that avenue; however, there is nothing definitively linking these crimes at this time,” Patchin said. Police have not released further details about Tuesday’s shooting, and no arrests were immediately announced. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Introducing GrandEATS! a new adventure in journalism, food, and dining URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/introducing-grandeats-a-new-adventure-in-journalism-food-and-dining/ Last updated: 2025-10-01T19:43:14.000Z Our readers asked for more stories about food and culinary delights, and we have responded! Introducing [GrandEATS!](https://www.grandvieweats.com/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) a new magazine-style digital food adventure from Grandview Media. GrandEATS! is about food, fun, and adventures in dining. Expanding our coverage outside of Richmond, you'll find road trip stories filled with quirky diners, off-the-beaten-path food finds, and hidden culinary treasures, along with the local flavor stories readers have come to know and expect from *Grandview*. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/09/Screenshot-2025-09-24-at-9.04.31-PM-1.png) These stories are for you, our dear *Grandview* readers, and if you have suggestions or a food find you'd like us to write about, we are ready (and hungry!) for the challenge. So check it out, and let us know what you think. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Riggers Loft closes after long legal fight with Richmond URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/riggers-loft-closes-after-long-legal-fight-with-richmond/ Last updated: 2025-09-30T17:29:43.000Z Riggers Loft, the popular waterfront wine and music venue on the Richmond shoreline, has closed its doors after years of legal disputes with the city. Owners Barbara Brown and Kevin Brown announced the closure today, describing the decision as painful but inevitable after losing their battle against eviction by the Richmond Surplus Property Authority. [Riggers Loft faces new eviction case amid dispute over back rentAttorneys for the City of Richmond’s Surplus Property Authority (SPA) have filed a new unlawful detainer (UD) case against waterfront winery and event space Riggers Loft Wine Company, citing the business’s most recent failure to pay rent. The new case, now before the Contra Costa County Superior Court, seeks to![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--115.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/riggers-loft-richmond-california-1-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-surplus-property-authority-seeks-riggers-loft-eviction-again-2/) “With great sadness, this last weekend was our last,” the couple wrote in a farewell message to the community. “As sad as this moment is, there are a couple of things that Kevin and I can truly celebrate. One is that we were able to share this gorgeous spot with the Richmond (and greater) community… The other, and the most important, is the friendships forged at Riggers Loft.” Located in a converted World War II shipbuilding warehouse at the Port of Richmond, Riggers Loft had become a fixture for live music, wine tasting, and community events since opening in 2016\. The venue was home to multiple wineries, a cidery, and a wine collective, and drew regular crowds for concerts and waterfront gatherings. But for years, the business operated under the shadow of litigation. The Richmond Surplus Property Authority had sought to remove Riggers Loft, accusing the operators of violating lease terms. The Browns argued that the eviction attempt was politically motivated and harmful to local businesses. In July, the council voted to proceed with the eviction. According to the Browns, even a potential courtroom victory could not have saved them, given the uncertainty of trial timing and the threat of eviction orders. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/09/Screenshot-2025-09-30-at-10.27.42-AM-1.png) “We still believe our case against the unlawful detainer was strong,” their farewell statement read. “However, the uncertainty of jury trials and the timing of eviction mean that even a legal victory would come too late to save the business.” The closure marks the end of a venue that many residents saw as a bright spot for Richmond’s shoreline development. The Browns expressed gratitude to supporters who stood by them through the legal fight. “It has meant the world to us,” they wrote. “We wish it could have ended differently but the city had the power, the resources and the final word.” Looking ahead, the couple said they plan to focus on music, which has been their passion throughout the years. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### On the Richmond Burrito Trail: The Taquero on Macdonald Avenue serves a porky powerhouse URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-richmond-burrito-trail-the-taquero-on-macdonald-avenue-serves-a-porky-powerhouse/ Last updated: 2025-09-30T16:10:19.000Z We are back on the Richmond Burrito Trail, coming up for air after a long detour through Richmond’s burger scene. We’ve been biding our time while the stock recovers, letting the burrito waters rest for a while before casting our line again. This week, we hooked a new contender on Macdonald Avenue. It’s a strange corner on Macdonald Avenue and 25th Street. A smoke shop hums on one side, a 7-Eleven glows on the other. In the shadows nearby, quiet exchanges unfold. Down the block, the career center still remembers a typing test for a job that never came through. Across the asphalt, the words “Representations Now” linger from a season when the streets themselves carried the call. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/09/Taquero-Macdonald-Avenue-carnitas-burrito.webp) Macdonald Avenue's The Taquero serves a hefty Super Carnitas Burrito. Tacos El Indio sits dark and boarded up with old cardboard boxes. Into this backdrop rolls The Taquero, a food truck so shiny it feels like it landed here from a better future, serving burritos that are Big and Cheap, which might be exactly the point. [On the Richmond Burrito Trail: Macdonald Avenue’s walk-up restaurant Tacos El IndioTacos El Indio is an order-at-the-window restaurant attached to the La Fortuna Latina Mercado Y Carniceria on Macdonald Avenue. The cheerfully painted red and green concession stand-style food place blends into the grocery store so well that we’d never noticed it. We were four Yelp pages in when we![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--114.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Richmond-Burrito-Trail-Tacos-Indio-menu-1-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-richmond-burrito-trail-macdonald-avenues-walk-up-restaurant-tacos-el-indio/) When we asked the voice of the window what they considered their best meat, they pointed us to the carnitas. We agreed and soon were hearing the heavy whacks of a cleaver chopping. We started with their Super Carnitas Burrito, a heavy hitter weighing in at 690 grams for just $13.50\. This is a traditional-style burrito; you won’t find pico de gallo or guacamole here. It is a straightforward mix of fried pork, Spanish rice, pinto beans, melted Mexican cheese, and crema. The pork is rich and deeply flavored, taking center stage in every bite. The rice fills up the voids, though the pinto beans are a bit chalky, the only off note in an otherwise solid performance. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/09/Taquero-Macdonald-Avenue.webp) A taquero is a person who makes and sells tacos. The tortilla could use a little more time on the grill to reach that perfect toastyness. What really lifts the burrito is the salsa verde, which brings a spicy, jalapeno kick that melds beautifully with the pork, almost giving it a chile verde vibe. It’s flavorful without the sharp vinegar bite that can overwhelm other green salsas. The red salsa packs plenty of heat but doesn’t have the same depth. On the side, The Taquero serves roasted onions and peppers that we like to nibble on between burrito bites. They are smoky, tender, and add a little extra magic to the meal. The Taquero Super Carnitas Burrito had enough melty cheese, greasy meat, and crema to be enjoyable; it still fell in the dry category on the Burrito Trail Juiciness Scale. ### The Richmond Burrito Trail Juiciness Scale **Dry:** Minimal to no moisture, potentially crumbly **Balanced:** Perfectly moist, neither dry nor dripping **Juicy:** Meats or fillings release some liquid, but it’s contained **Saucy:** Noticeably coated in sauce; can get a bit messy **Soupy:** Overwhelmed by liquid, possibly leaking or spilling The Taquero sits on a lively stretch of town, turning out burritos that are straightforward and satisfying. They won’t blow your mind, but they’ll hit the spot. After a run of burgers, if you’re in the mood for something familiar and not looking for a tube steak at Caspers, this truck will do you right. Do you know of a burrito spot that the Richmond Burrito Trail has missed? Please let us know about it! --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Drag performances, music, and community groups highlight El Sobrante Pride URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/drag-performances-music-and-community-groups-highlight-el-sobrante-pride/ Last updated: 2025-09-29T18:13:00.000Z A light drizzle didn’t stop people from gathering at Cheese (La Moine) Park on Sunday for the second annual El Sobrante Pride celebration, where drag performances, food trucks, local artisans, and community organizations came together for an afternoon of celebration and solidarity. The festival opened with a lineup of drag performances, kicked off by local legend Viva Commotion, described by organizers as “the heart and soul of drag in our community.” ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/09/el-sobrante-pride-cheese-park8.webp) East Bay drag icon Viva Commotion performs at second annual El Sobrante Pride celebration on Sunday, September 28, 2025\. Photos/Soren Hemmila Food trucks lined the edge of the park, serving everything from tacos to shaved ice, while music from DJ Paige Hodel kept spirits high. Between performances, attendees explored tables hosted by local merchants and nonprofit organizations. Vice Mayor Cesar Zepeda, the first openly gay man elected to Richmond’s city council, underscored the importance of community visibility. “Even though you might not always see someone like you, know that we are out here. We are in every community,” Zepeda said, holding a rescue puppy named Tic, who was available for adoption at the event. “Just like the weather today, even when it’s overcast, if you look closely, you’ll see rainbows. That’s how we build community. Step by step, we’re going to build community.” While the day was festive, Contra Costa County Supervisor Ken Carlson, the county’s first openly LGBTQ supervisor, urged attendees to stay engaged in the fight for equality. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/09/el-sobrante-pride-cheese-park10-1.webp) “Pride is a celebration, but it’s also a call to action to get out, to show our love and to bring people into the community with us,” Carlson said. “Our trans population is specifically under attack. This is an opportunity for us to call in, not call out, to bring allies, faith institutions, businesses, and schools together. Let them see what we stand for.” ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/09/el-sobrante-pride-cheese-park13-1.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/09/el-sobrante-pride-cheese-park7-2.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/09/el-sobrante-pride-cheese-park6.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/09/el-sobrante-pride-cheese-park15.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/09/el-sobrante-pride-cheese-park12-1.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/09/el-sobrante-pride-cheese-park11-1.webp) Rev. Dr. Melinda V. McClain, pastor of Good Table United Church of Christ and the event’s stage manager, reflected on how much progress the community has made. "I am old enough that I could be called a queer elder, whatever the heck that means,” McClain said. “I can remember, because again, queer elder, when we had to drag, and I mean drag elected officials to come to pride. Now we have so many we can’t even believe it, and some of them are even LGBTQ+.” The festival included a headline performance by singer Jeannie Tracy, whose rendition of *It’s Raining Men* had the crowd dancing in front of the stage. Jeannie Tracy, known for her work with disco legend Sylvester and a successful solo career in dance and soul music, has been a fixture in the Bay Area music scene for decades. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### What happened in Richmond: multiple assaults, DUI crashes, and armed robberies URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/what-happened-in-richmond-multiple-assaults-dui-crashes-and-armed-robberies/ Last updated: 2025-09-29T16:58:48.000Z Richmond police faced another busy week from September 22-28, responding to multiple serious incidents, including several sexual assaults, DUI-related hit-and-runs causing injuries, numerous armed robberies, and extensive firearm violations. The week saw continued problems with vehicle theft, domestic violence, and drug-related offenses across the city. ### Monday, September 22, 2025 **Weapon violation:** 3500 block of Bissell Avenue. A convicted felon was found with tear gas at 2:34 a.m. **Vandalism:** In the 94803 zip code. A repeat offender struck again with property damage at 9:40 a.m. **Check fraud:** 700 block of 15th Street. Fictitious checks were passed at noon. **Drug violation:** In the 94801 zip code. Narcotics were discovered at 12:47 p.m. **Vandalism:** 1400 block of Hilltop Mall Road. Property damage under $400 occurred at 1:08 p.m. **Robbery:** 1200 block of Macdonald Avenue. A strong-arm robbery was reported at 1:19 p.m. **Assault with weapon:** In the 94804 zip code. A deadly weapon was used in an attack at 2:55 p.m. **Assault with weapon:** In the 94804 zip code. Another deadly weapon assault took place at 6:15 p.m. Richmond firefighters, AMR paramedics and REACH air medical services transported the victim of a stabbing to a local trauma center for emergency care. **Multiple drug charges:** 4700 block of Hartnett Avenue. A drug-dealing operation with marijuana and narcotics was busted, and an obstruction charge was also tacked on at 7:38 p.m. **Disorderly conduct:** 900 block of 13th Street. Public intoxication led to disorderly behavior and a trip to the gray bar hotel at 8:50 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 600 block of 41st Street. Night’s agents sequestered a car at 9 p.m. **Battery:** 2400 block of Nevin Avenue. Fists flew during a physical altercation at 9:02 p.m. **Firearm discharge:** 900 block of Triangle Court. A firearm was discharged in a grossly negligent manner at 9:16 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 12000 block of San Pablo Avenue. Another car disappeared without permission at 10:11 p.m. **Vandalism:** In the 94804 zip code. Power lines were damaged at 10:24 p.m. **Petty theft:** 500 block of 11th Street. Items were stolen from a parked vehicle at 11 p.m. **Assault with a firearm:** Triangle Court. A firearm was used during an assault at 11 p.m. ### Tuesday, September 23, 2025 **Vandalism:** 1600 block of Chanslor Avenue. Property was damaged at 1:20 a.m. **Vandalism:** 700 block of Yuba Street. Expensive property damage over $400 occurred at 3:05 a.m. **Commercial burglary:** 900 block of 13th Street. A business was broken into at 4:55 a.m. **Petty theft:** 1400 block of Harbour Way S. Auto parts walked away from a vehicle at 5:30 a.m. **Auto burglary:** 3400 block of Wall Avenue. A car was broken into at 6:29 a.m. **Firearm violation:** In the 94804 zip code. A firearm was illegally exhibited at 6:52 a.m. **Multiple violations:** In the 94801 zip code. A driver seemingly tried to present false identification, probably because they were driving with a license suspended for a DUI at 8:25 a.m. **Multiple charges:** In the 94804 zip code. Police busted a driver in a stolen vehicle who was also picked up drug possession charges and DUI violations at 12:53 p.m. **Domestic violence:** 100 block of S 35th Street. Police made an arrest for aggravated assault at 1 p.m. **Battery:** 200 block of 15th Street. A physical confrontation erupted at 2:25 p.m. **Grand theft:** 700 block of Chesley Avenue. A major theft occurred at 2:35 p.m. **Drug violation:** 600 block of 1st Street. Controlled substances were found at 4:30 p.m. **Vehicle embezzlement:** 1000 block of 23rd Street. A rental vehicle was never returned at 4:59 p.m. **Vandalism:** 5500 block of Clinton Avenue. Property damage over $400 occurred at 5 p.m. **Battery:** 3200 block of Pierce Street. Another physical altercation broke out at 5:35 p.m. **Driving without a license:** In the 94806\. An unlicensed driver was stopped at 5:58 p.m. **Sex offender violations:** 1700 block of Regatta Boulevard. A transient failed to update registration as required at 8:17 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 3600 block of Sierra Ridge. Another unauthorized borrowing occurred at 8:25 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 500 block of S 19th Street. Yet another car was wrested from its keeper at 10 p.m. **Vandalism:** 300 block of Atlas Drive in Hercules. Cross-jurisdictional property damage over $400 at 10:15 p.m. **Police evasion:** In the 94801 zip code. A suspect fled from officers with wanton disregard at 10:48 p.m. **Multiple charges:** 800 block of Griffin Drive. Outstanding felony warrants served with domestic battery and property damage at 11:50 p.m. The suspect was arrested. ### Wednesday, September 24, 2025 **Vandalism:** 400 block of S 8th Street. Property damage over $400 occurred at 6:36 a.m. **Fraud:** 4300 block of Overend Avenue. Money was obtained through false pretenses at 10:50 a.m. **Mail theft:** 100 block of Bissell Way. Postal piracy was reported at 10:57 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 200 block of 15th Street. Thieves extracted another automobile from the good people of Richmond at 11:18 a.m. **Battery:** In the 94801 zip code. A physical altercation took place at 12:40 p.m. **Multiple serious charges:** 2900 block of Ohio Avenue. An incident involving sexual assault, assault with deadly weapon, stalking, and domestic violence was reported at 12:40 p.m. **Child abuse:** 6100 block of Plymouth Avenue. Police received reports of injury inflicted on a child at 12:43 p.m. **Custody violation:** 5800 block of Olinda Road. Parental rights were said to have been violated at 1:06 p.m. **Multiple DUI charges:** In the 94804 zip code. Someone was driving under the influence while on probation with a suspended license at 1:35 p.m. **Vehicle embezzlement:** 3000 block of Hilltop Mall Road. Someone was busted for not returning a rental car at 2:28 p.m. **Vehicle recovery:** In the 94804 zip code. A stolen vehicle was restored to the fold at 3:13 p.m. **Domestic violence:** 100 block of Shoreline Court. Domestic violence was reported at 3:42 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 2300 block of Maricopa Avenue. Another seized by wicked design at 4:20 p.m. **Multiple firearm charges:** Crescent Park. A youngster was arrested after reportedly being found with a loaded stolen handgun, a large capacity magazine, ammunition, and obstructing officers at 4:33 p.m. **Robbery with weapon:** 800 block of 23rd Street. An armed robbery occurred at 4:41 p.m. **Grand theft:** 500 block of 8th Street. Theft from a motor vehicle at 5:30 p.m. **Petty theft:** 600 block of S 30th Street. Auto parts were stolen at 6:30 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 500 block of Pennsylvania Avenue. Another unauthorized borrowing at 8:30 p.m. **DUI:** 800 block of Dornan Drive. Police busted a tired and emotional driver at 8:58 p.m. **Multiple DUI charges:** 600 block of 27th Street. A double dose of drunk driving charges led to cuffs at 9:10 p.m. ### Thursday, September 25, 2025 **Vandalism:** 400 block of Commodore Drive. Property damage over $400 occurred at 12:00 a.m. **Assault with weapon:** 1000 block of Chesley Avenue. A deadly weapon attack took place at 2:38 a.m. **Petty theft:** 4400 block of Sycamore Avenue. Auto parts were stolen at 8:30 a.m. **Vehicle recovery:** In the 94806 zip code. A stolen vehicle was recovered at 10:22 a.m. **Vehicle tampering:** 700 block of 14th Street. Someone meddled with a vehicle at 10:38 a.m. **Warrant arrest:** 3000 block of Groom Drive. An outstanding misdemeanor warrant was served at 10:43 a.m. The suspect was arrested. **Warrant arrest:** 1400 block of Marina Way South. Another warrant was served at 10:44 a.m. The suspect was arrested. **Vandalism:** 2300 block of Grant Avenue. Property damage over $400 occurred at 10:48 a.m. **Child abuse:** 200 block of 24th Street. A child was injured at 11:31 a.m. **Battery:** 4300 block of Cutting Boulevard. Fists flew during a confrontation at 2:18 p.m. **Auto burglary and theft:** 2800 block of McBryde Avenue. A car was broken into and items stolen at 5:30 p.m. **Robbery:** In the 94804 zip code. A strong-arm robbery occurred at 6 p.m. **Multiple firearm and drug charges:** W Macdonald Avenue and Regatta Boulevard. A prohibited person with loaded weapons and drugs for sale at 7:00 p.m. **Battery:** 12800 block of San Pablo Avenue. A physical altercation erupted at 7:21 p.m. **Multiple assault charges:** 3600 block of Chanslor Avenue. Someone was arrested on simple assault charges, and someone was arrested on aggravated assault charges at 7:30 p.m. **Domestic battery:** 2200 block of Nevin Avenue. Domestic violence wa reported at 8:24 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 3100 block of Garrity Way. Another car disappeared at 9 p.m. Friday, September 26, 2025 **Vandalism:** 600 block of 34th Street. Property damage under $400 occurred at 4:08 a.m. **Sexual assault and robbery:** In the 94804 zip code. A sexual assault with armed robbery was reported at 4:28 a.m. **Drug violation:** 1100 block of Eaglewood Court. Paraphernalia was discovered at 8:35 a.m. **Domestic violence:** 1900 block of Bissell Avenue. Domestic violence was reported at 8:38 a.m. **Robbery:** 4300 block of Cutting Boulevard. A strong-arm robbery occurred at 8:54 a.m. **Impersonation:** 100 block of S 9th Street. Someone falsely assuming the identity of another person was arrested at 10 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 2100 block of Macdonald Avenue. Someone’s car was gathered through corrupted means at 10:06 a.m. **Driving violation:** In the 94804 zip code. A driver was found with a restricted DUI license at 10:16 a.m. **Assault arrest:** 1600 block of Chanslor Avenue. A home break-in and domestic violence ended in an arrest for assault at 11:59 a.m. **Battery:** 3900 block of Ohio Avenue. A physical confrontation occurred at 2:18 p.m. **Battery:** 2400 block of Macdonald Avenue. Another altercation broke out at 3:45 p.m. **Hit and run:** In the 94801 zip code. A crash with injuries where the driver fled at 6:27 p.m. **Residential burglary:** 700 block of Thomas Drive. A home was broken into at 7:05 p.m. **Multiple charges:** 1800 block of Roosevelt Avenue. Residential burglary, domestic violence, vandalism, and aggravated assault arrest at the same location at 7:28 p.m. **Petty theft:** 800 block of 7th Street. Auto parts were stolen at 10:00 p.m. ### Saturday, September 27, 2025 **DUI:** In the 94804 zip code. An overserved driver was busted behind the wheel at 12:04 a.m. **Residential burglary:** 2300 block of Brooks Avenue. Officers busted a burglar after a home was broken into at 6:46 a.m. **Commercial burglary:** 500 block of Spring Street. A business was broken into at 10:56 a.m. **Petty theft:** 800 block of S 49th Street. Light-fingered activity was reported at 11:02 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 400 block of Metro Walk Way. Another car was seized beneath the unforgiving noonday sun. **Vehicle theft:** 800 block of McLaughlin Street. Another unauthorized borrowing was reported at 3:32 p.m. But the car thief was captured. **Domestic violence:** 700 block of 8th Street. A court order was violated, and a suspect was arrested at 4 p.m. **Robbery:** 2100 block of Nevin Avenue. A strong-arm robbery occurred at 7:06 p.m. **Domestic violence:** 600 block of Lucas Avenue. Another protective order was violated, and an arrest was made at 8:18 p.m. **Petty theft:** 11900 block of San Pablo Avenue. A thief was busted after stealing from a building at 8:42 p.m. **Warrant arrest:** In the 94804 zip code. A bench warrant for failure to appear was served at 9:34 p.m. The suspect was arrested. **Battery:** 700 block of Thomas Drive. A physical altercation took place at 9:44 p.m. **Petty theft:** 100 block of 5th Street. More theft from a motor vehicle at 11 p.m. **Multiple firearm charges:** 4600 block of Cypress Avenue. A gunslinger racked up several charges, including having loaded concealed weapons, obstruction, and hit-and-run at 11:47 p.m. ### Sunday, September 28, 2025 **Multiple DUI charges:** In the 94801 zip code. A hit-and-run crash with injuries, DUI causing bodily harm, and false reporting at 2:06 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 5300 block of Country View Drive. Another unholy acquisition reported at 3 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 2400 block of Andrade Avenue. Another car disappeared at 7:27 a.m. **Firearm violation:** In the 94806 zip code. A firearm was illegally exhibited at 8 a.m. **Domestic battery:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. Police received reports of domestic violence at 9:40 a.m. **Multiple child abuse charges:** 300 block of Harbour Way S. Child cruelty and domestic battery at the same location at 9:41 a.m. **Vandalism and drugs:** 200 block of 23rd/24th Street area. Police busted someone on destruction of property and drug paraphernalia charges at 10:10 a.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 300 block of Nevin Avenue. A stolen vehicle was reclaimed from its dark pilgrimage at 11:32 a.m. **Vehicle recovery:** In the 94801 zip code. Another stolen vehicle was recovered at 2:38 p.m. **Assault with weapon:** 800 block of Carlson Boulevard. Someone ended up in police custody after an attack involving a deadly weapon at 2:50 p.m. **Assault with weapon:** 3000 block of Deseret Drive. Another deadly weapon assault at 3:11 p.m. **Weapon violation:** West Richmond Avenue. A deadly weapon was exhibited at 4:10 p.m. **Multiple charges:** 2400 block of Lancaster Drive. Robbery, false imprisonment, and domestic violence were reported at the same location at 4:16 p.m. **Domestic violence:** 2900 block of Pullman Avenue. Domestic violence was reported at 5:47 p.m. **Robbery and extortion:** 2300 block of Cutting Boulevard. A strong-arm theft with extortion was reported at 6 p.m. **Domestic battery:** 1200 block of Macdonald Avenue. Domestic violence was reported at 9:13 p.m. **Auto burglary:** 5000 block of El Portal Drive. A car was broken into at 9:24 p.m. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond Police working 18-hour shifts, sleeping in trailers amid staffing crisis URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-police-working-18-hour-shifts-sleeping-in-trailers-amid-staffing-crisis/ Last updated: 2025-09-28T19:18:29.000Z Richmond police officers are working 18-hour shifts, sometimes sleeping in trailers behind the police station because they do not have time to go home, Assistant Police Chief Tim Simmons told the Fairmede Hilltop Neighborhood Council on Thursday night. Simmons described a department under extreme strain, with staffing levels at their lowest point in his 17 years with the department. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/09/Assistant-Richmond-Police-Chief-Tim-Simmons-1.png) Richmond Assistant Police Chief Tim Simmons discusses the department’s staffing shortages during a Fairmede Hilltop Neighborhood Council meeting on Thursday, September 25, 2025\. Photo/ Screenshot from [video by Don Gosney](https://youtu.be/0MwOYylb5zY?si=A0T48OWpEnJVLJsx&ref=grandviewindependent.com) “We are authorized 147 officers, but we currently have 24 vacancies and 15 officers out on some form of long-term leave, which leaves us 108 available officers,” Simmons said. “Of those, we only have 44 officers that are available for patrol when ideally we should have at least 60 on patrol to adequately cover our beats and provide timely, consistent first responder service.” At times, the patrol force has been reduced to as few as six or seven officers to cover the entire city, according to Simmons. [Richmond police union direct action highlights low staffing as council meeting boils overA Richmond City Council meeting erupted in tension Tuesday night as dozens of police officers and their supporters rallied to protest low staffing and what they described as political attacks, while friends and relatives of a young man fatally shot by police demanded accountability and transparency. The rally, organized by![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--111.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-police-city-council-meeting-1-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-police-union-direct-action-highlights-low-staffing-as-council-meeting-boils-over/) The result is delayed emergency responses and exhausted officers. Simmons said a recently added sleep trailer was intended to prevent officers from driving home dangerously tired and to provide them with a few hours of rest before returning to work. The city purchased the trailer in December 2022 for $184,000, using funds from the American Rescue Plan Act. The purchase followed reports of officers sleeping in their cars or empty offices between shifts due to staffing shortages. According to a city report, one officer fell asleep at the wheel and crashed while driving home, and others described having to pull off the freeway to avoid falling asleep. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/09/richmond-sleeping-trailer-1.webp) The city purchased the a 10-room sleeping trailer for police officers. During a recent police department tour for new officers and their families, Simmons said the trailer sparked emotional reactions. “I had a mom and I had a wife shoot their hand up faster than I could finish my sentence,” he recalled. “The wife said, ‘I don’t want my husband sleeping at the police department. Why do you have sleep trailers here?’” Simmons explained that it was because of the 18-hour shifts. “That only leaves six hours until they have to come back for their next shift,” he said. “If they could sleep instead of spending half an hour driving home and half an hour driving back, when they are only going to get three or four hours of sleep, it’s safer for everyone.” [Report: Richmond Police staffing levels ‘seriously deficient’ to meet the needs of the publicA report on public safety staffing requested by the Richmond City Council has called the current police staffing levels ‘seriously deficient’ to meet the needs of the public and said officer turnover at the Richmond Police Department was an “unsustainable crisis.” The report by Matrix Consulting Group created a data![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--112.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/DSC_2727-4.jpg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/report-richmond-police-staffing-levels-seriously-deficient-to-meet-the-needs-of-the-public/) District Four Councilmember Soheila Bana spoke in support of the department and urged residents to advocate for officers. “Police are in charge of evacuation by state law if there is a major disaster like a wildfire. So it’s not just crime they’re dealing with,” Bana said. “They also deal with human trafficking and do all sorts of charity work. It is very important to not only support the police but also remember they are city employees. They deserve respect, and unfortunately, I see they’re under attack, under direct and indirect insults even in City Hall and city council meetings.” Richmond mayoral candidate Ahmad Anderson said political divisions are making the situation worse. “If you care about the importance of seeing great community policing, you’ve got to step up and speak up and show up at the city council meetings and say you do support \[the police\], because what I feel, and I hear it here, is the community is polarized,” Anderson said. “They are literally taking hits from leaders that sit on that city council, instead of looking at how we can do better to bring the community together.” District Four candidate Jamin Pursell asked Simmons what residents can do to help change perceptions of policing. “We talk about community and how to bring people together,” Pursell said. “How do we really change the narrative so we’re talking not just about any police, but Richmond police officers and how they’re making a difference here? What can we do to help facilitate them?” [Richmond officials push back on grand jury police staffing reportA Contra Costa County Civil Grand Jury report criticizing Richmond’s approach to police staffing has triggered a wave of pushback from city officials and police union leaders, reviving tensions over a controversial 2021 decision to reallocate $3 million from the Richmond Police Department. Councilmember Doria Robinson, who introduced the![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--113.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-grand-jury-report2-1-1-1-1.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-officials-push-back-on-grand-jury-police-staffing-report/) Simmons urged residents to keep pressing for a fully staffed, fully supported police department and to push for the return of a permanent police station. Simmons said he is committed to accountability and high standards even as the department struggles to recruit and retain officers. “There is a strong commitment to holding people accountable in this profession, in this city,” Simmons said. “Every officer, we are held to higher standards, and with that higher standard comes higher expectations.” --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Washington Elementary hosts third annual Kermés ¡Viva Cultura! in Point Richmond URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/washington-elementary-hosts-third-annual-kermes-viva-cultura-in-point-richmond-downtown-point-richmond-was-filled-with-music-dancing-and-food-on-saturday-as-the-washington-elementary-pt/ Last updated: 2025-09-27T22:33:56.000Z Downtown Point Richmond was filled with music, dancing, and food on Saturday as the Washington Elementary PTA and the Point Richmond Neighborhood Council hosted the third annual Kermés ¡Viva Cultura! The free community event happening from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. has closed off part of Point Richmond to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. Visitors could ride a mechanical bull, play Lotería, shop at local artisan vendors, and enjoy a wide variety of food. Live music and dancing were featured throughout the day. > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPHyUlTjUt-/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by Grandview Independent (@grandviewindependent)](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPHyUlTjUt-/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) Washington Elementary is a dual-language immersion school, and organizers said the Kermés is an extension of the students’ education, bringing language, art, music, and culture into the community. The event also highlighted Spanish-speaking businesses that support the school and the surrounding neighborhood. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/09/Screenshot-2025-09-27-at-3.14.05-PM-1.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/09/Screenshot-2025-09-27-at-3.12.12-PM-1.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/09/Screenshot-2025-09-27-at-3.12.28-PM-1.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/09/Screenshot-2025-09-27-at-3.13.51-PM-1.png) The Kermés began in 2023 and has become a way for the school and local families to celebrate diverse cultures while creating a space for students and community members to connect. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Eight Great Things to do in Richmond URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/eight-great-things-to-do-in-richmond-16/ Last updated: 2025-10-01T20:42:29.000Z With 30-plus miles of shoreline, two yacht clubs, endless hiking and cycling trails, and a host of eateries, Richmond has a lot to offer. Each week, *Grandview* highlights what we think are the best, not-to-be-missed events and offerings from around the city. This week, Richmond residents canget in the fall spirit with a trip to the pumpkin patch, check out some art, attend a block party, and more! ## CORNER POCKET @Riggers Loft Wine Co. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/09/Screenshot-2025-09-24-at-12.48.53-PM-1.png) **Friday, September 26, 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.** Corner Pocket is a 9-piece band that invites audiences to dance and groove to the crowd-pleasing tunes from multiple eras, playing soul, classic rock, funk, R&B and more. With a catalog of Tower of Power, Stevie Wonder, Fleetwood Mac, Sly & The Family Stone, Tom Petty, Pretenders, Al Green, Steely Dan, and many more! *Support Local Musicians - $8 Music Cover Charge* [RESERVE A TABLE](https://eatapp.co/reserve/r-b-cellars-80d1ec?ref=grandviewindependent.com) **1325 Canal Boulevard, Richmond** ## Block Party @St. David School ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/09/Screenshot-2025-09-24-at-1.19.53-PM.png) Come together with our school and parish family for an afternoon of fun and community. Parade starts at 11 a.m. **871 Sonoma Street, Richmond** ## Pop-Up Art Show @The Factory Bar ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/09/Screenshot-2025-09-24-at-12.31.25-PM.png) **September 27, 2025, 4-7 p.m**. Rejoice Pop Up Exhibition at the Factory Bar. Richmond’s favorite spot for good vibes and community. 12517 SAN PABLO AVE. RICHMOND, 510-778-1079 ## KERMÉS ¡Viva Cultura! @Point Richmond ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/09/Screenshot-2025-09-24-at-12.55.57-PM.png) **Saturday, September 27, 2025, from 10 a.m to 5 p.m.** Washington Elementary PTA along with Pt Richmond Neighborhood Council (PRNC) are extremely excited to announce the 3rd Annual KERMÉS ¡Viva Cultura! on in downtown Pt. Richmond. This amazing community event allows us to celebrate our diverse Spanish-speaking cultures and customs in downtown Pt Richmond, and you now have the opportunity to experience and participate in the beauty of the Kermés. Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month, Washington Elementary PTA will close part of downtown Pt Richmond to coordinate a day of live music, dancing, food, small artisan vendors, and community resources. This celebration will showcase local Spanish-speaking businesses that make up and support our school and community, thus providing real-world representation to inspire our students outside the classroom. As Washington Elementary is a Dual-Language Immersion school, events like the Kermés expands on student education, bringing language, art, music, and culture to them. Come ride a mechanical bull, play Loteria, buy handmade artisan items, dance the day away with live bands, grab a bite to eat, and see how our students are exposed to rich culture, language, empathy, and the varying degrees that make our Culture. **This is a free community event for all ages.** ## Pride 2025 @El Sobrante ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/09/Screenshot-2025-09-24-at-12.52.23-PM.png) Sunday, September 28, from 12 to 4 p.m. **3444-3530 Morningside Dr, Richmond** ## **Hip-Hop song, and comedy @Open Mic** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/09/Screenshot-2025-09-24-at-1.40.23-PM.png) **September 28**, **4 p.m. to 6 p.m.** An evening of hip-hop, song, comedy, and more! **260 Broadway, Richmond, CA** ## Wine & Comedy Mondays @Kaleidascope Coffee ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/09/Screenshot-2025-09-24-at-1.01.45-PM.png) **Live Stand-Up Comedy: 5:30–6:30 p.m.** Kickstart your week with the perfect pairing: bold wine and big laughs. Join us every Monday evening for Wine & Comedy Mondays—a weekly reset with great pours, local comics, and laid-back vibes. At Kaleidoscope Coffee & Wine, where community meets flavor and fun. Whether you're gathering with friends or flying solo, you'll find good company, electric energy, and something to smile about. Unwind. Laugh. Sip Smarter. *No tickets. No cover. Just good times, every Monday.* **109 Park Pl, Richmond, CA, United States, California 94801** ## Richmond Pumpkin Patch @Hilltop Mall ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/09/Screenshot-2025-09-24-at-1.52.24-PM.png) **NEW HOURS FOR 2025.** Prepare yourself for tons of fun while your children, ages 2-12, play on the multitude of inflatable amusements. Check out our large circus tent that is great to provide that extra needed shade for the perfect Birthday Party, Group gathering, or School Field Trip. Besides the giant inflatable fun, there are many different varieties of pumpkins to choose from, pumpkin accessories, and a wonderfully decorated “memory zone” to take pictures of your little ones. ***2200 Hilltop Mall Rd, Richmond, CA 94806*** **Lot Hours** - September 13 – October 31st - Monday through Thursday from 3-9 pm - Friday from 2-9 pm - Saturday/Sunday from 10 am to 9 pm **Ages 2-12 Inflatable Admission Price: (Other activities priced separately)** - $22 for 1 Hour per child - $27 for 2 Hours (sold on a limited basis on Fri/Sat/Sun) - $35 for all day pass (sold on a limited basis per day). Not available Friday/Saturday/Sundays from October 10/10-10/31) **Under 2 Years Old MINI Toddler Inflatable Wristband** (this is for Toddle bounce only – not for large inflatables) - $10 for 1 hour per child - $15 for 2 hours per child --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Council approves new policy for officer-involved shooting communications, adjusts meeting schedule URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/council-approves-new-policy-for-officer-involved-shooting-communications-adjusts-meeting-schedule/ Last updated: 2025-09-25T04:53:34.000Z The Richmond City Council meeting on Tuesday, September 23, considered two major decisions: one regarding how the city communicates with the public following officer-involved shootings, and another concerning the schedule and timing of its regular meetings. The most heated discussion of the night centered on a proposal to create rules for releasing information after officer-involved shootings. Councilmember Doria Robinson introduced a motion directing City Manager Shasa Curl to work with Police Chief Bisa French and the Richmond Police Department to establish a plan for timely and transparent communications. It requires an initial press release within 24 hours of an incident and regular public updates at least every 30 days, even when there are no new developments. Press releases must include the names of the agencies involved, an overview of the investigative process, and information on how families can access body camera footage and support services. Chief French said she agreed with most parts of the plan, including the timelines for public updates. “We can issue a press release within the first 24 hours, with a minimum frequency of not more than 30 days for each follow-up communication,” French said. However, French strongly disagreed with a section of the motion requiring the release of unedited body-worn camera footage, saying edited versions help prevent the spread of misinformation. “I still believe that it would be irresponsible of us as a police department to put out body-worn camera without any contextual information,” French told the council. Robinson and co-sponsors of the item, Councilmembers Claudia Jimenez and Sue Wilson, argued that releasing only raw footage is essential to rebuild trust in the community. Screenshot from the police-released, edited video of the [officer-involved shooting of Angel Montaño.](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/r/43ec5c8c?m=d383cf53-1128-46d7-b455-d427748441a2) Councilmembers Claudia Jimenez and Sue Wilson argued that releasing only the raw, unedited footage is essential to rebuilding community trust. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/09/Richmond-police-OIS-Video-August-2025-1.webp) Screenshot from the police-released, edited video of the [officer-involved shooting of Angel Montaño.](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/r/43ec5c8c?m=d383cf53-1128-46d7-b455-d427748441a2) Councilmembers Claudia Jimenez and Sue Wilson argued that releasing only the raw, unedited footage is essential to rebuilding community trust. Jimenez said videos edited by the department frame events from a single point of view and can erode public confidence. Robinson added that families affected by police shootings often struggle to get basic information and should not have to “beg for information” in the midst of trauma. Mayor Eduardo Martinez supported the release of unedited footage, saying it would allow residents to form their own opinions. After a lengthy discussion, Robinson’s proposal passed with a majority of the council voting in favor. ## **Adjusting the Richmond City Council meeting schedule** Later in the evening, the council debated whether to reduce the number of meetings it holds each month. City staff recommended reducing the number of regular meetings from three to two, citing heavy workloads and the strain of preparing three agendas each month. Deputy City Manager Lashonda White said later start times and earlier adjournments would also help improve public participation and staff morale. Public speakers were divided. Don Gosney criticized the proposal, linking it to the council’s recent 80 percent pay increase. “First, unanimously give yourself a whopping 80 percent pay increase,” Gosney said. “Then you unanimously extend your summer hiatus by a month. And now you propose reducing the number of meetings per year by 35 percent over what you had a year ago.” Michael Fitzhugh, another Richmond resident, argued that there was no evidence that the changes would benefit the public. “Thanks to the 80 percent pay raise that you gave yourselves in January, you are some of the best-paid council members in California,” Fitzhugh said. “This resolution will boost your already generous compensation to more than $400 per meeting, even as you give us, your constituents, less of your time.” Robinson voiced concerns that reducing the number of meetings could delay critical decisions. “In the three years that I’ve had the honor of serving on city council, I think we only finished our closed session items once,” she said. “We often don’t finish what’s on the table during the course of the meeting, and if we reduce the meetings, I fear it’s going to have a huge impact on what we can review.” After extended discussion, the council ultimately decided to keep three meetings per month. The new schedule sets closed sessions to begin at 3:30 p.m. and open session at 6 p.m., with meetings ending by 10 p.m. and the option to extend to 11 p.m. with a two-thirds vote. The revised timing will take effect in October. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/09/City-Attorney-Dave-Alshire-City-Manager-Shasa-Curl--1.webp) City Attorney Dave Alshire and City Manager Shasa Curl Following the vote, City Manager Shasa Curl noted that even with three meetings, the total time spent might not decrease. “So there could be a net increase in meeting time,” Curl said. City Attorney Dave Alshire reminded the council that Mayor Martinez had never supported reducing the number of meetings. The mayor responded that it is ultimately the council’s own behavior that determines how long meetings run. “The amount of time that we spend up here depends on us,” Martinez said. “It depends on how much we talk, how efficient we are, and how many items we bring to council that actually need to be done.” --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### On the Richmond Burger Trail: Red Onion under the BART tracks URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-richmond-burger-trail-red-onion-under-the-bart-tracks/ Last updated: 2025-09-23T15:29:09.000Z Under the rumble of BART trains and across from the orange glow of Home Depot’s facade, The Red Onion sits like a time capsule from an era when burgers cost three bucks and nobody complained about paying for quality. The Richmond Burger Trail is an ongoing culinary quest by the *Grandview Independent* to find and celebrate the best burgers in Richmond and nearby neighborhoods. Each stop along the trail highlights a local institution while exploring the unique character of the neighborhoods they call home. Part food review, part community story, the Richmond Burger Trail is about more than just burgers: it’s a love letter to simple, satisfying meals and the people who make them, proving that sometimes the most authentic local flavor comes with a side of fries. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/09/Red-Onion-under-BART-tracks2-copy.webp) The Red Onion’s cheeseburgers and fries may not have been the most photogenic after the trip to Grandview headquarters, but the flavor more than made up for it. This neighborhood institution occupies the sweet spot between Home Depot’s industrial orange glow and the friendly neighborhood cannabis dispensary, because nothing says modern California quite like picking up mulch, a burger, and an eighth all on the same block. Our quest for a decent burger began, as all great culinary adventures do, with someone complaining on the internet. “Where can you get a great burger around here?” they pleaded into the digital void. But buried in online chatter like a golden french fry at the bottom of the bag was the real recommendation: The Red Onion. Walking into this place is like being transported to 1973, when gas was fifty cents a gallon and nobody had heard of kale. The building screams Americana so loudly that you half expect a bald eagle to perch on the red shingled roof. Inside, the grillmaster is multitasking, taking orders while packing up burgers and fries. I can take your order, she says. Then you watch your burger being born on the griddle, which is either reassuring or terrifying, depending on your relationship with food preparation transparency. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/09/Red-Onion-under-BART-tracks-burger-grill.webp) Our three burgers come to life on the Red Onion grill. The ordering process is refreshingly straightforward: no grass-fed versus grain-fed debates, no artisanal bun selections, no server asking if you’ve “dined with us before.” You want a burger? They make burgers. We ordered three burgers and three orders of fries. The damage: $53\. Cue the inevitable “prices have gone up” lament, as if inflation was invented specifically to ruin our burger experiences. But here’s the thing about complaining about burger prices in 2025: you either pay for quality or you eat disappointment wrapped in paper. Choose wisely. The signature creation arrives looking like what a burger should look like if burgers had any sense of self-respect. The thick beef patty looks like it spent time on a hot grill, iceberg lettuce (because fancy greens have no business on a proper burger), tomato, mayo, and the pièce de résistance, red onion, and mayo. Not white onions. Red onion. “That’s the signature difference,” as one astute observer noted. Sometimes the most obvious things need to be pointed out. Two slices of American cheese, “carefully rotated” so they provide complete patty coverage, because cheese architecture matters, people. Mayo, mustard (just enough to show up as “a little yellow” on your plate). The first bite delivers what food scientists call “the Nation's Experience,” that specific combination of beef, cheese, and nostalgia that defined California burger joints before everything became “elevated” and “artisanal.” It’s big, it’s beefy, it’s cheesy, and it doesn’t apologize for being exactly what it is. Is it better than Phila Burger Station? “It was similar, but it was better than Phila Burger.” In the complex world of Bay Area burger diplomacy, this translates to: “Yes, but I don’t want to start any online feuds.” But let’s address the elephant in the room: that $53 price tag. The internet warriors want “something good but you’re not willing to pay for it.” They demand “prices from 30 years ago” while simultaneously expecting 2025 quality, 2025 wages for the staff, and 2025 rent prices to magically not exist. The Red Onion exists in the beautiful chaos of modern California: BART trains rattling overhead like mechanical thunder, Home Depot selling suburban dreams across the street, the cannabis dispensary next door serving a completely different kind of hunger. And in the middle of this perfectly ridiculous tableau sits a little red-roofed burger joint, stubbornly serving the same food that’s been making people happy for decades. The Red Onion is located at 11900 San Pablo Avenue, just across the border in El Cerrito, where the BART tracks provide free percussion accompaniment to your meal and the American flag flies proudly over what might be the most honest burger in the Bay Area. Cash and cards accepted. Existential food crises solved daily. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### The Lot shifts to Tuesdays and Thursdays to better serve weekday lunch crowds URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/the-lot-shifts-to-tuesdays-and-thursdays-to-better-serve-weekday-lunch-crowds/ Last updated: 2025-09-22T19:14:09.000Z The Lot, a growing mobile vendor hub in Downtown Richmond, has shifted its weekly schedule to Tuesdays and Thursdays to better meet demand from weekday lunch crowds, organizers announced this month. Aaron Coleman, who manages The Lot, said the change was driven by customer patterns, particularly from workers at nearby Social Security offices and Kaiser Permanente. “We’re seeing a large influx of people during the lunchtime hour, especially on Thursdays,” Coleman said. “It’s not just great for The Lot, but also for the other restaurants in the area.” [Richmond launches mobile food vendor program to support local businessesThe City of Richmond, in partnership with the Richmond Farmers Market, unveiled its new Mobile Vendor Program on Saturday, Macdonald Avenue near the Richmond Bart Station.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--109.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Tea-Chaiyasith-pais-eatery-1-1-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-launches-mobile-food-vendor-program-to-support-local-businesses/) The first Tuesday service launched on September 16, with food vendors now open from roughly 11:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Coleman said the weekday schedule is intended to provide vendors a more consistent base of customers compared to Saturdays, when turnout fluctuates. “Saturdays were okay, and we’d have an influx from time to time, but you can’t run a business ‘some time to time,’” Coleman said. “If you lose all your vendors because the day is so slow, that doesn’t help anybody.” ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/09/the-lot-richmond-spirit-and-soul-festival.webp) Food vendors and community members gather at The Lot in Richmond for the Spirit and Soul Festival on Saturday, September 20, 2025\. Vendors have noticed the difference in operating during the workweek. Tana, who runs Cooking with Tana, said she often sells out well before the end of the day. “On Thursdays, I’m done. Everything is gone,” Green said. “The more I bring, the more people come over from the Social Security building and Kaiser hospital. They \[Social Security\] don’t have a cafeteria, so they really look forward to it.” Coleman said the previous Saturday schedule will end for now, though special Saturday events could still be held occasionally. [Richmond celebrates community at annual Spirit & Soul FestivalThe heart of downtown Richmond was filled with music, color, and community pride on Saturday as the Spirit and Soul Festival returned for its 2025 celebration. The free event, organized by the Richmond Main Street Initiative, took place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. along Macdonald Avenue, between![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--110.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Richmond-main-street-spirit-soul-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-celebrates-community-at-annual-spirit-soul-festival/) The Lot also participated in Richmond’s Spirit and Soul Festival on Saturday, September 20, drawing families and community members for food, music, and entertainment. “This is all about the community and making sure it works for everyone, the vendors, the workers, and the families who come out,” Coleman said. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### What happened in Richmond: murder, human trafficking, and armed robberies URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/what-happened-in-richmond-murder-human-trafficking-and-armed-robberies/ Last updated: 2025-09-22T15:38:55.000Z Richmond police responded to a disturbing array of serious crimes during the week of September 15-20, including a homicide, human trafficking involving a minor, multiple sexual assaults, and a string of armed robberies. ### Richmond crime incidents ## Monday, September 15, 2025 **Boozy police chase:** In the 94801 zip code. Liquid courage led to a police chase with multiple violations, including DUI, evading officers, obstruction, and arrest at 2:16 a.m. **Petty theft:** 2300 block of Homestead Circle. Some light pilfering was attempted at 4:30 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 100 block of 12th Street. A car thief decided to take an unauthorized joyride at 4:51 a.m. **Auto burglary:** 3000 block of O Brien Road. Two car break-ins occurred at the same location at 6:18 a.m. **Sexual assault:** 4700 block of Hartnett Avenue. A sexual offense involving an unconscious victim was reported at 8 a.m. **Auto burglary:** 3000 block of Wiswall Drive. Another car break-in was reported at 8:43 a.m. **Shoplifting:** 2100 block of Meeker Avenue. An unauthorized shopping trip was attempted at 9:04 a.m. **Residential burglary:** 2000 block of Ohio Avenue. A home break-in was reported at 10 a.m. **Vandalism and theft:** 1500 block of Ohio Avenue. Property damage and petty theft were reported at the same location at 11:51 a.m. **Battery:** 4200 block of Hilltop Drive. A physical altercation took place at 12:01 p.m. **Robbery:** 12600 block of San Pablo Avenue. Police arrested a shoplifter on robbery charges after force or fear was seemingly used to resist getting the stolen property back at 12:55 p.m. **Hate crime and battery:** 3700 block of Ohio Avenue. Civil rights violations by force, along with battery, were reported at 1:20 p.m. **Multiple domestic violence charges:** 300 block of South 4th Street. Domestic battery and court order violation were reported at 2:12 p.m. **Multiple DUI charges:** In the 94804 zip code. A driver was arrested for driving under the influence with a suspended license at 2:44 p.m. **Aggravated assault arrest:** 900 block of Nevin Avenue. Reports of domestic violence and child abuse led to an arrest at 3:44 p.m. **Sex offense:** 200 block of S 35th Street. A sexual assault was reported at 3:51 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 17th Street. Another car disappeared at 4:40 p.m. **Petty theft:** 1200 block of Chanslor Avenue. Light-fingered activity was reported at 5:17 p.m. **Petty theft:** 600 block of 17th Street. Theft from a motor vehicle occurred at 5:30 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 400 block of S 22nd Street. Another case of mistaken vehicle ownership at 5:32 p.m. **Commercial burglary:** 1100 block of Cutting Boulevard. A business break-in without force was reported at 6:50 p.m. ## Tuesday, September 16, 2025 **Midnight requisition:** 500 block of South 19th Street. Someone took an unauthorized joyride in an ill-gotten conveyance at midnight. **Vehicle theft:** 3600 block of Sierra Ridge Avenue. Another car went missing at 5:18 a.m. **Auto burglary and stolen property:** 3100 block of Cutting Boulevard. A car break-in resulted in charges for receiving stolen property at 8:56 a.m. **Criminal threats:** 1800 block of Roosevelt Avenue. Menacing words were exchanged at 9:46 a.m. **Stolen property:** 2100 block of Meeker Avenue. Someone was found in possession of a stolen vehicle and arrested at 10:28 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 500 block of S 19th Street. The same block saw another unauthorized borrowing at 11:30 a.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 4900 block of Wall Avenue. A stolen vehicle was recovered at 11:33 a.m. **Obstruction:** 300 block of 36th Street. Someone was busted for blocking a sidewalk at 1:07 p.m. **Sex offender violation:** 5400 block of Solano Avenue. Someone on the sex offender list reportedly failed to update address information at 2:30 p.m. **Petty theft:** 12900 block of San Pablo Avenue. Light-fingered activity was reported at 4 p.m. **Rape:** 400 block of 22nd Street. A sexual assault was reported at 5:36 p.m. **Multiple trespassing charges:** 800 block of Florida Avenue. Unlawful occupation and criminal threats at the same location at 6:11 p.m. **Battery:** 2900 block of Hoffman Boulevard. A physical altercation took place at 6:30 p.m. **Grand theft:** 3600 block of Sierra Ridge Avenue. Auto parts theft occurred at 8 p.m. **Vandalism:** In the 94804 zip code. Property damage over $400 was reported at 8:29 p.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 100 block of S 18th Street. Another stolen vehicle was recovered at 8:46 p.m. **Drug violations:** In the 94804 zip code. Someone had marijuana and controlled substances for sale until police put an end to the business at 9:31 p.m. **Criminal threats:** W Richmond Avenue. Menacing words were exchanged at 9:59 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 2700 block of Rheem Avenue. Another car disappeared into the criminal underworld at 10 p.m. **Multiple charges:** In the 94804 zip code. A felon apparently obstructed a peace officer after being found with a stun gun and drug paraphernalia at 10:37 p.m. ## Wednesday, September 17, 2025 **Human trafficking:** In the 94804 zip code. Trafficking of a minor victim was reported at 1:45 a.m. **Petty theft and obstruction:** 600 block of 23rd Street. Theft was followed by a resisting arrest charge at 2:46 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 200 block of S 33rd Street. A motorcar was liberated at 6:59 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 700 block of 9th Street. Another case of mistaken vehicle ownership at 9:32 a.m. **Identity theft:** 2900 block of Center Avenue. Personal information was used with the intent to defraud at 9:34 a.m. **Vehicle tampering:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. Someone got too friendly with someone else's car at 9:51 a.m. **Vandalism:** 800 block of 8th Street. Property damage over $400 occurred at 10:43 a.m. **Vandalism:** 5000 block of Hartnett Avenue. Property defacement was reported at 11:10 a.m. **Petty theft:** 400 block of 33rd Street. A five-finger discount was attempted at 12 p.m. **Sex offense:** 4300 block of Cutting Boulevard. Someone was arrested for a sex crime at 12:31 p.m. **Stalking and criminal threats:** 2400 block of Nevin Avenue. Stalking and criminal threats were reported at the same location at 2:11 p.m. **Domestic violence charges:** In the 94805 zip code. Domestic violence and false imprisonment were reported at 2:17 p.m. **Shoplifting:** 2100 block of Meeker Avenue. Retail liberation was attempted at 3:03 p.m. **Petty theft:** 11900 block of San Pablo Avenue. Police made an arrest for larceny at 3:26 p.m. **Firearm violation:** In the 94801 zip code. Someone was arrested on charges of carrying a loaded firearm in public at 3:46 p.m. **Indecent exposure:** 100 block of W Nevin Avenue. A public display of poor judgment occurred at 6:29 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 3100 block of Rheem Avenue. Thieves commandeered transport at 7:41 p.m. **Petty theft:** 2100 block of Meeker Avenue. Building theft was reported at 8:25 p.m. **Fake drugs:** In the 94804 zip code. A suspect was busted for selling substances in lieu of controlled drugs at 9 p.m. **Contempt of court:** In the 94804 zip code. Disorderly courtroom behavior resulted in an arrest at 9:34 p.m. **Robbery with firearm:** 600 block of 23rd Street. An armed robbery occurred at 11:25 p.m. ## Thursday, September 18, 2025 **Robbery:** In the 94801 zip code. A strong-arm theft occurred at 2:37 a.m. **Grand theft:** 1900 block of Potrero Avenue. Significant theft was reported at 4 a.m. **Fire truck strikes intoxicated pedestrian:** 1100 block of Cutting Boulevard. A Richmond Fire Department apparatus struck a pedestrian while responding to an emergency call at 5:07 a.m. According to Lt. Donald Patchin, the adult male victim had been lying unconscious in the fire station driveway, directly in front of the roll-up door, apparently due to intoxication. Despite the noise of the opening door and starting firetruck, the pedestrian did not wake up and was not visible to the driver due to his position. The victim sustained significant injuries and remains hospitalized. The fire apparatus operator is not suspected of impairment, and the Traffic Unit continues investigating this unfortunate accident that highlights the dangers of public intoxication near emergency facilities. **Battery:** 200 block of 4th Street. A physical altercation took place at 6:31 a.m. **Grand theft:** 900 block of Nevin Avenue. Another major theft occurred at 7:44 a.m. **Vandalism:** 200 block of 24th Street. Property damage under $400 was reported at 8 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** In the 94804 zip code. Police received another report of a wayward automobile at 11:17 a.m. **Petty theft:** 3600 block of Klose Way. A five-finger discount was attempted at 11:35 a.m. **Auto burglary:** 100 block of 8th Street. Thieves broke into another car at 12:35 p.m. **Identity theft:** 600 block of Humboldt Street. Personal information was used fraudulently at 2:45 p.m. **Elder abuse:** 2800 block of Jo Ann Drive. It was reported that someone was being cruel to a dependent adult at 3:54 p.m. **Robbery with firearm:** 4500 block of Macdonald Avenue. An armed robbery took place at 5:24 p.m. **Criminal threats:** 2900 block of Hoffman Boulevard. Menacing words were exchanged at 5:30 p.m. **Criminal threats:** 19th Street. More menacing words at 5:34 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 5300 block of Conestoga Way. Another purloined carriage was reported at 6 p.m. **Vandalism:** 1000 block of Parkside Drive. Property damage over $400 occurred at 6 p.m. **Weapon violation:** 2900 block of Hoffman Boulevard. A deadly weapon was exhibited at 6:30 p.m. **Identity theft:** 800 block of Parr Boulevard. More personal information theft at 6:32 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 300 block of Key Boulevard. Moonlight machinations procured another car at 9 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 200 block of 15th Street. Shadowed hands claimed another car at 10:28 p.m. **Multiple serious charges:** 300 block of 29th Street. A crime spree including armed robbery, assault, and criminal threats at 11:13 p.m. **Vehicle tampering:** 1000 block of Bissell Avenue. Someone got too friendly with someone else's car at 11:30 p.m. ## Friday, September 19, 2025 **Identity theft:** 2400 block of Hinkley Avenue. Personal information was used fraudulently at midnight. **Multiple drug charges:** In the 94801 zip code. Suspected marijuana dealing and narcotic possession led to an arrest at 12:56 a.m. **Auto burglary:** 4400 block of Sycamore Avenue. A car break-in occurred at 5:30 a.m. **Vehicle tampering:** In the 94801 zip code. Car tampering was reported at 8 a.m. **Vandalism:** 1300 block of Mariposa Street. Property damage over $400 occurred at 8:30 a.m. **Multiple DUI charges:** In the 94804 zip code. A driver ran afoul of a zero-tolerance policy while on probation for a DUI and also had a suspended license at 9:57 a.m. **Multiple firearm charges:** 4300 block of Cutting Boulevard. Someone was caught with an illegal gun on school property while already on probation, and also made terroristic threats at 11:13 a.m. **Assault with weapon:** 1400 block of Bissell Avenue. A deadly weapon was used in an attack at 12:06 p.m. **Auto burglary:** 100 block of Berk Place. A car break-in occurred at 12:35 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 700 block of 6th Street. A car was liberated from its rightful shepherd at 12:42 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** In the 94804 zip code. Another was seized by wicked design at 1:08 p.m. **Shoplifting:** 900 block of 23rd Street. A five-finger discount was attempted at 2:16 p.m. **Multiple domestic violence charges:** 400 block of 31st Street. Domestic battery, false imprisonment, and property destruction led to an arrest at 2:36 p.m. **Petty theft:** 1000 block of Florida Avenue. Light-fingered activity was reported at 4 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 3200 block of Maricopa Avenue. Another unauthorized borrowing at 7 p.m. **Murder:** 800 block of Lincoln Avenue. A homicide occurred at 8:37 p.m. [Second Richmond homicide of 2025 reported after fatal Lincoln Avenue shootingLast update: Monday, September 22, 2025, at 7:30 a.m. A man was fatally shot in Richmond on Friday night, marking the city’s second homicide of 2025\. The shooting was reported around 8:37 p.m. near 8th Street and Lincoln Avenue, where officers responded after ShotSpotter technology![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--108.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-08-04-at-8.15.38-AM-1.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/second-richmond-homicide-of-2025-reported-after-fatal-lincoln-avenue-shooting/) ## Saturday, September 20, 2025 **Multiple firearm charges:** In the 94804 zip code. A felon was found in possession of loaded firearms and ammunition with drug violations at 8:40 a.m. **Vandalism:** 100 block of Curry Street. Property damage over $400 occurred at 8:52 a.m. **Criminal threats:** 2900 block of Pullman Avenue. Menacing words were exchanged at 11:16 a.m. **Alcohol violation:** In the 94804 zip code. Public alcohol consumption at 11:20 a.m. **Domestic violence:** 300 block of 20th Street. Domestic violence was reported at 12:33 p.m. **Petty theft:** 400 block of 30th Street. A theft was reported at 1:28 p.m. **Battery:** 1100 block of Macdonald Avenue. A physical altercation took place at 2:08 p.m. **Auto burglary:** 5200 block of Fresno Avenue. A car break-in occurred at 6:35 p.m. **Warrant:** In the 94804 zip code. Someone was found with a bench warrant for failure to appear at 8:19 p.m. ## Sunday, September 21, 2025 **Multiple firearm violations:** 3200 block of Annapolis Avenue. A stolen loaded handgun with multiple weapons charges was discovered at 12:27 a.m. **Multiple charges:** In the 94801 zip code. Police evasion and obstruction of officers occurred at 2 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 1300 block of Garvin Avenue. Yet another car was gathered through corrupted means at 3:27 a.m. **Robbery:** 3500 block of May Road. A strong-arm theft occurred at 9:40 a.m. **Vandalism:** 1900 block of Lincoln Avenue. Property damage over $400 occurred at 11:27 a.m. **Trespassing:** In the 94804 zip code. Someone occupied property without consent at 1:14 p.m. **Vandalism:** 12200 block of San Pablo Avenue. Property damage under $400 was reported at 1:45 p.m. **Petty theft:** 5400 block of Van Fleet Avenue. Auto parts theft occurred at 1:48 p.m. **Weapon violation:** In the 94804 zip code. A deadly weapon other than a firearm was exhibited at 2:16 p.m. **Vandalism:** In the 94805 zip code. Property damage under $400 occurred at 2:17 p.m. **Petty theft:** 5600 block of Esmond Avenue. Sticky fingers struck again at 3:23 p.m. **Multiple firearm and drug charges:** In the 94804 zip code. A felon with concealed weapons and controlled substances at 8:25 p.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 700 block of 14th Street. A stolen vehicle was recovered at 10:36 p.m. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond celebrates community at annual Spirit & Soul Festival URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-celebrates-community-at-annual-spirit-soul-festival/ Last updated: 2025-09-21T17:42:49.000Z The heart of downtown Richmond was filled with music, color, and community pride on Saturday as the Spirit and Soul Festival returned for its 2025 celebration. The free event, organized by the Richmond Main Street Initiative, took place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. along Macdonald Avenue, between Harbour Way and 16th Street. Families, neighbors, and visitors enjoyed a full day of entertainment that included live performances, a classic car show, a youth sports zone, and a health and resources hub. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/09/Screenshot-2025-09-20-at-3.34.52-PM-1.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/09/Screenshot-2025-09-20-at-3.34.18-PM-1-1.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/09/Screenshot-2025-09-20-at-3.34.34-PM-1-1-1.png) The festival also featured food and beverage vendors, artisan and craft booths, and activities for all ages. Classic cars lined the streets, offering a nostalgic highlight for attendees and car enthusiasts alike. The Spirit and Soul Festival is dedicated to uniting the Richmond community through celebration of its diversity and vibrant culture, with organizers promoting unity and a shared sense of purpose. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/09/Richmond-main-street-1.webp) For more information about upcoming downtown events and opportunities to get involved, visit[ richmondmainstreet.org](http://www.richmondmainstreet.org/?ref=grandviewindependent.com). --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond High breaks ground on $280 million modernization project URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-high-breaks-ground-on-280-million-modernization-project/ Last updated: 2025-09-23T18:33:52.000Z Richmond High School celebrated a historic milestone Saturday morning as community leaders, alumni, students, and educators gathered to break ground on a long-awaited modernization project that will transform the century-old campus. The $280 million project will unfold in several phases, beginning with the construction of a new two-story, 60,000-square-foot building along 23rd Street. The first phase will include 23 modern classrooms, a new music wing, and specialized spaces for the school’s health and law academies. Other campus buildings, including the large gym and the 600 building, will later receive upgrades and refurbishments. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/09/Facilities-Master-Plan-Update-2025-Richmond.webp) The first phase includes a new two-story building with 23 classrooms, a music wing, and specialized spaces for health and law academies. Image/ DLR Group “This magnificent two-story classroom building represents a lot more than some steel, concrete and glass,” said Melissa Payne, Interim Associate Superintendent of Operations for the West Contra Costa Unified School District (WCCUSD). “It represents hope, it represents progress, and it represents an unwavering commitment to educational excellence.” ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/09/Screenshot-2025-09-20-at-2.32.57-PM-1.png) Richmond High School students, alumni, and local officials celebrate the start of construction on a new 60,000-square-foot classroom building during Saturday’s groundbreaking ceremony. ### Honoring the Past, Building the Future Richmond High first opened in 1907 and has served as a cornerstone of the community for generations. Superintendent Cheryl Cotton, a graduate of WCCUSD schools, reflected on that legacy during her remarks. “Richmond High School has stood for over 100 years as a beacon of opportunity and resilience,” Cotton said. “Today’s groundbreaking isn’t about construction, it’s about transformation. We are modernizing a school that reflects the brilliance of our students, the dedication of our educators, and the strength of our community.” School Board Clerk Guadalupe Enllana spoke about what the modernization represents for the future of the Richmond High community. “We are more than breaking ground today,” Enllana said. “We are celebrating the renewal of a school that has stood as a cornerstone in Richmond for generations. This modernization is not just about walls and upgraded facilities. It’s about creating a space that reflects the brilliance, resilience, and potential of the students who walk these halls.” Enllana emphasized that the project is rooted in equity and opportunity: “To our Richmond High students, this is for you. You deserve a school that inspires you, that supports you, and prepares you for the future.” ### Community Pride The event drew officials from Richmond, San Pablo, and Contra Costa County. Vice Mayor Cesar Zepeda, a Richmond High alum, celebrated the community’s perseverance. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/09/Screenshot-2025-09-20-at-2.32.16-PM.png) Shovels hit the dirt as West Contra Costa Unified School District leaders, city officials, and community members officially launch the Richmond High School modernization project. “It is a long time in the making,” Zepeda said. “Let this building be the beginning of a wonderful new future where history will be made and leaders will be created.” San Pablo Mayor Arturo Cruz praised the collaborative effort between the two cities and the district. “This modernization project is critically necessary for the benefit of our children, and we look forward to its full completion,” Cruz said. “It reflects a comprehensive vision focusing on learning, safety, equity, and enhancing student academic achievement.” Principal Rocio Reyes, both a graduate of Richmond High and its current leader, called the moment bittersweet as the community prepares to say goodbye to the existing campus buildings. [Richmond High alumni gather to say goodbye to “the front” before demolitionRichmond’s Oiler community gathered Friday evening for a celebration to bid farewell to the entryway of Richmond High School, the familiar face of the campus that will soon be fenced off and demolished as part of a major reconstruction project. “It’s an opportunity for folks to come out,![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--107.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-high-school-front-chear.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-high-alumni-gather-to-say-goodbye-to-the-front-before-demolition/) “This new building will not only honor the history, but it’s also going to carry forward the pride and resilience that defines Richmond High School,” Reyes said. “It represents the belief that our students deserve the very best, and it will manifest into a physical space that reflects their excellence.” Construction is expected to begin immediately, with the new classroom building scheduled as the first major piece of the modernization. “This building is for you,” Payne told students and alumni in the crowd. “Every classroom, every collaboration space, every corner of the outdoor quad is designed with you in mind.” --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Second Richmond homicide of 2025 reported after fatal Lincoln Avenue shooting URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/second-richmond-homicide-of-2025-reported-after-fatal-lincoln-avenue-shooting/ Last updated: 2025-09-22T14:40:05.000Z *Last update: Monday, September 22, 2025, at 7:30 a.m.* A man was fatally shot in Richmond on Friday night, marking the city’s second homicide of 2025\. The shooting was reported around 8:37 p.m. near 8th Street and Lincoln Avenue, where officers responded after ShotSpotter technology detected gunfire. According to Richmond Police public information officer Lt. Donald Patchin, the RPD Communications Center received a ShotSpotter activation in the 800 block of Lincoln Avenue, and simultaneously, reports of shots fired began coming in – with one individual reported to have been struck by gunfire. "Officers responded and located one victim, a male adult, suffering from gunshot wounds. Despite life-saving efforts, the victim succumbed to their injuries at the scene,” Patch said in a statement. “RPD Homicide detectives are investigating. No arrests have been made at this time. This, unfortunately, marks the second homicide of the year for the City of Richmond.” Lincoln Avenue was closed between 7th and 9th Streets for several hours Thursday night as investigators processed the crime scene. Police advised residents to avoid the area and use alternative routes while the investigation is ongoing. Family and friends have identified the victim as Jerry Williams through a GoFundMe campaign created to support his loved ones with funeral expenses. The fundraiser describes Williams as a “lovable, funny, sweet, hardworking man who went above and beyond to make everyone’s day better.” Organizers said all donations will go directly to his family, who are mourning his sudden loss. The campaign notes that Williams “meant so much to so many people and will be missed incredibly.” As of Monday morning, the fundraiser had begun collecting contributions from community members seeking to honor his memory and help cover funeral costs. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/09/jerry-williams-richmond-california.webp) Jerry Williams, identified by family and friends as the victim of Friday night’s fatal shooting in Richmond. **(Photo via GoFundMe)* [Richmond records first homicide of 2025 after nearly nine-month lullRichmond police are investigating the city’s first homicide of the year after a man was found fatally shot Thursday morning at Triangle Court Apartments.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--106.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-homcide-2025-9th-street-1-1-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-records-first-homicide-of-2025-after-nearly-nine-month-lull/) This marks Richmond's second homicide of 2025\. The city's first killing of the year occurred in July when Claude Richard III, 43, was found fatally shot in the 900 block of 9th Street. Anyone with information is urged to contact Detective J. Guzman at 510-210-2273 --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### On the agenda: fewer meetings, police reforms, and local hiring push URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-agenda-fewer-meetings-police-reforms-and-local-hiring-push/ Last updated: 2025-09-19T16:16:08.000Z At its meeting on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, the Richmond City Council is set to consider an agenda that includes a proposal to reduce its regular meeting schedule from three times a month to two, new police accountability measures, a policy aimed at boosting local construction employment, multiple community recognitions, appointments to city boards and commissions, and funding approvals for public safety, infrastructure, and city operations. --- ## [An unfinished conversation on accountability](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59028&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Councilmembers Claudia Jimenez and Sue Wilson are proposing changes to how Richmond handles officer-involved incidents, following a previous council meeting that ran out of time when members lacked enough votes to extend the meeting. The proposal calls for the city manager to develop new communication protocols that would shift responsibility for public statements from the police department to the city manager's office, while also establishing counseling services for families and witnesses affected by police shootings or in-custody deaths. [Richmond police union direct action highlights low staffing as council meeting boils overA Richmond City Council meeting erupted in tension Tuesday night as dozens of police officers and their supporters rallied to protest low staffing and what they described as political attacks, while friends and relatives of a young man fatally shot by police demanded accountability and transparency. The rally, organized by![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--105.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-police-city-council-meeting-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-police-union-direct-action-highlights-low-staffing-as-council-meeting-boils-over/) The proposed reforms would require the city manager to issue press releases within 24 hours of critical incidents, clearly outline investigation processes involving multiple agencies, including the Community Police Review Commission, and ensure strict compliance with state laws governing the release of body camera footage. However, the proposal faced pushback from multiple council members at the previous meeting. Councilmember Doria Robinson expressed support for most of the proposal but shared concerns about changing who delivers information. "I really heard Chief French when you said that you have two decades plus of experience, you're the expert in the subject matter, and could present the information,” Robinson said. “It does not feel quite right to have it go somewhere else. I feel like adding content so that people have information, adding a schedule, so that they can rely on getting information on a regular cadence rather than shifting responsibility away from police leadership.” Councilmember Jamelia Brown was even more direct in her criticism of the proposal. "The most insulting thing that I've heard tonight during this item in particular was wanting the city manager to be the face, because many of you can't stand the sight of law enforcement officers,” Brown said. “I think that's not our problem, and those who do have that problem should check their own biases." The council will pick up where it left off from the previous meeting's unfinished business, addressing what the sponsoring councilmembers describe as necessary steps to maintain public trust. --- ## [Richmond council aims for a lighter calendar](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59091&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The Richmond City Council will consider a proposal to reduce the number of regular council meetings from three per month to two. If approved, the new schedule would move Richmond in line with most California cities — a survey of 60 cities found that 93 percent meet only twice per month, including nearby Oakland, Berkeley, El Cerrito, and San Pablo. Under the proposal, regular meetings would be held on the first and third Tuesdays of each month, with closed session starting at 3:30 p.m. and public session at 5 p.m. Meetings would be required to adjourn by 9 p.m., with a one-time option to extend until 10 p.m. if approved by a two-thirds vote of the council. No extensions beyond 10 p.m. would be allowed. City staff say the proposed change is designed to reduce overtime expenses, improve staff morale, and allow employees to spend more time implementing council policies rather than preparing for frequent meetings. The staff report also suggests that fewer meetings and earlier adjournment times could improve public participation and encourage more efficient council discussions. The idea of reducing meetings first surfaced late last year, when city staff began reviewing Richmond’s council rules. A December 2024 report also recommended: Moving the council’s summer recess to July and August to align with local school schedules and allow staff to take vacations without disrupting city operations. Changing agenda deadlines, requiring councilmembers to submit items earlier, by noon two Fridays before publication, to give staff adequate time for administrative and legal review. Avoiding meetings during city holiday weeks, such as Thanksgiving, to allow both councilmembers and staff to attend community events and celebrations. If the council votes in favor on September 23, the new meeting schedule would take effect beginning October 7, 2025. The discussion comes just months after the council voted in January to increase council salaries by 80 percent, raising councilmembers’ monthly pay from $1,402.50 to $2,524.50 and the mayor’s salary from $3,875 to $6,975\. [Richmond City Council votes to boost their pay by 80 percentThe Richmond City Council voted unanimously to increase their own salaries by 80 percent during Tuesday night’s meeting.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--104.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-city-council-pay-raise-1-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-city-council-votes-to-boost-their-pay-by-80-percent-2/) At that time, supporters said the increase would make serving on the council more accessible to working-class residents, while critics questioned whether the higher pay was justified. --- ## [Richmond considers construction jobs policy to boost local employment](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59074&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The Richmond City Council will hear a presentation from the Contra Costa County Building Trades Council on September 23 regarding a proposed Public Lands Policy aimed at expanding construction job opportunities for local residents. The policy would establish workforce and hiring standards for construction projects on city-owned land, prioritizing Richmond residents, high school graduates, veterans, and individuals reentering the workforce. Vice Mayor Cesar Zepeda is recommending the council direct staff to develop the policy, which would require contractors working on city property to provide family-sustaining wages, state-approved apprenticeships, and increased local hiring opportunities. The building trades council argues that construction work offers a pathway to middle-class careers for people without advanced degrees, helping to uplift community members while supporting broader economic development in the area. --- ## On the consent calendar: honoring local leaders, approving community investments The consent calendar, which is generally passed with one vote, includes a broad range of actions across multiple city departments. Picture This, the Richmond City Council is issuing a proclamation to community advocate [Cordell Hindler](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59033&ref=grandviewindependent.com) for his work connecting residents to city services and promoting equity. Other proclamations will mark [October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month,](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59035&ref=grandviewindependent.com) honoring local survivor Farrah Green and the K Stewart Foundation; recognize [September as Suicide Awareness and Prevention Month,](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59043&ref=grandviewindependent.com) honoring the Richmond Fire Department’s Peer Support Team; and celebrate Latino Heritage Month, while recognizing organizers of the 2025 [Fiestas Patrias Parade.](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59041&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The council will honor [Bishop Tom H. Watson and Mother Hazel Watson of Gloryland Apostolic Cathedral](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59031&ref=grandviewindependent.com) for over 50 years of ministry and community service in Richmond. From Human Resources, the council will consider a third amendment to the city’s [contract with Gallagher Benefit Services, Inc.,](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59069&ref=grandviewindependent.com) adding $50,000 for a total not-to-exceed amount of $150,000\. The extended agreement runs through June 30, 2026, and is intended to support employment outreach and recruitment, a key need as the city continues efforts to fill critical staffing vacancies. In Library and Community Services, the council will review two items to strengthen the Community Crisis Response Program. The first is the [purchase of six encrypted hand radios](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59053&ref=grandviewindependent.com) and two mobile radios from Motorola Solutions for $43,406.21, which will help improve secure communications for crisis response teams. The second item is a $41,500 contract with Jumpstart Mastery to provide on-site, three-day training sessions focused on [de-escalation and crisis intervention,](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59065&ref=grandviewindependent.com) running from October 2025 through October 2026. Several appointments and reappointments to city boards and commissions are on the Richmond City Council’s agenda. [Andre Jackson is being reappointed to the Community Police Review Commission, ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59046&ref=grandviewindependent.com)with his new term set to run through November 1, 2026\. [Orrian Willis will continue serving on the Economic Development Commission,](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59049&ref=grandviewindependent.com) where his reappointment extends his term to March 30, 2028. In addition, two appointments involve the Community Crisis Response Program Advisory Board. [Sahai Burrowes](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59052&ref=grandviewindependent.com) is being reappointed for a term ending December 31, 2027, while [Sonia Decker ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59040&ref=grandviewindependent.com)is being newly appointed to the board with a term that expires on December 31, 2028. The council will also vote to appoint [Jennifer Koscielniak to the Recreation and Parks Commission,](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59038&ref=grandviewindependent.com) with her term set to expire on October 26, 2026\. Finally, [Jason Lindsey is being reappointed to the Workforce Development Board, ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59048&ref=grandviewindependent.com)where he will continue to serve through March 1, 2029. The council will also take steps to form a new [Macdonald Avenue Corridor Task Force,](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59087&ref=grandviewindependent.com) the taskforce will bring together Mayor Eduardo Martinez, Councilmember Doria Robinson, city staff, and stakeholders. The task force will focus on improvements and strategies for the busy corridor. In the Police Department, two funding-related items are up for approval. The first would adopt a resolution to approve an interagency agreement with Contra Costa County to support services connected to the[ Human Trafficking Operational Support Fund.](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59056&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The second item would allow the city to accept $171,222.58 in grant funding from the California Highway Patrol’s Cannabis Tax Fund Grant Program. The funds will be used to purchase two [DUI enforcement vehicles](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59088&ref=grandviewindependent.com) aimed at reducing impaired driving in the community. Several Public Works actions are also on the agenda. The council will consider [vacating a portion of South 27th Street](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59021&ref=grandviewindependent.com) between Maine Avenue and Boorman Park to support future park improvements and other uses. Another item would authorize the purchase of [Green Seal-certified cleaning products,](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59077&ref=grandviewindependent.com) trash bags, hand soap, and paper products from Universal Building Services & Supply Co. and Nelson’s Building Maintenance, Inc. This agreement would run for three years, with two optional one-year extensions, for a total cost of up to $450,000 over five years. Additionally, Public Works is seeking approval to purchase [three new fleet vehicles](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59059&ref=grandviewindependent.com) from National Auto Fleet Group: one Freightliner lowboy tractor and two Freightliner dump trucks, for a combined total not to exceed $735,690\. Another resolution would authorize the city manager to sign a cooperative agreement with Caltrans, committing [$50,000 toward pedestrian and bicycle safety ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59081&ref=grandviewindependent.com)improvements at the Central Avenue I-80 undercrossing. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond police union direct action highlights low staffing as council meeting boils over URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-police-union-direct-action-highlights-low-staffing-as-council-meeting-boils-over/ Last updated: 2025-11-03T15:49:38.000Z A Richmond City Council meeting erupted in tension Tuesday night as dozens of police officers and their supporters rallied to protest low staffing and what they described as political attacks, while friends and relatives of a young man fatally shot by police demanded accountability and transparency. The rally, organized by the Richmond Police Officers Association, brought officers to Richmond City Hall ahead of the council meeting. Union members say the department is facing historic lows in staffing, forcing officers into exhausting overtime and reactive policing that they argue leaves both neighborhoods and officers less safe. “This city cannot afford politics when it comes to public safety,” said RPOA President Ben Therriault during public comment. “When council members attack their own officers with half-truths and rhetoric, it drives talent away and erodes trust.” [Richmond City Council unanimously approves police accountability recommendationsIn a unanimous 7-0 vote Tuesday night, the Richmond City Council approved seven recommendations to strengthen the Community Police Review Commission, advancing the reforms to mandatory labor negotiations with police unions despite strong opposition from law enforcement representatives.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--100.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Reimagine-Richmond-civic-center2-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-city-council-unanimously-approves-police-accountability-recommendations/) Therriault warned that officers will continue showing up at council meetings until changes are made. “It’s a beautiful thing to see, to have cops come in here and show you what direct action looks like,” Therriault said. “Nothing crazy, no signs, but you’re going to have to see it. There are going to be cameras in here, and it’s not going to go away.” As the evening wore on, the meeting grew increasingly tense, with the most heated moments coming from the public gallery. Friends and relatives of Angel Montano, who was shot and killed by Richmond police on August 4, repeatedly called out from the audience. The disruption forced Mayor Eduardo Martinez to call a brief recess as councilmembers attempted to regain control of the meeting. During public comment, Jesus Pedraza, a close friend of Montano, gave an emotional statement about the shooting and the community’s fear. “We call the police for help. We don’t call the police to get our brothers killed,” Pedraza said. “Angel’s life wasn’t justly taken. I’m simply asking you all for transparency. Look at it through our eyes. The fear is real. Think with your hearts, think as citizens of Richmond.” [Richmond police fatally shoot armed man outside home, investigation underwayRichmond police officers fatally shot a man Monday evening who they say confronted them with at least one knife outside a home where he had allegedly been threatening to kill people, authorities said. Officers responded just after 5 p.m. to a 911 call reporting an armed individual inside a![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--101.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-08-04-at-9.33.17-PM-1-6.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-police-fatally-shoot-armed-man-outside-home-investigation-underway/) Another speaker, Leslie Becerra, named Officer Nicholas Remick, who has been involved in two fatal shootings this year. “Officer Remick shot and killed my friend Angel Montano and also killed another Richmond resident, Jose de Jesus Mendez, six months prior,” Becerra said. “How are we supposed to call the police for help when there’s a real fear they might kill our loved ones?” [Update: California DOJ investigating Richmond Police officer-involved shootingThe California Department of Justice has launched an investigation into an officer-involved shooting that resulted in the death of a suspect in Richmond, authorities said Wednesday.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--102.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-02-05-at-5.57.17-PM-1-3.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/update-california-doj-investigating-richmond-police-officer-involved-shooting/) Multiple officers addressed the council about the department’s struggles to recruit and retain personnel. Sgt. Miles Bailey, who oversees recruitment and training, warned that surrounding cities are attracting applicants away from Richmond. “Potential officers from across the Bay Area are looking at Richmond and deciding not to apply here,” Bailey said. “If we can’t recruit new officers, response times will get slower, crime will grow, and our community will ultimately pay the price.” Detective Alyssa Alvarado of the Special Victims Unit said low staffing is driving experienced officers out. “We are burning out our veteran officers,” she said. “Forced overtime, low staffing, and the feeling that City Hall doesn’t support us are driving officers away. Every time an experienced officer leaves, Richmond loses years of training, hard-earned street knowledge, and community trust.” [Report: Richmond Police staffing levels ‘seriously deficient’ to meet the needs of the publicA report on public safety staffing requested by the Richmond City Council has called the current police staffing levels ‘seriously deficient’ to meet the needs of the public and said officer turnover at the Richmond Police Department was an “unsustainable crisis.” The report by Matrix Consulting Group created a data![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--103.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/DSC_2727-3.jpg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/report-richmond-police-staffing-levels-seriously-deficient-to-meet-the-needs-of-the-public/) The union’s rally also demanded Officers Nicholas Remick and Colton Stocking be reinstated. Both officers were involved in Montano’s fatal shooting and, according to the union, have been cleared by department psychologists and remain in good standing. “They need to be returned to work immediately,” Therriault said. “It’s not policy, it’s politics. Even if you do your job by the book, City Hall may still sacrifice you for appearances.” ### Also on the agenda Several residents also spoke in favor of another item on the agenda, a proposal to revise how the city responds to officer-involved shootings and in-custody deaths. [On the agenda: Hilltop Mall redevelopment and police communication overhaulThe Richmond City Council will meet Tuesday to review a sweeping redevelopment plan for the 143-acre Hilltop Mall site, consider new rules for public communication and counseling services after officer-involved shootings, and receive updates on rising property crime. The agenda also includes designating delegates for the League of California Cities![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--99.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/hilltop-mall-pond-parking-lot-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-agenda-hilltop-mall-redevelopment-and-police-communication-overhaul/) The item would create a new set of communication protocols to improve transparency after serious incidents involving police. Under the proposal, responsibility for public messaging would shift from the Richmond Police Department to the City Manager’s Office. The new procedures call for publishing official statements within one day following any incident where police use lethal force or someone dies while detained. Councilmember Sue Wilson said that the proposal includes three main actions: issuing a neutral press release within 24 hours of an officer-involved incident, ensuring that any released body cam footage is only redacted as required by law and not further edited to shape a narrative, and providing mental health services for families and witnesses affected by such incidents. “What we are really seeking to do is to provide just neutral information that the community can have in order to rebuild trust," Wilson said. "I think one of the ways that people really trust us as a city is that there’s these unbiased professional and community oversight bodies, and we should tell people about that, because that goes a long way towards repairing some of the damage that’s inherent in these situations.” The council did not take final action on Item O-3 Tuesday night after running out of time and failing to garner enough votes to extend the meeting. The item will be picked up at a later meeting. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### On the Richmond Burger Trail: Macdonald Avenue's 2207 URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-richmond-burger-trail-macdonald-avenues-2207/ Last updated: 2025-09-16T14:49:11.000Z We have learned that when chasing burgers across Richmond, the best discoveries are often found in the most unexpected places. At first glance, 2207, a small takeout spot tucked along Macdonald Avenue, does not read like a burger destination. This is not a dedicated burger joint. In fact, its menu is full of refined touches that reflect Chef Daniel’s fine dining background: kalbi sandwiches built on house-made marinades, Pitman Farms fried chicken prepared with care, even a seasonal market grain salad with stone fruit and pea flowers. But sometimes a writer’s prerogative demands that we wander off the beaten burger path. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/09/Richmond-Burger-Trail-2207-macdonald-avenue4-1.webp) Outside the resturant at 2207 Macdonald Avenue in Richmond. And what a path it is. The Cream Co. Meats Hamburger arrives looking deceptively simple, a study in restraint. The eight-ounce patty is charbroiled, which gives it a smoky edge and a deeply satisfying crust. That first bite delivers everything we want in a classic burger. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/09/Richmond-Burger-Trail-2207-macdonald-avenue1.webp) The star of our visit: 2207’s Cream Co. Meats Hamburger, a half-pound of charbroiled beef stacked on a toasted Acme bun, served with crisp gaufrette fries. Juicy, well-seasoned beef hits the palate with a richness that only careful sourcing and a hot grill can produce. Butter lettuce adds a cool crunch, the tomato and sweet onion balance the meat with freshness, and tangy dill pickles provide just enough acidity to cut through the richness. It is all held together by a toasted Acme Pain de Mie milk bun, soft yet sturdy, the perfect foundation for the half-pound masterpiece. The fries deserve equal attention. Not your standard side, these are gaufrette fries, thick waffle-cut crisps. They come out golden, crunchy, and addictive, making them ideal for dipping in a side of “fry sauce” if you want to take it to the next level. SF Eater once described 2207 as “an ambitious little takeout operation” where Daniel does all the cooking himself, with his mom running the front of house. [A Richmond Takeout Spot Is Serving the East Bay’s Most Memorable New SandwichAn eclectic menu also features fried chicken and grilled branzino with sauce vierge![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/apple-touch-icon-4.png)Eater SFLuke Tsai![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/IMG_1050.jpg)](https://sf.eater.com/2019/9/20/20875450/richmond-ca-2207-takeout-restaurant-kalbi-banh-mi-sandwich?ref=grandviewindependent.com) While the burger is not the centerpiece of the menu, it captures the same thoughtful, high-quality approach that defines the rest of the offerings. One visit might tempt you to branch out and try the kalbi sandwich with grilled sweet onion and jalapeño, or the prime ribeye steak sandwich served with a side of au jus. Fried chicken fans will find some of the best in the region here, crisp and flavorful thanks to careful brining and frying in rice bran oil. But for us, the burger remains the star of this particular journey. There is something deeply satisfying about finding a classic done right in a place that does not need to serve it at all. It speaks to a chef’s chef for fundamentals and a love of good food, plain and simple. 2207 is only open Tuesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., so plan your visit carefully. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/09/Richmond-Burger-Trail-2207-macdonald-avenue3.webp) 2207’s minimalist front counter keeps the focus on the food. Orders are placed through an app, so there are no menus on display. For burger trail purposes, 2207 might not be a conventional stop, but that is exactly why we love it. This is a place that proves great burgers can show up anywhere, even in a takeout shop that does not bill itself as a burger joint. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Violent crimes, drug busts, and vehicle thefts reported across Richmond URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/violent-crimes-drug-busts-and-vehicle-thefts-reported-across-richmond/ Last updated: 2025-09-15T20:55:53.000Z Richmond police responded to a range of incidents between September 8 and September 14, including armed robberies, violent assaults, drug trafficking arrests, and a series of vehicle thefts and recoveries. The week also saw multiple domestic violence incidents, business burglaries, and several cases of contempt of court across various neighborhoods. ### Richmond crime incident map ### # Monday, September 8, 2025 **Drug violations:** In the 94801 zip code. Someone's recreational supplies were discovered at 12:11 a.m. **Grand theft and vandalism:** 600 block of Amador Street. Property damage and theft occurred at the same location at 1:31 a.m. **Drug violations:** In the 94804 zip code. More contraband surfaced at 1:59 a.m. **Drug violations:** In the 94804 zip code. The night shift kept busy with another drug case at 3:07 a.m. **Drug violations:** In the 94805 zip code. Dawn brought yet another paraphernalia discovery at 4:05 a.m. **Contempt of court:** 2700 block of Clinton Avenue. A suspect was arrested on charges of willful disobedience of a court order at 6:19 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 3800 block of Lakeside Drive. Someone decided to take an unauthorized joyride at 7:36 a.m. **Contempt of court:** 200 block of Macdonald Avenue. Another arrest for violating a court order at 7:47 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 1300 block of Kelsey Street. Another case of mistaken vehicle ownership occurred at 8:58 a.m. **Contempt of court:** 4500 block of Jenkins Way. Another court order, another order violated at 10:24 a.m. **Petty theft:** 3200 block of Auto Plaza. A five-finger discount was attempted at 10:24 a.m. **Driving without a license:** 1500 block of Macdonald Avenue. Apparently, the DMV visit kept getting postponed at 11:39 a.m. **Vehicle recovery and stolen property:** In the 94804 zip code. Officers recovered a stolen vehicle and busted the driver at 11:51 a.m. **Commercial burglary:** 4000 block of Lakeside Drive. Someone attempted to shop after hours at 12:11 p.m. **Petty theft:** Macdonald Avenue and Marina Way South intersection. Light-fingered activity was reported at 12:39 p.m. **Drug violations:** 5000 block of Seaport Avenue. More paraphernalia made its appearance at 2:11 p.m. **Criminal threats:** 500 block of Bissell Avenue. Words turned menacing at 2:43 p.m. **Commercial burglary:** 1900 block of Meeker Avenue. Business security was tested at 3:34 p.m. **Contempt of court:** 3000 block of May Road. Court compliance continues to be optional for some at 3:40 p.m. The alleged violator was arrested. **Identity theft:** 100 block of Bayside Court. Someone borrowed another person's identity without permission at 4:17 p.m. **Obstruction:** In the 94801 zip code. An individual was arrested after making a peace officer's job difficult at 4:53 p.m. **Robbery with weapon:** 700 block of 23rd Street. An armed robbery was reported at 5:15 p.m. **Robbery with weapon:** 400 block of 22nd Street. Another armed robbery took place just blocks away at 5:15 p.m. **Battery:** 1400 block of Macdonald Avenue. Hands got too heavy at 6:43 p.m. **Criminal threats:** 400 block of 22nd Street. More menacing words were exchanged at 7:43 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 2300 block of Rheem Avenue. Another unauthorized test drive began at 8:30 p.m. # Tuesday, September 9, 2025 **Domestic violence:** 1900 block of Gaynor Avenue. A person with prior domestic violence convictions was accused of injuring a partner at 1:25 a.m. **Multiple vehicle theft charges:** In the 94804 zip code. A repeat offender's crime spree included vehicle theft, possession of stolen property, and drug violations ended in cuffs at 1:53 a.m. **Commercial burglary:** 900 block of 13th Street. Breaking and entering for profit occurred at 4:41 a.m. **Driving with suspended license:** In the 94801 zip code. The DMV notices apparently went unheeded at 8:03 a.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 1100 block of Cutting Boulevard. Another stolen vehicle was recovered at 9:08 a.m. **Driving with suspended license:** In the 94804 zip code. License suspension apparently means nothing to some at 2:32 p.m. **Sexual battery:** In the 94805 zip code. A sexual assault was reported at 5:05 p.m. **Multiple domestic violence charges:** Valley View Road. A domestic dispute included multiple felonies, including assault with a deadly weapon, at 5:14 p.m. **Multiple drug charges:** 1700 block of Regatta Boulevard. A person was arrested on suspicion of bringing drugs into jail and possessing cocaine base and other controlled substances for sale at 5:52 p.m. **Obstruction:** Crest Avenue. Someone resisted a peace officer at 6:50 p.m. **Carjacking:** 400 block of S 29th Street. A strong-arm vehicle theft occurred at 6:58 p.m. **Multiple domestic violence charges:** Dove Lane. Officers made an arrest on aggravated assault charges related to a domestic incident at 7:38 p.m. **Multiple domestic violence charges:** 800 block of Lassen Street. Officers seemingly made another arrest on aggravated assault charges related to a domestic incident at 7:48 p.m. **Busted burglar:** 100 block of 5th Street. Police made an arrest for residential breaking and entering, with a probation violation, which occurred at 8:12 p.m. **Multiple loitering charges:** 1000 block of Chanslor Avenue. False identification and disorderly conduct led to a trip to the pokey at 11:47 p.m. # Wednesday, September 10, 2025 **Petty theft:** 1300 block of Macdonald Avenue. A five-finger discount attempt was made at 8:04 a.m. **Vehicle embezzlement:** 1000 block of 23rd Street. A rented ride overstayed its welcome at 9:01 a.m. **Sex offender violation:** W Richmond Avenue. Someone on the list reportedly failed to update their address information at 9:49 a.m. **Vehicle tampering:** 4200 block of Macdonald Avenue. A crook got too friendly with someone else's car at 10:32 a.m. **Vandalism:** Dove Lane. Property destruction was reported at 11 a.m. **Check fraud:** Harbour Way. Fictional finances were reported at 11:33 a.m. **Liquor violation:** 5000 block of Valley View Road. Alcohol appeared where it shouldn't be (school) at 1:18 p.m. **Multiple assault charges:** In the 94804 zip code. A violent spree, including stalking, threats, robbery, and domestic violence, was reported at 1:47 p.m. **Petty theft:** 1400 block of Wright Avenue. Auto parts went walking at 3 p.m. **Drug dealing:** 1700 block of Regatta Boulevard. A cocaine base sales operation was busted at 3:49 p.m., and another was discovered just minutes later. **Vehicle embezzlement:** Hellings Avenue. Another rental car forgot to come home at 4:20 p.m. **Indecent exposure:** 500 block of Nevin Avenue. A public display of poor judgment occurred at 5:22 p.m. **Drug dealing:** 1700 block of Regatta Boulevard. The third cocaine charge of the day happened at 5:42 p.m. **Auto burglary:** 10800 block of San Pablo Avenue. A car break-in occurred at 6:04 p.m. **Firearm violation:** In the 94801 zip code. An illegal weapon display was reported at 7:03 p.m. **Residential burglary:** 300 block of W Macdonald Avenue. A home was broken into at 7:57 p.m. **Commercial burglary:** 100 block of Tewksbury Avenue. A business break-in occurred at 8 p.m. **Aggravated battery:** 400 block of Harbour Way S. Serious bodily injury was inflicted at 9:56 p.m. **Commercial burglary:** 2100 block of Nevin Avenue. Late-night shopping without paying occurred at 11:56 p.m. # Thursday, September 11, 2025 **Drug violations:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. Controlled substance possession was reported at midnight. The suspect was arrested. **Rape:** 2100 block of Macdonald Avenue. A sexual assault was reported at 12:02 a.m. **Commercial burglary:** 900 block of 23rd Street. A business break-in occurred at 3:56 a.m. **Commercial burglary:** 12900 block of San Pablo Avenue. Another business was targeted at 3:56 a.m. **Assault with weapon:** In the 94801 zip code. A dangerous weapon was used in an attack at 4:24 a.m. **Commercial burglary:** 1100 block of 23rd Street in San Pablo. A cross-jurisdictional business break-in occurred at 5:07 a.m. **Petty theft:** 200 block of 23rd Street. A building break-in and theft occurred at 8 a.m. **Petty theft:** 4900 block of Macdonald Avenue. A five-finger discount was attempted at 8:04 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 100 block of Macdonald Avenue. An unauthorized joyride began at 8:28 a.m. **Aggravated battery:** 2300 block of Downer Avenue. Serious bodily harm was reported at 8:49 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 1000 block of Lupine Court. Another car took an unauthorized vacation at 10 a.m. **Vandalism:** 3400 block of Clinton Avenue. Property damage over $400 occurred at 10:26 a.m. **Vandalism:** In the 94801 zip code. More expensive property damage was reported at 10:40 a.m. **Domestic violence:** W Macdonald Avenue. Police took a report for domestic violence at 1:42 p.m. **Contempt of court:** 3400 block of Wall Avenue. Court orders were ignored at 4:07 p.m. **Robbery:** 33rd Street. A strong-arm theft occurred at 4:11 p.m. **Battery:** 200 block of S 42nd Street. A physical altercation took place at 4:15 p.m. **Contempt of court:** 12600 block of San Pablo Avenue. More court defiance was reported at 4:18 p.m. **Check fraud:** 900 block of Cutting Boulevard. Fake financial instruments were used at 4:30 p.m. **Residential burglary:** 200 block of S 20th Street. A home burglary occurred at 4:45 p.m. **Check fraud:** 12600 block of San Pablo Avenue. More fictional finances were reported at 5:04 p.m. **Residential burglary:** 600 block of 36th Street. A home break-in occurred at 5:34 p.m. **Grand theft:** 1000 block of Lupine Court. Major theft was reported at 5:40 p.m. **Multiple domestic violence charges:** 500 block of Chanslor Avenue. A domestic incident with assault and false imprisonment was reported at 6:40 p.m. **Multiple assault charges:** In the 94804 zip code. Child cruelty and domestic battery were reported at 7:04 p.m. Friday, September 12, 2025 **Assault with weapon:** 200 block of S 16th Street. A dangerous weapon attack occurred at 1:52 a.m. **Domestic violence:** 100 block of 9th Street. Domestic violence was reported at 8:10 a.m. **Contempt of court:** 300 block of S 4th Street. A protective order violation occurred at 8:58 a.m. **Trespassing:** 500 block of Nevin Avenue. Someone overstayed their welcome at 11 a.m. **Auto burglary:** 2100 block of Hilltop Mall Road. A car break-in occurred at 11:06 a.m. **Shoplifting:** 2100 block of Meeker Avenue. A five-finger discount was attempted at 11:50 a.m. **Warrant arrest:** In the 94804 zip code. Police found someone with an outstanding warrant at 12:05 p.m. **Firearm violation:** In the 94805 zip code. A concealed weapon was found in a vehicle at 5:15 p.m. The suspect was arrested. **Commercial burglary:** 3200 block of Pierce Street. A business break-in occurred at 6:40 p.m. **Multiple DUI charges:** In the 94801 zip code. Liquid courage led to reckless driving and resisting arrest at 8:50 p.m. **Multiple warrants:** In the 94804 zip code. Failure to appear on felony and misdemeanor charges resulted in an arrest at 10:34 p.m. **Vandalism:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. Property damage under $400 occurred at 11:37 p.m. [Roving sideshows disturb Richmond residentsRoving sideshows wound their way through several Richmond neighborhoods early Saturday morning, waking residents with the sounds of revving engines, fireworks, and police sirens.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--98.png)Grandview IndependentLinda Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/IMG_1934-1.jpg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/roving-sideshows-desturb-richmond-residents/) # Saturday, September 13, 2025 **DUI:** In the 94801 zip code. Liquid courage behind the wheel was reported at 3:10 a.m. **Multiple domestic violence charges:** 300 block of S 5th Street. A domestic incident with assault was reported at 4:09 a.m. **Obstruction:** 1700 block of Regatta Boulevard. Someone was said to have resisted a peace officer at 4:55 a.m. **Vandalism:** 2100 block of Meeker Avenue. Property defacement occurred at 9:45 a.m. **Mail theft:** 5000 block of Camerena Lane. Postal piracy was reported at 1 p.m. **Grand theft:** 5500 block of Esmond Avenue. A major theft occurred at 2:18 p.m. **Multiple DUI charges:** In the 94801 zip code. A rocket-fueled driver was busted on drunk driving charges at 8:24 p.m. **Multiple charges:** 3400 block of Esmond Avenue. Kidnapping and criminal threats were reported at 8:58 p.m. **Robbery with weapon:** In the 94801 zip code. An armed robbery took place at 9:38 p.m. # Sunday, September 14, 2025 **Vehicle theft:** 900 block of W Cutting Boulevard. Someone decided to take an unauthorized joyride at 1 a.m. **Multiple domestic violence charges:** 500 block of McLaughlin Street. A situation escalated to an assault with a deadly weapon arrest at 1:34 a.m. **Petty theft:** 1200 block of Macdonald Avenue. A five-finger discount was attempted at 7:25 a.m. **Grand theft:** 2400 block of Aberdeen Way. A major theft occurred at 9:45 a.m. **Robbery:** 21st Street. A strong-arm theft took place at 11:45 a.m. **Multiple domestic violence charges:** 1000 block of Macdonald Avenue. Police received reports of vehicle theft and child cruelty at 12 p.m. **Grand theft:** 2500 block of Morning Sun Drive. Auto theft from a vehicle occurred at 2:12 p.m. **Vandalism:** 2500 block of Roosevelt Avenue. Property damage over $400 occurred at 3:30 p.m. **Assault with firearm:** 3800 block of Wall Avenue. A firearm was used in an assault at 3:57 p.m. **Vehicle recovery:** In the 94804 zip code. A stolen vehicle was recovered at 8:45 p.m. **Multiple serious charges:** In the 94801 zip code. A crime spree, including armed robbery, carjacking, auto burglary, and conspiracy, was reported at 8:49 p.m. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Fiesta Patrias Parade brings music, culture to 23rd Street in Richmond and San Pablo URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/fiesta-patrias-parade-brings-music-culture-to-23rd-street-in-richmond-and-san-pablo/ Last updated: 2025-09-14T00:19:30.000Z Richmond and San Pablo came alive on Saturday along the shared 23rd Street corridor, where music, dance, and vibrant displays of culture were celebrated as the annual Fiesta Patrias Parade marked the independence days of several Latin American countries. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/09/Fiesta-Patrias-Parade10.webp) Leading the procession as Grand Marshal was Eugene Rodríguez, director of Los Cenzontles Cultural Arts Academy. Rodríguez rode at the front of the parade, representing the organization and the community “with honor,” organizers said. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/09/Fiesta-Patrias-Parade3.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/09/Fiesta-Patrias-Parade4.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/09/Fiesta-Patrias-Parade5.webp) This is only the second year for the Fiesta Patrias Parade, which is organized by the same team that brings the Cinco de Mayo festival to the community each spring. The parade featured colorful floats, traditional dancers, and local groups, including the Richmond High School Band and cultural organizations, marching in celebration of heritage and unity. Families lined the streets to cheer on performers and participants, enjoying a morning filled with pride and tradition. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/09/Fiesta-Patrias-Parade2.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/09/Fiesta-Patrias-Parade1.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/09/Fiesta-Patrias-Parade12.webp) The celebration didn’t stop when the parade ended. The event concluded with a lively gathering at the Montañas parking lot in San Pablo, where attendees enjoyed live music, food, and cultural activities. > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DOj7nEKjXbk/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by Grandview Independent (@grandviewindependent)](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DOj7nEKjXbk/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) Scenes from the parade included bands performing from decorated floats, dancers in bright traditional attire, and children waving flags as they walked alongside community groups, carrying forward the spirit of culture, music, and community pride. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/09/Fiesta-Patrias-Parade8.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/09/Fiesta-Patrias-Parade9.webp) --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Roving sideshows disturb Richmond residents URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/roving-sideshows-desturb-richmond-residents/ Last updated: 2026-09-13T15:35:19.000Z Roving sideshows wound their way through several Richmond neighborhoods early Saturday morning, waking residents with the sounds of revving engines, fireworks, and police sirens. Residents from Hilltop to Point Richmond reported being awakened between the hours of 12:30 a.m. and 3 a.m. Saturday morning, as police worked to disperse several sideshows that were moving across the city. Frustrated Richmonders took to social media to make sense of the noise, many expressing frustration with sideshows, which continue to be a problem in Richmond and around the Bay Area. [Sideshows, speeding, and donuts still a problem in RichmondNearly two years after the Richmond city council voted to mitigate the problem of sideshows and speeding through a program of public education and traffic calming strategies, the problems still persist, much to the consternation of residents. Just after 3 pm last Friday afternoon, police cleared traffic and parked cars![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--94.png)Grandview IndependentLinda Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/23rd-800---450-px-.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/sideshows-still-a-problem-in-richmond/) [Weekend gunfire, graffiti, and sideshows annoy Richmond neighborsSaturday night was a wild one in several parts of Richmond, with police responding to a high number of calls, including gunfire near 23rd Street. Neighbors in the area of 26th and Gaynor say they heard gunshots sometime after 11:30 p.m. Police responded to a Shotspotter activation just![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--95.png)Grandview IndependentLinda Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/IMG_7935--1-.jpg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/saturday-night-shooting-graffiti-shakes-up-residents-near-23rd-street/) [Sideshows are the main event in RichmondRichmond hosted several sideshows over the weekend, attracting hundreds of cars and groups of onlookers between Friday and Sunday night as police worked to stop the shows and disperse the crowds. Officers responded to 45th and Macdonald after a group of about fifty cars gathered in what appeared to be![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--96.png)Grandview IndependentLinda Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/donut.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/sideshows-are-the-main-event-in-richmond/) "It was a freaking yet another sideshow, Carlson/ Bayview. It was one of the loudest ones I've ever heard! I live nearby, and I have to deal with this pretty much 3 or 4 times a year! We called the cops, and they, to my surprise, they showed up faster than before! I hope at least some of them got caught! My dog was shaking, and my 85-year-old mother was scared and not well because of what these freaks are doing," said Panhandle resident Afsaneh Ghadimi, writing on NextDoor. Nisi Cobanoglu of the North and East neighborhood also heard the racket. "I hear it too, and I’m near 80 and SPA, I guess they’re chasing them all over Richmond. Never a dull night around here," Cobanoglu said. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/09/IMG_1924-1-1.jpg) While sideshows are illegal in California, local authorities have struggled to contain them and are frequently outnumbered by participants, making enforcement challenging. According to Lt. Donald Patchin, Richmond police assisted officers from the California Highway Patrol with sideshow enforcement at one location. "We had eight separate reports of sideshows at various locations throughout the city Saturday into Sunday morning. The only location where enforcement action was taken was during an outside assist to the CHP on El Portal at I-80, approximately 4 a.m. That area is CHP jurisdiction, and we responded to assist them. We ultimately towed six vehicles and issued two citations for CVC 23109(c) – Aid/Abet in the exhibition of speed," Patchin said. [Early morning Sideshow wakes neighbors as police work to disburse crowdResidents woke to squealing tires, sirens, and a helicopter overhead when a sideshow brought an estimated 200 cars to the intersection of San Pablo and Solano Avenues early Sunday morning. Just before 2 am, police began clearing the sideshow, sending cars fleeing through the neighborhood north to Esmond and Mcbryde![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--97.png)Grandview IndependentLinda Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/sideshow.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/2-am-sideshow-wakes-neighbors/) Two years ago, the problem of sideshows went before the Richmond city council, which decided to deal with sideshows through public education programs that outline the ills of stunt driving, and by way of traffic calming measures such as speed humps, roundabouts, or Botts dots, rather than issuing citations or creating an ordinance. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### On the agenda: Hilltop Mall redevelopment and police communication overhaul URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-agenda-hilltop-mall-redevelopment-and-police-communication-overhaul/ Last updated: 2025-09-12T15:16:45.000Z The Richmond City Council will meet Tuesday to review a sweeping redevelopment plan for the 143-acre Hilltop Mall site, consider new rules for public communication and counseling services after officer-involved shootings, and receive updates on rising property crime. The agenda also includes designating delegates for the League of California Cities conference, approving multiple public works and development contracts, and accepting $1.08 million in grant funding for bike and pedestrian improvements in downtown Point Richmond. --- ## [City seeks feedback on 143-acre mixed-use project to transform former shopping center](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59001&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The Richmond City Council will review a comprehensive redevelopment plan that could transform the Hilltop Mall and surrounding 143 acres into a vibrant mixed-use community featuring thousands of new homes, retail spaces, and parks. The Hilltop Horizon Specific Plan, funded by $1.25 million in state and regional grants, envisions transitioning from high-intensity residential density in the “Gateway District” near Interstate 80 to medium-density housing that better aligns with existing neighborhoods. [Planner unveils Hilltop Horizon vision, residents voice concerns over density“We do not support high-density housing,” said Bhavin Khatri, president of the Hilltop District Neighborhood Council. “What we need is more retail, entertainment, and open space. All we have in this area is housing.”![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--91.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/IMG_0145-2-1.jpg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/planner-unveils-hilltop-horizon-vision-residents-voice-concerns-over-density/) “The City’s vision for the Hilltop area is for a highly visible and accessible regional district, blended with a mix of vibrant uses,” according to the staff report from Community Development Director Lina Velasco. The draft plan designates four zones with varying housing densities, from 15-40 units per acre in mid-density areas up to 80-200 units per acre in the proposed Gateway District near Klose Way and Garrity Way. The plan also includes a new neighborhood park, trail network connecting to Hilltop Lake Park, and a transit hub. Planning Commission members expressed general support for the tiered approach during an August study session, emphasizing the need for adequate infrastructure, including schools, utilities, and public safety services. Several residents voiced differing opinions on housing density, with some favoring moderate development and others supporting higher-density housing to advance affordability goals. The plan could help Richmond make progress on its state-mandated housing goals. The city has permitted only 326 of its required 3,614 new housing units for the current planning cycle, representing just 9 percent of its Regional Housing Needs Allocation. Environmental review is expected to begin following the presentation, with final adoption hearings tentatively scheduled for late 2026\. --- ## [New communication protocol, counseling services for officer-involved incidents](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59012&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The Richmond City Council will consider a proposal to overhaul how the city communicates with the public following officer-involved shootings and in-custody deaths. Councilmembers Claudia Jimenez and Sue Wilson are sponsoring the initiative, which would shift responsibility for public communications from the Richmond Police Department to the city manager’s office and establish counseling services for affected families and witnesses. The proposal comes after two fatal officer-involved shootings earlier this year, including the August 4 death of Angel Montano, a 27-year-old Richmond resident who was killed while holding two knives on his front porch. [Richmond police fatally shoot armed man outside home, investigation underwayRichmond police officers fatally shot a man Monday evening who they say confronted them with at least one knife outside a home where he had allegedly been threatening to kill people, authorities said. Officers responded just after 5 p.m. to a 911 call reporting an armed individual inside a![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--92.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-08-04-at-9.33.17-PM-1-5.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-police-fatally-shoot-armed-man-outside-home-investigation-underway/) “To maintain public trust in the event of certain critical incidents involving law enforcement and the public, there is a need to update and revise the communication protocol,” the councilmembers wrote in their proposal. Wilson, who reflected on the city’s response in a recent newsletter to constituents, was particularly critical of how the police department handled public communications. “I was disturbed to see that the Richmond Police Department was allowed to release a highly edited version of body cam footage,” Wilson wrote. “There is no such thing as an objective edited video.” Wilson was particularly harsh in her criticism of the department’s narrative. [Richmond Police address shooting at press conferenceAt a press conference Monday, Richmond Police Chief Bisa French said 27-year-old Angel Magallan Montaño was fataly shot by officers last week after he advanced rapidly toward them while holding knives in both hands.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--93.png)Grandview IndependentLinda Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-08-11-at-2.16.54-PM-1-1-1-1-1.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-police-address-shooting-at-press-conference/) “The RPD should not have released a video intended to demonstrate that lethal force was justified before any investigation has taken place. That kind of ‘shaping the narrative’ should not be allowed from a city department,” Wilson said. The proposal aims to address what both councilmembers identified as significant shortcomings in the city’s response to recent incidents. Jimenez, in an email newsletter following the Montano shooting, called the edited police video “highly disturbing” and criticized how it “altered the narrative of what happened.” Under the proposed changes, the city manager would be required to issue a press release within 24 hours of an officer-involved shooting, including details about the investigation process, timelines for public statements, and available resources for witnesses and family members. The protocol would also ensure strict compliance with California’s AB 748, which requires the release of officer body camera footage within 45 days of critical incidents. The city would commit to releasing only raw, unedited footage with minimal redactions as required by law. Wilson acknowledged that the city currently provides no resources to help families and witnesses get counseling after officer-involved shootings. “The worst part of the 911 audio recording comes at the end, when you hear Angel Montano’s brother and mother crying and calling out his name after he was shot,” she wrote in her newsletter. “As far as I know, the city offers no resources to help family, friends and neighbors get counseling when they are directly impacted by an officer-involved shooting. We should.” A key component of the proposal involves issuing a Request for Proposal to provide trauma-informed counseling and therapeutic services for families and witnesses directly affected by such incidents. The counseling services would be provided by trained mental health professionals using a victim-centered approach, with providers required to reflect Richmond’s cultural and linguistic diversity. If approved, city staff will begin the RFP process and return to the council with contract recommendations and funding requests. The proposal aims to “promote community safety, rebuild trust between residents and law enforcement, and affirm the city’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and care for its residents and staff.” --- ## [Qualified to represent at the LBC](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58965&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The Richmond City Council will designate voting representatives for the League of California Cities’ annual conference, October 8-10 in Long Beach. The League’s General Assembly allows each member city one vote on proposals ranging from local control issues to state regulations. Richmond’s representatives will join hundreds of municipal officials at the Long Beach Convention Center for the policy debates. The council must make selections by September 24\. Existing mayor and council member travel budgets will cover travel and registration costs. --- ## [Police chief’s monthly report](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58956&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Property crime jumped 20 percent in Richmond during July 2025, even as violent crime decreased by 5 percent, according to Richmond Police Chief Bisa French’s monthly report released to the council. The city recorded its first homicide of the year on July 10 in the 900 block of 9th Street, where a victim was found with fatal gunshot wounds. Despite this incident, overall violent crime dropped from 95 to 90 incidents compared to June, driven largely by a 38 percent decrease in sexual assaults. Property crime told a different story, with burglaries spiking 38 percent from 24 to 33 incidents, and thefts rising 25 percent to 171 cases. Vehicle thefts also climbed seven percent to 78 incidents. “These statistics offer a snapshot of crime trends in Richmond for July 2025, highlighting areas of concern as well as notable improvements,” French said. Significant incidents included a July 5 vehicle pursuit where five suspects in a stolen vehicle struck a patrol car before fleeing on foot, and a July 22 domestic violence call where officers used a drone to locate a stabbing suspect. The department’s Fourth of July enforcement operation resulted in one arrest, 15 citations, and the seizure of more than $10,000 worth of illegal fireworks. Officers also recovered three firearms during the holiday weekend. All six police districts saw increases in calls for service, with District 6 experiencing the largest jump at 18 percent. --- ## On the consent calendar The Richmond City Council will consider approving a $15,170 contract amendment with [Carahsoft/DocuSign](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58957&ref=grandviewindependent.com) to continue providing e-signature and contract routing services through September 2026. Two Community Development contracts are up for amendment. Hillmann Development Advisors could receive an additional [$160,000 to oversee construction](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58989&ref=grandviewindependent.com) and post-construction phases of the city’s Homekey Project, bringing the total contract to $169,500\. [PermiTech Solutions’](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59005&ref=grandviewindependent.com) agreement could be increased by $140,000, with two optional one-year extensions, to support wireless permit application review. The council will vote on changes to the Port of Richmond’s [Federal Maritime Commission Tariff No. 3 ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58996&ref=grandviewindependent.com)to add environmental compliance language, establish new fees tied to California Air Resources Board regulations, and raise selected rates. Councilmembers are set to receive the city’s [July financial reports,](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58979&ref=grandviewindependent.com) including investment balances, overtime costs, pension obligations, and documentary transfer tax data. Public Works is seeking approval for several items, including a 25-year license agreement with the East Bay Regional Park District for a portion of the [Point Molate Bay Trail. ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58985&ref=grandviewindependent.com)Contracts are also proposed for[ roll-up door and automatic gate repairs ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58992&ref=grandviewindependent.com)($225,000), [elevator services ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58972&ref=grandviewindependent.com)($225,000), and a $168,000 environmental awareness program with[ Earth Island Institute.](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58967&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The council will consider accepting $1.08 million in grant funding for the [Downtown Point Richmond Bicycle and Pedestrian Connectivity Project](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=59008&ref=grandviewindependent.com) and approving a $254,665 design contract with CSW-ST2. Finally, the Cutting, Hoffman, and Harbour Way South [Cycletrack Project](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58962&ref=grandviewindependent.com) could be accepted as complete, allowing the release of contractor bonds and final payments. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond Police Chief Bisa French to retire after 27 years of service URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-police-chief-bisa-french-to-retire-after-27-years-of-service/ Last updated: 2025-09-12T03:55:13.000Z Richmond Police Chief Bisa French announced Thursday she will retire next January, ending a 27-year career with the department marked by historic firsts and a focus on community engagement. French, who joined the Richmond Police Department in 1998, made history in 2020 when she became the first woman and the first African American woman to lead the agency. She rose through the ranks serving as officer, sergeant, lieutenant, captain and assistant chief before she was appointed chief. “Serving the City of Richmond has been the honor of my life,” French said in a statement. “Leading this department and working alongside the men and women of RPD whose commitment and compassion inspire me every day has been the highlight of my career. I am deeply grateful for the trust placed in me and proud of what we have accomplished together.” During her tenure, Richmond recorded the lowest homicide rates in its history, which French said reflected the hard work of the department and the resilience of the community. [Richmond sees lowest number of homicides in decades in 2023Richmond ended the year with the lowest homicide rate police could find on record, said Assistant Police Chief Tim Simmons during a report at the Community Police Review Commission Wednesday night. The drop mirrors a nationwide trend of declining homicide rates. “Eight was our official number,” Simmons said. “We have![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--90.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/23rd-street-shooting.memorial.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-sees-the-lowest-homicide-number-on-record/) She also oversaw efforts to expand de-escalation training, improve technology and deepen collaboration with residents and local organizations. Crime Prevention Manager Michelle Milam said French’s retirement marks a pivotal moment for the department. “No one can fill her shoes, because they are hers,” Milam said. “She has served during an incredibly difficult and critical period of time during our department's history.” Milam, who has worked through three different chiefs, said French’s expectations for the department’s future were clear when she shared her decision with staff earlier Thursday. “She expects that we will continue to move forward and make this organization the best that it can be,” Milam said. “We do have talent, and we have a staff that is ready to continue to lead.” French provided her retirement notice well in advance to ensure what the city described as a thoughtful and smooth transition. The City of Richmond said it will begin the process of selecting the next chief of police in the coming months, with the goal of having a new leader in place before her departure. [Richmond Police Department launches Cultural Competency Training ProgramRichmond Police Department launched its new in-depth Cultural Competency training Wednesday by hosting an inaugural session that included members of the police department, city council, and the parents of Pedie Perez, who was killed by a Richmond Police officer. The goal of the Cultural Competency training is to ensure that![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--89.png)Grandview IndependentLinda Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/IMG_2743-1.jpg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/police-training/) The city and the Richmond Police Department thanked French for her more than two decades of service and for what they described as her historic and lasting contributions to public safety in Richmond. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### West Contra Costa Unified School District presents 90-day fiscal stabilization plan URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/west-contra-costa-unified-school-district-presents-90-day-fiscal-stabilization-plan/ Last updated: 2025-09-11T15:26:37.000Z The West Contra Costa Unified School District launched a 90-day fiscal stabilization plan on Wednesday to address a multi-million-dollar deficit and prevent the district from again falling under state control, as labor leaders warned that unresolved disputes could undermine student success. Superintendent Cheryl Cotton presented the plan during a school board meeting, describing it as a roadmap to engage families, staff and labor groups in shaping a long-term financial strategy. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/09/West-Contra-Costa-Unified-School-District-presents-90-day-fiscal-stabilization-plan-1.webp) “This is our roadmap to achieve fiscal solvency together,” Cotton said. “This is not a numbers discussion tonight. We’re not talking about numbers. The purpose of this presentation is to share the plan and the process to engage in future numbers discussions that will occur over the next 90 days.” The district’s financial challenges are long-standing. In 1991, WCCUSD became the first school district in California to declare bankruptcy, taking out a $29 million emergency loan from the state that took 21 years to repay. Cotton warned that decisive action is needed to avoid repeating that history. “We must now address our current budget issues to prevent a future need of an emergency loan,” Cotton said. “There’s urgency to this work. The fiscal stabilization plan will ensure financial stability, support long-term planning, and retain local control of WCCUSD.” The plan will proceed in four stages: assessing the budget, identifying the root causes of the deficit, setting goals and developing actionable strategies to monitor progress. The first community sessions are scheduled for September 15 at Hercules High School and September 16 at Richmond High School, with additional meetings planned through November at schools across the district. All sessions will also be accessible via Zoom. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/09/West-Contra-Costa-Unified-School-District-presents-90-day-fiscal-stabilization-plan-2.webp) Cotton emphasized transparency and accessibility throughout the process. “This is a very public process, and very public information is shared,” she said. “All these materials are able to be accessed on our website, and I encourage folks to get more comfortable with the resources that are available to us.” During public comment before the presentation, United Teachers of Richmond President Francisco Ortiz called on trustees to focus on student needs and uphold commitments to educators and staff. “Take San Diego Unified as an example,” Ortiz said. “They have built budgets that center students and the educators to support them. The results are clear, San Diego students consistently outperform WCCUSD, not only academically, but also across equity measures.” Ortiz said the union has been forced to escalate a grievance over the district’s Teacher Support and Assistance Program to binding arbitration, warning that more than 140 new teachers depend on the program for mentoring and coaching this school year. “Ignoring educator support undermines student success,” Ortiz said. Ortiz also noted that classified workers represented by the Teamsters union are at an impasse with the district, calling their struggle “our struggle.” Ortiz urged trustees to stop spending on legal battles and instead “simply uphold its commitments, commitments to educators, to students and the community.” Board members discussed ways to improve outreach for the upcoming meetings, suggesting maps and signage to help families navigate campuses and broader communication beyond school families, including outreach to city councils and advisory groups. The 90-day plan is scheduled to conclude in late November, but Cotton said community updates will continue into spring 2026\. A full schedule of meetings and resources is available at [wccusd.net](https://www.wccusd.net/departments-and-areas/business-services/business-services-home?ref=grandviewindependent.com). --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Eight Great Things to do in Richmond URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/eight-great-things-to-do-in-richmond-15/ Last updated: 2025-09-11T05:54:27.000Z With 30-plus miles of shoreline, two yacht clubs, endless hiking and cycling trails, and a host of eateries, Richmond has a lot to offer. Each week, *Grandview* highlights what we think are the best, not-to-be-missed events and offerings from around the city. ## Watercolorists Meetup @West Branch Library ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/09/Screenshot-2025-09-10-at-10.43.48-AM.png) **West Branch Library Community Center** AOPR members who work in watercolor and meet regularly to paint together and enjoy the companionship of making art in community. ## Time & Location September 11, 2025, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. ## About The Event Artists bring their own painting supplies and whatever they would like to work on. We share ideas, experiment with techniques and enjoy the companionship of making art in community. To RSVP or for general questions about meetings and procedures please email Lenore Stormes at [lenorestormes@gmail.com](mailto:lenorestormes@gmail.com). **West Branch Library Community Center, 135 Washington Ave, Point Richmond, CA 94801** # Jimmy Leslie @ The Sailing Goat ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/09/Screenshot-2025-09-10-at-10.49.09-AM.png) ### September 12, 2025, 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. Jimmy Leslie is a renaissance man on the Bay Area music scene wearing several musical hats with a signature style. Leslie is the acoustic editor at Guitar Player and a freak freehand guitar stylist. He’s also a soaring singer and a natural storyteller. Only one cat sings in a soaring tenor with such grace and power while ripping acoustic-electric in a percussive modern fingerstyle that makes heads spin. Spirit Hustler is the moniker for Leslie’s original modern/classic rock project. The debut vinyl LP evokes raves from the player community including Ben Harper, Sonny Landreth, and Luther Dickinson who says: “Wow, this is a masterpiece. Perfect, honest psychedelic vocals and the lyrics to match. A real modern San Francisco album.”Leslie’s solo records Surfin’ the Swamp and Dance Until Forever feature players from Galactic and the Honey Island Swamp Band, respectively. They combine the dreamy/funky charms of sister cities San Francisco and New Orleans. In his role as Guitar Player’s Frets Editor and GP Presents coordinator, he’s worked with everyone from Carlos Santana to Jack White, Paco de Lucia to Buddy Guy. Leslie also creates entertainment content for Latitudes & Attitudes focused on the soundtrack to the cruising lifestyle. Leslie co-founded the Star City Music Festival and the Guitarfish Music Festival, with the latter taking its title from Leslie’s eco-musical, Guitarfish Adventures. Jimmy is a regular feature at the High Sierra Music Festival with Guitarmageddon, and he is a primary player at Burning Man’s premier music camp, Reverbia. Leslie regularly plays during Jazz Fest in New Orleans, including a regular David Lindley tribute with Papa Mali and Wally Ingram. He’s shared stages with Tab Benoit and Cyril Neville. Leslie has toured internationally with Shana Morrison including gigs at Ireland’s O2 opening for her father, Van Morrison. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=waYjJfoT9XU](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=waYjJfoT9XU&ref=grandviewindependent.com) [www.jimmyleslie.com](http://www.jimmyleslie.com/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) **Sailing Goat at Point San Pablo Harbor, 1900 Stenmark Dr, Richmond, CA 94801, USA** ## Summer Music @Point Richmond Music ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/09/ptrichmusic.jpg) **Our 2025 free outdoor summer music season concludes this Friday, September 12!** Join us for one last night of live music as Point Richmond Music wraps up an incredible 2025 season with a high-energy finale you won’t want to miss, featuring [The Rubinoos](https://pointrichmondmusic.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=e32379e3d64e0448fdb211e01&id=97a57ba1b3&e=7aefdfbdfa&ref=grandviewindependent.com) and The [Lemonhammer](https://pointrichmondmusic.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=e32379e3d64e0448fdb211e01&id=b00b2ce4f4&e=7aefdfbdfa&ref=grandviewindependent.com). PRM concerts are held every second Friday of the month through September in downtown Point Richmond ([Park Place between West Richmond and Washington Avenues](https://pointrichmondmusic.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=e32379e3d64e0448fdb211e01&id=036437e282&e=7aefdfbdfa&ref=grandviewindependent.com)) from 5:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. An all-volunteer nonprofit organization, PRM’s mission is to build community through the shared experience of live music. Each event features two bands, food vendors (including Mr. Dim Sum, Rocky Island Oysters, and Green Panda Eats cookies), + local restaurants, and a wine, beer & margarita bar—proceeds from which support the music series. Limited festival-style seating is available, and attendees are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs. **For more details, visit** [**www.pointrichmondmusic.org**](https://pointrichmondmusic.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=e32379e3d64e0448fdb211e01&id=0a59415a11&e=7aefdfbdfa&ref=grandviewindependent.com)**.** ## Fiestas Patrias @ 24th and Barrett Avenue ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/09/Screenshot-2025-09-10-at-11.46.21-AM.png) One of the Bay Area's funnest and most vibrant parades is coming to the City of Richmond and the City of San Pablo, CA on **September 13, 2025!** Please mark your calendar and show up! If you want to be in the parade or provide a service, please sign up here! **https://docs.google.com/…/1FAIpQLSckkwW9rE5EEy./viewform** ## MOJO MESSENGERS @Rigger's Loft Wine Co. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/09/Screenshot-2025-09-10-at-10.39.24-AM.png) **Saturday, September 13** **2 p.m. - 5 p.m.** Mojo Messengers plays classic rock hits of the 60s, 70s and 80s by their favorite artists, including the Pretenders, Tom Petty, Fleetwood Mac, Aretha, Santana, Credence Clearwater, and Van Morrison, plus some original tunes from time to time. Nicki Shaw on lead vocals, Dave Johnson on guitar, Fred Bauman on keyboards, Phil Haves on bass, and Brad Blemker on drums. $5 Music Cover Charge **Take a listen:** [**https://www.mojomessengers.com/**](https://www.mojomessengers.com/?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[**RESERVE A TABLE**](https://eatapp.co/reserve/r-b-cellars-80d1ec?ref=grandviewindependent.com) ## Driving Madeleine **@**Magick Lantern ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/09/Screenshot-2025-09-10-at-11.11.44-AM.png) **Saturday, Sept 13, 2025** Doors Open 7 p.m. Film Starts 7:30 p.m. ***Driving Madeleine*** *Une Belle Course* (A Beautiful Ride) French/English Subtitles 1hr 31min IMDB 7.1/10 TomatoMeter 94% **Magick Lantern** **Call: (510) 232-2559 Fax: (510) 236-2566** **Email:** [**magick-lantern@att.net**](mailto:magick-lantern@att.net) ## North & East Picnic and Potluck @Burg Park ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/09/pic25eng.jpg) **Thirty-First Annual Picnic and Potluck - 9/13/25 - 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.** The 31st Annual North & East Picnic and Potluck will be held in Burg Park on Saturday, September 13, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Come enjoy live music, kids' activities, and plenty of chances to meet or reconnect with your neighbors! Bring a dish to share and enjoy some grilled hot dogs! **northandeastevents@sonic.net to register, volunteer, or get more information.** # Surf Spy Blues With the Buzzy Frets @Windchaser Wine Co. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/09/scaled_512-1.jpg) **September 14th Live music 4-6 p.m.** with: The Buzzy Frets. Pizza and Oysters from The Rocky Island Oyster Co. **1352 S 49th St, Richmond, CA 94804** --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.*6:00 p.m ### The day Richmond woke to an apocalyptic orange sky URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/the-day-richmond-woke-to-an-apocalyptic-orange-sky/ Last updated: 2025-09-09T21:38:52.000Z On September 9, 2020, Richmond residents experienced an unforgettable and unsettling sight: the sky turned a deep, fiery orange. This phenomenon, which came to be known as "Orange Skies Day," was caused by smoke from the North Complex Fire and over 20 other wildfires burning more than 2 million acres east of the San Francisco Bay Area. The smoke scattered blue light wavelengths – a phenomenon where smoke particles redirect shorter, high-energy blue light, allowing only warmer colors to reach the Earth's surface – casting an eerie glow over the region. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/09/wildcat-park-Apocalyptic-Orange-Sky-1.webp) Wildcat Creek Trail in Wildcat Canyon Regional Park at 9:45 a.m. on Wednesday, September 9, 2020\. Photo/Soren Hemmila In Richmond, the orange hue blanketed the city, prompting residents to share photos and videos of the surreal skies on social media. The unusual light persisted throughout the day, leaving many with both a sense of unease and awe. Air quality was deemed hazardous, and officials urged residents, especially those with respiratory conditions, to stay indoors. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/09/richmond-north-and-east-Apocalyptic-Orange-Sky-1.webp) Orange skies blanketed the North & East Neighborhood at 9:58 a.m. on Wednesday, September 9, 2020\. Photo/ Linda Hemmila The event served as a stark reminder of the growing threat of wildfires in California, exacerbated by climate change. Public officials, including former [President Barack Obama](https://www.ndtv.com/offbeat/barack-obama-shares-pics-of-orange-skies-amid-west-coast-fires-2293404?ref=grandviewindependent.com) and California Governor Gavin Newsom, attributed the event to climate change, emphasizing the need for action to address the crisis.[ ](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orange%5FSkies%5FDay?utm%5Fsource=chatgpt.com) Five years later, the memory of Orange Skies Day remains vivid for many in Richmond, and the event continues to symbolize the challenges the region faces as it grapples with the increasing frequency and intensity of wildfires. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond Burrito Trail: La Lupita’s hefty bacon breakfast burrito delivers a rainy morning win URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/la-lupitas-hefty-bacon-breakfast-burrito-delivers-a-rainy-morning-win/ Last updated: 2025-09-10T17:18:00.000Z Rumors of La Lupita’s closure, it turns out, were greatly exaggerated. Richmond woke up to the first rain of the season, a steady, soaking, swampy drizzle that left streets slick and tree branches glistening under the gray morning sky. We woke up with one thing on our mind: a breakfast burrito. Word had been swirling online that La Lupita Mexican Eatery, the burrito provider tucked along Meeker Avenue, had shut its doors. [Lupita Mexican EaterySavor the bold flavors of Mexico in every bite.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/rs-w-180-h-180-m)Lupita Mexican EateryLupita Mexican Eatery![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/La-20Lupita-20Mexican-20Eatery-20Inside.jpg)](https://lupitamexicaneatery.com/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) But when we rolled up in the drizzle, the smell of bacon and grilled tortillas drifting into the parking lot told a different story: La Lupita is very much alive and still rolling out burritos built for serious appetites. [On the Richmond Burrito Trail: Meeker Avenue’s La Lupita Mexican EateryThe Richmond Burrito Trail stopped at La Lupita Mexican Eatery for a porky Super Carnitas Burrito. La Lupita is a taqueria tucked between a UPS Store and Mountain Mike’s Pizza in the small retail cluster at Marina Bay Parkway and Meeker Avenue.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--88.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/La-Lupita-Mexican-Eatery-inside.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-richmond-burrito-trail-la-lupita-mexican-eatery/) We went straight for the Bacon Breakfast Burrito, and when we plopped it on the kitchen scale, it came in at a formidable 688 grams – nearly a pound and a half of breakfast bliss. Inside, the layers were textbook perfect: fluffy scrambled eggs, big chunks of well-seasoned potatoes, and a scoop of Pico de Gallo that, while unexpected, was not unwelcome. So you get some grilled onions with the potatoes and some crunchy freshness with the Pico. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/09/La-Lupita-mexican-meeker-avenue-2.webp) La Lupita’s Bacon Breakfast Burrito weighs in at nearly a pound and a half, packed with eggs, potatoes, pico, cheese, and extra crispy bacon. The burrito was still piping hot when we arrived back at *Grandview* Headquarters. The cheese was fully melted throughout, clinging to the fillings in every bite. The star, though, was the bacon, cooked to an audible crunch that gave the whole burrito a satisfying texture. For just one extra dollar, we added refried beans, which brought a creamy, savory balance to the crispy bacon and hearty potatoes. If there was one quibble, it was the tortilla, which leaned slightly gummy this time. When we first visited La Lupita last year as part of our [Richmond Burrito Trail ](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/tag/burrito-trail/)series, we praised its straightforward approach to burrito-making. This visit felt like a reunion with an old friend. On a gray, soggy morning, that burrito wasn’t just breakfast. It was proof that some Richmond classics remain standing strong, even when the rumor mill suggests otherwise. *La Lupita Mexican Eatery, 12545 Meeker Avenue, Richmond. Open daily.* --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### What happened in Richmond: A week of vehicle thefts, assaults, and burglaries reported across the city URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/what-happened-in-richmond-a-week-of-vehicle-thefts-assaults-and-burglaries-reported-across-the-city/ Last updated: 2025-09-08T15:24:29.000Z For the first week of September, the Richmond police responded to numerous reports of vehicle thefts, assaults, and burglaries throughout the city. Officers also handled cases involving vandalism, domestic violence, and drug violations. ## Richmond crime incident map ## Monday, September 1, 2025 **Vehicle theft:** 2400 block of Nevin Avenue. A car thief decided 2 a.m. was the perfect time for an unauthorized joyride. **Vehicle theft:** 200 block of South 5th Street. The early bird gets the... stolen car? Another vehicle vanished at 7:38 a.m. **Grand theft:** 1200 block of Brickyard Way. Not everything stolen has four wheels - this theft was reported at 8:54 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 100 block of West Macdonald Avenue. The vehicle theft parade continued at 9:54 a.m. **Obstruct officer:** Livingston Lane. Someone thought they could outsmart the law at 10:09 a.m. **Domestic violence:** 400 block of Barrett Avenue. A domestic situation turned serious at 1:04 p.m. The suspect was arrested on aggravated assault charges. **Driving violation:** Undisclosed location in the 94804 zip code. Driving with a suspended license made for an expensive afternoon at 1:12 p.m. **Battery:** 3200 block of Klose Way. Fists started flying at 1:23 p.m. **Petty theft:** 500 block of Ripley Avenue. This person’s afternoon shopping trip didn’t involve paying at 1 p.m. **Battery:** 11th Street. A scuffle escalated, leading to an adult timeout at 1:34 p.m. **Battery:** 1200 block of Virginia Avenue. Another domestic dispute ended in cuffs at 2:20 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 300 block of S 26th Street. The afternoon car-stealing shift began at 4 p.m. **Vandalism:** 500 block of Tewksbury Avenue. Someone got creative with property destruction at 5:49 p.m. **Assault with a deadly weapon:** 900 block of Carlson Boulevard. Things got dangerously serious at 6:15 p.m. **Multiple violations:** 2900 block of Hilltop Mall Road. A vandalism call led to the discovery of drugs for sale and a municipal violation at 6:50 p.m. The suspect was arrested on multiple charges. **Court violation:** 1700 block of Regatta Boulevard. Someone ignored their custody order at 7:42 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 100 block of Bayside Court. The evening car thieves clocked in at 9 p.m. **DUI arrest:** Undisclosed location in the 94804 zip code. Late-night liquid courage led to an arrest at 11:14 p.m. ## Tuesday, September 2, 2025 **Domestic violence:** 2000 block of Barrett Avenue. Police made an arrest related to court order violations and stalking at 12:08 a.m. **DUI arrest:** Nevin Avenue. A chemically inconvenienced driver picked up a pair of DUI charges at 1:08 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 500 block of Castro Street. Dawn brought another disappearing car act at 5:10 a.m. **Multiple violations:** 1200 block of Maritime Way. Morning drama included firearm exhibition, false imprisonment, domestic battery, and criminal threats at 6 a.m. **Vandalism:** 700 block of Pennsylvania Avenue. Someone’s artistic vision involved property damage at 8:15 a.m. **Burglary:** 5000 block of Seaport Avenue. Breaking and entering made for an eventful morning at 9:15 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 2900 block of McKenzie Drive. Another car vanished into thin air at 9:33 a.m. **Vandalism:** In the 94804 zip code. Mystery vandalism struck at 9:57 a.m. **Petty theft:** 1200 block of 23rd Street. The five-finger discount was applied at 10:03 a.m. **Petty theft:** 400 block of S 21st Street. More unauthorized taking occurred at 10:29 a.m. **Fraud:** 2100 block of Sand Dollar Drive. Someone got creative with fake identities for financial gain at 12:26 p.m. **Petty theft:** 4500 block of Macdonald Avenue. A person was arrested for the unlawful taking of personal property at 3:35 p.m. **Pickled car thief:** 3500 block of Bissell Avenue and 600 block of 7th Street. A vehicle theft suspect led to double DUI charges at 4:51 p.m. **Petty theft:** 5000 block of Valley View Road. Evening theft kept the crime train rolling at 5 p.m. **Aggravated assault arrest:** 1200 block of Visalia Avenue. Police made an arrest for aggravated assault at 6 p.m. **Extortion:** Mesa, Arizona. Long-distance crime involving immigration threats surfaced at 6:48 p.m. **Petty theft:** 2700 block of Barnard Street. Car break-ins made for an expensive evening for someone at 7:24 p.m. **Vandalism:** 300 block of Summit Place. Summit Place got an unwelcome makeover at 7:35 p.m. **Vandalism:** 1400 block of Cherry Street. Cherry Street wasn’t feeling the love at 9:30 p.m. **Sex offense:** 300 block of S 7th Street. A sexual assault was reported at 9:30 p.m. ## Wednesday, September 3, 2025 **Vehicle theft:** 800 block of S 47th Street. Dawn brought another case of automotive wanderlust at 5:30 a.m. **Commercial burglary:** 12400 block of San Pablo Avenue. A burglary crew took ‘takeout’ way too literally, breaking into a restaurant at 6:07 a.m. **Multiple violations:** 400 block of 23rd Street. Officers made an arrest after someone reportedly violated a court order, committed battery, and was found with drug paraphernalia at 8:12 a.m. **Vehicle theft and burglary:** 3100 block of Pierce Street. The car thieves doubled down with a burglary at 9:19 a.m. **Carjacking:** 2700 block of Moyers Road. Things escalated to armed vehicle theft at 10:42 a.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 2500 block of Duke Avenue. A short distance away, police recovered a stolen vehicle at 10:43 a.m. **Vehicle violation:** 500 block of Canal Boulevard. One driver learned it is illegal to drive on the wrong side of a divided highway and was subsequently arrested at 11:43 a.m. **Vandalism:** 5100 block of Bayview Avenue. The destruction tour continued at felonious levels at 12:28 p.m. **Aggravated assault arrest:** 400 block of S 9th Street. Police arrested a suspect on aggravated assault charges at 1:08 p.m. **Grand theft:** In the 94804 zip code. Someone’s big score remained mysteriously located at 1:43 p.m. **Shoplifting:** 2100 block of Meeker Avenue. The five-finger discount was applied at 2:05 p.m. **Battery:** 4800 block of Central Avenue. Central Avenue saw some uncivil behavior at 2:25 p.m. **Vandalism:** 600 block of 6th Street. More expensive property redecorating occurred at 3:21 p.m. **Drug violations:** In the 94801 zip code. A drug bust netted controlled substances and paraphernalia at 6:55 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 600 block of Berk Avenue. The evening car disappearing act began at 7 p.m. **Battery:** 3300 block of Klose Way. Battery on a person was reported at 7:20 p.m. **Petty theft:** 4100 block of Klose Way. Late-night unauthorized shopping occurred at 8:44 p.m. **Vandalism:** 900 block of 28th Street. Police collared someone for felony vandalism at 9 p.m. **Criminal threats:** 500 block of Bissell Avenue. Threatening words flew like verbal daggers at 11:14 p.m. ## Thursday, September 4, 2025 **Drug violations:** In the 94801 zip code. The morning drug sweep found narcotics and paraphernalia at 7:41 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 2600 block of Cutting Boulevard. Another car joined the missing vehicle hall of fame at 8:05 a.m. **Multiple violations:** 3200 block of Pullman Avenue. Stalking, criminal threats, and domestic violence court order violations made for a busy morning at 8:07 a.m. **Fraud:** 1400 block of Fitzgerald Drive, Pinole. Identity theft crossed city lines at 9:11 a.m. **Battery arrest:** Undisclosed location in the 94801 zip code. Fists flew in a mystery location at 9:26 a.m. **Vehicle theft and vandalism:** 600 block of 23rd Street. 23rd Street said goodbye to another vehicle and gained some property damage at 9:54 a.m. **Drug violation:** In the 94804 zip code. Drug paraphernalia made for an afternoon surprise trip to the lock-up at 2:06 p.m. **Firearms violation arrest:** 1300 block of Monterey Street. Gun-waving and criminal threats led to an arrest at 5:30 p.m. **Petty theft:** 1000 block of Canal Boulevard. Evening shopping without paying occurred at 7 p.m. **Burglary:** 100 block of 6th Street. Car break-ins made for an expensive evening at 7 p.m. **Multiple violations:** 3500 block of San Pablo Dam Road. Police evasion and obstruction made for a failed escape attempt at 7:59 p.m. **Multiple violations:** 2500 block of Macdonald Avenue. Criminal threats, weapon exhibition, and double DUI charges created quite the evening at 10:02 p.m. ## Friday, September 5, 2025 **Obstruct officer:** In the 94805 zip code. Someone’s late-night resistance didn’t go well at 12:43 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 2400 block of Nevin Avenue. Dawn brought another disappearing car mystery at 4 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 600 block of 23rd Street. 23rd Street couldn’t catch a break - another car vanished at 12:12 p.m. **A burglary:** 2100 block of Hilltop Mall Road. Shopping center crime struck at 1:25 p.m. **Shoplifting:** 2100 block of Meeker Avenue. The free shopping spree continued at 2:13 p.m. **Sex offense:** 1300 block of Carlson Boulevard. A sexual assault was reported at 5:20 p.m. **Assault with a firearm:** 1400 block of Florida Avenue. Gun violence escalated the evening drama at 5:58 p.m. **Firearms violation:** 2400 block of Aberdeen Way. Someone waved a gun like a greeting card at 9:45 p.m. **Battery:** 2300 block of Aberdeen Way. Aberdeen Way ended the night with a report of domestic violence just before midnight. ## Saturday, September 6, 2025 **Disorderly conduct:** 2500 block of Shane Drive. Public intoxication and loitering kicked off the weekend early at 12:08 a.m. **Multiple felonies:** Undisclosed location in the 94805 zip code. A spectacular crime spree included concealed weapons, firearm violations, police evasion, vehicle theft, stolen property, and conspiracy charges at 1:56 a.m. **Multiple violations:** 100 block of 5th Street. Criminal threats and weapon exhibition made for an unfriendly morning at 9:40 a.m. **Vandalism:** 4100 block of Klose Way. More expensive artistic expression occurred at 10 a.m. **Multiple violations:** 2100 block of Hilltop Mall Road. Auto burglary, vandalism, and identity theft completed the criminal trifecta at 12:20 p.m. **Multiple violations:** 2200 block of Nevin Avenue and surrounding areas. A serious crime spree included domestic violence, kidnapping, assault with force, vehicle theft, and drug dealing at 2:15 p.m. **Petty theft:** 3200 block of Pullman Avenue. More items were reported missing at 2:10 p.m. **Vehicle recovery:** Stenmark Street. Another stolen vehicle returned home at 4 p.m. **Petty theft:** 2500 block of Maricopa Avenue. Evening theft kept the crime train rolling at 5:31 p.m. **Petty theft:** 11900 block of San Pablo Avenue. Petty theft from a building was reported at 8:20 p.m. **Domestic violence:** 1100 block of Chanslor Avenue. The week ended with a domestic violence report at 9:37 p.m. ## Sunday, September 7, 2025 **Vehicle theft:** 300 block of Chesley Avenue. Sunday kicked off with another case of unauthorized automotive borrowing at 1:46 a.m. **Auto burglary:** 1000 block of Canal Boulevard. A car owner’s morning was ruined by a car break-in discovered at 7 a.m. **Drug violations:** In the 94801 zip code. A controlled substance possession case turned into paraphernalia charges at 10:41 a.m. **Auto burglary and vandalism:** 5000 block of Match Court. A criminal’s afternoon involved both breaking into a car and leaving their destructive calling card at 1:44 p.m. **Court violation:** 2500 block of Lancaster Drive. It was reported that someone had violated a court order at 3:58 p.m. **Hate crime and threats:** 1400 block of Hilltop Mall Road. Criminal threats escalated to hate crime charges at the shopping center at 5:00 p.m. **Vandalism:** 700 block of 5th Street. Minor property damage made for an expensive evening at 6:08 p.m. **Trespass:** West Macdonald Avenue. Someone overstayed their welcome on private property at 7:47 p.m. **Assault with a deadly weapon:** 12900 block of San Pablo Avenue. The night ended with serious violence involving a dangerous weapon at 9:52 p.m. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Eight Great Things to do in Richmond URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/eight-great-things-to-do-in-richmond-14/ Last updated: 2025-09-04T04:19:38.000Z With 30-plus miles of shoreline, two yacht clubs, endless hiking and cycling trails, and a host of eateries, Richmond has a lot to offer. Each week, *Grandview* highlights what we think are the best, not-to-be-missed events and offerings from around the city. # First Friday Out! @Windchaser Wine Co ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/09/Screenshot-2025-09-03-at-11.03.12-AM.png) **Friday, September 5, 4 p.m. - 8 p.m.** Richmond's First Friday Out with Live Music from Phosphorous. Local favorites on hand: The Factory Bar, Pickles N Smoke, Mr Dim Sum, Rocky Island Oyster Co. **Windchaser Wine Co. Unique, handcrafted wines, proudly made in California.** **1352 S 49th St, Richmond, California 94804** [www.windchaserwine.com](https://l.instagram.com/?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.windchaserwine.com%2F%3Ffbclid%3DPAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAac23KLsFrKN769w4IdOawmCzc9UpVt2tRTF0-Tmenplm1ibDWh-6drEfvsegA%5Faem%5Fa7nhxZ5qi2OXKMYX4jqnLA&e=AT0LdrOzbMeSROr-s-L6iGl%5FEFKfXeldQIjO5Vbei7o7VWtjBg3oNxNKGiEuGfDSPp88rvqirYgpm-s59SmZz86nEiPUh5ClNvjx3sWth6Mh2pEE6IWlNa4&ref=grandviewindependent.com) ## AMY OBENSKI @Rigger's Loft Wine Co. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/09/Screenshot-2025-09-03-at-12.20.59-PM.png) **Friday, September 5, 6:30 p.m. - 9 p.m.** Amy Obenski sings about the experience of being human while blending elements of folk, soul, jazz, blues, and classical. Her captivating authenticity and crystalline voice frequently lend themselves to comparisons to Joni Mitchell or Linda Ronstadt. If you're a fan of either one of these classics, you will no doubt love Amy Obenski. Take a listen - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2aMtnFaJcPQ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2aMtnFaJcPQ&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Support Live Music - $5 Music Cover Charge. [RESERVE A TABLE](https://eatapp.co/reserve/r-b-cellars-80d1ec?ref=grandviewindependent.com) **1325 Canal Boulevard, Richmond, CA** [](https://www.instagram.com/windchaserwineco/followers/mutualOnly?ref=grandviewindependent.com) ## Nathan X Moody @ Sailing Goat ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/09/Screenshot-2025-09-03-at-10.48.05-AM-1-1-1.png) **September 5, 2025, 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.** I grew up in the beautiful Bay Area of California. I uncovered my passion for music the moment I heard a sound itself. From that point on, my love for music has only grown stronger. Growing up, I participated in piano, guitar and choir and became involved in my first full bands, writing music and performing live and studios around the Bay Area. I've Performed from across the US to the Mission in San Francisco to Frenchman Street New Orleans and 924 Gilman Berkeley. I graduated from college with a degree in music production. I write my lyrics and produce my songs in my home studio. I love collaborating with other artists and experimenting with different genres from Blues, HipHop, RnB, Rock n Roll, Jazz to Bluegrass. [https://nathanxmusic.com/](https://nathanxmusic.com/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) **Sailing Goat at Point San Pablo Harbor, 1900 Stenmark Dr, Richmond, CA 94801, USA** ## BIG, SCARY ANIMALS @Masquers Playhouse ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/09/Screenshot-2025-09-03-at-10.35.25-AM.png) **September 5 - September 18** An older white couple from the country moves to the city to be closer to their granddaughter and unknowingly settles in the gay neighborhood. What begins as polite dinner conversation with their gay, multi-ethnic neighbors careens out of control. A hilarious collision of race, sex, guns, and sports, BIG, SCARY ANIMALS examines shifting generational beliefs and just how hard it is to raise a child regardless of who you are and where you live. **Masquers Playhouse | P. O. Box 71037 Richmond, CA 94807 | 510-232-3888 |**[ **info@masquers.org**](mailto:info@masquers.org) ## Open Studios @Visual Artists of Richmond ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/09/Screenshot-2025-09-03-at-10.31.37-AM.png) **September 6–7, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.**. The Visual Artists of Richmond (VAR) is proud to announce the third annual **Richmond Open Studios (ROS)**, a free, city-wide celebration of local artists taking place. This year marks a milestone: **artist participation has doubled**, with more than **90 Richmond-based artists** opening their doors to the community. “We are thrilled with the increase in participation this year,” said **Rebeca Garcia-Gonzalez**, director of the Visual Artists of Richmond. “These numbers show how community organizing is turning Richmond into an arts destination, and highlight the huge need artists have for inclusive, affordable opportunities to show their work.” Emerging artist and VAR leader **Sadiqeh Agah** added, *“I’m thrilled that Richmond finally has its own Open Studios—and that it is run by artists.”* Artists will welcome visitors into their **individual studios** or showcase their work at one of four partner venues: - Richmond Art Center - NIAD Art Center - Richmond Museum of History and Culture - Point Richmond Gallery The event is entirely **artist-organized and volunteer-driven**, with community members contributing graphic design, curatorial work, and organizational support. “We have such talented volunteers— incredible graphic design on our ROS maps and materials, a curator for our *Made in Richmond* show, and our director who holds seemingly millions of tiny details to keep it all together,” said **Laura Kamian McDermott**, VAR’s volunteer bookkeeper. **How To Pick Artists To See** - **Made in Richmond Exhibition**: On view at the Richmond Art Center until 9/6, offering a preview of participating artists’ work. - **ROS Guide**: Available online, with artist websites and a downloadable PDF. Printed guides are also available at the Richmond Museum of History and Culture, NIAD Art Center, and Richmond Art Center (check hours before visiting). VAR extends gratitude to its **partner venues and sponsors**, including Kaiser Permanente, Clay People, and Seaport Studios, whose support helps advance the group’s vision of an independent, artist-led Open Studios and contributes to the overall health and vibrancy of the Richmond community. ***For more information about the Richmond Open Studios, visit: https://www.visualartistsofrichmond.org/ros-guide*** ## History Talk @Rosie the Riveter Visitor Center ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/09/Screenshot-2025-09-03-at-12.44.28-PM-1.png) **Sunday, September 7, 2025, 1 p.m.** Rosie 25th Anniversary Speaker Series - From the White House to the Factory to the Asylum: The Disability History of the WWII Home Front Professor Matt Baso explores how the war effort reshaped the lives of disabled Americans. Growth in rehabilitation infrastructure, disability advocacy, and workplace inclusion spurred by the war also revealed the persistent inequalities for disabled people. [Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park](https://www.nps.gov/rori/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) **1414 Harbour Way South, Suite 3000 Richmond, CA 94804** ## Neighborhood Maker's Faire @Clinton and San Pablo Avenues ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/09/Screenshot-2025-09-03-at-11.37.25-AM.png) **Sunday, September 7, is our next San Pablo & Clinton Ave Maker's Faire**. It's going to be a HUGE weekend for arts in Richmond (Saturday 6 & Sunday 7) with Richmond Open Studios, Richmond Art Center, NIAD, an event at the Richmond Museum of History and Culture, our Maker's Faire, and more!! So come on out to all the events that weekend and see how alive the arts are here in Richmond! [@richmondartcenter](https://www.instagram.com/richmondartcenter/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) [@niadartcenter](https://www.instagram.com/niadartcenter/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) [@visualartistsofrichmond](https://www.instagram.com/visualartistsofrichmond/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) [@richmondartscorridor](https://www.instagram.com/richmondartscorridor/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) [@richmondarts](https://www.instagram.com/richmondarts/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) [@richmond\_renaissance](https://www.instagram.com/richmond%5Frenaissance/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) ## Celebration @Tiller Park ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/09/25092bbbfc89b14ccfa5dde04a9fb23e-1.jpeg) **Sunday, September 7, 12-5 p.m**. Come celebrate with neighbors and community for Tiller Park's 1st annual Park Celebration. If you're interested in helping out, see[ volunteer sign up here.](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1V-hjEPWBKA9jvfxzJe0VPNZTGJlRIrR-JJnBiA08Ubk/edit?usp=sharing&ref=grandviewindependent.com) **Key Blvd, Richmond, CA** [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.*6:00 p.m ### On the Richmond Burger Trail: Marty’s Grill comfort food across from the Nevin Post Office URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-richmond-burger-trail-martys-grill-comfort-food-across-from-the-nevin-post-office/ Last updated: 2025-09-03T20:03:01.000Z Across from the Nevin Post Office and a short walk from Kaiser Richmond, Marty’s Grill sits ready to serve the hungry with no-nonsense, old-school burgers and fries. Marty’s, with its vibrant primary colors and large parking lot mural, always caught our eye during our busy outings. However, for the Richmond Burger Trail, we made a special visit to Marty’s. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/09/Richmond-Burger-Trail-Martys-Grill6.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/09/Richmond-Burger-Trail-Martys-Grill5.webp) The space is clean and bright, with simple tables, metal chairs, and a tiled floor that feels straight out of another era. It has a Wendy’s-like sunroom tacked onto the front that had us pondering what restaurant previously occupied the building. The counter gleams in stainless steel, and the menu above it scrolls through burgers, cheesesteaks, and a handful of shakes and specialty lemonades. The walls were completely devoid of artwork, like unsettling, unadorned. There’s a steady, unhurried hum in the air, punctuated by the clatter of spatulas on the grill and, on our visit, with *Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’‧*playing over the speakers. (yeah, yeah) We started with the double cheeseburger, Marty’s classic test of skill. The burger came stacked high on a sesame seed bun, layered with shredded lettuce, fresh tomato, and slices of red onion. Thousand Island dressing oozed generously from all sides, promising a messy, satisfying bite. The patties were thick and square-cut, grilled to a juicy middle with just enough char to add depth. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/09/Richmond-Burger-Trail-Martys-Grill1-1.webp) Marty’s Grill double cheeseburger is ready for its close-up. The burger is piled high with lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, and onions on a slighly grilled sesame seed bun. So there might only be three appropriate uses of American cheese, but cheeseburgers are one of them, and anytime you get melty American cheese on a burger, it’s going to taste good. It’s not a gourmet burger, but that’s not the point. And that’s precisely what makes it work. This isn’t a burger designed for experimentation. It’s a burger built to satisfy hunger and nostalgia alike. The burger lives comfortably between fast food and fast casual, an approachable and familiar, but with the care of a diner that takes its craft seriously. It most closely resembles the burgers we enjoyed from Phila Burger and Frosty King. [On the Richmond Burger Trail: Frosty King keeps it satisfying on Harbour Way SouthThere’s no mistaking Frosty King on Harbour Way South. The building itself is a throwback, trimmed in fire-engine red and sun-bright yellow, with the kind of bold mid-century angles that seem built for hamburgers and milkshakes. Our quest continues as we methodically devour Richmond’s burger scene one establishment at a![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--86.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-burger-trail-frosty-king2-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-richmond-burger-trail-frosty-king-keeps-it-satisfying-on-harbour-way-south/) [On the Richmond Burger Trail: Phila Burger Station on 23rd StreetWe’re back on the quest, forks and appetites at the ready, systematically eating our way through Richmond’s burger landscape one patty at a time. This isn’t about chasing viral food trends or hunting down the most photogenic sandwich. It’s about finding the best damn hamburger in Richmond, period.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--87.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-phila-burger-sign-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-richmond-burger-trail-phila-burger-station-on-23rd-street/) OK, so not everyone wants a burger, and we ordered a Philly Cheesesteak, which turned out to be the showstopper. Marty’s version arrives on a toasted French roll, piled high with grilled onions, bell peppers, and a molten layer of cheese. The bread itself struck the right balance: soft inside with a slight crunch on the crust, sturdy enough to contain its generous, gooey filling. Halfway through, we hit an unexpected twist: a fiery jolt from fresh jalapeños nestled among the bell peppers. The surprise heat didn’t overwhelm the sandwich but instead added another layer of flavor that kept us coming back for bite after bite. The grilled onions were the unsung heroes here, cooked down until they practically melted into the cheese, tying the whole sandwich together with a rich, savory base note. The result is comfort food at its finest: filling, flavorful, and just complex enough to make you stop and appreciate it. Marty’s Grill feels deeply local in the best way. During our visit, a mix of customers filled the space: a few hospital employees on break, postal workers stopping by for lunch, and neighbors chatting over plates of fries. Conversations blended with the soft background of Michael Jackson’s voice, creating a soundtrack that felt both familiar and comforting. Marty’s Grill doesn’t try to reinvent the burger or the cheesesteak. Its strength lies in perfecting the classics and serving them without pretense. The burger delivers a hit of nostalgia, while the cheesesteak rises above expectations, adding a dash of personality with its jalapeño kick. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/09/Richmond-Burger-Trail-Martys-Grill-mural.webp) Whether you’re near Kaiser, running errands at the post office, or simply craving a hearty, well-made meal, Marty’s is worth pulling over for. #### Onward along the trail The Burger Trail is about more than just the food; it’s about the places that bring Richmond together, one bite at a time. Marty’s Grill stands out as a reminder of why local spots matter: they serve as neighborhood anchors, places where everyone from Social Security workers to hospital staff can grab a plate of comfort food and feel at home. We’ll be back to explore more of Marty’s menu, but for now, we’re hitting the road, searching for the next stop on Richmond’s evolving burger map. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### ‘Workers Over Billionaires’: Richmond rally brings Labor Day to the streets URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/workers-over-billionaires-richmond-rally-brings-labor-day-to-the-streets/ Last updated: 2025-09-02T04:19:43.000Z On Labor Day, Richmond joined dozens of cities across the country where workers and community members rallied under the banner “Workers Over Billionaires.” In Richmond, the crowd gathered not for a barbecue but in front of the Frank Hagel Federal Building on Nevin Avenue, chanting and waving signs that read “Justice for students, not profits for billionaires” and “Teachers working conditions equal student learning conditions.” The demonstration was organized by a coalition of labor unions, community groups, and immigrant rights advocates as part of a national day of action. Organizers said their aim was to push back against what they described as a “billionaire takeover” of government. They called for fully funded public schools, protection of Social Security and Medicaid, stronger immigrant protections, and greater investment in housing, health care, and community needs instead of policing and war. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/09/richmond-Workers-Over-Billionaires3.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/09/richmond-Workers-Over-Billionaires8.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/09/richmond-Workers-Over-Billionaires6.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/09/richmond-Workers-Over-Billionaires5.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/09/richmond-Workers-Over-Billionaires2.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/09/richmond-Workers-Over-Billionaires4.webp) Mitzi Perez, a Kennedy High School career technical education teacher and Richmond native, brought the focus to classrooms. Perez questioned why billionaires hold so much sway over decisions that affect students while teachers face low pay, job insecurity, and shrinking programs. Perez urged educators to prepare for a fight to defend their schools and their students. “Why are billionaires valued over the masses? Why are they deciding what classes our students have and don’t have?” Perez said, “Enough is enough. It’s time to gear up and be strike-ready, because it’s coming.” Union leader Cassondra Curiel, president of the United Educators of San Francisco, expanded the lens beyond Richmond, stressing that workers across the Bay Area and the country are facing similar threats from corporations and billionaires. Curiel pointed to attacks on public resources, the climate crisis, and widening inequality as linked struggles that can only be addressed through solidarity. “It is important to understand what we are being attacked by,” Curiel said. “The billionaire class and their cronies continue to target all of the things that we, the people, use and that we expect to be robust and paid for. We expect that, and continue to be disappointed by the outcomes, because they are stealing our resources. They are hoarding their dollars and watching us suffer.” The Community Police Review Commission Chair, Carmen Martinez, connected the labor fight to immigrant rights and racial justice, arguing struggles over wages, schools, policing, and immigration enforcement are all part of the same movement to protect human dignity. Martinez called on the community to reject fear and stand united against billionaires and the systems that profit from inequality. “This is not just about wages and jobs, this is about dignity, equity, and safety,” Martinez said. “When we say workers over billionaires, we mean all workers, whether you crossed the border for a better life, whether you are teaching in a classroom, or whether you are caring for a family at home. When they come for one of us, they come for all of us.” Councilmember Doria Robinson stressed public services are only as strong as the people who sustain them. Robinson warned that without investment in workers themselves, even programs like Social Security risk being hollow promises. “One of the most important lessons that I am learning and I’m bringing to the city council is that buildings don’t make change. Hospitals don’t heal people, and streets don’t get repaired on their own. Libraries don’t open by themselves. Schools don’t teach kids. It is the people, the people and our labor and our unions that make that happen, and if we don’t invest there first, we have nothing but empty buildings and empty promises. Councilmember Claudia Jimenez reminded the crowd that Labor Day is about honoring the victories of working people, but also confronting ongoing attacks on them. Jimenez spoke about corporations profiting while families face cuts to schools, housing, and health care, and framed the rally as part of a broader fight to hold the wealthy accountable. Jimenez also urged Richmond voters to defend the city’s progressive majority, which she said has been crucial in holding corporations accountable. “We fight for health care as a human right, not a privilege for the wealthy. We fight for housing over billionaire profits,” Jimenez said. “Right here in Richmond, we are making sure corporations pay their fair share. We cannot allow an oligarch class to keep getting richer off the backs of working people while our schools, our families, and our democracy are under attack. We must keep the progressive majority on our city council if we want to continue standing up to corporations like Chevron and Amazon.” The Richmond rally was one of dozens held across the country, with a shared set of demands: stop cuts to public programs, expand funding for education and health care, protect immigrant families, and redirect government spending from policing and war toward community needs. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### What happened in Richmond: A week of burglaries, violence, and criminal creativity across the city URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/what-happened-in-richmond-a-week-of-burglaries-violence-and-criminal-creativity-across-the-city/ Last updated: 2025-09-01T15:53:55.000Z Richmond police officers had their hands full this past week, responding to everything from residential break-ins and vehicle thefts to a spectacular crime spree involving firearms, drugs, and enough charges to fill a legal encyclopedia. Here's a day-by-day look at the criminal creativity Richmond's finest encountered between August 25 and 31, 2025. ## Richmond crime incident map ## **Monday, August 25, 2025** **Residential burglary**: 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. An individual decided to start the week by forcing their way into a residence at midnight. **Commercial burglary**: 4100 block of Hilltop Drive. Business owners discovered uninvited early-morning thieves had forced their way in at 6:30 a.m. **Vehicle theft**: 4800 block of Hershey Court. A car owner's morning was ruined when they discovered their ride had been taken on a permanent vacation at 6:44 a.m. [Richmond man charged with attempted murder in bus driver attackA Richmond man has been charged with attempted murder after prosecutors say he attacked his spouse, an AC Transit bus driver, with a knife and pepper spray aboard a bus near the Richmond BART station earlier this week. Mandingo Alfroconus Hayes, 54, faces multiple felony and misdemeanor charges, including attempted![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--84.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-bart-station.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-man-charged-with-attempted-murder-in-bus-driver-attack/) **Domestic violence**: 3200 block of Maricopa Avenue. Police received reports of corporal injury at 7:38 a.m. **Vehicle theft**: 2300 block of Greenridge Drive. Car thieves decided to relocate another car without permission at 8 a.m. **Petty theft**: 2400 block of Aberdeen Way. A petty theft case was filed at 8:39 a.m. **Grand theft**: 2900 block of Hoffman Boulevard. The theft was upgraded to grand status at 9:15 a.m. **Vehicle theft**: 900 block of 8th Street. The vehicle theft parade continued at 9:22 a.m. **Assault**: 800 block of Lassen Street. Someone was busted on simple assault charges at 10:56 a.m. **Vehicle theft**: 2200 block of Hilltop Mall Road. Even the mall area wasn't safe from car thieves at 11:39 a.m. **Sex crimes**: 500 block of 27th Street. A felony sex crime was reported at 12:22 p.m. **Residential burglary**: 5500 block of Van Fleet Avenue. Burglars went the no-force route this time at 12:28 p.m. **Weapons violation**: 300 block of South 50th Street. Someone's firearm fashion statement led to a weapon law violation arrest at 2:08 p.m. **Environmental crime**: 5000 block of Esmond Avenue. A commercial waste dumping operation was discovered at 2:10 p.m. **Auto burglary**: 4900 block of Macdonald Avenue. Car break-ins joined the afternoon festivities at 2:19 p.m. **Credit card fraud**: 3400 block of Blume Drive. Someone's unauthorized shopping spree exceeded $950 at 3:46 p.m. **Auto burglary**: 4100 block of Klose Way. Another smash-and-grab was reported at 5 p.m. **Multiple violations**: 15500 block of San Pablo Avenue. A criminal overachiever collected warrant arrest, resisting officers, and drug paraphernalia charges all at once at 6:04 p.m. **DUI double feature**: 3300 block of Cutting Boulevard. A driver was arrested on charges of driving under the influence of alcohol and for having a blood alcohol content that was over the legal limit of .08 percent at 9:28 p.m. ## **Tuesday, August 26, 2025** **Elder abuse**: 3000 block of May Road. A harm to a dependent adult was reported at 7:34 a.m. **Vehicle recovery**: 900 block of South 43rd Street. Some good news! A stolen vehicle found its way home at 7:42 a.m. **Auto burglary**: 800 block of Florida Avenue. Car break-ins resumed at 8:42 a.m. **License violation**: Undisclosed Richmond location in the 94803 zip code. Someone's DUI-suspended license caught up with them at 8:48 a.m. **Quality of life**: 2300 block of Macdonald Avenue. Public drinking made for an eventful morning at 9:20 a.m. **The Aberdeen Way crime spree**: 2400 block of Aberdeen Way. A criminal overachiever reportedly collected first-degree robbery, shooting at an inhabited dwelling, aggravated assault, residential burglary, and criminal threats at 10:23 a.m. The suspect was later caught on I-80 with a mobile armory featuring concealed weapons, loaded firearms, drugs, stolen guns, prohibited ammo, and felon-in-possession charges, allegedly! [San Pablo police arrest high school student after shooting near elementary schoolA 16-year-old Richmond High School student was arrested Tuesday after a shooting near Downer Elementary School prompted a lockdown on the campus, according to the San Pablo Police Department. Officers responded at 9:42 a.m. to reports of gunfire at 20th Street and Sanford Avenue, about a block from![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--85.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-08-27-at-2.35.51-PM.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/san-pablo-police-arrest-high-school-student-after-shooting-near-elementary-school/) **Battery**: 2400 block of Aberdeen Way. Domestic battery led to cuffs at 1:19 p.m. **Shoplifting**: 1200 block of Macdonald Avenue. Retail therapy without payment happened at 4:15 p.m. **Vandalism**: 600 block of Payne Drive. Someone got creative with power connecting lines at 5:21 p.m. **Assault with a deadly weapon**: 2200 block of Nevin Avenue. Officers responded to reports of an aggravated assault and corporal injury at 5:24 p.m. **Court order violation**: 1400 block of Gaynor Avenue. Somebody ignored their domestic violence restraining order at 5:25 p.m. **Battery and assault**: In the 94804 zip code. Officers busted an individual on simple assault charges at 5:31 p.m. **Assault**: South 37th Street & Wall Avenue. An assault with force occurred at 7:31 p.m. **Robbery**: Richmond Parkway. A strong-arm robbery escalated to battery at 8:38 p.m. **Domestic violence**: 600 block of Williams Drive. Another corporal injury case closed out the day at 10:21 p.m. **Disorderly conduct**: 2200 block of Sea Shell Drive. A peeping Tom made the neighborhood uncomfortable at 10:29 p.m. ## **Wednesday, August 27, 2025** **Vehicle tampering**: 1500 block of 24th Street. Someone's morning started with car tampering and petty theft at 5:58 a.m. **Grand theft**: 1200 block of 29th Street. The theft scale was upgraded to grand at 10:09 a.m. **Drug possession**: South 23rd Street and Maine Avenue. Paraphernalia possession occurred at 10:33 a.m. **Auto burglary**: 1000 block of Nevin Avenue. Car break-ins continued at 12:36 p.m. **Warrant arrest**: In the 94801 zip code. Someone's past caught up with them at 12:56 p.m. **Commercial burglary**: 4000 block of Lakeside Drive. A no-force business break-in was reported at 12:56 p.m. **Firearm exhibition**: 400 block of 5th Street. Someone's gun show was unwelcome at 3:10 p.m. **Police evasion spectacular**: Multiple locations in Richmond. A criminal speed demon earned charges for evading police, hit-and-run property damage, and resisting officers, with the chase ending in Berkeley at 3:54 p.m. [Richmond police chase into Berkeley sees 1 arrestedA law enforcement helicopter took part in the response, sparking greater community interest.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/The-Berkeley-Scanner_Icon_Color-1.jpg)The Berkeley ScannerEmilie Raguso![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/02_48133192-E81E-4F0D-80A1-E7B5AC7C623E.jpg)](https://www.berkeleyscanner.com/2025/08/28/crime/richmond-police-chase-berkeley-crash-arrest/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) **Vandalism**: West Richmond Avenue. Expensive property damage was reported at 4:24 p.m. **Court contempt**: Undisclosed Richmond location. Somebody disobeyed court orders at 5 p.m. **Identity fraud**: 900 block of Virginia Avenue. Personal information theft occurred at 6:17 p.m. **Domestic violence**: 300 block of South 9th Street. Another court order violation resulted in an arrest at 7:05 p.m. **Assault with deadly weapon**: 1200 block of Macdonald Avenue. Non-firearm weapon assault occurred at 8:03 p.m. **Police evasion**: In the 94804 zip code.. Another evading police incident at 11:05 p.m. **Disorderly conduct**: The 94801 zip code. Public intoxication closed out the evening at 11:58 p.m. ## **Thursday, August 28, 2025** **Vehicle theft**: 1000 block of Chesley Avenue. An early morning car theft occurred at 4:30 a.m. **Assault with deadly weapon**: 100 block of 13th Street. Morning violence erupted at 7:17 a.m. **Vehicle theft**: 2400 block of Cutting Boulevard. Another car disappeared at 7:25 a.m. **Double battery**: 2600 block of Lancaster Drive. Two were arrested on battery charges at 7:27 a.m. **Tear gas violation**: 700 block of 23rd Street. Unlawful use of tear gas combined with battery at 8:03 a.m. **Commercial burglary**: Undisclosed location. A forced business break-in occurred at 10:12 a.m. **Vandalism**: 1100 block of Cutting Boulevard. Expensive property damage happened at 10:52 a.m. **Quality of life and false ID**: 2300 block of Macdonald Avenue. Public drinking combined with providing false identification to officers led to a trip to the pokey at 10:53 a.m. **Drug possession**: Undisclosed Richmond location. Controlled substance possession occurred at 11:42 a.m. **Resisting officers**: In the 94804 zip code. Someone fought the law at 1:38 p.m. **Petty theft**: 4800 block of Central Avenue. Light-fingered activity led to an arrest at 4:34 p.m. **Assault with deadly weapon**: 1200 block of Fascination Circle. Evening violence erupted at 7 p.m. **Shoplifting**: 2100 block of Meeker Avenue. More shopping without payment at 9:33 p.m. ## **Friday, August 29, 2025** **Vandalism**: 2100 block of Meeker Avenue. Property damage started at midnight. **Vandalism**: 5500 block of Fresno Avenue. Expensive vandalism occurred at midnight. **Petty theft**: 400 block of South 2nd Street. An early morning theft occurred, resulting in an arrest at 12:24 a.m. **Vehicle theft**: 800 block of South 47th Street. A car disappeared at 2:42 a.m. **Sexual assault**: 900 block of Cutting Boulevard. A serious sex crime was reported at 3:05 a.m. **Vehicle theft**: 600 block of 40th Street. Another car was stolen at 6:30 a.m. **Criminal threats and weapons**: 3100 block of Garrity Way. A triple threat of criminal threats, firearm exhibition, and battery occurred at 8 a.m. **Vehicle theft**: 1300 block of Carlson Boulevard. Car theft continued at 8:27 a.m. **Vandalism**: 3600 block of Sierra Ridge Road. More expensive property damage at 8:32 a.m. **Domestic violence**: 3400 block of Blume Drive. Another court order was reportedly violated at 8:58 a.m. **Petty theft**: 6000 block of Giant Road. Someone took something that did not belong to them at 9:35 a.m. **Embezzlement**: 4900 block of Central Avenue. White-collar crime exceeded $950 at 9:39 a.m. **Assault with deadly weapon**: 300 block of South 28th Street. Non-firearm weapon violence was reported at 10:07 a.m. **Vandalism**: 4500 block of Barrett Avenue. More expensive property damage at 10:34 a.m. **Embezzlement**: 6000 block of Giant Road. Another $950+ white-collar crime at 2:17 p.m. **Battery**: 2800 block of Hilltop Mall Road. Physical altercation at 3:37 p.m. **Vehicle theft**: 400 block of 2nd Street. Car theft occurred at 4 p.m. **Vehicle theft**: 600 block of Nevin Avenue. Another car disappeared at 6 p.m. **Residential burglary**: 3600 block of Sierra Ridge Avenue. A forced home break-in was reported at 6:30 p.m. **Domestic battery and theft**: 300 block of South 7th Street. Domestic violence combined with petty theft at 7:04 p.m. **Vehicle theft**: 600 block of South 26th Street. Evening car theft at 8:45 p.m. **Bicycle DUI**: In the 94801 zip code. Someone proved you can get a DUI on two wheels at 9:56 p.m. The wobbly wheel warrior picked up another charge of bringing controlled substances into jail at 11:59 p.m. **Prostitution**: 2400 block of Lincoln Avenue. Police made an arrest at the working girls' corner at 9:56 p.m. and another at an undisclosed location in the 94804 zip code at 10:06 p.m. **Vandalism and battery**: 400 block of 5th Street. Someone earned a trip to the Gray Bar Hotel on property damage and domestic battery charges at 10:30 p.m. ## **Saturday, August 30, 2025** **Child cruelty**: 1600 block of Macdonald Avenue. A case of willful cruelty to a child was reported at 12:27 a.m. **Carjacking with a firearm**: 5600 block of McBryde Avenue. An armed carjacking was reported at 5:15 a.m. **Grand theft**: 1400 block of San Joaquin Street. A major theft occurred at 6:40 a.m. **Robbery**: 1500 block of Nevin Plaza. A shoplifting incident escalated into a felony robbery at 8 a.m. **Vehicle theft**: 4300 block of Potrero Avenue. A car owner discovered that their ride had disappeared during the night at 9:35 a.m. **Domestic violence**: 300 block of 44th Street. A domestic violence resulting in physical injury was reported at 10:30 a.m. **Auto burglary**: 100 block of South 21st Street. Another car was smashed, and items were grabbed at 11:10 a.m. **Vehicle theft**: 300 block of South 23rd Street. Another car disappeared into the criminal underworld at noon. **Residential burglary**: 4600 block of Potrero Avenue. A no-force home break-in was reported at 12:12 p.m. **Residential burglary and threats**: 1100 block of Ells Street. A crime combo featuring forced residential burglary, criminal threats, and aggravated assault at 1:13 p.m. **Assault with deadly weapon**: 1500 block of Ohio Avenue. Officers made an arrest for a non-firearm aggravated assault at 1:58 p.m. **Vandalism**: 3200 block of Pierce Street. A caller reported property damage at 6:24 p.m. **Vehicle theft**: 700 block of Alamo Avenue. A thief was busy acquiring a new vehicle through unconventional means at 7:43 p.m. **Police evasion spectacular**: 1100 block of Hensley Street. A criminal's evening included aiding exhibition of speed, evading police, assaulting an officer with a deadly weapon, and resisting officers, with the adventure spanning from 9:30 p.m. to 9:59 p.m. **Assault on a peace officer**: In the 94804 zip code. Someone took on law enforcement with a firearm at 10 p.m. ## **Sunday, August 31** **Aggravated assault**: 3900 block of Wall Avenue. Someone's late-night got violent with force likely to cause great bodily injury at 1:30 a.m. **Chemical assault**: West Richmond Avenue. Officers arrested somebody who reportedly assaulted another with caustic chemicals at 2:03 a.m. **Vandalism**: 5400 block of Highland Avenue. Property damage artists struck in the pre-dawn hours at 4:36 a.m. **Auto burglary**: 100 block of Marina Lakes Drive. Car break-ins resumed at 5:30 a.m. **How doers get more done**: 11900 block of San Pablo Avenue. It was reported that items were taken at 9:27 a.m. **Vehicle theft**: 700 block of Lassen Street. Another car thief decided to take a car on an unauthorized adventure at 1:42 p.m. **Domestic battery**: 2300 block of Rheem Avenue. Police received reports of domestic violence occurring at 3:10 p.m. **The Cutting Boulevard Crime Spectacular**: 3000 block of Cutting Boulevard. A criminal overachiever orchestrated the week's grand finale at 5:10 p.m., collecting domestic battery, kidnapping, vandalism, destroying a wireless communication device, and stalking charges all in one impressive criminal resume. **Stolen vehicle possession**: In the 94801 zip code. Someone was caught with a hot ride at 4:27 p.m. **DUI finale**: 200 block of South 21st Street. The week concluded with a classic drunk driving arrest at 8:50 p.m. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond High alumni gather to say goodbye to “the front” before demolition URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-high-alumni-gather-to-say-goodbye-to-the-front-before-demolition/ Last updated: 2025-08-30T16:57:16.000Z Richmond’s Oiler community gathered Friday evening for a celebration to bid farewell to the entryway of Richmond High School, the familiar face of the campus that will soon be fenced off and demolished as part of a major reconstruction project. “It’s an opportunity for folks to come out, make some memories, and say goodbye to the front,” said Assistant Principal Luis Chacon, a 2006 Richmond High graduate. “This is a very special place, and we wanted to give the community one last chance to gather here before the changes begin.” ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/08/Richmond-high-goodbye-cars.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/08/Richmond-high-goodbye.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/08/richmond-high-school-interview.webp) Richmond High’s entryway will soon be fenced off as demolition and construction begin. Alumni and community members attended a farewell party on Friday, August 29, to take photos, reminisce, and say goodbye. Photos/ Ed Shelden Jr. The farewell party drew alumni spanning decades, many of them sharing stories of football games, dances, and everyday moments from their years on campus. Classic cars lined the front of the school, food vendors kept the crowd fed, the Oiler marching band played, and the cheer squad led chants that echoed across the plaza. The lively atmosphere gave alumni and families a chance to celebrate even as they said goodbye. Linda Vaughn Brown, Class of 1971, recalled being part of the very first graduating class to use the current Richmond High building. “It was wild back then. We had a ball,” she said. “I hate to see it go, but I know they’re rebuilding.” Among them was Mike LeFebvre, Class of 1965, who still coaches softball at the school. He recalled the electric atmosphere of Richmond High in its heyday. “Football games every Friday, basketball games on Tuesdays and Fridays. We’d have like 20 buses lined up to take students,” LeFebvre said. “A bus ticket was 25 cents, and a game ticket was 25 cents. It was a huge part of our lives.” ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/08/richmond-high-school-front-rock-1.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/08/richmond-high-school-yearbook.-crowd-1.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/08/richmond-high-school-yearbook-1.webp) Excitement and nostalgia fill the air as the Oiler community gathers one last time at the front of Richmond High before demolition and rebuilding begin. Photos/ Soren Hemmila For Steven and Lauretta Cavalli, who graduated in the 1960s, Richmond High holds deep personal meaning. The couple first met on the campus lawn by “the rock,” a longtime school landmark. “My best memory by far is meeting her right here,” Steven said. Lauretta added, “The rock is really meaningful. It’s been part of so many memories.” According to Chacon, the rock will remain on campus and be relocated near the new entrance once construction is complete. Construction will proceed in phases, beginning with demolition of the current front area. The new Richmond High will include modernized classrooms and facilities, with the main entrance eventually shifting north, across from the Bonfare Market.. A groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for September 25. Despite the nostalgia, many said they are hopeful about the school’s future. Mike “Robo” Driscoll, a longtime campus security officer who started in 1990, reflected on how much the school has changed. “When I first came here, there was a lot of gang activity,” Driscoll said. “Now it’s a fine school. You’ve got former students coming back as teachers and administrators, after-school programs, and a strong marching band. It’s a different place.” Chacon shared a similar sentiment, pointing to recent academic improvements and thriving student programs, such as robotics, law, and health academies. “There are a lot of positive things going on here,” Chacón said. “As cheesy as it sounds, it’s about being part of the change and giving back to the community.” For the hundreds who came to say goodbye, the evening was about more than bricks and mortar. It was about honoring a shared history. “High school is such a formative time,” Chacon said. “The memories you make here stay with you forever.” --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond residents invited to help pick city’s official native tree URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-residents-invited-to-help-pick-citys-official-native-tree/ Last updated: 2025-08-29T18:42:51.000Z Richmond is looking for a tree to call its own, and the city wants residents to help make the choice. An online survey, approved by the City Council in June, asks the public to select Richmond’s first official native tree. The winner will be honored with a planting and celebration at Civic Center Plaza. The shortlist was created by the Urban Forest Advisory Committee, a group of residents working to support the city’s Urban Greening Master Plan. Committee members weighed drought tolerance, adaptability to Richmond’s varied microclimates, disease resistance, and ecological value before narrowing the list to four contenders. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/08/california-buckeye-1.jpg) California buckeye: A striking tree with fragrant spring blossoms, silvery bark, and ornamental fall nuts that support pollinators and wildlife. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/08/coast-live-oak-1.jpg) Coast live oak: A majestic evergreen, considered a keystone species, that provides food and shelter for hundreds of bird, moth, and butterfly species. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/08/ray-hartman-ceanothus-1.jpg) Ray Hartman ceanothus — A compact evergreen that bursts with blue flowers in late winter, attracting pollinators and thriving with little water. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/08/hollyleaf-cherry-1.jpg) Hollyleaf cherry: A glossy, holly-like tree whose small cherries feed wildlife and have been used historically as food and medicine. Each tree also has deep cultural and historical connections. Acorns from coast live oaks were a staple food for many California Native peoples, while buckeye seeds were used for food and tools after careful preparation. City staff said the project aims not only to beautify Richmond’s civic center but also to raise awareness of the role native trees play in supporting the region’s ecology. The [survey](https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fforms.gle%2F5ASRGGHTKCHsGmk46%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExYkRLN0ZodmlBMGtZVFlhZQEevMvaKSwXrcHh6ipZr4Lpu6XMJGP1No4XEIhMEq-VaFvb-iI%5FVW-XH4jPebg%5Faem%5Fj8XXuUHiXYqStQoKltZm1g&h=AT3guAdXxbswlujEi24CtqiFemULh5BqP0ZCm8SavAMdk2xAVJqAwZipNZX2AeVCqQt1iC8noy7A79HFq%5FROPlr133WOat3zYngZRaO1UrN2yqGW1R0MuGkwRo4i6vELdiFOvdQKlkjfiig0JZmT0Ah%5FZbThV5BzdAV1cg&%5F%5Ftn%5F%5F=-UK-R&c[0]=AT1dP%5Fl-AiU6J6vH16EaUhKe6Gek4BwQtStYWJBQBPi1AiKmvpfG4HFeWGYyZ9ms4Y4nFVWNYzs%5FgFOFI6Xw8d-pmvn-1DnbCaQvB8%5FAxM10V%5F0HtlhmspPihPbsUzpFIxfs4g1AxzP36lWkahRurTj4QGT%5Fn%5F6eVgmzh4GpvkcbNhmGuwCm4cfW%5FaL7GZ5UYz6sVAKEBZE7xvLg0HjtzSQmKA&ref=grandviewindependent.com) is open until September 22 at 4 p.m. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond man charged with attempted murder in bus driver attack URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-man-charged-with-attempted-murder-in-bus-driver-attack/ Last updated: 2025-08-28T19:20:07.000Z A Richmond man has been charged with attempted murder after prosecutors say he attacked his spouse, an AC Transit bus driver, with a knife and pepper spray aboard a bus near the Richmond BART station earlier this week. Mandingo Alfroconus Hayes, 54, faces multiple felony and misdemeanor charges, including attempted murder with an enhancement for use of a knife, two counts of injuring a spouse, resisting arrest, disobeying a court order, and unlawful possession of tear gas, the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office said Thursday. The attack happened around 7:35 a.m. Monday on an AC Transit bus. Prosecutors said Hayes assaulted the driver, who had just completed her shift, causing knife wounds and pepper spray exposure. She was taken to a hospital for treatment. Hayes is being held at the Martinez Detention Facility on more than $1.1 million bail. Because the victim is his spouse, the case is being prosecuted by the District Attorney’s Domestic Violence Unit. “Our office is committed to holding offenders accountable while ensuring survivors of domestic abuse receive the protection and support they need,” District Attorney Diana Becton said in a statement. Hayes is scheduled to be arraigned on Thursday afternoon in Contra Costa County Superior Court in Martinez. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### San Pablo police arrest high school student after shooting near elementary school URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/san-pablo-police-arrest-high-school-student-after-shooting-near-elementary-school/ Last updated: 2025-08-27T21:37:35.000Z A 16-year-old Richmond High School student was arrested Tuesday after a shooting near Downer Elementary School prompted a lockdown on the campus, according to the San Pablo Police Department. Officers responded at 9:42 a.m. to reports of gunfire at 20th Street and Sanford Avenue, about a block from the school, the San Pablo Police Department said in a statement. A witness told officers they heard shots and saw a male suspect pointing a handgun at a vehicle with tinted windows. Both the suspect and the vehicle fled in opposite directions. Responding officers found shell casings in the street but no victims or suspects. Because of the shooting’s proximity to the school, an officer contacted school officials, and the campus was locked down as a precaution. Detectives developed leads identifying a juvenile as the suspected shooter. Officers served a search warrant at a home on the 1800 block of Wilcox Avenue, arresting a 22-year-old man on suspicion of being an accessory. Evidence tied to the shooting was recovered, police said. The juvenile suspect was later found in class at Richmond High School and taken into custody without incident. He was booked into Contra Costa County Juvenile Hall on a firearms-related charge. The Downer Elementary campus remained on lockdown until about 1:40 p.m. Police believe the incident was isolated and that the vehicle’s occupants were the intended targets. It is not known if anyone was injured. Anyone with information is asked to contact the San Pablo Police Department Investigations Division at 510-215-3150. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond council approves sister city partnership, explores ban on corporate home purchases URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-council-approves-sister-city-partnership-explores-ban-on-corporate-home-purchases/ Last updated: 2025-08-27T16:19:58.000Z The Richmond City Council voted Tuesday to establish a sister city partnership with Sebastia, an ancient town in the West Bank, making it the city’s fourth international sister city. The 5–1 vote came after a detailed discussion and some emotional testimony. Vice Mayor Cesar Zepeda cast the lone dissenting vote, arguing Sebastia’s population of about 3,000 and its location under Israeli security control could complicate meaningful exchanges. Zepeda suggested nearby Nablus, which has about 174,000 residents and existing U.S. sister city ties, as a better alternative. Mayor Eduardo Martinez, who co-sponsored the resolution with Councilmembers Claudia Jimenez and Soheila Bana, said the partnership could help “build bridges” through people-to-people diplomacy, similar to Richmond’s relationships with Shimada, Japan; Zhoushan, China; and Regla, Cuba. [Proposal would make Sebastia Richmond’s fourth Sister CityThe Richmond Progressive Alliance, in partnership with Mayor Eduardo Martinez and the Bay Area Palestinian Youth Movement, has announced an effort to establish a Sister City relationship between Richmond and Sebastia, a town in the West Bank.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--83.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-08-18-at-12.40.45-PM-1-1-1.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/proposal-would-make-sebastia-richmonds-fourth-sister-city/) “By connecting with Sebastia, we can foster understanding of their culture and have them understand ours so that we can build bridges, which is very important at this time,” Martinez said. Public comment reflected the deep divisions over the issue. Several speakers opposed the measure, raising concerns about safety and antisemitism. Richmond resident Sue Kaun noted the city’s positive sister city exchanges with Shimada, but questioned choosing Sebastia. “I wonder how many of the city council members have visited this city in Samaria and how many have visited Israel,” Kaun said. She called Nablus a hub for militant groups and said she couldn’t find a tour guide willing to take her there during a recent visit. “It is disappointing to me that the city council is considering this particular city as a sister city.” Supporters described Sebastia’s 5,000-year history and hardships under Israeli occupation. Tarnell Abbott, a longtime participant in Richmond’s Cuba sister city program, mocked what she called exaggerated fears. “Look out, there’s a terrorist underneath every bush! Run, hide, cover your heads, help, help, the terrorists are here!” Abbott said, before adding that sister city programs are about human connections when national governments fail. “If we don’t reach out a hand as a city to take the hand of another city, who’s going to do it?” Councilmember Jimenez said establishing the partnership sends a strong symbolic message about Richmond’s values. “Establishing a city partnership between Richmond and Sebastia is a powerful step toward demonstrating our solidarity with the Palestinian community, both here at home and abroad. It sends a clear message that we do not support the ongoing war and the tragic loss of life among innocent civilians, including children, mothers and families in Palestine,” Jimenez said. Councilmember Doria Robinson said her own visits to Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank shaped her vote. “There is no better substitute to understanding what is going on than to see it for yourself,” Robinson said. “If we can create a bridge where we can better understand what’s going on, we’ll have a lot better chance of moving forward.” The resolution says any immediate financial impact will be minimal, limited to staff support. Future costs will be reported as the partnership develops. --- ### Richmond council weighs ban on corporate home purchases The council also received a presentation on a proposal to restrict corporate ownership of single-family homes as a way to protect residents from displacement and rising housing costs. Councilmember Bana introduced a draft concept aimed at limiting large-scale investors from buying up local housing stock. The measure would prohibit for-profit corporations and institutional investors from purchasing single-family homes, duplexes, and fourplexes in Richmond. Current owners would be unaffected. “We cannot allow big corporations like Blackstone to grab our homes,” Bana said. “Housing is not just a commodity; it is a human right.” Attorneys from the Sustainable Economies Law Center presented research showing that about 1,000 of Richmond’s roughly 30,000 single-family homes are already corporate-owned. They argued speculative investment drives up rents and contributes to displacement, especially among communities of color. The draft concept envisions allowing only people, nonprofits, cooperatives, and public entities to buy these types of homes going forward. The policy is still in early discussion stages, with questions about thresholds, enforcement, and unintended consequences. Councilmembers expressed support for protecting residents but raised concerns about the details. “I want to be real careful about cause and effect,” Councilmember Sue Wilson said. “I’m not convinced yet that corporate ownership is the reason for our high housing costs. There are other forces at play. We need to make sure we focus on solutions that address the true causes.” No vote was taken. The council will continue refining the proposal with input from community groups and city attorneys. Supporters hope Richmond can become a model for other California cities considering similar restrictions. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### East Bay Regional Park District announces purchase of 82 acres at Point Molate URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/east-bay-regional-park-district-announces-purchase-of-82-acres-at-point-molate/ Last updated: 2025-08-27T02:24:30.000Z After decades of debate over the future of Point Molate, the East Bay Regional Park District has finalized the purchase of 82 acres of shoreline property on the Point San Pablo Peninsula, clearing the way for a new regional park. The $40 million deal, completed Tuesday, transfers the land from the Guidiville Rancheria of California, a federally recognized tribal nation, to the Park District. Officials say the acquisition will permanently preserve the area’s sweeping bayfront, cultural history, and sensitive habitat. “This is a remarkable milestone for the entire Bay Area,” Park District General Manager Sabrina Landreth said in a statement. “Thank you to our partners who have supported the goal of preserving Point Molate as public parkland and helped make the acquisition possible.” ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/08/winehaven-point-molate-richmond2-1.webp) The property includes sites of historic and cultural significance: Native American sacred areas, remnants of a Chinese fishing village, and Winehaven, once the world’s largest winery. Park District Board Director Elizabeth Echols called the purchase “a rare opportunity to create a park on stunning bayfront property and preserve its environmental importance.” Securing the land was years in the making. Former state Senator Nancy Skinner, now a member of the California Energy Commission, helped secure $36 million in the 2022–23 state budget for the project. Additional funding came from the Park District’s voter-approved revenue measures AA and WW. “I am thrilled that Point Molate will now be preserved forever as public parkland,” Skinner said. “My thanks to the Guidiville Rancheria of California, the City of Richmond, and the East Bay Regional Park District for their role in protecting Point Molate for all to enjoy.” The City of Richmond and the Guidiville Rancheria signed a letter of intent with the Park District last year to protect the site. The purchase and sale agreement followed in November 2024. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/08/Point-Molate-Current-Ownership.webp) Point Molate Current Ownership Amy Hutzel, executive officer of the California State Coastal Conservancy, called the acquisition a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” for shoreline access. “East Bay communities have been working toward this goal for many years,” she said. The planning, design, and construction of park amenities are still years away and will include extensive community engagement. Meanwhile, construction has already begun on the Point Molate Bay Trail Extension Project, a 2.5-mile segment that will connect Point Molate Beach Park to the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge path. The Park District is overseeing the project in partnership with the city, which owns about half the project area. Once finished, the extension will close a major gap in the Bay Trail. [Point Molate Bay Trail extension breaks ground in RichmondOfficials and community members gathered Friday at Point Molate Beach Park to celebrate the start of construction on a 2.5-mile extension of the San Francisco Bay Trail.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--81.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Point-Molate-Bay-Trail-extension-breaks-ground-Richmond1-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/point-molate-bay-trail-extension-breaks-ground-in-richmond/) For now, the acquisition marks a turning point in Point Molate’s long and often controversial history, which has included proposals ranging from a casino to housing. Advocates have long pushed for more shoreline access and ecological preservation. “This is about creating a world-class park for current and future generations,” Echols said. [Point Molate development plans derailed, park plans move forwardAfter years of legal wrangling, a court has found that the environmental impact report for the proposed development of Point Molate was flawed, which environmental groups say clears the way for creating a new shoreline regional park. The Point Molate Mixed Use Project envisioned a mixed-use community comprising open space,![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--82.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/DSC_1177-1-1.jpg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/after-legal-battle-point-molate-development-plans-derailed-opportunities-for-a-park-emerge/) --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### On the Richmond Burger Trail: The Point's Johnny Boi Smash Burger makes its case URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-richmond-burger-trail-the-points-johnny-boi-smash-burger-makes-its-case/ Last updated: 2025-08-26T17:11:27.000Z Johnny Boi Smash Burger doesn’t hide what it is. The somewhat new spot in Point Richmond is designed for maximum effect: a clean, mural-bright interior with a neon “Pick Up” sign, polished wood tables plastered with stickers, and TVs tuned to football. Modern heartland country hums in the background while the griddle sizzles. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/08/Point-Richmond-Johnny-Boi-Smash-Burgers-fries.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/08/Point-Richmond-Johnny-Boi-Smash-Burger-cakebox.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/08/Point-Richmond-Johnny-Boi-Smash-Burger1.webp) Johnny Boi burgers and fries with its lacy-edged smash patty, caramelized onions, pickles, smash sauce, and a swipe of bacon jam served to go in a cake box. Inside Johnny Boi Smash Burger, sticker-covered tables, neon glow, football on TV, and modern country twang on the speakers. The food arrives wrapped in tidy brown paper bags that feel thought out. The burgers and chicken sandwiches are tucked together like they’re keeping each other warm. It’s an Instagram-ready operation, but not everyone was sold on the smash burger phenomenon. The namesake Johnny Boi burger is a single smashed patty with American cheese, “smash sauce” (a tangy Thousand Island-type dressing), caramelized onions, pickles, and a dollop of bacon jam for a touch of sweetness. The edges of the beef get those lacy, crispy bits smashburgers are known for. Some tasters in our group weren’t sure if they loved this style. It’s thinner and crispier than the plumper patties of yore. The ground beef ends up almost fried in its own fat until it reaches a dark, rich color, but what we missed was the not-so-cooked juiciness of an un-smashed burger. The bacon jam divides opinion: a nice sweet-savory layer for some, a substitute for actual bacon strips others would swap out. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/08/Point-Richmond-Johnny-Boi-Smash-Burger-double-1.webp) Johnny Boi’s “Fat Boi” double cheeseburger The “Fat Boi” doubles the decadence with two patties; one diner joked about needing a long walk after. It’s definitely a two-hand, extra-napkin situation. Johnny Boi’s sleeper hit might be the spicy chicken sandwich. A thick, craggy breading carries real heat. One bite had someone “breathing fire.” Dressed in smash sauce, lettuce, pickles, caramelized onions, and melted cheese, the chicken sandwich holds its own in the ongoing chicken sandwich wars and could even outshine the burger. Fries are standard and mop up the extra sauce just fine. Overall, Johnny Boi Smash Burger isn’t aiming for white-tablecloth dining; it’s casual, loud, a little messy, and clearly put together with care. Everything from the packaging to the playlist feels intentional. Johnny Boi Smash Burger is located at 201 Tewksbury Avenue in Point Richmond. Three sandwiches and fries cost $47.57. Would we eat it again? Yes. However, Frosty King, which we visited last week, still reigns supreme on the Richmond Burger Trail. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### A week of thefts, violence, and unusual crimes across the city URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/a-week-of-thefts-violence-and-unusual-crimes-across-the-city/ Last updated: 2025-08-25T20:44:58.000Z Richmond saw a busy week of police activity spanning everything from late-night car thefts and vandalism to drug busts and armed assaults. Officers responded to incidents across the city’s neighborhoods, including multiple break-ins at businesses, domestic violence cases, vehicle recoveries, and sideshow activity. Here’s a day-by-day look at the wide range of calls Richmond police handled between August 18 and 24. ## Monday, August 18, 2025 **Grand theft and vandalism:** 5200 block of Solano Avenue. A creative criminal went on a triple-threat spree combining grand theft, property vandalism, and some amateur electrical work on power connecting lines at 1:09 a.m. **Drug and weapons violations:** South 29th Street and Chavez Lane. Officers struck gold at 3:06 a.m. with a mobile pharmacy operation featuring enough charges to fill a legal textbook - drug possession, trafficking, concealed weapons (both in vehicle and on person), loaded firearms, felon with guns, prohibited ammo, large capacity magazines, and resisting arrest. **Vandalism:** 800 block of 8th Street. A vandal’s work was discovered at 6 a.m. **Vandalism:** 3300 block of Macdonald Avenue. Another was found at 7:36 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 100 block of West Chanslor Avenue. Someone decided a test drive should be permanent at 9 a.m. **Vehicle recovery:** Undisclosed location in the 94801 zip code. At least one stolen ride found its way home at 9:13 a.m. **Petty theft:** 12800 block of San Pablo Avenue. A parts pilferer targeted vehicle accessories at 9:15 a.m. **Quality of life violation:** Undisclosed location in the 94805 zip code. Public drinking made for an eventful morning at 10:04 a.m. **Grand theft:** 1000 block of 23rd Street. More unauthorized acquisitions occurred at 10 a.m. **Petty theft:** 700 block of Mesa Way. A thief reportedly took items at 1:24 p.m. **Grand theft:** 500 block of Chanslor Avenue. A firearm went missing in this theft at 1:37 p.m. **Identity fraud:** 600 block of Berk Avenue. Someone tried playing dress-up with another person’s identity at 3:59 p.m. **Vandalism:** 800 block of Carlson Boulevard. More expensive vandalism adorned the neighborhood at 4 p.m. **Grand theft:** 2300 block of Macdonald Avenue. The afternoon brought another report of a major theft at 4:37 p.m. **Vandalism:** 2500 block of Roosevelt Avenue. More vandalism was reported at 4:50 p.m. **Battery:** 700 block of 23rd Street. Hands-on conflict resolution failed at 5:30 p.m. **Criminal threats:** 200 block of South 8th Street. A bad actor threatened to commit a crime with the intent to terrorize at 5:40 p.m. **Petty theft:** 800 block of 23rd Street. Another petty theft was reported at 7 p.m. **Domestic violence and weapons:** 400 block of B Street. Some sort of incident involving a display of a deadly weapon, domestic violence, and resisting officers was reported at 7:36 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** Undisclosed location in the 94801\. A late-night vehicle borrowing without permission happened at 9 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 300 block of South 22nd Street. Someone’s Sunday ended with unauthorized auto acquisition at 11 p.m. **Domestic violence:** 3400 block of Wall Avenue. A domestic dispute reportedly led to aggravated assault charges at 11:41 p.m. ## Tuesday, August 19, 2025 **Traffic violations:** In the 94801 zip code. Someone started the day with a DUI and failure to obey officers’ charges at 12:01 a.m. **Commercial burglary:** 800 block of 23rd Street. A commercial burglary without force was reported at 6:09 a.m. **Auto burglary and vandalism:** 2300 block of Humphrey Avenue. An auto burglary and vandalism were reported at 7:18 a.m. **Battery:** 3800 block of Lakeside Drive. A morning conflict erupted at 9:24 a.m. **Auto burglary:** 4100 block of Klose Way. This popular address attracted its first uninvited visitor at 11:25 a.m. **Drug violations:** In the 94804 zip code. A chemical romance gone wrong featured substance possession and driving violations at noon. **Assault with a deadly weapon:** In the 94804 zip code. A troublemaker brought violence to the afternoon at 12:11 p.m. **Fraud:** 4300 block of Macdonald Avenue. Someone was the recipient of credit card shenanigans at 2:25 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** In the 94801 zip code. Unauthorized car borrowing continued at 3:24 p.m. **Drug violations:** Undisclosed Richmond location. Paraphernalia possession and driving without a license made for an eventful afternoon at 3:54 p.m. **Auto burglary:** 4100 block of Klose Way. This address proved irresistible to burglars again at 4:15 p.m. **Vandalism:** 12100 block of San Pablo Avenue. More expensive vandalism appeared at 6:34 p.m. **Vandalism:** 12000 block of San Pablo Avenue. The San Pablo corridor got hit again at 7 p.m. **Petty theft:** 200 block of South 8th Street. Vehicle contents went missing at 7:47 p.m. **Vandalism:** 4800 block of Macdonald Avenue. Even more vandalism was reported at 7:47 p.m. **Assault and battery:** 700 block of South 41st Street. Deadly weapon assault combined with domestic battery led to a trip to the pokey at 10 p.m. **Warrant arrest:** 500 block of South 47th Street. Someone’s past caught up with them at 10:38 p.m. ## **Tuesday, August 20, 2025** **Vandalism:** 3600 block of Sierra Ridge Avenue. Twin morning property damage appeared at 7:09 a.m. and 7:14 a.m. **Identity fraud:** 4800 block of Wall Avenue. Someone practiced the art of being someone else at 9:06 a.m. **Petty theft:** 1300 block of Macdonald Avenue. Morning shopping without checkout occurred at 9:53 a.m. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/08/pharmaceutical-operation--1.webp) A convicted felon’s hidden loaded gun and stash of cocaine, heroin, meth, MDMA, and marijuana were seized during a traffic stop at 18th Street & Chanslor Avenue. Photo/ RPD **Drug and weapons violations:** In the 94801 zip code. A rolling drug operation was busted at 11:26 a.m., with officers finding a convicted felon armed with a firearm, multiple controlled substances packaged for sale, prohibited ammunition, and evidence of drug trafficking. **Drug possession:** 400 block of Macdonald Avenue. A modest controlled substance case occurred at 1:27 p.m. **Shoplifting:** 2100 block of Meeker Avenue. Retail therapy without payment happened at 5:50 p.m. **Vandalism:** 500 block of 9th Street. Budget-friendly defacement under $400 appeared at 6:51 p.m. **Petty theft:** 11900 block of San Pablo Avenue. Police busted someone suspected of shopping without paying at 7:15 p.m. **Assault:** 600 block of 3rd Street. Police made an arrest for simple assault at 8:45 p.m. ## Thursday, August 21, 2025 **Grand theft:** 1500 block of Hoffman Boulevard. An early morning theft was reported at 2:44 a.m. **Multiple violations:** 400 block of 23rd Street. A criminal overachiever collected residential burglary (twice), court order violations (also twice), resisting officers, and stalking charges at 3:28 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 100 block of Macdonald Avenue. Another vehicle disappeared into the underground economy at 6:07 a.m. **Commercial burglary:** 3400 block of Maywood Drive. A forceful business break-in was reported at 8 a.m. **Drug violation:** In the 94801 zip code. Marijuana sales entrepreneurship was discovered at 8:31 a.m. **Grand theft:** 100 block of Harbour Way. Thieves reportedly stole something expensive from a car at 8:57 a.m. **Day drinking:** 2300 block of Macdonald Avenue. Public drinking made for an eventful morning at 10:02 a.m. **Privacy invasion:** 2800 block of Jo Ann Drive. Electronic tracking crossed the line at 10:47 a.m. **Trespassing and drug violations:** In the 94530 zip code. Someone refused to leave and was taken away by police, who also discovered bonus drug paraphernalia at 1:15 p.m. **Criminal threats:** 1200 block of Macdonald Avenue. Threatening behavior occurred at 2 p.m. **Robbery:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. Knife-point negotiations returned to this popular spot at 4:04 p.m. **Petty theft:** 4500 block of Macdonald Avenue. An unauthorized acquisition happened, leading to an arrest for larceny at 5:54 p.m. **Drug violation:** In the 94801 zip code. Someone was found in possession of paraphernalia at 9:42 p.m. ## Friday, August 22, 2025 **Hospital burglary:** 800 block of 23rd Street. A caller told police he could see people on video with flashlights inside the old Richmond Hospital. Police made arrests for commercial burglary and conspiracy at 2:22 a.m. **Multiple violations:** 500 block of 9th Street. Someone achieved the criminal grand slam with residential burglary, first-degree robbery, stalking, and vandalism at 6:24 a.m. **Grand theft:** 1300 block of Marina Way South. More stuff was reportedly taken without permission at 5 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 4200 block of Fran Way. A car got GTA’d at 5 p.m. **Petty theft:** 5200 block of Creely Avenue. Vehicle contents went missing at 7:07 p.m. **Battery:** 3800 block of Lakeside Drive. Physical conflict led to cuffs at 8:10 p.m. **Vandalism:** Undisclosed Richmond location. It was reported that someone had maliciously defaced property at 8:57 p.m. **Petty theft:** 2900 block of Chavez Lane. Late-night vehicle pilfering was reported at 9:45 p.m. **Auto burglary:** 3800 block of Via Verdi. The evening ended with a car break-in at 10 p.m. ## Saturday, August 23, 2025 **Assault and weapons:** 2300 block of Macdonald Avenue. Midnight madness featured deadly weapon assault and weapon exhibition at 12 a.m. **Grand theft:** 1100 block of Harbour Way South. Police collared a crook at 12 a.m. **Noise violations:** 9th Street. Disturbing the peace with loud noise happened at 12:30 a.m., followed by community noise complaints at 2:19 a.m. **Battery:** 4900 block of Bayview Avenue. A physical altercation erupted at 1:11 a.m. **Commercial burglary:** 10800 block of San Pablo Avenue. A forceful business break-in occurred at 2:55 a.m. **Commercial burglary:** 10200 block of San Pablo Avenue. Another forced business entry happened nearby at 3:36 a.m. **Been caught stealing:** 400 block of South 19th Street. Police made an arrest after a petty theft from a vehicle was reported at 8:53 a.m. **Battery:** 1700 block of Cutting Boulevard. A mid-morning conflict erupted at 10:40 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 2700 block of Carlson Boulevard. Another car was nicked at 1:38 p.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 200 block of 21st Street. Some good news - a stolen vehicle was recovered at 2:25 p.m. **Vandalism and threats:** 1700 block of Gaynor Avenue. Property damage came with bonus criminal threats at 2:29 p.m. **Domestic violence:** 500 block of 16th Street. An incident involving corporal injury and aggravated assault was reported at 5:58 p.m. **Vandalism:** 300 block of Maine Avenue. More unlawful damage appeared at 6 p.m. **Battery:** 800 block of Alamo Avenue. Another physical altercation was reported at 8:48 p.m. ## Sunday, August 24, 2025 **Sideshows:** Officers responded to reports of sideshows at 23rd Street and Barret Avenue and Hensley Street and Richmond Parkway at 2:07 a.m. [500 appear at Oakland sideshow, police union complains about staffingTwo large East Bay sideshows drew hundreds of people early Sunday morning in Oakland and Richmond, where people set at least one car on fire and prompted a police union to complain about staffing levels.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/apple-touch-icon-180x180-3.png)KTVU FOX 2KTVU Staff![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/11-east-bay-sideshows_00.00.21.54.jpg)](https://www.ktvu.com/news/500-appear-oakland-sideshow-police-union-complains-about-staffing?link%5Fsource=ta%5Ffirst%5Fcomment&taid=68ac5f81ab160300017d402f&fbclid=IwY2xjawMZWwdleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETExb2k3eW5DWnNUWWhHbklzAR5PJ6jEvlv641FKlt5StbqhsUgWAfydPAoabcoHlVDDq7fYkENr5AGlOaYllQ%5Faem%5FNsVOHzt5h04fKDWusudzBg&ref=grandviewindependent.com) **Petty theft:** 3600 block of Klose Way. More reports of petty theft occurred at 9:01 a.m. **Vandalism:** 600 block of Humboldt Street. Another expensive act of vandalism worth over $400 brightened the morning at 9:39 a.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 400 block of South 38th Street. A stolen vehicle found its way home at 11:18 a.m. **Grand theft:** 200 block of West Nevin Avenue. Another theft was reported at noon. **Multiple violations:** 300 block of South 25th Street. A criminal multitasker combined auto burglary, trespassing on property, deadly weapon exhibition, and controlled substance possession all in one afternoon adventure at 12:10 p.m. **Kidnapping:** In the 94801 zip code. Police received reports of a kidnapping at 1:49 p.m. **Probation and theft violations:** 600 block of Stege Avenue. Someone’s past legal troubles caught up with them while they were busy with vehicle theft and grand theft at 2:15 p.m. and 2:28 p.m. **Traffic violation:** In the 94804 zip code. Driving with a suspended license for DUI made for an eventful afternoon at 3:02 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 3200 block of Klose Way. Another car pulled up and left at 4:25 p.m. **Vandalism:** 400 block of 46th Street. More destruction of property was reported at 7:09 p.m. **Strong-arm robbery:** 1000 block of Factory Street. Physical force was used in this evening robbery at 8:49 p.m. **Vehicle recovery:** In the 94804\. Another stolen vehicle was recovered at 9 p.m. **Arson:** 2800 block of Florida Avenue. A mental health situation escalated to include arson of an inhabited structure at 9:45 p.m. **Weapons and threats:** 600 block of Bradford Drive. The day ended with a deadly weapon exhibition and criminal threats at 10:31 p.m. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Rich City Rides reopens Macdonald Avenue bike shop URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/rich-city-rides-reopens-macdonald-avenue-bike-shop/ Last updated: 2025-08-24T17:07:44.000Z Rich City Rides is back on Macdonald Avenue, and the community bike collective is opening its doors with an even bigger vision for cycling and neighborhood connection. “It’s really good to have the gift and bike shop open,” said Najari Smith, founder and executive director of Rich City Rides, as staff unpacked boxes and greeted neighbors this week. “Starting next week, we’re going to be open Sunday from 3 to 7 p.m. and Monday through Thursday, from 2 to 7 p.m.” The shop’s relaunch brings back popular programs and adds new energy to a decade-long effort to make Richmond more bike-friendly. [Rich City Rides Bike Shop closed ‘indefinitely’ after burglaryNajari Smith, Co-Founder of Rich City Rides Bike Skate Shop, announced the Mcdonald Avenue bike shop will be closed after a burglary earlier in the month. Smith said he discovered most of the sales floor had been cleared out after entering the bike shop on January 13\. “The shelves, once![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--79.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/rich-city-rides-2.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/rich-city-rides-bike-shop-closed-after-reported-burglary/) “We’re doing our community Sunday self-care rides,” Smith said. “Those are starting at noon on Sundays, ending at 2, and then we all come down to the shop for a Skillshare, if you are looking to sharpen your skills on working on bikes.” The “Everybody Rides” program is also back, designed to help residents who don’t own bikes join the rides. “If somebody wants to join us for a bike ride and they don’t have a bike, they can sign up for the Everybody Rides program,” Smith said. “You come on three rides, we give you the bike for free.” For staff, the reopening has been a hands-on effort. Zariyah Hill described her role as “a little bit of everything,” from unpacking shipments and checking inventory to helping customers pick out their perfect ride. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/08/rich-city-ride-najari-smith-hill-1-1-1.webp) She pointed across the floor to one of her favorites, a shiny cruiser. “That one right there, it’s the kind of bike you let your hair blow in the wind while you’re riding it,” Hill said. Beyond bikes, Rich City’s work has grown to include owning its building and leasing space to other small businesses. The group has also announced plans to expand its nonprofit efforts into broader community development. [OMG! We ate 50 burritos at 50 different local restaurants and food trucksIt started as a simple question: “Where can you get the best burrito in Richmond?” But after 50 restaurants, food trucks, and taquerias later, we’ve learned that Richmond doesn’t have just one best burrito. It has dozens of incredible ones, each telling a unique story about our city’s vibrant food culture.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--77.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/RICHMOND-BURRITO-TRAIL-richmond-eats2-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/omg-we-ate-50-burritos-at-50-different-local-restaurants-and-food-trucks/) “There’s a lot of cool stuff happening,” Smith said. Rich City Rides began more than a decade ago as a volunteer-led movement to promote safe streets and healthier lifestyles. The reopening of its storefront marks another milestone in its push to connect cycling with community health, youth development, and local economic empowerment. [Rich City Rides announces expansion and creation of new nonprofitRich City Rides says they have reached a major milestone by acquiring three properties to launch the Rich City Project, a series of eco-friendly community hubs focused on sustainability, diversity, and eco-conscious living. The bicycle advocacy organization founded in 2012 also announced its transformation into a 501c3 nonprofit known as![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--80.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/rich-city-rides-bike-shop-richmond.jpg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/rich-city-rides-announces-expansion-and-creation-of-new-nonprofit/) For more information about Rich City Rides’ programs and events, visit [richcityrides.org.](https://richcityrides.org/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### On the agenda: land grab ban, Sister City proposal, and cafeteria renovation URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-agenda-land-grab-ban-sister-city-proposal-and-cafeteria-renovation/ Last updated: 2025-08-23T18:43:49.000Z The Richmond City Council’s next meeting will feature an agenda covering everything from international travel and proclamations to multimillion-dollar infrastructure projects. There are only two study and action items on the August 26, 2025, agenda. Councilmember Soheila Bana’s item that would [Ban Land Grabs in Richmond](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58896&ref=grandviewindependent.com) and a resolution to establish a Sister City with Sebastia. [Proposal would make Sebastia Richmond’s fourth Sister CityThe Richmond Progressive Alliance, in partnership with Mayor Eduardo Martinez and the Bay Area Palestinian Youth Movement, has announced an effort to establish a Sister City relationship between Richmond and Sebastia, a town in the West Bank.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--78.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-08-18-at-12.40.45-PM-1-1.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/proposal-would-make-sebastia-richmonds-fourth-sister-city/) ## On the consent calendar: Can Richmond prevent another piece of history from going up in smoke? On the consent calendar is a $113,000 contract with Greentech Industry for selective interior demolition of Richmond’s historic World War II Cafeteria Building at the Point Potrero Marine Terminal. The building, also known as [Building 23, was constructed in 1943 as part of Kaiser Shipyard No. 3](https://www.nps.gov/rori/learn/historyculture/kaiser-shipyard-cafeteria.htm?ref=grandviewindependent.com) and once served hot meals during wartime ship production. Now part of the Rosie the Riveter/WWII Home Front National Historical Park, the structure has sat mostly vacant for about 15 years and has fallen into disrepair. City staff say the project will remove non-original interior walls, ceiling tiles, flooring, and other materials added over the decades, clearing the way for an architectural assessment to help preserve the site’s historic integrity. Testing earlier this year detected asbestos in floor tile and lead in some painted surfaces; those hazards will be addressed as part of the work. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/08/Kaiser-Shipyard-Cafeteria-Richmond-Shipyard-bay-trail.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/08/Kaiser-Shipyard-Cafeteria-Richmond-Shipyard-No-3-sign-1.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/08/Kaiser-Shipyard-Cafeteria-Richmond-Shipyard-railing.webp) The Port of Richmond received five bids for the demolition. Greentech was selected as the lowest responsible bidder after a lower bid was deemed non-responsive for failing to meet bonding requirements. Work is scheduled to begin later this month and conclude by June 2026. Officials say the project aligns with Richmond’s goal of revitalizing the port while protecting its historic resources. Several port-related items are also up for action, including a $250,000 cost-share with Translogix LLC to deploy a state-approved emissions control system at the Point Potrero Marine Terminal, and approval for Port Director Charles Gerard to travel to Québec for an industry convention. --- Councilmembers are also set to approve an agreement with the East Bay Regional Park District for [short-term maintenance and security at Point Molate. ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58941&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Two proclamations are also on tap, one recognizing August 9 as the[ International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58919&ref=grandviewindependent.com) and another marking August 26 as [Women’s Equality Day.](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58921&ref=grandviewindependent.com) A [Labor Day proclamation](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58811&ref=grandviewindependent.com) is also planned. --- On the public safety front, the Fire Department is asking the council to adopt the [Contra Costa County Hazard Mitigation Plan](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58827&ref=grandviewindependent.com) annex for Richmond and ratify several contracts: [$89,400 for IT network support,](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58831&ref=grandviewindependent.com) [$27,000 for emergency dispatch software maintenance](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58834&ref=grandviewindependent.com), and up to [$600,000 total for ongoing repairs](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58852&ref=grandviewindependent.com) to the fire boat Victory. The Police Department seeks approval to buy additional[ 40mm impact munition devices](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58889&ref=grandviewindependent.com) and replacement [upper receivers for SWAT rifles, ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58887&ref=grandviewindependent.com)totaling about $32,000 combined. --- Human resources proposals include amending the city salary schedule to add a tree trimmer classification and reallocating several positions, including vocational instructor slots. --- Mayor Eduardo Martinez is recommending a slate of new appointments and reappointments to city boards and commissions, with terms stretching several years into the future. Former councilmember [Melvin Willis ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58809&ref=grandviewindependent.com)has been tapped to return to city service, this time as a member of the Richmond Rent Board. Richmond Annex residents [Kavitha Iyengar](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58807&ref=grandviewindependent.com) and [Garrett Shishido Strain ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58805&ref=grandviewindependent.com)have been nominated to city panels, Iyengar to the Human Rights and Human Relations Commission and Shishido Strain to the Community Crisis Response Program Advisory Board. Both list membership with the United Auto Workers, Democratic Socialists of America, Richmond Progressive Alliance, and Alameda Labor Council. Several current commissioners are also slated to continue their service. [Anita Pereira](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58813&ref=grandviewindependent.com) is being reappointed to the Urban Forest Advisory Committee. [Geovanni Flores ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58817&ref=grandviewindependent.com)will continue on the Workforce Development Board. [Valerie Snider, ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58821&ref=grandviewindependent.com)who helps maintain Richmond’s sister city ties with Shimada, Japan, would remain on the Richmond Shimada Friendship Commission. Meanwhile, Planning Commissioner[ Jonathan “Jon” Harrison](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58819&ref=grandviewindependent.com) is set for another term. Finally, [Joann Pavlinec ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58815&ref=grandviewindependent.com)is recommended for another term on the Historic Preservation Commission. --- Library and Community Services is seeking approval for more than[ $1.2 million in federal workforce funds](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58840&ref=grandviewindependent.com) for job training and youth employment, a[ $45,000 youth outdoors leadership contract](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58938&ref=grandviewindependent.com) with Rosie the Riveter Trust, $150,000 for [electrification career training ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58897&ref=grandviewindependent.com)with Contra Costa College, and the new [North Richmond mitigation fee spending plan.](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58875&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The council will also review an MOU with Pogo Park tied to the [Harbour 8 expansion project.](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58904&ref=grandviewindependent.com) --- Public Works has the largest slate of items, including an[ abatement report ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58802&ref=grandviewindependent.com)and multiple major contracts, including [$4.7 million for sewer upgrades](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58883&ref=grandviewindependent.com) at Cutting Boulevard and Harbour Way to comply with Baykeeper settlement obligations, a new [biosolids treatment cost-sharing agreement ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58856&ref=grandviewindependent.com)with West County Wastewater, and acceptance of the[ Dirt World Bike Park ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58822&ref=grandviewindependent.com)renovation, along with related grant funds. The agenda also includes a[ $5 million rubberized cape seal paving project ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58908&ref=grandviewindependent.com)with A. Teichert & Son, $450,000 and $922,000 in grants for [Bayview-to-BART and McBryde Safe Routes ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58901&ref=grandviewindependent.com)projects, [$2 million for on-call concrete repairs](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58880&ref=grandviewindependent.com), and $399,500 for the [Parchester Village–Giant Highway infrastructure master plan.](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58891&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Additional items involve continued participation in the regional [StreetLight traffic data program](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58877&ref=grandviewindependent.com), an amended lease for Hilltop landscape trailers, and a $100,000 [on-call legal services](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58923&ref=grandviewindependent.com) contract to support Public Works enforcement. Also up for approval is a[ $31,671 grant acceptance for Boorman Park](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58822&ref=grandviewindependent.com), and multiple routine lease and contract amendments. The council is expected to act on these items collectively as part of its consent calendar unless a member or the public pulls an item for discussion. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Eight Great Things to do in Richmond URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/eight-great-things-to-do-in-richmond-13/ Last updated: 2025-08-21T04:39:10.000Z With 30-plus miles of shoreline, two yacht clubs, endless hiking and cycling trails, and a host of eateries, Richmond has a lot to offer. Each week, *Grandview* highlights what we think are the best, not-to-be-missed events and offerings from around the city. ## Music on the Main @The Lot ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/08/Screenshot-2025-08-20-at-1.30.12-PM-1.png) **Join us August 21 for the next Music on the Main** Featuring Sacred Fire Band, a Santana tribute band. This is a FREE community event at the LOT Food Court **15th and McDonald, Downtown Richmond, from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.** ### Tom Conneely @Sailing Goat ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/08/Screenshot-2025-08-20-at-7.08.04-PM.png) **August 22, 2025, 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.** Tom Conneely Solo Front man of Tom Conneely & Birds of Paradise, a San Francisco-based band that released their first record, “Cappuccino Springs” in the fall of 2022, plays a solo set. The band followed up with the home-recorded “Sun Child” less than a year later, and has toured throughout the West Coast, from Los Angeles to Portland to Boise and many places in between, including a recent performance at Offbeat Festival in Reno. The Birds are led in collaboration between guitarist and vocalist Tom Conneely and bassist Alois Cerbu, home-recording and engineering both “Sun Child” and their forthcoming record “New Kind Palace.” “New Kind Palace” is Tom Conneely & Birds of Paradise’s second full length album, though in many ways, it might as well be the first. The release of the “Sun Child” EP in September 2023 marked a radical shift in both substance and form, as the desire for perfection and clarity was abandoned for muddled drum machines and lyrics that dealt with the painfully obvious facets of life. “New Kind Palace” builds on the foundations of “Sun Child” - drawing on its hissy intimacy while exceeding its through line, balancing tactile analog qualities with inventive electronic elements, all while retaining an impressionistic lyrical focus against the trance-like qualities reminiscent of Arthur Russell and the lo-fi melodic guitars of The Cleaners of Venus. After a false starts in ill-fitting studios, the ten songs of “New Kind Palace” were recorded in a variety of bedrooms and makeshift spaces that belay the music’s homespun qualities and intimacy. The recording and production process was entirely one of self-discovery, as handing off the various parts of the production process, from tracking to mixing and mastering, became untenable with retaining the honesty the work required. Mostly tracked to quarter inch tape, the music that constitutes “New Kind Palace” is a testament to self-discovery and trust in one’s self, while uncovering and facing head-on the simultaneous hysteria and transcendence of our inner worlds. "New Kind Palace" by Tom Conneely & Birds of Paradise will be released by Kestrel Records on March 21, 2025. [https://tcandbop.com/](https://tcandbop.com/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) **Sailing Goat at Point San Pablo Harbor, 1900 Stenmark Dr, Richmond, CA 94801, USA** ### Movies in the Park @Richmond Recreation Complex ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/08/Screenshot-2025-08-20-at-9.43.33-AM.png) **The grand finale of Movies in the Park is here!** Join us on Thursday, August 22 at the Richmond Recreation Complex Social Hall (3230 Macdonald Ave) for a special community screening of Sonic 3! 🍿💙 The movie starts at 8:30 p.m. (or sunset) — so grab your blankets, lawn chairs, and favorite snacks for a cozy night under the stars. 🌙⭐ 👨‍👩‍👧 Bring the kids, invite your neighbors, and let’s celebrate summer together with one last movie night! **For more info, call the Recreation Department at 510-620-6793.** ### Amy Obenski @Rigger's Loft Wine Co. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/08/Screenshot-2025-08-20-at-5.52.58-PM.png) **Saturday, August 23,** **2 p.m. - 5 p.m.** Amy Obenski sings about the experience of being human while blending elements of folk, soul, jazz, blues, and classical. Her captivating authenticity and crystalline voice frequently lend themselves to comparisons to Joni Mitchell or Linda Ronstadt. If you're a fan of either one of these classics, you will no doubt love Amy Obenski. Take a listen - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2aMtnFaJcPQ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2aMtnFaJcPQ&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Support Live Music - $5 Music Cover Charge. [RESERVE A TABLE](https://eatapp.co/reserve/r-b-cellars-80d1ec?ref=grandviewindependent.com) **1325 Canal BoulevardRichmond, CA** ## Soulful Softball @Nicholl Park ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/08/Screenshot-2025-08-20-at-11.46.51-AM-1.png) **Softball games all day with a CHAMPIONSHIP** Kickball sign up with me, Golddie Williams, online or at the park. Free vendor booths. We are honoring Richmond’s Finest. Come out and have a good time. See you Sunday! () **3230 Macdonald Avenue, Richmond, CA 94804** ## The Summer Classic @East Brother Beer Co. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/08/Screenshot-2025-08-20-at-1.23.11-PM-1.png) **Sunday, August 24, from 12 to 8 p.m.** Now in its 8th year, this annual tradition brings together vintage car lovers, East Bay families, and the community we’re proud to be part of. It’s our way of honoring craftsmanship—both in the garage and in the brewhouse. Expect a full day of classic cars, live music, local food trucks, and cold, carefully brewed beer. Guests will have a chance to vote for their favorite vehicles, with the top two taking home the Gold Trophy. This event is free to attend, open to all ages, and a great way to support your local makers, drivers, musicians, and food crews. Whether you’re a diehard gearhead or just looking for a good way to spend a Sunday, there’s a spot for you here. Join us in Richmond. Come for the cars, stay for the beer—and bring the family. **1001 CANAL BLVD, RICHMOND, CA** ### Jazz and Oysters @Windchaser Wine Co ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/08/Screenshot-2025-08-20-at-9.21.23-PM.png) **Sun Aug 24 1 p.m. - 6 p.m** 1 p.m. Pizza and Oysters from The Rocky Island Oyster Co. Live music from 4-6 p.m. with: The Art Springs Quartet. **1352 S 49th St, Richmond, CA 94804** ### [Live Music @The Backyard with Los Bahianatos](https://www.richmondbackyard.com/events-1/live-music-at-the-backyard-with-los-bahianatos?ref=grandviewindependent.com) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/08/Screenshot-2025-08-20-at-7.11.30-PM-1.png) **Sunday, August 24, 2025,**2 pm **2 p.m. 5 p.m. The Backyard** [**(map)**](http://maps.google.com/?q=205%20Cutting%20Boulevard%20Richmond,%20CA,%2094804%20United%20States&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Get ready to sway to the infectious rhythms of [@losbahianatos](https://www.instagram.com/bahianatos/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) at The Backyard! Join us for an unforgettable afternoon of cumbia and Música Tropical. Let the soulful melodies and lively beats transport you to a tropical paradise, while you indulge in your favorite Backyard eats! Don't miss out on this sensational musical journey – grab your friends and family, and join us for an afternoon filled with music, food, and fun! 🎉🎸 **The Backyard 205 Cutting Blvd. Richmond, California 94804** --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.*6:00 p.m ### Richmond City Council unanimously approves police accountability recommendations URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-city-council-unanimously-approves-police-accountability-recommendations/ Last updated: 2025-08-20T04:41:38.000Z In a unanimous 7-0 vote Tuesday night, the Richmond City Council approved seven recommendations to strengthen the Community Police Review Commission, advancing the reforms to mandatory labor negotiations with police unions despite opposition from law enforcement representatives. The decision came during an emotionally charged meeting where dozens of community members testified in support of the reforms, many invoking the recent death of Angel Montaño, who was shot and killed by Richmond police on August 4, 2025. [Richmond police fatally shoot armed man outside home, investigation underwayRichmond police officers fatally shot a man Monday evening who they say confronted them with at least one knife outside a home where he had allegedly been threatening to kill people, authorities said. Officers responded just after 5 p.m. to a 911 call reporting an armed individual inside a![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--76.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-08-04-at-9.33.17-PM-1-4.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-police-fatally-shoot-armed-man-outside-home-investigation-underway/) “These recommendations modernize our Richmond civilian oversight body to align with statewide and national best practices, and most importantly, to strengthen transparency, accountability, and trust between RPD and the community,” said Carmen Martinez, chair of the Community Police Review Commission, who presented the proposals. The approved recommendations include extending the complaint filing period from 120 days to one year, lowering the misconduct review standard from “clear and convincing” to “preponderance of evidence,” and broadening the commission’s authority to investigate all complaints against officers. Additional changes include allowing anonymous complaints with redacted names in public records, granting subpoena power for documents and evidence, requiring annual investigator reports, and posting non-confidential records online. Ben Therriault, president of the Richmond Police Officers Association, strongly opposed the measures, arguing they would not address the root causes of incidents like Montaño’s death. “I want to talk about one of the most glaring failures in California today, because it’s not the police, it’s our state’s broken mental health system,” Therriault said during public comment. “Officers are forced into these situations that should have been prevented long before the 911 call.” [Richmond Police address shooting at press conferenceAt a press conference Monday, Richmond Police Chief Bisa French said 27-year-old Angel Magallan Montaño was fataly shot by officers last week after he advanced rapidly toward them while holding knives in both hands.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--75.png)Grandview IndependentLinda Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-08-11-at-2.16.54-PM-1-1-1-1.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-police-address-shooting-at-press-conference/) Therriault criticized what he called “activist groups like Reimagine Richmond taking this easy route of scapegoating the police,” arguing that social workers would not respond to “a violent encounter” involving someone with a weapon. Before the meeting, Reimagine Richmond gathered dozens of speakers who shared personal experiences with police misconduct and demanded accountability reforms. Many referenced Officer Nicholas Remick, who was involved in the deaths of both Angel Montaño and Jose Dejesus Mendez within six months. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/08/Reimagine-Richmond-civic-center-1.webp) “This was not an unfortunate event. This was murder,” said Jesus Pedroza, speaking about Montaño. “They took our brother’s life without exhausting nonlethal options. We asked for justice, not only for Angel, but for his family and for our community.” Sarah Guardian, a classmate of Montaño’s, questioned how an individual with a documented history of violence and a record of wrongfully taking another community member’s life could be entrusted with public protection. “When Angel’s family called for help, they were not met with care, nor compassion or support,” Guardian said. “Instead, they experienced an unthinkable tragedy. I cannot begin to imagine the pain, the grief, and the betrayal they must be feeling at this moment.” Councilmember Claudia Jimenez, who made the motion to approve the recommendations, emphasized the importance of maintaining community oversight during the upcoming labor negotiations. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/08/Screenshot-2025-08-19-at-6.55.25-PM-1.png) “We had a long process for the community Crisis Response Program. It was because of the meet and confer with our POA,” Jimenez said, referencing previous delays. “So I hope that we have some mechanisms for the community so that they organize and continue to put pressure so these recommendations are implemented as quickly as possible.” The recommendations must now go through a “meet and confer” process with the Richmond Police Officers Association and Richmond Police Management Association before final implementation. City Attorney Dave Aleshire clarified that Tuesday’s vote was not final action but rather authorization to include the reforms in upcoming labor negotiations. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond man charged in series of sexual batteries near Point Richmond Tunnel URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-man-charged-in-series-of-sexual-batteries-near-point-richmond-tunnel/ Last updated: 2026-03-07T17:57:34.000Z Ronald Bryant of Richmond has been charged with three separate sexual battery and assault incidents that occurred near the Point Richmond Tunnel in June and July of this year. Detectives identified 56-year-old Bryant, a Richmond resident, as a suspect in the Dornan Drive assaults following an extensive investigation. He was taken into custody by detectives on August 12, according to a police statement released today. [Police investigate sexual batteries in Point RichmondThe Richmond Police Department is investigating a series of sexual battery incidents in the Point Richmond area that have targeted individuals exercising alone during daylight and early evening hours.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--74.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/DSC_3991-1-1.jpg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/police-investigate-sexual-batteries-in-point-richmond/) Police say they followed up on numerous leads, conducted undercover decoy operations, utilized Flock license plate reader data, and collected forensic evidence from the scenes as part of the investigation leading to the arrest of Bryant. The Contra Costa District Attorney's Office has filed multiple charges against Bryant that include: PC 220(a)(1) – Assault with intent to commit a felony, PC 236/237 – False imprisonment by violence (3 counts), PC 243.4(e)(1) – Sexual Battery (5 counts) Bryant is currently in custody with a $200,000 bail. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### On the Richmond Burger Trail: Frosty King keeps it satisfying on Harbour Way South URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-richmond-burger-trail-frosty-king-keeps-it-satisfying-on-harbour-way-south/ Last updated: 2025-08-19T16:58:48.000Z There's no mistaking Frosty King on Harbour Way South. The building itself is a throwback, trimmed in fire-engine red and sun-bright yellow, with the kind of bold mid-century angles that seem built for hamburgers and milkshakes. Our quest continues as we methodically devour Richmond's burger scene one establishment at a time. Last week we visited Phila Burger Station on 23rd Street. [On the Richmond Burger Trail: Phila Burger Station on 23rd StreetWe’re back on the quest, forks and appetites at the ready, systematically eating our way through Richmond’s burger landscape one patty at a time. This isn’t about chasing viral food trends or hunting down the most photogenic sandwich. It’s about finding the best damn hamburger in Richmond, period.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--73.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-phila-burger-sign.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-richmond-burger-trail-phila-burger-station-on-23rd-street/) Customers still lean into the order window, just as they've done for decades, squinting through glass that's weathered and worn, before waiting a few steps over at the "Pick-Up Here" slot. It's a scene that feels almost frozen in time, reminding us of how many thousands of burgers have passed through that tiny window. What comes out is small, straightforward, and quietly effective. The burger arrives tucked in a sesame-seed bun, stacked with shredded iceberg lettuce, a couple of rings of red onion, and a slice of tomato. Pickles and mayo add sharpness and creaminess, while the patty beneath carries the weight. The alchemy unfolds when the orange square of American cheese begins to melt and seep into the meat and bread, tying the whole sandwich together in that gooey way that's more satisfying than it has any right to be. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/08/richmond-burger-trail-frosty-king1-1.webp) A Frosty King cheeseburger with gooey American cheese and fries. The fries on the side, squared-off and lightly dusted with seasoning, are familiar companions. Golden, crisp-edged, and piled just enough to remind us that this is a burger stand, not a sit-down diner. We eat them without thinking, alternating bites with the burger until both are gone. And that's the one knock: the burger itself is on the small side. Easy to finish, easy to wish for another. Two Frosty King cheeseburgers and two orders of fries set us back $20.42. One reason we wanted to try Frosty King was to see if taxpayers are getting their money's worth subsidizing burgers and fries. This summer, the shop pocketed a $7,500 grant through the city's ARPA Small Business Support Program, which has handed out more than $150,000 to dozens of neighborhood storefronts. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/08/frosty-king-richmond-mayor-grant.webp) Photo/ Office of Richmond Mayor Eduardo. Martinez City leaders described the checks as an investment in the small entrepreneurs who make up the backbone of Richmond's economy, and Frosty King was singled out among the recipients. The Renaissance Center, which helped administer the program, framed it as a way to make sure places like this one remain part of the city's daily rhythm. So when we unwrap a Frosty King burger, cheese melting into the patty, square fries stacked at its side, we are tasting more than a quick lunch. We are tasting a piece of Richmond that the city itself has decided is worth sustaining. The portions may be small, but the meaning behind them isn't. Let us know where to find the best burger in Richmond. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Proposal would make Sebastia Richmond’s fourth Sister City URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/proposal-would-make-sebastia-richmonds-fourth-sister-city/ Last updated: 2025-08-18T20:00:32.000Z The [Richmond Progressive Alliance](https://www.richmondprogressivealliance.net/?ref=grandviewindependent.com), in partnership with Mayor Eduardo Martinez and the [Bay Area Palestinian Youth Movement](https://palestinianyouthmovement.com/sf-bay-area?ref=grandviewindependent.com), has announced an effort to establish a Sister City relationship between Richmond and Sebastia, a town in the West Bank. If approved, Sebastia would become Richmond’s fourth Sister City. The city currently maintains partnerships with Shimada, Japan; Zhoushan, China; and Regla, Cuba. Each of those agreements has centered on cultural exchange and local diplomacy. Sebastia, located north of Nablus, is known for its archaeological sites spanning Roman, Byzantine, and Islamic eras, as well as its agriculture- and tourism-based economy. Supporters say the proposed relationship would foster cultural exchange and international partnership at a time when Palestinians face significant economic and political pressures. “The partnership would reflect Richmond’s history of Sister City ties grounded in diplomacy, reconciliation, and solidarity,” the RPA said in a statement. For example: - Shimada, Japan (1961): Established in the post–World War II era amid the aftermath of U.S. nuclear bombings, Pacific Theater devastation, and Japanese-American incarceration. - Zhoushan, China (1993): Formed at the end of the Cold War, with shifting trade relations and efforts to counter negative U.S. rhetoric about China. - Regla, Cuba (1999): Created during Cuba’s post-Soviet “Special Period,” while the U.S. maintained an economic embargo. Advocates have launched a petition and are encouraging residents to comment at the Richmond City Council’s August 26 meeting, when the proposal is expected to be discussed. [Sign the PetitionEstablish a Sister City Partnership Between Richmond, CA and Sebastia, Palestine![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/favicon-114x114-1.png)Change.org![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/default-petition.gif)](https://www.change.org/p/establish-a-sister-city-partnership-between-richmond-ca-and-sebastia-palestine?ref=grandviewindependent.com) The United States does not formally recognize Palestine as a sovereign state, instead recognizing the Palestine Liberation Organization and the Palestinian Authority as representatives of the Palestinian people. The RPA statement said, “For decades, the international community has refused to recognize the state of Palestine. But Palestine and its people live, and our community has tools at its disposal to stand in solidarity with Palestinians.” Several U.S. cities maintain Sister City relationships explicitly using the name “Palestine”: Boulder, Colorado, with Nablus; Sacramento with Bethlehem; Muscatine, Iowa, with Ramallah; and Olympia and Madison, Wisconsin, with Rafah. Ramallah also has ties with Paterson, New Jersey. The proposal aligns with the Richmond City Council’s recent international actions. In October 2023, the council passed a resolution affirming support for Palestinians in Gaza, a move that drew criticism from some Jewish community members while being championed by Mayor Martinez and Vice Mayor Gayle McLaughlin. [Richmond Council approves resolution supporting PalestineAfter an epic hours-long public comment section Tuesday night and into Wednesday morning, the Richmond City Council voted five to one in favor of a resolution ‘Affirming Richmond’s Support and Solidarity with the Palestinian People of Gaza.’ The resolution sponsored by Richmond Mayor Eduardo Martinez and Vice Mayor Gayle![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--69.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Richmond-council-resolution-supporting-Palestine-1-3.jpg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-council-resolution-supporting-palestine/) [Richmond mayor on strike in support of people of GazaAt Tuesday night’s council meeting, Richmond Mayor Eduardo Martinez announced the mayor’s office will be closed Wednesday in solidarity with the people of Gaza. Martinez said he stands in solidarity with the people of Gaza. He called for a permanent ceasefire and an end to apartheid. “This week![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--72.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Richmond-mayor-eduardo-martinez-gaza-strike.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-mayor-on-strike-in-support-of-people-of-gaza/) In June 2025, the council approved a resolution calling for diplomacy and an end to hostilities between Israel and Iran, emphasizing nonviolent solutions and the protection of affected communities in Richmond. [Richmond City Council approves resolution on Israel-Iran conflictThe Richmond City Council approved an emergency resolution Tuesday calling for diplomacy and an end to hostilities between Israel and Iran following what the city described as a June 12 Israeli military strike on Iranian territory.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--70.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-06-17-at-7.48.03-PM-1-1-1.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-city-council-approves-resolution-on-israel-iran-conflict/) Separately, Richmond has also been updating its investment policies to align with ethical and socially responsible standards. City staff have proposed new investment restrictions designed to prevent city funds from being invested in industries tied to violence, war, oppression, or apartheid. The policies would comply with California Assembly Bill 2844, the state’s anti-discrimination law that is sometimes referred to as California’s anti-BDS legislation. [On the agenda: cooking up a BBQ compromise as Richmond rethinks investments and targets unpaid property feesThe Richmond City Council meeting on December 3 will address a proposed investment policy promoting the “socially responsible” use of city funds, an appeal by the Up & Under Pub & Grill regarding a denied encroachment permit for a BBQ smoker, and a resolution to levy special assessments on properties with unpaid![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--71.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Miraflores-Community-DevCo-1-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-agenda-cooking-up-compromise-on-bbq-dispute-as-richmond-rethinks-investments-and-targets-unpaid-property-fees-2/) If Richmond approves the proposal, it would join that list of U.S. cities that have used local partnerships to build connections with Palestinian communities. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Assaults, arsons, and auto thefts mark Richmond’s weekly police report URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/assaults-arsons-and-auto-thefts-mark-richmonds-weekly-police-report/ Last updated: 2025-08-18T15:32:36.000Z Richmond police fielded a busy week of calls between August 11 and August 17, logging dozens of arrests and reports ranging from firearms violations and vehicle thefts to arson, sexual assault, and armed robbery. The week’s blotter highlights include multiple smash-and-grab auto burglaries, repeated grand theft reports, and several violent crimes that resulted in arrests. ## Richmond crime incident map ## Monday, August 11, 2025 **Firearms violations:** 2100 block of Garvin Avenue. A trifecta of trouble struck at 1:30 a.m. when someone was busted with a loaded handgun they didn't own, a concealed weapon in their ride, and heat packed in public. **Auto burglary:** 800 block of Bissell Avenue. Some midnight mischief maker turned a parked car into their personal treasure chest at 2 a.m. **Auto burglary:** West Barrett Avenue. Officers busted a smash-and-grab artist at 2 a.m. **Arson:** Undisclosed location in the 94804 zip code. Someone's bright idea involved matches and property damage at 4:53 a.m. **Indecent exposure:** 500 block of Nevin Avenue. An unwanted morning show disrupted the peace at 9:03 a.m. **Drug paraphernalia:** 94801 zip code. The wrong kind of accessories were discovered, brightening someone's day at 9:33 a.m. **Domestic violence with vehicle theft:** 2300 block of Cutting Boulevard. A dispute reportedly turned to violence and car theft around 11:15 a.m. **Petty theft:** 2100 block of Macdonald Avenue. Someone's sticky fingers found trouble just before noon. **Vehicle theft arrest:** 1800 block of Cutting Boulevard. Police nabbed a suspected car thief at 12:24 p.m. **Commercial burglary:** 3200 block of Pierce Street. Burglars targeted a business at 2:42 p.m. **Residential burglary with trespassing:** 200 block of South 21st Street. Someone struck twice - once at 4 p.m. and again at 7:51 p.m. before being arrested for trespassing. **Grand theft:** 800 block of Chevron Way. Big league theft struck as the sun went down at 7:21 p.m. **DUI:** The 94801 zip code. Someone's chemical-fueled joyride came to a crashing halt at 11:38 p.m. Arrest made. ## Tuesday, August 12, 2025 **Warrant arrest:** 1600 block of Chanslor Avenue. Past mistakes caught up with someone in the wee hours at 12:13 a.m. **Resisting arrest:** 900 block of Nevin Avenue. One fellow reportedly resisted or obstructed an officer at 9:50 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 94804 zip code. Another set of wheels went walkabout without permission at 10 a.m. **Suspended license:** Richmond Parkway & Giant Road. A driver with a suspended license for a DUI was caught driving at 10:11 a.m. **Grand theft:** 800 block of McLaughlin Street. A high-roller heist made the morning expensive at 10:24 a.m. **Commercial burglary:** 3200 block of Pierce Street. Lightning struck twice at the same block at 10:49 a.m. **Firearm discharge:** 800 block of 24th Street. Someone's trigger finger got itchy in broad daylight at 11:21 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 94804 zip code. The car theft parade continued at 1 p.m. **Alcohol violation:** 2300 block of Macdonald Avenue. Public sipping turned into public trouble at 1:40 p.m. **Identity theft:** 3100 block of Garrity Way. Someone's personal information was used for another person's shopping spree at 2:48 p.m. **Aggravated assault:** 4400 block of Fieldcrest Drive. Officers made an arrest after violence reportedly became a serious injury potential at 4:30 p.m. **Vehicle theft with stolen property:** 94801 zip code. Police made an arrest for car theft following a double-decker sandwich of car theft and hot goods at 6:26 p.m. **Aggravated assault:** 600 block of Williams Drive. Police made an arrest for aggravated assault at 6:49 p.m. **Commercial burglary:** 100 block of S 4th Street. A business became an after-hours shopping destination at 8 p.m. **Assault with a deadly weapon and DUI:** 600 block of 42nd Street. Liquid courage mixed with violence, wheels, and a trip to the pokey at 8:22 p.m. ## Wednesday, August 13, 2025 **Grand theft:** 400 block of Civic Center Plaza. Midnight mischief struck the heart of local government. **Warrant arrest:** 94801 zip code. The long arm of the law finally reached someone at 5:33 a.m. **Grand theft:** 94801 zip code. More big-ticket banditry was discovered at 6:28 a.m. **Auto burglary:** 3100 block of Garrity Way. A parked car became a burglar's buffet at 8:12 a.m. **Vandalism and auto burglary:** 1400 block of 26th Street. A destructive duo of property damage and car break-in at 9:30 a.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 94801 zip code. A wayward vehicle found its way home at 9:55 a.m. **Firearm brandishing:** 4000 block of Cutting Boulevard. Someone's gun came out for show-and-tell at 10:17 a.m. **Grand theft:** 94801 zip code. High-value heisting continued the crime wave at 10:45 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 800 block of 8th Street. Another car took a vacation without asking at 1:07 p.m. **DUI:** 94804 zip code. Boozy driving earned double trouble at 1:15 p.m. Arrest made. **Battery:** 2000 block of Garvin Avenue. Hands got heavy in an afternoon altercation at 1:45 p.m. **Suspended license and littering:** 4500 block of Santa Rita Road. Small violations piled up like the trash at 2 p.m. **Petty theft:** West Richmond Avenue. A coin-operated device met its match in a small-time thief at 4:12 p.m. **Battery and vandalism:** 3100 block of Shane Drive. Relationship violence included property destruction at 5:20 p.m. **Public fighting:** 500 block of S 11th Street. A challenge was made to fight in public at 5:30 p.m. **Drug possession, criminal threats, and weapon display:** 2300 block of Cutting Boulevard. Police made an arrest following a hat trick of trouble involving drugs, threats, and deadly weapons at 5:31 p.m. **Auto burglary:** 100 block of Berk Place. Another car shopping spree at 6:30 p.m. **Police evasion:** 94801 zip code. Someone thought they could outrun the badge at 6:42 p.m. **Multiple DUI violations:** 1600 block of Chanslor Avenue. A repeat offender's greatest hits, including suspended license and probation violations at 10:09 p.m. **Warrant arrest:** 94804 zip code. The outstanding business was finally settled at 10:32 p.m. ## Wednesday, August 14, 2025 **Battery:** 1200 block of Macdonald Avenue. One person was busted following reports of violence at midnight. **Warrant arrest:** 94801 zip code. Early morning legal housekeeping at 7:51 a.m. **Sexual assault:** 4700 block of Hartnett Avenue. A sexual assault was reported at 9:13 a.m. **Vehicle theft from a motor vehicle:** 200 block of Schooner Court. A parked car got picked over at 9:52 a.m. **Contempt of court:** 1200 block of Macdonald Avenue. Someone thumbed their nose at judicial orders at 10:43 a.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 1600 block of Cutting Boulevard. A stolen ride found its way back home at 11:49 a.m. **Vandalism:** 3100 block of Pullman Avenue. Property destruction painted the afternoon ugly at 1:50 p.m. **Assault with a deadly weapon:** 500 block of Harrison Drive. Violence reportedly escalated to dangerous levels at 2:48 p.m. **Grand theft:** 4900 block of Macdonald Avenue. Big-money banditry struck again at 3 p.m. **Contempt of court:** 200 block of 2nd Street. More judicial defiance at 4:36 p.m. **Vessel theft:** 94804 zip code. Someone borrowed a boat without asking at 6:30 p.m. **Multiple firearm violations:** 4700 block of Hartnett Avenue. A young person was caught with loaded guns and ammo at 7:21 p.m. **Simple assault:** 3400 block of Humphrey Avenue. Police arrested a suspect on simple assault charges at 8:41 p.m. **Assault with a deadly weapon and battery:** 2400 block of Aberdeen Way. Police made an arrest for assault and battery at 9:51 p.m. ## Friday, August 15, 2025 **Vandalism:** 400 block of 29th Street. Property damage kicked off the day at 6:30 a.m. **Multiple DUI violations:** 94805 zip code. Drunk driving with a suspended license created a perfect storm at 7:10 a.m. Arrest made. **Vehicle theft:** 600 block of Banks Drive. Early morning car caper at 7:55 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. Another ride went rogue at 8:34 a.m. **Residential burglary:** 600 block of Banks Drive. A home was burgled without forced entry at 8:39 a.m. **Vehicle theft from a motor vehicle:** 2300 block of Aberdeen Way. Parked car pillaging at 10:26 a.m. **Vandalism:** 100 block of S 39th Street. High-dollar destruction made its mark at 11:53 a.m. **Petty theft:** 1000 block of 13th Street. Petty theft was reported just before lunch at 11:55 a.m. **Sexual assault:** 2700 block of Shane Drive. A sexual assault was reported at 2:40 p.m. **Auto burglary:** 4100 block of Klose Way. Car break-in bonanza at 3:30 p.m. **Auto burglary:** 4500 block of Barrett Avenue. Another vehicle was violated at 4:30 p.m. **Sexual assault:** 800 block of Payne Drive. A sexual assault was reported at 4:53 p.m. **Firearm discharge:** 100 block of 17th Street. Reckless gunfire lit up the evening at 8:58 p.m. ## Saturday, August 16, 2025 **Commercial burglary:** 2400 block of Downer Avenue. Dawn brought unwelcome business visitors at 5:45 a.m. **Grand theft from vehicle:** 1000 block of 23rd Street. A parked car lost something valuable at 9:29 a.m. **Littering:** 94804 zip code. Someone treated public space like a personal dumpster at 4:11 p.m. **Commercial burglary:** 600 block of S 31st Street. Another business got uninvited after-hours shoppers at 5:30 p.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 94804 zip code. A wayward vehicle returned to the fold at 8:27 p.m. **Drug possession:** 94801 zip code. Illegal substances found their way into the wrong hands at 10:07 p.m. ## Sunday, August 17, 2025 **Battery:** 900 block of Nevin Avenue. Officers responded to reports of early morning fisticuffs at 1:57 a.m. **Vehicle theft from motor vehicle:** 3000 block of Belfast Way. A parked car was ransacked at 2:25 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 2900 block of Gilma Drive. Someone's ride took an unauthorized adventure at 3:30 a.m. **Stolen vehicle possession:** The 94804 zip code. Someone was caught red-handed with hot wheels and arrested at 4:17 a.m. **Petty theft:** 94804 zip code. Petty thieves were at work at 7:39 a.m. **Aggravated assault:** 600 block of 12th Street. Police responded to violence with serious injury potential at 10:26 a.m. **Assault with deadly weapon and vandalism:** 3900 block of Ohio Avenue. A destructive duo of violence and property damage at 12:02 p.m. **Armed robbery and carjacking:** The 94801 zip code. A twofer of gun-wielding robbery and vehicle theft was reported at 12:25 p.m. **Criminal threats and resisting arrest:** The 94801 zip code. Someone reportedly threatened school officials and obstructed officers at 1:15 p.m. **Vandalism:** 2100 block of Hilltop Mall Road. High-dollar destruction hit the mall at 2:15 p.m. **Vandalism:** 94804 zip code. More costly property damage at 4:15 p.m. **DUI with child endangerment:** The 94804 zip code. An alleged drunk driver reportedly had a child in the car at 6:42 p.m. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Lowriders roll through Richmond and San Pablo to celebrate sobriety and unity URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/lowriders-roll-through-richmond-and-san-pablo-to-celebrate-sobriety-and-unity/ Last updated: 2025-08-18T02:26:21.000Z Chrome gleamed and engines rumbled through the streets of Richmond and San Pablo on Sunday as dozens of lowriders, motorcycles, and custom cars joined a cruise with a message of sobriety, peace, and unity. The event, called *Lowriders for Peace, Unity and Sobriety*, was organized by the United Urban Warrior Society’s Richmond chapter along with Left Side Printing. For years, organizers have hosted sobriety walks, but this year, they said the community needed something different. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/08/Lowriders-roll-through-Richmond-San-Pablo-celebrate-sobriety-unity10.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/08/Lowriders-roll-through-Richmond-San-Pablo-celebrate-sobriety-unity2.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/08/Lowriders-roll-through-Richmond-San-Pablo-celebrate-sobriety-unity8.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/08/Lowriders-roll-through-Richmond-San-Pablo-celebrate-sobriety-unity1.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/08/Lowriders-roll-through-Richmond-San-Pablo-celebrate-sobriety-unity9.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/08/Lowriders-roll-through-Richmond-San-Pablo-celebrate-sobriety-unity4.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/08/Lowriders-roll-through-Richmond-San-Pablo-celebrate-sobriety-unity7.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/08/Lowriders-roll-through-Richmond-San-Pablo-celebrate-sobriety-unity6.webp) “This is about lowriders who have had issues with drugs and alcohol, and they’ve decided those things no longer have a place in their life,” said Mike Kinney, national vice president of the United Urban Warrior Society. “We’re celebrating sobriety by showing up in force with cars, trucks, bikes, and motorcycles to tell the community there’s another way forward.” Kinney, who has been sober for more than two decades after abusing alcohol for 21 years, said he hopes the cruise inspires young people to avoid the cycles of addiction. “Back in the day, we were hell,” Kinney said. “Now this is an important way of giving back.” Among the featured speakers was longtime Richmond resident and recovery advocate Antwon Cloird, who spoke openly about his past struggles with addiction. For 35 years, Cloird battled substance use in Richmond, living under the alter ego “29 Seconds.” “In recovery, we talk about how the disease changes who you are,” Cloird said. “We wear masks, we become chameleons, adapting to every situation just to get one more. Recovery is not just about drugs, it’s about behavior. Once we change our behavior, God does the rest.” He tied that message to Richmond’s history, recalling the devastation of the crack epidemic in the 1980s. “You gotta understand how Richmond was,” Cloird said. “It was mass incarceration because of the drugs, the use, and the selling. Forty years later, those who survived got their lives together, got good jobs, got clean, and now they have families, cars, and fellowship. That’s what you see here today.” Cloird said the cars themselves are a symbol of transformation. “We used to use all our money for our addiction. Now we use it for our passion, these cars,” he said. “Every man deserves a second chance and a first-class life. This is living, not just existing.” The cruise drew car clubs from across the Bay Area, including the Black Lowriders Association, which has chapters in San Diego, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Richmond. The event carried special meaning for Darryl “Popeye” McCornell, president of Richmond’s chapter of the association. Born and raised in the city, McCornell said his love for lowriding goes back more than 50 years. “My first experience with low riding was in 1972 or 73, when I was nine,” McCornell recalled. “My uncles used to put regular car batteries in the trunk with a hydraulic pump off a U-Haul truck. It could go up, but then I had to pull the string to let it down.” He said the Richmond club remains unique in its history. “We’re the only Black low rider club in Richmond, and it’s still around,” he said. “But we unite, we collaborate with all the rider clubs, not just low riders, but Corvette clubs and whatever club is doing something for the city and for the community.” For McCornell, the cruise was also about reshaping perceptions. “Lowriding used to be looked at as gang-related, but that’s all gone,” he said. “We’re older, wiser, and now it’s about a beautiful lifestyle we want to pass on to our kids.” “Richmond was a featured lowrider community in the 70s,” Cloird said. “Now it’s a fellowship of Blacks, Mexicans, Whites, Asians, bikers, trucks, and cars all coming together in unity. That’s what recovery looks like.” --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond railroad modernizes 1980s locomotive with clean-air grant URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-railroad-modernizes-1980s-locomotive-with-clean-air-grant/ Last updated: 2025-08-17T17:09:21.000Z A locomotive built more than 40 years ago has been rebuilt and returned to service in Richmond, this time with a cleaner-burning engine funded in part by a regional air quality grant. Richmond Pacific Railroad said the 1982-built locomotive, originally constructed for the Missouri Pacific Railroad and later operated by Union Pacific, has been repowered with a new Cummins QST30 engine designed to meet the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s strict Tier IV emissions standards. > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DNdr0g5tH8B/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by Grandview Independent (@grandviewindependent)](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DNdr0g5tH8B/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) “The BAAQMD grant was a Carl Moyer Memorial Program grant. It was in the amount of $670,000,” said Malcolm Whyte, chief administrative officer of Levin Richmond Terminal Corporation, which owns Richmond Pacific. “The locomotive cost was $2,683,820, so we picked up the remaining $2,013,820 to put the lower emission equipment into service.” Company officials framed the rebuild as part of their broader environmental commitments. “This project is another example of our commitment to environmentally sound transportation services,” said Chris Schaeffer, CEO of Richmond Pacific Railroad and Levin Richmond Terminal Corporation, in a statement. “We’re proud to provide a rail operation that not only serves the industrial needs of our regional and international customers but does so with a clear focus on sustainability and emission-reducing technology.” ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/08/richmond-open-railroads.webp) Open Railway map Jeffery Schwab, the railroad’s director of operations, emphasized the operational shift as well. “We’re excited to bring this next-generation locomotive into service as part of our commitment to reducing emissions from our operations,” Schwab said. “Western Rail has been an exceptional partner throughout the process. Their team demonstrated impressive expertise and attention to detail in both the planning and execution of this project.” Richmond Pacific is a small, privately owned short-line that serves industrial customers along the waterfront and connects them to national rail lines. The railroad says the upgrade means its entire active fleet now meets Tier IV standards. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### On the agenda: Richmond police oversight reforms, proclamations, contracts URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-agenda-richmond-police-oversight-reforms-proclamations-contracts/ Last updated: 2025-08-16T03:55:31.000Z The Richmond City Council is back from its summer vacation on Tuesday, August 19, 2025\. The council will consider major reforms to the Community Police Review Commission, including expanded oversight powers and mandatory commissioner training. The meeting also features proclamations welcoming the Golden Rule Peace Boat and honoring longtime urban forestry advocate Stewart Winchester, along with a consent calendar packed with contracts, facility projects, and eight mayoral appointments to city commissions. --- ### [Police Review Commission seeks enhanced powers, mandatory training](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58747&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Richmond’s Community Police Review Commission is pursuing significant reforms on two fronts: expanding oversight powers and implementing mandatory training for commissioners. [Richmond police oversight commission moves to expand complaint processMembers of the Community Police Review Commission approved making three recommendations to the Richmond City Council during their most recent meeting on February 5.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--68.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Community-Police-Review-Commission-1-1-1-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-police-oversight-commission-moves-to-expand-complaint-process/) The commission is asking the council to send seven new oversight policies into labor negotiations with police unions. The proposals would extend the complaint filing period from 120 days to one year, lower the misconduct review standard from “clear and convincing” to “preponderance of evidence,” and broaden the commission’s authority to investigate all complaints against officers. Additional changes include allowing anonymous complaints with redacted names in public records, granting subpoena power for documents and evidence, requiring annual investigator reports, and posting non-confidential records online. These measures would need negotiation with the Richmond Police Officers Association and Police Management Association before taking effect. ### [CPRC m](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58664&ref=grandviewindependent.com)[andatory training program](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58664&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The CPRC also wants to amend city code to require comprehensive training for all commissioners. After researching other oversight agencies, the commission unanimously voted in April 2025 to establish training standards aligned with the National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement. The proposed requirements mandate that new commissioners receive essential training within six months of appointment, while current commissioners would participate in annual refresher training and specialized sessions as needed. Training topics would cover investigation standards and procedures, constitutional rights and civil liberties, Richmond Police Department policies on use of force and weapons, de-escalation tactics, evidence evaluation and due process, implicit bias recognition, and the Public Safety Officers Bill of Rights. The training would cost approximately $15,000 annually until a permanent investigator is hired. Similar programs exist in Berkeley with a 40-hour requirement, Los Angeles County with comprehensive training within six months, and other California cities. --- ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/08/golden-rule-richmond-1.webp) The last time we saw the Golden Rule was on a trailer on West Cutting Boulevard on October 1, 2023\. Photo/Soren Hemmila ### [Proclamation welcoming the Golden Rule to Richmond](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58668&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The council will present a proclamation welcoming the Golden Rule Peace Boat to Richmond on August 19, 2025, in recognition of its historic role in promoting nuclear disarmament and its continued mission to advance peace, environmental stewardship, and social justice. Another proclamation commemorating the Service of[ Stewart Winchester](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58666&ref=grandviewindependent.com) on the Richmond Urban Forest Advisory Committee. --- ## On the consent calendar: council to approve multiple contracts, facilities projects The Richmond City Council will consider numerous items on its consent calendar on Tuesday, including environmental consulting contracts, marina operations, and public safety agreements. The council will ratify a lease allowing [State Senator Jesse Arreguin](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58703&ref=grandviewindependent.com) to maintain his district office at 440 Civic Center Plaza for $508.95 monthly through 2029\. Council members will also consider an equity transfer of the city’s marina lease from [Safe Harbors Marinas to BIP Poseidon Holdco L.P.](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58725&ref=grandviewindependent.com) which is part of Blackstone Infrastructure. Earlier this year, Blackstone Infrastructure purchased Safe Harbors for $[5.65 billion.](https://www.blackstone.com/news/press/blackstone-infrastructure-completes-acquisition-of-safe-harbor/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) The council is set to approve a [$200,000 contract amendment with NV5 Environmental](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58694&ref=grandviewindependent.com) for consulting services at the Miraflores Property and a $229,607 sole-source contract with [Remediation Risk Management](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58686&ref=grandviewindependent.com) for corporation yard environmental work required by state water quality regulators. The police department is seeking approval for a three-year, [$30,000 contract with Genasys](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58737&ref=grandviewindependent.com) for secure messaging services and a two-year, $650,000 agreement with the Richmond Police Activities League to continue[ youth tutoring and mentoring programs](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58731&ref=grandviewindependent.com). Public works items include accepting completion of the [Terminal 4 Wharf demolition](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58689&ref=grandviewindependent.com) project and authorizing up to $30,000 for [Mobile Vendor Plaza restroom](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58721&ref=grandviewindependent.com) construction. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/08/the-lot-mobile-vendor-restroom.webp) City staff seeks council authorization to expedite restroom improvements at The Lot (Mobile Vendor Plaza) The council will also consider a $650,000 contract with BKF Engineers for a[ Keller Beach sewer feasibility study](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58748&ref=grandviewindependent.com) and [electrical services contracts ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58697&ref=grandviewindependent.com)totaling up to $750,000 annually with four companies. --- ### Eight commission appointments Richmond Mayor Eduardo Martinez has eight commission appointments at Tuesday’s meeting, reappointing Xiomara Casias to the Human Rights and Human Relations Commission, Catelin Hibma to the Historic Preservation Commission, Vita Rey to the Design Review Board, and Abhijeet Babu Prasad to the Youth Council. New appointments include Harlan Butt to the Recreation and Parks Commission, Crystal Barton to the Community Crisis Response Program Advisory Board, Michael Warren to the Recreation and Parks Commission, and Abigail Yarng to the Youth Council. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Eight Great Things to do in Richmond URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/eight-great-things-to-do-in-richmond-12/ Last updated: 2025-08-14T06:07:38.000Z With 30-plus miles of shoreline, two yacht clubs, endless hiking and cycling trails, and a host of eateries, Richmond has a lot to offer. Each week, *Grandview* highlights what we think are the best, not-to-be-missed events and offerings from across the city. ## Jimmy McCracken Exhibit @Richmond Museum of History and Culture ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/08/Screenshot-2025-08-13-at-1.39.18-PM-1.png) ## Final Thrive Thursday @Nicholl Park ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/08/unnamed--5-.jpg) **Join us to celebrate the end of our summer series at Nicholl Park**. This week we will have Bike Rodeo, Bike Smoothie, Salsa Class, Hip Hop, Soccer, and more! We kick off the event with the Walking Club and Walk with a Doc, then jumpstart the dancing with a Salsa Class, and end the movement classes with an energetic Hip Hop Turn Up class. Supervisor Gioia and Rising Juntos leaders will thank volunteers and participants for a successful series and collaboration. Community Booths and Resources this week! Visit the booths for free goodies, snacks, books, and more! Resource Booths by: - Lifelong Medical Care- Health Promoters - YES Nature to Neighborhood - CCH Wellness Team - Physician – Sonia Sutherland, MD - Coco Kids - Contra Costa County Behavioral Health Adolescent and Children’s Clinic - CCH Tobacco Prevention Program - Fresh Approach - HIV/STI Team - EBMUD - Futbol es Vita - Contra Costa Health Plan, CCHP Outreach - Contra Costa BHS A3 Program - Green Business Program - CCH LGBTQ+ Group/Community - EHSD Navigators - CCH – Nutrition & Physical Activity - Supervisor John Gioa Team - Rising Juntos - 18 Reasons - Peer and Family Empowerment - CCH Ambassadors - CC Library - Building Healthy Communities - West County First 5 Center - CCH BHS Office for Peer and Family Empowerment Table ***For more information on PASOS 510-368-4544 and THRIVE THURSDAY 925-839-0543*** ## Circo Cabalallero *@*Richmond Civic Center ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/08/Screenshot-2025-08-13-at-5.37.26-PM.png) **Caballero Brothers Circus in Richmond** **August 14 to September 1, 2025** Looking for unforgettable family-friendly entertainment in Richmond this summer? Don’t miss Circo Hermanos Caballero, a world-class circus with more than 65 years of family tradition. Join us for an exciting mix of classic circus acts and modern thrills, perfect for all ages. **Show Dates** August 14 to September 1, 2025 **Showtimes** Monday to Friday: 7 p.m. Saturday: 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Sunday: 1 p.m., 3 p.m., and 6 p.m. **Location** **Richmond Memorial Convention Center Parking Lot** **403 Civic Center Plaza, Richmond, CA** ## The Charles Wheal Band + Pickles N Smoke BBQ @Windchaser Wine Co ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/08/scaled_512-1.jpg) **Third Friday Out!** August 15, 4 p.m. - 8 p.m. **1352 S 49th St, Richmond, CA 94804** ## Richmond History Lecture: Winnie the Welder and the Duel of the Century @ West Side ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/08/Document-1.png) **Saturday, August 16, 2025, 2:30 p.m. - 4 p.m.** Join us for a fascinating part of WWII history. World War II gave women the opportunity to enter the workforce where they had not been recruited or even allowed previously. So many women gained skills as welders in the shipyards, there was a duel to be the best, fastest Winnie Welder. Hear about the characters and find out who won! Jim Davis, who lectures at the Rosie Riveter Museum, will highlight this anecdote from history and the wider story behind it. **Point Richmond Community Room 139 Washington Ave.** **Richmond, CA 94801** ## Fruits & Flour Summer Bakery Pop-Up @Anaviv's Table ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/08/Screenshot-2025-08-12-at-5.50.44-PM-1.png) Summer Fruit Galettes, Charred Corn Cream Scone, Earl Grey Canulé, Sourdough Focaccia, and more! Everything is made in small batches with local fruits from Tenbrink Farms. Quantities are limited, so I recommend pre-ordering if there’s something you don’t want to miss. While you are here, our beautiful neighbors Open Air Coffee will be serving coffee and tea! 📍 Location: Anaviv's Table | 600 Hoffman Blvd, Richmond CA 🗓️ Date: Saturday, August 16 ⏰ Time: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. 💻 Pre-order link: [https://forms.gle/n3uupWfRZFRzzCBFA](https://forms.gle/n3uupWfRZFRzzCBFA?ref=grandviewindependent.com) [https://www.daycreativeworks.com/](https://www.daycreativeworks.com/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) ## National Rum Day @Lara's Fine Dining ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/08/Screenshot-2025-08-06-at-1.46.42-PM-2-1.png) **Saturday August 16** Join us on National Rum Day on August 16! 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. **1900 Esplanade DriveRichmond, CA 94804** ## Kimberlii Joy @Open Mic ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/08/Screenshot-2025-08-13-at-12.28.17-PM-1-1-1.png) --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Annual meteor shower peaks tonight URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/annual-meteor-shower-peaks-tonight/ Last updated: 2026-05-29T02:32:04.000Z One of the best shows in the night sky, the Perseids annual meteor shower, will peak Tuesday night and into Wednesday morning, and if the weather cooperates, fortunate stargazers could see dozens of meteors per hour. Despite light pollution and the local phenomenon known as "Fogust," Richmond offers good opportunities to discover many exciting objects in the night sky, often without the help of a telescope or binoculars, and August is a great time to investigate. The Perseids are active from July 14 to September 1, reaching a maximum on August 12 or 13 this year, and typically produce consistent meteors and occasional fireballs, also known as “shooting stars." Rates observed from darker locations can range from 50 to 100 meteors per hour or more. Two great locations to view meteors and other celestial objects are on the hill in Point Richmond or in East Richmond, where it's possible to get just above the fog layer. The meteors are particles released from comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle as it travels through the solar system. The tiny particles of dust and rocks burn up, passing through the Earth’s atmosphere, producing brief but vibrant streaks in the night sky. The shower is called Perseids because the radiant (the area of the sky where the meteors originate) is located near the constellation of Perseus. To find Perseus, look for the constellation Cassiopeia, which looks like a slightly crooked W. You will find Perseus almost directly beneath Cassiopeia. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/08/Screenshot-2025-08-12-at-12.12.02-PM.png) Images/ Sky and Telescope The best time to look for Perseids is after 11 p.m., when you should watch a broad section of the sky in the northeast direction. Even with moderate light pollution, the brightest of the Perseids should still be visible to the patient observer. Apps such as SkyView are available for iOS and Android devices to help users navigate the night sky. The app offers free and paid versions, each offering slightly different functionality to help guide you. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### On the Richmond Burger Trail: Phila Burger Station on 23rd Street URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-richmond-burger-trail-phila-burger-station-on-23rd-street/ Last updated: 2025-08-12T16:10:22.000Z We’re back on the quest, napkins and appetites at the ready, systematically eating our way through Richmond’s burger landscape one patty at a time. This isn’t about chasing viral food trends or hunting down the most photogenic sandwich. It’s about finding the best damn hamburger in Richmond, period. From hole-in-the-wall joints to neighborhood institutions, we’re hitting them all, because somewhere in this city lies the perfect combination of meat, bun, and everything in between. Our first stop is 23rd Street’s Phila Burger Station. There is no Instagram-ready artistry here. No fancy sauce drips or glossy brioche. Instead, you get a big Nations-style burger that is hearty and honest. It feels like an homage, which makes sense since the building once housed a Nations. The legacy lingers in the generous proportions and familiar flavor profile. You order through a sticker-covered window that tells the whole story, a collage of stickers, car club decals, and random proclamations like “you are beautiful” mixed with everything from “JUSTLOWRIDERS BAY AREA CC” to “RANCHO LA FORTUNA MC.” It’s the kind of window that accumulates character over the years, each sticker a small endorsement from someone who came back. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/08/richmond-phila-burger2.webp) The sticker-covered ordering window is pure Richmond - a wild mix of car club decals, local endorsements, and random messages that have accumulated over the years like a neighborhood scrapbook. They hand you a pager that buzzes when your meal is ready, giving you time to take in the modest standalone building with its red metal awning and simple white walls. There’s accessible parking right next door, and the “Great Hamburger TO GO” sign tells you everything about the no-frills approach. A plain soft white bun holds everything together without pretense. Just a reliable vehicle for all the heft inside. Crisp iceberg lettuce, a few cool red onion slabs, and fresh tomato slices add lift and crunch along with a fleeting hint of freshness beneath all that meatiness. Mayo and mustard keep things simple and classic, holding their own but never stealing the spotlight. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/08/richmond-phila-burger-fries.webp) Phila Burger Station's hamburger and fries The patty arrives well-cooked, maybe even a little too well. A touch more char than juice, so while every bite delivers that beefy satisfaction, it skews slightly dry. The meat has that dense, substantial quality that fills you up properly. Golden fries arrive alongside in classic white paper envelopes, nothing fancy, just good, solid potato sticks that complement rather than compete. This is not a burger to unwrap delicately. It’s the kind you grip with one hand, perhaps while maneuvering a car or just powering through your day. Consumption is purposeful. You don’t pose with it. You crush it. The meal is generous, big enough that you leave satisfied, if a little worn around the edges from the effort. It delivers nostalgia and substance without fluff. It is the kind of place that survives on repeat customers. If you’re chasing something hearty, direct, and rooted in neighborhood tradition, Phila Burger Station delivers. It’s not delicate culinary artistry, but that’s exactly the point. It’s the burger you dig into, not display. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/08/richmond-phila-burger1-1-1.webp) Phila Burger Station hands you a pager that buzzes when your meal is ready. Let us know where to find the best burger in Richmond. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond Police address shooting at press conference URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-police-address-shooting-at-press-conference/ Last updated: 2026-03-07T17:52:31.000Z At a press conference on Monday, Richmond Police Chief Bisa French said 27-year-old Angel Magallan Montaño was fatally shot by officers last week after he advanced rapidly toward them while holding knives in both hands. French read from a prepared statement describing the officer-involved shooting on August 4 that killed Montaño after family members called 911 asking for assistance and saying he was "armed and wanted to kill people." "As officers approached the front door, which was already slightly ajar, they began announcing their presence, and within seconds the armed subject advanced from the doorway with a knife in each of his hands. Despite repeated commands to stop the individual continued toward the officers, and at that time an officer-involved shooting occured," French said. Officers attempted to render medical aid, but Montaño succumbed to his injuries at the scene. The officers who discharged their weapons will remain on administrative leave during the investigative process per Richmond Police Department policy. [Richmond police fatally shoot armed man outside home, investigation underwayRichmond police officers fatally shot a man Monday evening who they say confronted them with at least one knife outside a home where he had allegedly been threatening to kill people, authorities said. Officers responded just after 5 p.m. to a 911 call reporting an armed individual inside a![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--67.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-08-04-at-9.33.17-PM-1-3.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-police-fatally-shoot-armed-man-outside-home-investigation-underway/) Richmond police have made the dispatch recordings and body camera footage of the shooting available on their website. French said the family had been trying for more than a year to get Montaño help, and she addressed the ongoing need for mental health services in Richmond. “As a society, we continue to talk about mental health, we continue to talk about alternative responses, but we still leave it up to mentally ill individuals to make decisions that they’re clearly not capable of making, and something has to change," French said. "I don’t have the answers to what can be done differently. But I do hope that there will be some conversation around legislation and laws to get the people that actually need some mental health assistance the help that they need, so that we do not end up in these types of situations again.” Councilmember Soheila Bana, who attended the press conference, said that it underscored the importance of mental health and its connection to public safety. “Transparency is the foundation of accountability, and I appreciate Chief French’s openness in sharing the full facts with the public while we await the County’s official investigation. This press conference underscored for me how deeply mental health is tied to public safety, and I intend to write to our State Senator Jesse Arreguin, Chair of the Public Safety Committee, about it,” Bana said. The incident is being investigated by the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office under the county’s Law Enforcement Involved Fatal Incident Protocol. A [GoFundMe](https://www.gofundme.com/f/in-memory-of-angel-montano-funeral-support?ref=grandviewindependent.com) campaign has been launched by the family. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond crime incidents and offenses for August 4 to 10 URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-crime-inciidents-and-offensies-august-4-to-10/ Last updated: 2025-08-11T16:36:14.000Z Richmond police logged a packed week of criminal activity from August 4 to 10, 2025, with incidents ranging from armed carjackings and residential burglaries to vandalism sprees and violent assaults. Reports show a steady drumbeat of vehicle thefts across multiple neighborhoods, punctuated by high-profile arrests for weapons violations, domestic violence, and fraud schemes exceeding $400\. ## Richmond crime incident map ## Monday, August 4, 2025 **Vehicle theft:** 94804 zip code. Someone’s ride was already gone at 8:30 a.m. **Grand theft:** 700 block of McLaughlin Street. A thief reportedly made off with a prize worth more than pocket change at 8:58 a.m. **Vandalism:** 2400 block of Macdonald Avenue. Felony level damage worth more than $400 turned the morning sour at 9:30 a.m. **Vandalism:** 3600 block of Sierra Ridge Avenue. Another round of costly destruction followed at 10:05 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 12200 block of San Pablo Avenue. Someone’s car took a grand unplanned joyride without the owner’s blessing at 10:35 a.m. **Vandalism:** 1500 block of Mariposa Street. High-dollar property damage made its mark at 11:03 a.m. **Petty theft:** 400 block of 20th Street. A small-time theft with few details surfaced at 11:23 a.m. **Weapons violations:** In the 94801 zip code. A felony probationer was caught with a loaded handgun, extra ammunition, and a criminal record that barred them from owning either, and was arrested at 11:50 a.m. **Vandalism:** 100 block of Broadway. A suspect in a fresh vandalism case was taken into custody at 11:57 a.m. **Petty theft:** 94801 zip code. Another low-level theft hit the books at noon. **That target feeling:** 4500 block of Macdonald Avenue. A suspected shoplifter was booked for commercial burglary and grand theft shoplifting at 12:12 p.m. **Commercial burglary:** 2100 block of Meeker Avenue. Burglars hit a commercial building at 3:32 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 900 block of Nevin Avenue. Another car disappeared to an unknown location at 3:40 p.m. **Vandalism:** 4000 block of Garvin Avenue. Felony vandalism with damage topping $400 was reported at 4:07 p.m. **Officer involved shooting:** 400 block of First Street. Officers reportedly faced an armed suspect accused of making criminal threats and exhibiting deadly weapons at 5 p.m. [Richmond police fatally shoot armed man outside home, investigation underwayRichmond police officers fatally shot a man Monday evening who they say confronted them with at least one knife outside a home where he had allegedly been threatening to kill people, authorities said. Officers responded just after 5 p.m. to a 911 call reporting an armed individual inside a![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--66.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-08-04-at-9.33.17-PM-1-2.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-police-fatally-shoot-armed-man-outside-home-investigation-underway/) **Vehicle theft:** 1300 block of Santa Clara Street. A car was taken from its spot without permission at 6:15 p.m. **Aggravated assault:** 1200 block of Maine Avenue. Police arrested a suspect after a domestic dispute turned violent, resulting in corporal injury and assault with force at 6:40 p.m. **Robbery/criminal threats:** A robbery involving a dangerous weapon came with threats at 7 p.m. **Smash and grab:** 900 block of Nevin Avenue. A vehicle break-in was reported at 8 p.m. **DUI:** Richmond. Driving under the influence of alcohol was reported, and an arrest was made at 8:06 p.m. **Aggravated assault:** 700 block of 6th Street. An assault with force and possible great bodily injury was reported at 8:54 p.m ## Tuesday, August 5, 2025 **Aggravated assault**: 2000 block of Stenmark Drive. Officers picked up someone suspected of inflicting corporal injury on a spouse and making criminal threats at 12:46 a.m. **Warrant arrest**: 2000 block of Macdonald Avenue. A misdemeanor warrant arrest was made at 2:19 a.m. **Criminal threats/contempt of court**: 2800 block of Hilltop Mall Road. Someone threatened to commit a crime with the intent to terrorize and also reportedly violated a court order at 3:21 a.m. **Petty theft**: 2600 block of Hilltop Drive. A theft was reported at 7 a.m. **Vandalism**: 1000 block of Carlson Boulevard. More felony vandalism with damage exceeding $400 was reported at 9:27 a.m. **Residential burglary**: 400 block of Key Boulevard. A home break-in was reported at noon. **Mail theft**: 400 block of Western Drive. A letter thief was at work at 12:05 p.m. **Weapons violation**: 1300 block of Florida Avenue. An individual was found to have metal knuckles at 12:42 p.m. **Fraud**: 700 block of Lobos Avenue. Some trickster scammed someone out of more than $400 at 4:10 p.m. **Petty theft**: 700 block of 40th Street. More unspecified theft was reported at 4:58 p.m. **Grand theft**: In the 94804 zip code. Another theft not specifically classified was reported at 5 p.m. **Violating a court order:** 3200 block of Pullman Avenue. Officers arrested someone for violating a court order to prevent domestic violence charges at 6:47 p.m. **Probation violation/license violation**: Somewhere in the 94801 zip code. A driver was apprehended for a misdemeanor probation violation and driving with a suspended license for DUI at 7:07 p.m. **Residential burglary/vandalism**: 2500 block of Hinkley Avenue. A burglar was arrested on destruction of property charges after allegedly forcing entry to a home at 8:10 p.m. **Multiple weapons/drugs charges**: 2200 block of Nevin Avenue. A man was sent to the Gray Bar Hotel on a host of charges after a caller told police a man with a gun was making threats at 9:07 p.m. Charges include possession of a loaded handgun, a machine gun, drug for sale, making criminal threats, and domestic battery. ## Wednesday, August 6, 2025 **Petty theft**: 500 block of Marina Way. Someone was stealing from a building at midnight. **Drug violation/DUI**: In the 94804 zip code. Transporting controlled substances and driving under the influence of drugs were reported at 2:20 a.m. **Grand theft**: 900 block of 13th Street. A crook took something expensive at 4:30 a.m. **Vehicle tampering**: 3500 block of Morningside Drive. Tampering with a vehicle was reported at 4:35 a.m. **Trespassing**: 12500 block of San Pablo Avenue. A trespassing fellow intentionally entered someone’s property without permission and then maliciously damaged or destroyed something on that property at 6:06 a.m. **Vehicle recovery**: In the 94801 zip code. A stolen vehicle was recovered at 8:10 a.m. **Vandalism**: 5500 block of Alameda Avenue. Felony vandalism with damage exceeding $400 was reported at 10:40 a.m. **Disorderly conduct**: 900 block of 24th Street. A person was loitering on private property at 10:46 a.m. **Vehicle theft**: 100 block of S 21st Street. A car thief decided a car needed a new owner at 11 a.m. **Battery**: 200 block of Macdonald Avenue. Some sort of physical altercation was reported at 11:30 a.m. **Vehicle theft**: 5500 block of Carl Avenue. Another car was lost to the criminal underworld at 11:45 a.m. **Drug violations**: In the 94801 zip code. Possession of unlawful paraphernalia and controlled substances resulted in an arrest at 12:01 p.m. **Court violations/vandalism**: 4800 block of Hartnett Avenue. Officers made an arrest after a suspect reportedly disobeyed a court order, committed felony vandalism, and violated parole at 1:06 p.m. **Threatening calls**: 3100 block of Southampton Court. It was reported that someone was making annoying telephone calls with obscene or threatening content at 4:08 p.m. **Assault with a weapon**: 1500 block of Cutting Boulevard. An assault with a deadly weapon was reported at 4:40 p.m. **Aggravated battery**: Carlson Boulevard. A battery with serious bodily injury was reported at 7:55 p.m. **Criminal threats**: 800 block of Griffin Drive. An individual threatened to commit a crime with the intent to terrorize at 10 p.m. **Weapons violation**: 3200 block of Moran Avenue. A gun owner showed off a weapon in a threatening manner at 11:32 p.m. ## Thursday, August 7, 2025 **Grand theft**: 700 block of McLaughlin Street. Things keep disappearing this time at 1:10 a.m. **Grand theft**: 600 block of S 13th Street. A shady character made off with someone’s vehicle at 5 a.m. **Vehicle theft**: 600 block of South 30th Street. A car owner learned a stolen car enthusiast had plied their trade at 5 a.m. **Vandalism**: 1400 block of Kelsey Street. Stuff was vandalized at 9 a.m. **Petty theft**: 3600 block of Macdonald Avenue. More valuable items disappeared at 9:19 a.m. **Sex offender violation**: 2300 block of Downer Avenue. A sex offender was busted for failing to register at 9:34 a.m. **Vehicle recovery**: In the 94801 zip code. Police found a stolen vehicle at 12:48 p.m. **Grand theft**: In the 94805 zip code. More stuff disappeared at 1:03 p.m. **Domestic battery**: 1800 block of Roosevelt Avenue. Battery on spouse/dating partner was reported at 3:08 p.m. **Aggravated assault**: 1300 block of Fred Jackson Way. Assault with force and possible great bodily injury was reported at 4:27 p.m. **Criminal threats**: 3900 block of Fleming Avenue. Threatening crime with intent to terrorize was reported at 5:32 p.m. **Residential burglary**: 200 block of 15th Street. Forced entry residential burglary was reported at 5:41 p.m. **Petty theft**: 1000 block of Cutting Boulevard. Theft not specifically classified was reported at 7:30 p.m. **Petty theft**: 4500 block of Macdonald Avenue. Theft not specifically classified was reported at 7:30 p.m. An arrest was made for larceny. ## Friday, August 8, 2025 **Petty theft:** 2900 block of Atlas Road. A thief struck in the dead of night, pilfering from a parked vehicle at 1:04 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 1400 block of Lincoln Avenue. Someone slipped away with a car not their own at 1:36 a.m. **Child cruelty/domestic violence:** 600 block of S 19th Street. A case involving harm to a child and assault on a partner was reported at 2:25 a.m. An arrest was made for aggravated assault. **Domestic battery:** Richmond. Violence between partners erupted and was reported at 2:57 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 600 block of 27th Street. Another car vanished without its owner’s say-so at 5:25 a.m. **Petty theft:** 3000 block of Pullman Avenue. A mystery theft, type unspecified, was logged at 8:26 a.m. **Vandalism:** 4800 block of Central Avenue. Property damage topping $400 turned a quiet morning into a costly one at 8:56 a.m. **License violation:** In the 94805 zip code. A driver already sidelined for DUI was caught back behind the wheel at 9:35 a.m. **Multiple charges:** 2800 block of Hilltop Mall Road. Someone was arrested after a tangle of serious crimes; burglary, stalking, restraining order violation, mail theft, and criminal threats were reported at 9:43 a.m. **Stalking:** 2000 block of Chanslor Avenue. Stalking was reported at 10:25 a.m. **Carjacking/kidnapping:** The 94801 zip code. A carjacking reportedly escalated into a kidnapping at 10:44 a.m. An arrest was made for robbery. **Grand theft:** 2800 block of Groom Drive. A significant theft, details scarce, came in at 11:01 a.m. **Child cruelty:** 600 block of 16th Street. Someone was arrested following allegations of willful harm to a child, possible serious injury, and unsafe firearm storage were reported at noon. **Vehicle recovery:** 1400 block of Mariposa Street. Police located a stolen vehicle at 2:27 p.m. **Residential burglary:** 600 block of 36th Street. A break-in at a home was reported at 3 p.m. **Petty theft:** 3000 block of Belfast Way. Another small-scale theft, time-stamped at 3 p.m. **Petty theft:** 1000 block of Market Avenue. A rip-off of unspecified goods or property was reported at 5:07 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 600 block of S 30th Street. Yet another car was reported stolen at 5:14 p.m. **Vehicle theft/recovery:** 6000 block of Giant Road. A car was stolen and later recovered at the same spot, both events logged at 5:30 p.m. **Simple assault:** 900 block of Triangle Court. A domestic dispute spilled into property damage and arrest at 6:30 p.m. **Vandalism:** 4100 block of Hilltop Drive. A property damage report came in at 8 p.m. **Battery/vandalism:** 4800 block of Central Avenue. An arrest was made after a violent confrontation, paired with costly vandalism, was reported at 9:27 p.m. **Assault with a weapon:** 600 block of Berk Avenue. A weapon, though not a firearm, was used in an attack at 9:16 p.m. **DUI:** In the 94804 zip code. An impaired driver racked up multiple DUI charges along with driving without a license at 9:41 p.m. **Petty theft:** 4100 block of Klose Way. Another unspecified theft was logged at 9:55 p.m. **Auto burglary:** 2700 block of Moyers Road. A vehicle was broken into at 10 p.m. **Aggravated battery:** 800 block of Alamo Avenue. A violent attack causing serious injury was reported at 11:11 p.m. ## Saturday, August 9, 2025 **Battery:** West Richmond Avenue. A physical assault was reported right at midnight. **Vandalism/utility damage:** Cutting Boulevard & Marina Way. Damage to power lines and felony-level vandalism disrupted the area at 7:17 a.m. **Residential burglary:** 3600 block of Ridgewood Way. A forced-entry break-in rattled residents at 8:34 a.m **Residential burglary:** 5700 block of Bayview Avenue. Another home break-in was reported at 9:25 a.m. **Criminal threats:** 3800 block of Lakeside Drive. Threats intended to terrorize were reported at 10:12 a.m. **Petty theft:** 4500 block of Macdonald Avenue. A theft from a building was reported at 12:43 p.m. **Weapons violation:** Richmond Parkway & Giant Road. A suspect was seen brandishing a firearm replica at 3:46 p.m **Weapons violation:** Richmond. A genuine firearm was allegedly displayed at 6:28 p.m. **Domestic violence:** 2300 block of Aberdeen Way. A partner was accused of inflicting injury in a domestic dispute at 9:16 p.m. ## **Sunday, August 10, 2025** **Vehicle theft:** 1500 block of Roosevelt Avenue. Another car had vanished without its owner’s blessing and was reported at 8:24 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 1500 block of Chanslor Avenue. A second set of keys wasn’t needed when someone decided to take a car for themselves at 9:02 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 5200 block of Van Fleet Avenue. Another ride disappeared into the morning traffic at 9:51 a.m. **Fraud over $400:** 3100 block of Garrity Way. A scammer struck, using false pretenses to walk away with more than just change at 10:35 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 1700 block of Chanslor Avenue. A familiar scene played out again when another car left without permission at 10 a.m. **Battery:** 2100 block of Coalinga Avenue. A physical altercation landed on the blotter in the early evening at 5:57 p.m. **Carjacking with a firearm:** In the 94801 zip code. Armed with a gun, a suspect took a vehicle from their target at 12:30 a.m. **Auto burglary:** 100 block of West Nevin Avenue. A vehicle break-in resulted in property missing and broken glass at 7:40 p.m. **Domestic battery:** 700 block of 33rd Street. A dispute between partners turned physical, drawing police intervention at 9:08 p.m. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond Ramblers poker run draws riders for 100-mile Bay Area ride URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-ramblers-poker-run-draws-riders-for-100-mile-bay-area-ride/ Last updated: 2025-08-10T18:21:20.000Z Engines roared and playing cards shuffled Saturday as dozens of motorcyclists joined the Richmond Ramblers Motorcycle Club for its annual poker run, a 100-mile ride through some of the Bay Area’s most scenic and winding roads before ending with a backyard barbecue. At each stop, riders picked a playing card to build their poker hand. Prizes were awarded for the highest and lowest hands. “It’s about the ride, the camaraderie, and maybe a little bit of luck,” longtime member Dariel McColl said. The ride began at the Ramblers’ clubhouse at 818 Dornan Drive in Point Richmond, where participants signed in and drew their first card. *We snagged the King of Clubs.* Riders then headed across the bridge to Fairfax for the second card stop. *Jack of Spades.* ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/08/richmond-ramblers-poker-run1-1-1.webp) The route continued on the Bolinas-Fairfax Road into the redwoods. From there, the route climbed Pantoll Road and traced the curves of the Panoramic Highway, then ran along California Highway 1 north through Stinson Beach to the Old Western Saloon in Point Reyes Station for the third card. *Four of Hearts.* ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/08/richmond-ramblers-poker-run5-1.webp) The ride continued on Point Reyes -Petaluma Road, through Nicasio Valley and over Lucas Valley Road, before following Highway 37 past Sears Point and into Vallejo. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/08/richmond-ramblers-poker-run3-1.webp) The final card was drawn at a member’s home in Crockett, where riders gathered for a barbecue and prize ceremony. *Jack of Clubs, finishing with a pair of Jacks.* ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/08/richmond-ramblers-poker-run4-1.webp) Founded in the 1940s, the nonprofit club has a long history in Bay Area motorcycle culture. In its early decades, the Ramblers hosted competitive hill climbs on the ridge above Point Richmond, events that were a highlight for local riders until the late 1970s. “We used to be able to ride the hill here,” McColl said. “We’d have events right here in town, and those went on until about the late ’70s.” The club adapted over the years, shifting from hill climbs to street runs, competition races, and family enduros. A family enduro, McColl explained, is a timekeeping event in which riders follow a preset course and aim to hit checkpoints at specific times without arriving early or late. “You want to follow the speeds and keep your time down,” he said. “If you show up early, it costs you more points.” The poker run tradition has been part of the club “forever,” said member Don Dotson. “Ever since the club’s been going.” Proceeds from the $25 entry fee, which included a lunch of hot dogs or hamburgers with beans, chips, and a drink, help cover event costs. “Maybe it’ll pay for the hamburgers,” McColl said. The Richmond Ramblers meet on the first and third Thursdays of each month at 7 p.m., and members say newcomers are welcome. For many, Saturday’s ride was about more than cards or prizes; it was about keeping a piece of Richmond’s motorcycle history alive. “Come out, see the roads, enjoy the company,” Dotson said. “It’s what riding’s all about.” --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Five Star Chicken to open in former H. Salt Fish & Chips site on San Pablo Avenue URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/five-star-chicken-to-open-in-former-h-salt-fish-chips-site-on-san-pablo-avenue/ Last updated: 2025-11-04T05:30:57.000Z Five Star Chicken, a small fried chicken business based in Vallejo, is preparing to open a new restaurant on San Pablo Avenue in Richmond, filling a storefront that has been empty for years. The new outlet will move into the long-closed H. Salt Fish & Chips building, a familiar spot along the busy corridor. It sits next to the well-known Flora de Jalisco food truck and across from the headquarters of the Richmond Progressive Alliance. A few blocks north, another chicken option, El Pollo Loco, operates in neighboring San Pablo, setting the stage for a bit of fried and grilled competition along The Avenue. Five Star Chicken’s expansion into Richmond marks one of its first locations outside Vallejo. The restaurant has built a following for its crispy fried chicken, hearty combo plates, and affordable prices. No official opening date has been announced, but signage has gone up at the San Pablo Avenue site, signaling that work is well underway. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Eight Great Things to do in Richmond URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/calendar-6/ Last updated: 2025-08-07T06:09:53.000Z With 30-plus miles of shoreline, two yacht clubs, endless hiking and cycling trails, and a host of eateries, Richmond has a lot to offer. Each week, *Grandview* highlights what we think are the best, not-to-be-missed events and offerings from across the city. ## 120th Birthday Celebration @Richmond ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/08/Screenshot-2025-08-06-at-1.58.47-PM-2-1.png) **Save-the-Dates**! Richmond is turning 120 on August 7, and we are celebrating with a weekend full of events all across Richmond! Make sure to swing by your favorite spot! From live music to brunches to a raffle that supports both Richmond Museums, there’s something for everyone! Check out the schedule of events [**HERE**](https://www.instagram.com/p/DMtpkIBpLFH/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==)**.** ## National IPA Day @Lara's Fine Dining ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/08/Screenshot-2025-08-06-at-1.46.42-PM-1.png) **Thursday August 7** Come grab a beer with us on National IPA Day! 11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. **1900 Esplanade DriveRichmond, CA 94804** ## 5 YEAR CELEBRATION @ The Factory Bar ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/08/Screenshot-2025-08-06-at-1.50.38-PM-2-1.png) **We can't believe it's been 5 years this week! It's true that time flies when you're having fun. Thank you, Richmond, for supporting us all this time!** There are so many events and weekly activities coming up that we want to share. Hope to see you at one (or two) of them. Come celebrate 5 years with us all week long! **Thursday** LIVE MUSIC with Duane Patton & Mikelle Morgan FOOD with Chef Henrik **Friday** 5 YEAR CELEBRATION w/DJ Tok@Ritmo (7-10 p.m.) FOOD with Golden Gate Bistro **Saturday** 5 YEAR CELEBRATION CONTINUES with LIVE MUSIC by Simon Petty & Celestial Hotties (4-7 p.m.)RAFFLE & PRIZES (5-7 p.m.) This is your chance to win a bunch of fun gifts from the bar, local museums, and a ton of your favorite neighborhood spots! All proceeds from the raffle this year goes to support the Richmond Museum of History and Culture and the Red Oak Victory Ship. FOOD with Chef Henrik **Sunday** BOOZY BRUNCH w/Pickles n Smoke (11-2 p.m.) LIVE MUSIC by The Quinn Monteiro Trio (1-3 p.m.) FOOD with WHEY ON WHEELS (3-8 p.m.) ## Summer Concerts @Point Richmond Music ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/08/Screenshot-2025-08-06-at-7.27.47-PM-1.png) ### Friday, August 8 [Burrows and Dilbeck](https://www.burrowsanddilbeck.com/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) Soul, Funk, Pop 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. [Big Blu Soul Revue](https://www.bigblusoulrevue.com/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) Soul, R&B 6:45 p.m. – 7:45 p.m. [https://pointrichmondmusic.org/](https://pointrichmondmusic.org/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) ## Robotics Showcase **@**Richmond PAL ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/08/Screenshot-2025-08-06-at-4.46.36-PM-1.png) **FTC Center Sciradens Team**, a teen robotics group, will showcase and demonstrate the robots they built as part of technologies that may be a part of the future. Friday, August 8, 3 - 5 p.m. at **Richmond PAL, 2200 Macdonald Ave. Call (510) 620-5516 for more information.** ## **CLOSING RECEPTION “TRAILBLAZING & TOTEMS”@Point Richmond Gallery** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/08/Screenshot-2025-08-06-at-1.38.02-PM-1-1.png) **THIS SATURDAY, AUGUST 9, 2—5 p.m.** Last chance to enjoy artwork byFATHER DAVID O'ROURKE and AOPR artist VIRGINIA RIGNEY. **145 West Richmond Avenue, Point Richmond** ## Comedy Cookout Festival @Richmond Memorial Auditorium ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/08/Screenshot-2025-08-06-at-7.18.38-PM.png) **Saturday, August 9 · 4 p.m.** Monica Blair X J-Red Live are bringing the heat with the Comedy Cookout Festival with Live Music, Stand Up Comedy & more! **403 Civic Center Plaza, Richmond** ## AOPR ARTIST’S RECEPTION **@**Ahn's kitchen ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/08/art.jpg) **SUNDAY, AUGUST 10 from 2-4 p.m**. Come mingle with your fellow artists and enjoy appetizers by Ahn's kitchen, a no-host bar, and new artwork on display in the recently installed Summer AOPR Member Exhibition. Family, friend's and patrons all welcome! **1950 Esplanade Dr, Richmond, CA 94804** ## --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Park district moves forward with Wildcat Canyon bike trail environmental review URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/park-district-moves-forward-with-wildcat-canyon-bike-trail-environmental-review/ Last updated: 2025-08-06T03:37:05.000Z The East Bay Regional Park District Board of Directors on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, approved the release of a Notice of Preparation for an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) on a proposed new bike trail in Wildcat Canyon Regional Park. The vote advances a project that has sparked intense public interest — and debate among local residents, environmental groups, and trail users. Supporters say it’s a much-needed step to improve access and reduce trail conflicts. Opponents argue it threatens the park’s natural character and violates long-standing land use protections. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/08/Wildcat-Canyon-Flow-Trail1.webp) The proposal would create roughly 1.44 miles of new, one-way downhill trail for mountain bikers of varying skill levels, including youth riders. The trail would be bike-only and separate from existing multi-use trails, which staff say would help reduce crowding and restore informal, unauthorized routes that have emerged in the area. According to the staff report, the goal is to strike a balance: improving safety and access for cyclists while protecting sensitive habitats and cultural resources. Park District General Manager Sabrina Landreth said the project does not create a new recreational use in Wildcat Canyon but responds to existing demand. “This is part of our process,” Landreth said. “Staff anticipates a really robust, continued community outreach process as we go through this environmental review, and it will be fully transparent — including the approval at the end of the day by this board. So this is not final approval.” Landreth emphasized that bicycling is already an established use in the park, identified in the current land use plan, and the proposed trail would largely parallel an existing route. “The trail would provide a safer and more satisfying trail experience for all users,” Landreth said, adding that staff biologists and consultants have reviewed the site and determined the location would minimize impacts on species while addressing the reality that “park users are already there and already accessing this location by bicycle.” Landreth also responded to concerns raised in public comment that the process was driven by potential donors or outside pressure. “We do not allow potential funding sources to drive our staff work,” she said. “Just because there was a pledge by a community member — that is not how we approach this.” Deputy General Manager Max Korten reiterated that the decision to conduct a full EIR was voluntary. “We’re not recommending this because the project has potentially significant impacts,” Korten said. “We created this step to add transparency, to provide for public engagement, and for your board to ask questions and provide direction to staff.” Korten outlined the next steps: if the board directs staff to proceed, they will begin drafting the notice of preparation, conduct the public scoping process, and prepare a draft EIR. That draft would be released for a 45-day public comment period, including a public meeting. After responding to all comments, staff would bring the final EIR and recommendations back to the board for potential approval. Board member Elizabeth Echols voiced support for the project and praised young cyclists’ trail etiquette. “These young people, I am always so impressed,” she said. “They wave, they say hello, they ring the bell. That comes from their coaches and the ethic they’re learning.” Echols said the trail would help reduce conflict by separating user groups. “This gives bikers their own trail and designates the Leonard Trail for horses and hikers only," Echols said. Environmental advocates and some longtime park users voiced strong opposition, especially over the trail’s proposed location in a designated “Natural Area” of the park. In an August 2 email, the California Native Plant Society’s East Bay Chapter urged members to speak out, arguing the project violates the park’s Land Use Plan, which calls for Natural Areas to remain “free from intensive recreation” and “devoid of any development except trails for hiking, equestrian and service use.” The group also criticized the outreach process, saying the general public “has not been adequately informed.” During the hours-long public comment section, Norma Wallace warned of potential harm to wildlife. “When I go out hiking, lizards crave those open spaces where they can sun themselves. I can see this mountain bike course becoming a graveyard for lizards, squished.” But supporters of the project pushed back just as strongly. Michael Mejia, a local resident who’s been riding in Wildcat Canyon since the 1980s, dismissed what he called “catastrophic stories.” “I’ve been riding in that park since 1989\. It keeps me sane. I enjoy the open spaces, the calm, the climbing, the sweating, the whole thing,” Mejia said. Mejia argued the location is appropriate: “That ridge near Mezue? It’s bald. It’s been grazed for hundreds of years. I don’t want to hear that you’re worried about squirrels; it’s a neutral space. Hikers won’t even be affected.” Another strong voice in support came from Royer Ramirez-Ruiz, a Hasford Heights resident and East Richmond Heights Municipal Advisory Council member. Ramirez-Ruiz, who lives two blocks from the park, said the trail represents more than just recreation. “I want to be clear that I’m not just speaking for myself. I’m speaking for my generation, which has repeatedly seen decisions made by older generations that limit our access, our opportunities, and our voice in shaping the communities we live in,” Ramirez-Ruiz said. “This trail is a small example of that bigger pattern and quite frankly, we’re tired of it.” Ramirez-Ruiz described mountain biking as central to his own upbringing and called the trail an issue of equity. “It promotes health, mental wellness, and gets people off screens and into nature,” Ramirez-Ruiz said. The EIR process will examine potential impacts on air quality, biological and cultural resources, greenhouse gas emissions, tribal cultural resources, and transportation. A draft is expected by spring 2026, with construction starting no earlier than 2027 if approved. The estimated cost of the trail is between $500,000 and $700,000. [Park district considers mountain bike flow trail at Wildcat Canyon ParkMembers of local high school mountain bike teams came out in force to support a proposed mountain bike trail at Wildcat Canyon Park during a public workshop held by the East Bay Regional Park District last month. The East Bay Regional Park District has received a lot of interest in![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--62.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/The-Park-District-Wildcat-Canyon-Regional-Park.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/boomers-battle-genz-over-wildcat-canyon-mountain-bike-trail/) --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### On the Richmond Burrito Trail: La Gran Chiquita Restaurante URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-richmond-burrito-trail-la-gran-chiquita-restaurante/ Last updated: 2025-08-05T17:03:43.000Z Some burritos win you over with flawless execution. Others charm you with atmosphere and authenticity, even if the details are uneven. La Gran Chiquita, a Mexico City-style taqueria on Richmond’s 23rd Street, aims for both and almost pulls it off. La Gran Chiquita sits on a corner directly across from the back of the Richmond Police Activities League building and [Tacos El Rulas](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-richmond-burrito-trail-tacos-el-rulas-warehouse-cathedral/). It is at that little nub of 23rd Street on the other side of Macdonald Avenue. The restaurant is big. It is not a cramped taco stand or a window on wheels. The Oakland veterans who opened their first Fruitvale location in 2001 have brought their Mexico City credentials to Richmond, along with plenty of seating and something you will not find at most of our beloved taco trucks: a full salsa bar. [Burrito Trail - Grandview IndependentThe Grandview Independent has been embarking on a culinary adventure to explore every taqueria, food truck, and restaurant in Richmond. This initiative, dubbed the “Richmond Burrito Trail,” aims to showcase our city’s diverse and delectable burritos.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--60.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/The-Richmondbt-1-7.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/tag/burrito-trail/) We ordered the Super Carnitas Burrito. It arrived like a brick of promise; tortilla-wrapped anticipation, warm in the hands and radiating that unmistakable carnitas perfume. Inside, there were big, buttery chunks of avocado, dollops of sour cream, and generous portions of tender pork. The carnitas were soft enough to fall apart with the lightest nudge, rich with the fat that makes them worth ordering, yet somehow still our burrito was a little dry. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/08/La-Gran-Chiquita-Restaurant-super-carnitas-burrito-1.webp) La Gran Chiquita Restaurante's Super Carnitas Burrito comes with chips and salsa. Midway through, we realized something about those avocado chunks we’ve been getting in our burritos recently. While they were creamy and rich, they did not deliver the zing of guacamole. There was no citrus bite, no hit of salt, no cilantro to cut through the fat, just plain avocado. Good, but missing that seasoned punch that makes guac such a perfect burrito partner. Melted cheese hid in pockets throughout, creating sudden bursts of gooey, creamy, salty flavor. Still, the burrito’s *lunch tray* construction, with ingredients grouped in sections instead of fully mingled, meant each bite was a gamble. One might be all rice, another all beans, and then, just once in a while, you would hit the jackpot with everything in perfect balance. The rice fell victim to Richmond’s recurring burrito curse of mushiness. Overcooked and clumpy, it worked as filler but not as a feature. The refried beans were steady, if unspectacular, structurally sound, and holding everything together without complaint. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/08/La-Gran-Chiquita-Restaurant-salsa-bar-1.webp) La Gran Chiquita offers an awesome salsa bar. Where La Gran Chiquita truly stands out is the salsa bar. In a city where even the best taco trucks usually ration out one or two thimble-sized containers, having multiple fresh options feels downright decadent. The undisputed star was maybe an ancho-tomatillo salsa, a vivid orange, fiery sauce that made us sweat and cleared the sinuses, the kind of condiment that transforms “just one more bite” into “I’m finishing the whole thing.” We also laddled out some fresh tomato salsa and a salsa verde (for science) that we had most of both when we finished our tube lunch. La Gran Chiquita brings Oakland’s proven Mexico City-style cooking to Richmond with mixed results. The roomy dining space and salsa bar are genuine upgrades over truck-side dining, and when the carnitas land just right, they are worth the trip. But uneven execution and those plain avocado chunks keep this from breaking into the top tier of Richmond burritos. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/08/La-Gran-Chiquita-Restaurant3-1.webp) The Super Carnitas Burrito, which weighed in at 776 grams, comes with chips and salsa for only $15.35\. We ate every bite, but probably should have stopped earlier. We want your tips: Where is your favorite burrito in Richmond, and what is your go-to order? Let us know in the comments or by [email](mailto:grandviewindependentnews@gmail.com). --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond police fatally shoot armed man outside home, investigation underway URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-police-fatally-shoot-armed-man-outside-home-investigation-underway/ Last updated: 2025-08-05T20:24:00.000Z Richmond police officers fatally shot a man Monday evening who they say confronted them with at least one knife outside a home where he had allegedly been threatening to kill people, authorities said. Officers responded just after 5 p.m. to a 911 call reporting an armed individual inside a residence in the 400 block of 1st Street, the Richmond Police Department said in a statement. The caller reported the man was armed with at least one knife and had made threats to harm others. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/08/Screenshot-2025-08-04-at-9.34.31-PM-1.png) Police said officers heard a disturbance coming from inside the home as dispatchers relayed updates indicating the man had armed himself with a second edged weapon. When officers approached the front door and announced themselves, they were "immediately confronted" by the suspect outside the residence, police said. Two officers fired their weapons, striking the man. He died at the scene. Authorities have not released his name. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/08/Screenshot-2025-08-04-at-9.34.40-PM.png) "The subject, unfortunately, succumbed to his injuries at the scene," Lt. Donald Patchin, a Richmond Police Department spokesperson, said in a statement. The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office is investigating the shooting under the county’s Law Enforcement Involved Fatal Incident Protocol. “We are dedicated to conducting a thorough and transparent investigation,” Patchin said. “As new information emerges, we will update the public through press releases posted on the Richmond Police Department’s website.” Monday’s incident marks the department’s second officer-involved fatal shooting this year. On February 4, 2025, Richmond officers shot and killed a wanted suspect after a 32-minute standoff along the Union Pacific Railroad tracks near Carlson Boulevard. That shooting also remains under investigation. [Update: California DOJ investigating Richmond Police officer-involved shootingThe California Department of Justice has launched an investigation into an officer-involved shooting that resulted in the death of a suspect in Richmond, authorities said Wednesday.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--61.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-02-05-at-5.57.17-PM-1-2.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/update-california-doj-investigating-richmond-police-officer-involved-shooting/) --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Statewide police use of force, misconduct database includes Richmond cases URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/statewide-police-use-of-force-misconduct-database-includes-richmond-cases/ Last updated: 2025-08-05T17:01:50.000Z Residents can search a comprehensive, publicly accessible database of internal police records documenting use of force and misconduct, including cases involving the Richmond Police Department. The Police Records Access Project, launched today, makes available nearly 1.5 million pages of documents from almost 500 law enforcement agencies across the state. The records cover about 12,000 cases involving allegations such as excessive force, dishonesty, sexual harassment, and incidents where police action resulted in death or serious injury. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/08/Police-Records-Access-Project.webp) Built by UC Berkeley and Stanford University with funding from the State of California, the database is published through major outlets, including the Los Angeles Times and San Francisco Chronicle. The database creators say it is the first of its kind nationwide, providing a centralized, searchable platform to improve transparency and accountability around law enforcement statewide. The search tool now allows the public to view records tied to the Richmond Police Department, searchable by officer name, allegation type, or keyword, with links to original internal reports. Among the Richmond-related entries are files connected to some of the city’s most scrutinized cases, including the 2014 killing of Richard “Pedie” Perez, whose family fought for years to obtain records that helped lead to California’s landmark police transparency laws. [Richmond Police Department launches Cultural Competency Training ProgramRichmond Police Department launched its new in-depth Cultural Competency training Wednesday by hosting an inaugural session that included members of the police department, city council, and the parents of Pedie Perez, who was killed by a Richmond Police officer. The goal of the Cultural Competency training is to ensure that![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--56.png)Grandview IndependentLinda Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/IMG_2743.jpg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/police-training/) The database also contains files tied to the June 2023 fatal shooting of 66-year-old Kevin McDonald in Point Richmond. The Contra Costa District Attorney ruled the officers’ actions lawful after McDonald allegedly pointed an assault rifle at police during a search warrant service. [Update: Police discover explosive, guns at Pt. Richmond shooting sceneUpdated on June 29, 2023, 4:00 pm Police were still actively searching a Pt. Richmond home Thursday afternoon where police fatally shot a suspect while serving a warrant in Point Richmond earlier this week. Detectives had so far uncovered an explosive device and several guns, according to police. Officers![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--58.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/IMG_0048.jpg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-police-fatally-shoot-suspect-while-serving-search-warrant-in-point-richmond/) The Richmond Community Police Review Commission voted 5 to 2 to find that the use of deadly force was unreasonable during their September 4, 2024, meeting. [Resigning investigator criticizes police commission’s ability to review complaints against officersThreet said he no longer believes the commission can be relied upon to reach a valid finding on allegations of officer misconduct based on an objective, unbiased view of the evidence.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--59.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/jerry-threet-richmond-police-1-6.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/resigning-investigator-criticizes-police-commissions-ability-to-review-complaints-against-officers-2/) Additionally, Richmond officers were among those investigated in the Bay Area-wide scandal involving Celeste Guap, who alleged sexual relationships with multiple officers while underage. [Revisiting the Celeste Guap Case Four Years LaterMore than four years after being at the center of a police sex misconduct scandal, Jasmine Abuslin, also known as Celeste Guap, is still seeking justice.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/favicon-12.ico)Richmond ConfidentialMathew Miranda![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Screen-Shot-2020-12-03-at-2.07.27-AM.png)](https://richmondconfidential.org/2020/12/05/revisiting-the-celeste-guap-case-four-years-later/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) “The creation of a public-facing database is critical for all stakeholders in the criminal legal system: whether public defenders, innocence organizations, prosecutors, police departments, or academics,” said Barry Scheck, co-founder of the Innocence Project. Aditya Parameswaran, associate professor at UC Berkeley who helped lead the technical development, praised the use of generative AI combined with expert review to build a system “at a scale that’s unprecedented, for a task that’s never been done before and for societal impact.” The database excludes audio and video evidence, as well as sensitive information relating to victims of sexual assault or domestic violence. The records have been carefully redacted to comply with California’s public records laws. According to the Richmond Police Department, the database contains records previously released by the department and already made publicly available. “The records contained in the database have always been and will remain available to the public, as required by and in compliance with the law,” said Lt. Donald Patchin, the department’s Public Information Officer. Patchin said the department will continue to handle public access to records in the same way it always has, in compliance with the law. Residents and journalists can explore Richmond-specific records by visiting the Richmond-filtered portal hosted by the *San Francisco Chronicle.* [https://clean.sfchronicle.com/?filter\_source\_agency=Richmond+Police+Department](https://clean.sfchronicle.com/?filter%5Fsource%5Fagency=Richmond+Police+Department&ref=grandviewindependent.com) --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### From petty theft to felonies: a week of highs and lows in Richmond crime URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/from-petty-theft-to-felonies-a-week-of-highs-and-lows-in-richmond-crime/ Last updated: 2025-08-04T15:21:09.000Z Richmond police logged a packed week of crime reports and arrests, ranging from brazen vehicle thefts to aggravated assaults from Monday, July 28, to Sunday, August 3, 2025\. Over these seven days, officers tackled cases involving stolen cars, gun charges, assaults, fraud, and repeated break-ins, with some incidents escalating into arrests and others still under investigation. Here’s a day-by-day look at the week’s most notable activity. ### Richmond incident map ## Monday, July 28, 2025 **Residential burglary/battery**: West Richmond Avenue. A residential burglary with force and battery on a person was reported at the same location at 12:27 a.m. **Aggravated assault/criminal threats**: 200 block of S 16th Street. A suspect was arrested for battery with serious bodily injury and terrorist threats at 12:34 a.m. **Vehicle theft**: Cars were taken without the owner's consent from the 400 block of 41st Street, the 600 block of Nevin Avenue, the 400 block of S 26th Street, the 600 block of 31st Street, the 600 block of 32nd Street, and the 5300 block of Zara Avenue. **Auto burglary**: 100 block of 13th Street. A vehicle break-in was reported at 7:30 a.m. **Vandalism**: 3800 block of Lakeside Drive. Vandals defaced property at 10:11 a.m. **Grand theft**: 800 block of Jetty Drive. Theft from a building was reported at 10:32 a.m. **Residential burglary**: 2400 block of Aberdeen Way. A forced entry residential burglary was reported at 10:33 a.m. **Trespassing**: 800 block of 23rd Street. A trespasser was reportedly arrested for unlawful occupation of property at 1:04 p.m. **Aggravated assault/drug possession**: 2400 block of Nevin Avenue. Police busted someone on drug charges after assault with force and possession of a controlled substance for sale were reported at the same location between 1:07 p.m. and 1:45 p.m. **Vehicle embezzlement**: 2000 block of Lincoln Avenue. Someone kept a leased or rented vehicle at 3:28 p.m. **Vandalism**: West Macdonald Avenue. Felony vandalism over $400 was reported at 4:14 p.m. **Multiple allegations**: Circle Court. It was reported that someone committed vandalism, assault with a deadly weapon, made terrorist threats, inflicted corporal injury to a cohabitant, and was willfully cruel to a child at 5 p.m. **Vehicle recovery**: 3000 block of Giant Road, San Pablo. Police located a stolen vehicle at 6:39 p.m. **Petty theft**: 2300 block of Macdonald Avenue. A thief stole something at 7:30 p.m. **Warrant arrest**: An undisclosed location in the 94801 zip code. A suspect was arrested on a felony warrant at 7:51 p.m. **Auto burglary**: In the 94806 zip code. A vehicle break-in was reported at 8 p.m. **Vehicle recovery**: In the 94804 zip code. A stolen vehicle was recovered at 9:45 p.m. **Battery/disorderly conduct**: 3800 block of Lakeside Drive. Public intoxication and assault led to an arrest on drug charges at 9:58 p.m. **Drive while under the influence of alcohol**: In the 94804 zip code. A tipsy driver was busted for driving under the influence of alcohol at 12:05 a.m. ## Tuesday, July 29, 2025 **Grand theft:** 800 block of McLaughlin Street. Thieves struck in the early morning darkness, making off with unspecified property at 2 a.m. **Drug possession:** In the 94801 zip code. Police reported finding someone with a stash of a controlled substance at 3:29 a.m. **Vandalism:** In the 94804 zip code. Felony vandalism causing over $400 in damage was logged at 7:16 a.m. **Assault with deadly weapon:** In the 94801 zip code. A suspect was arrested after allegedly wielding and displaying a deadly weapon during an assault at 8:18 a.m. **Vehicle recovery:** In the 94801 zip code. Officers recovered a stolen vehicle at 9:48 a.m. **Vandalism/parole violation/trespassing:** 4200 block of Macdonald Avenue. A suspect was arrested after a triple charge of property damage, trespassing, and violating parole at 10:24 a.m. **Credit card fraud:** 11900 block of San Pablo Avenue. A fraudster reportedly used a forged or invalid access card to steal $400 at 10:57 a.m. **Paraphernalia:** In the 94801 zip code. Police documented possession of unlawful paraphernalia at 11:05 a.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 1300 block of 24th Street. A stolen vehicle was located and recovered at noon. **Contempt/trespassing:** 100 block of Nevin Avenue. Officers responded to a contempt of court case paired with trespassing on posted land at 12:59 p.m. **Grand theft:** 5600 block of Solano Avenue. Thieves removed vehicle parts or accessories at 4:03 p.m. **Aggravated assault:** 500 block of Bissell Avenue. A suspect was arrested after allegedly assaulting someone with force at 5:57 p.m. **Multiple firearms charges:** In the 94804 zip code. Police arrested a suspect for a list of gun-related violations at 8:18 p.m., including carrying a loaded and unregistered handgun, being a felon in possession of a firearm, and concealing it in a vehicle. ## Wednesday, July 30, 2025 **Auto Burglary:** 300 block of Florida Avenue. A vehicle break-in was reported at the stroke of midnight. **Vandalism:** 900 block of 9th Street. Property damage under $400 was logged at midnight. **Vehicle recovery:** 700 block of Erlandson Street. A stolen vehicle was recovered at 12:30 a.m. **Sex crimes:** 4500 block of Macdonald Avenue. A report of a sex crime was made at 1:53 a.m. **Vehicle recovery:** In the 94804 zip code. Another stolen vehicle was located at 6:26 a.m. **Vehicle tampering/grand theft:** 3100 block of Garrity Way. Police documented vehicle tampering and a grand theft at 7:21 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. An automobile experienced a temporary change of custody at 7:32 a.m. **Residential burglary/vandalism:** 200 block of 26th Street. A suspect was arrested after allegedly breaking into a home and committing felony vandalism at 8:36 a.m. **Contempt of court:** 900 block of 9th Street. Someone reportedly violated a protective order at 9 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 4500 block of Barrett Avenue. Another vehicle was redistributed according to the thief's personal wealth redistribution program at 3 p.m. **Harassment:** 6200 block of Baywood Drive. Repeat unwanted calls and contacts were reported at 3 p.m. **Indecent exposure/resisting arrest:** 1300 block of Macdonald Avenue. A suspect was arrested after allegedly exposing themselves and resisting police at 3:15 p.m. **Mail theft:** 3200 block of Annapolis Avenue. Mail was reported stolen at 4:17 p.m. **The things you can do with just a pen and some paper:** 100 block of Marina Lakes Drive. Forgery and handwriting fraud were reported at 4:18 p.m. **Grand theft:** 400 block of 35th Street. Unspecified property was reported stolen at 6:11 p.m. **Grand theft:** 3500 block of Esmond Avenue. Another theft of unspecified property was logged at 7:15 p.m. **Police evasion:** In the 94804 zip code. A reckless attempt to evade police was reported at 9:39 p.m. **Armed robbery:** Regatta Boulevard. A robbery involving a firearm was reported at 10:37 p.m. **Multiple violations:** In the 94804 zip code. A suspect was arrested for failing to obey police, possessing drug paraphernalia, and obstructing an officer at 11:04 p.m. ## Thursday, July 31, 2025 **Petty theft:** 400 block of Alamo Avenue. Thieves targeted a parked vehicle at midnight. **Auto burglary:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. A car owner reported someone had broken into their car at 6:18 a.m. **Criminal threats:** 1500 block of Santa Clara Street. Misdemeanor threats were reported at 6:19 a.m. **Auto burglary:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. Another vehicle at the same location was broken into at 8:05 a.m. **Petty theft:** 700 block of Maine Avenue. Items were stolen from a vehicle at 8:26 a.m. **Grand theft:** 900 block of Williams Drive. High-value property theft was reported at 8:49 a.m. **Petty theft:** In the 94804 zip code. Another vehicle was looted at 10:38 a.m. **Battery on an officer or emergency personnel**: 900 block of Nevin Avenue. A peace officer or emergency personnel was reportedly assaulted while on duty at 12:17 p.m. **Grand theft:** 2800 block of Phillips Court. Unspecified property was stolen at 12:51 p.m. **Grand theft:** 2700 block of Jo Ann Drive. Another theft was reported at 1:26 p.m. **Shoplifting:** 2100 block of Meeker Avenue. Shoplifters targeted store shelves at 1:40 p.m. and 2:56 p.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 4800 block of Central Avenue. A stolen car was located at 4:58 p.m. **Domestic violence:** 300 block of South 19th Street. A suspect was arrested for allegedly assaulting a spouse or cohabitant at 7:25 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 2700 block of Moyers Road. A mobility-challenged individual solved their problem through creative property interpretation at 7:46 p.m. **Sexual offenses:** In the 94805 zip code. Harmful material was reportedly sent to a minor at 7:54 p.m. **Auto burglary:** 2300 block of Maricopa Avenue. Another break-in was reported at 9 p.m. **Battery/firearms:** 600 block of 2nd Street. A domestic battery incident also involved brandishing a firearm replica at 10:33 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 2800 block of Garvin Avenue. An automotive acquisition specialist was at work at 10:30 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 400 block of 32nd Street. The borrowing brigade continued nearby at 11 p.m. ## Friday, August 1, 2025 **Vehicle theft:** 1300 block of Carlson Boulevard. A car was delivered to the underground economy at 3 a.m. [Early morning blaze guts historic Mira Flores buildingAn early morning fire at Richmond’s Mira Flores building has destroyed the roof and caused heavy interior damage to the more than 100-year-old structure, which is the former site of the historic Sakai and Oishi nurseries, founded by Japanese immigrants in the early 1900s.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--55.png)Grandview IndependentLinda Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-08-01-at-1.11.39-PM-1-1-1-1-1.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/early-morning-blaze-guts-historic-mira-flores-building/) **Multiple offenses:** 700 block of South 40th Street. A suspect was arrested on a string of charges: child cruelty, assault with force, false imprisonment, and spousal injury at 5:41 a.m. **Grand theft:** 3100 block of Ohio Avenue. Thieves targeted a parked vehicle at 5:49 a.m. **Vehicle tampering:** 500 block of South 24th Street. Vehicle tampering was reported at 6:31 a.m. **Grand theft:** 800 block of McLaughlin Street. Another theft of unspecified property was logged at 8 a.m. **Grand theft:** 5700 block of Central Avenue. Thieves struck again at 9:17 a.m. **Armed robbery:** 4500 block of Macdonald Avenue. A gunpoint holdup was reported at 11:25 a.m. **Shooting:** 1900 block of Macdonald Avenue. A ShotSpotter alert of four gunshots led to a shooting victim near Rim & Tire Sales Co. at 11:50 a.m. **Criminal threats:** 4500 block of Macdonald Avenue. It was reported that someone was making criminal threats at 3:29 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. A thief picked up an unpaid rental vehicle at 5 p.m. **Contempt of court:** 1700 block of Regatta Boulevard. A court order was seemingly ignored at 6 p.m. **Trespassing:** 800 block of Brookside Drive. A suspect refused to leave a public building, resulting in arrest at 6:21 p.m. **Battery:** In the 94804 zip code. A battery incident involving cruelty to a child was reported at 9:03 p.m. ## Saturday, August 2, 2025 **DUI:** The 94804 zip code. Police busted a driver who was suspected of drunk driving at 1:08 a.m. **Auto burglary:** 12600 block of San Pablo Avenue. A smash-and-grab was reported at 11:37 a.m. **Commercial burglary:** 3200 block of Blume Drive. A business was broken into by forced entry at 12:57 p.m. **Credit card fraud:** 2200 block of Nevin Avenue. Thieves used stolen card information to commit fraud at 3:15 p.m. ## Sunday, August 3, 2025 **Sideshow:** In the 94801 zip code. Police responded to a very large sideshow crowd just after midnight. **Petty theft:** 300 block of S 23rd Street. Thieves rifled through a parked vehicle, making off with stolen goods at 12:30 a.m. **Commercial burglary/vandalism:** 12400 block of San Pablo Avenue. Someone smashed a window to gain entry to Mira Vista Liquors at 6:09 a.m. **Residential burglary:** 700 block of 15th Street. A no-force entry into a home was reported at 6:30 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 200 block of Willard Avenue. A surprise car-sharing program launched at 7:05 a.m. **Auto burglary/vandalism:** 2300 block of Andrade Avenue. A vehicle was broken into and vandalized with less than $400 in damage at 11:23 a.m. **Battery:** 300 block of Nevada Avenue. A physical altercation was reported at 12:37 p.m. **Battery:** 600 block of S 37th Street. A suspect was arrested for battery on a spouse, ex-partner, or dating partner at 2:18 p.m. **Firearm possession:** 700 block of Thomas Drive. A loaded handgun not registered to the carrier was seized at 4 p.m. **Vehicle theft**: Scenic Avenue. Another unauthorized test drive commenced at 4:54 p.m. **Commercial burglary:** 200 block of 26th Street. A triple-hit incident included a forced-entry burglary, felony vandalism, and possession of stolen property at 5:01 p.m. **Exhibition of firearm:** 2800 block of Sheldon Drive. A suspect allegedly brandished a firearm with the intent to cause serious injury and conspired to commit a felony at 6:50 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 1500 block of Roosevelt Avenue. Someone's wheels got yoinked at 7:04 p.m. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Early morning blaze guts historic Mira Flores building URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/early-morning-blaze-guts-historic-mira-flores-building/ Last updated: 2025-09-17T00:34:30.000Z An early morning fire at Richmond's Mira Flores building has destroyed the roof and caused heavy interior damage to the more than 100-year-old structure, which is the former site of the historic Sakai and Oishi nurseries, founded by Japanese immigrants in the early 1900s. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/08/Screenshot-2025-08-01-at-1.11.04-PM-2.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/08/Screenshot-2025-08-01-at-1.29.39-PM-1.png) The fire started around 5 a.m. Friday morning at South 45th Street and Florida Avenue, according to officials, fire crews arrived to find the building fully engulfed in flames. Today's fire compounded the damage caused by another fire at the site back in May, as volunteers were working in the area. [Historic Mira Flores building damaged by fire as volunteers participate in cleanupA fire broke out at a historic Mira Flores building Friday morning as volunteers were conducting a cleanup event at the adjacent Greenbelt Park, according to city officials.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--51.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Mira-flores-fire-richmond-1-1-3.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/historic-mira-flores-building-damaged-by-fire-as-volunteers-participate-in-cleanup/) Clean-up of the area continued on Friday as firefighters remained on-site for several hours, checking for hotspots and surveying the damage. The fire is currently under investigation. *This is a developing story; check back for updates.* --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Point Molate Bay Trail extension breaks ground in Richmond URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/point-molate-bay-trail-extension-breaks-ground-in-richmond/ Last updated: 2025-08-01T21:34:43.000Z Officials and community members gathered Friday at Point Molate Beach Park to celebrate the start of construction on a 2.5-mile extension of the San Francisco Bay Trail. The new segment will connect the park to the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge and include a 600-foot boardwalk, interpretive panels on cultural and natural history, parking and restrooms, and a direct link to the existing bike and pedestrian path on the bridge. The project also calls for habitat restoration along the shoreline corridor. Sean Dougan, the East Bay Regional Park District’s trails program manager, said the trail alignment follows the old Richmond Beltway rail corridor, which once delivered materials to Winehaven and the Navy fuel depot. Dougan said the design will preserve the historic rail lines while adapting them for public use. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/08/Point-Molate-Bay-Trail-extension-breaks-ground-Richmond6.webp) East Bay Regional Park District Trails Program Manager Sean Dougan points out how the trail alignment follows the old Richmond Beltway rail corridor. “We’re going to fill around the tracks with decomposed granite because we want to leave the tracks so people can see that history,” Dougan said. “There will be six interpretive panels telling the story of the area.” The trail will run adjacent to the rails through the old industrial corridor, with vegetation cleared and crossings designed for safety, and the entire route will be ADA-compliant. [Point Molate Bay Trail funding vote delayed after council agenda shiftA decision on whether to allocate $1 million in city funds to complete a segment of the Point Molate Bay Trail was delayed last Tuesday night after the item was pushed to the end of the Richmond City Council agenda and ultimately not heard.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--52.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/point-molate-beach-richmond.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/point-molate-bay-trail-funding-vote-delayed-after-council-agenda-shift/) Park District Board Director Elizabeth Echols detailed the project’s scope, highlighting the collaborative effort among the Park District, the City of Richmond, and Chevron to construct adjoining sections of the Bay Trail along the San Pablo Peninsula. The route will connect the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge, Point Richmond, Point Molate Beach Park, and the historic Winehaven District. “The project will provide new public access with an all-weather, multi-use trail that’s fully ADA compliant, along with parking, restrooms, and picnic areas at Point Molate Beach Park,” Echols said. “It also lays the groundwork for future access to public open space and unpaved trails. Hillside and bay shoreline habitats at several locations along the trail corridor will be restored and enhanced with native vegetation planted to restore coastal shrub, coastal prairie and other vegetation.” [Point Molate development plans derailed, park plans move forwardAfter years of legal wrangling, a court has found that the environmental impact report for the proposed development of Point Molate was flawed, which environmental groups say clears the way for creating a new shoreline regional park. The Point Molate Mixed Use Project envisioned a mixed-use community comprising open space,![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--53.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/DSC_1177-1.jpg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/after-legal-battle-point-molate-development-plans-derailed-opportunities-for-a-park-emerge/) [Richmond City Council announces deal to sell Point Molate land to East Bay Regional Park DistrictRichmond City Council announces deal to sell Point Molate land to East Bay Regional Parks District The Richmond City Council will hold a special meeting on Friday to enter into an agreement with the Guidiville Rancheria of California to sell 81.56 acres, including the historic Winehaven property, to the East Bay Regional Park District.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--54.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-point-molate-winehaven.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-city-council-announces-deal-to-sell-point-molate-land-to-east-bay-regional-park-district/) Echols said the combined funding for the project is $13.1 million, with construction costs estimated at $8.6 million. “This project is particularly significant to our community because it’s a first step in providing access to a truly iconic future regional park here at Point Molate,” Echols said. “It’s not just about building a trail, it’s about creating opportunities for everyone to enjoy the beauty and history of this special place.” Richmond Mayor Eduardo Martinez told the crowd, “Since I’ve been on the council, I’ve always seen Point Molate as one of the major parks of the East Bay. I’ve had visions of various organizations, government, nonprofits working together and finding some way to get money together so that we could do what they did at the Presidio here.” Richmond Mayor Eduardo Martinez said during his time on the council, he always envisioned Point Molate as a premier East Bay park. The mayor described possibilities for soccer fields, a cultural center, outdoor amphitheaters, and even a water taxi serving the shoreline. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/08/Point-Molate-Bay-Trail-extension-breaks-ground-Richmond4.webp) Richmond Mayor Eduardo Martinez speaks with cyclists prior to the event. “What we need to do now as we’re building the trail is to continue to dream of the possibilities that we as a community can work together to realize,” Martinez said. Chevron Corporate Affairs Manager Brian Hubinger said the company has been working with the Park District for more than a decade to help bring Bay Trail access through its property. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/08/Point-Molate-Bay-Trail-extension-breaks-ground-Richmond5.webp) Chevron Corporate Affairs Manager Brian Hubinger and Nancy Skinner talk following the groundbreaking. “We were partners with East Bay Parks for a decade now, working through easements and making sure we can identify where the access points are,” Hubinger said. “Public access is something important we want to support. It’s important to the Park District, it’s important to Richmond.” Carlos Torres, outreach manager for a local cycling group, Rich City, said the project will help riders better navigate the shoreline. “It’s important to us as an organization to know and understand all the paths we can take on our bikes here, for our health, for our community, for togetherness,” Torres said. “Our hope is that it makes the area more accessible to everyone, including people who need ADA access.” The Bay Trail is a regional project that will eventually span 500 miles around San Francisco Bay. The Point Molate extension is one of several projects advancing the effort to complete the shoreline walking and cycling route. Point Molate, once the site of a U.S. Navy fuel depot, has been the subject of decades of debate over development and public access. In recent years, the area has been the focus of restoration work and new recreation opportunities along Richmond’s shoreline. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Eight Great Things to do in Richmond URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/eight-great-things-to-do-in-richmond-11/ Last updated: 2025-07-31T05:45:13.000Z With 30-plus miles of shoreline, two yacht clubs, endless hiking and cycling trails, and a host of eateries, Richmond has a lot to offer. Each week, *Grandview* highlights what we think are the best, not-to-be-missed events and offerings from across the city. ## A Musical Evening with Cello Joe @ Main Library ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-30-at-2.29.36-PM.png) **Thursday, July 31, 2025** Joey Chang, aka Cello Joe, is a one-of-a-kind force in the world of cellists. Cello + Beatboxing + Vocals = Cello Joe. Join us for the final program in the Main Library before it is renovated. **25 Civic Center Plaza Richmond, CA** ## First Friday OUT! @Windchaser Wine Co. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-30-at-10.30.19-AM.png) **Friday, Aug 1st, 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.** Live music from: Dave Matthews Blues Band featuring the East Bay's own Dave M on harmonica. **1352 S 49th St, Richmond, CA 94804** ## 8 Years @Armisice Brewing Co. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-29-at-1.51.55-PM.png) That’s how long you’ve been showing up, raising a glass, and rooting for this little brewery in Richmond. Through a once-in-a-century pandemic, supply chain chaos, and more curveballs than we can count—you kept us going. We are here because of you. So this Saturday, we celebrate you as much as we celebrate turning 8. 🎉 Armistice Richmond’s 8-Year Anniversary Party 🗓 This Saturday | ⏰ 12 p.m.–9 p.m. 📍Armistice Brewing Co – Richmond Taproom Here’s what we’ve got going down: 🎶 Live music by Chili Quarters | 2 p.m. 🎨 Art Club by [@artfrommud](https://www.instagram.com/artfrommud/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) in the Framily Room | 4 p.m. (Come make mosaic candlelights!) 🧠 Armistice Trivia | 6 p.m. (Know your beer history? Hope so.) 🍺 Archive Beer Flight | All Day, While Supplies Last Featuring: • 2019 Hiney the Bunger (BBA Imperial Stout) • 2021 Mike’s Hard Chocolate (Imperial Stout w/ Cacao & Vanilla) • 2023 Corpus (Double-Barrel Aged Barleywine) • 2024 Twice (Double-Barrel Aged Barleywine) 🍜 Food by [@general.li88](https://www.instagram.com/general.li88/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) and [@curbside.kitchen](https://www.instagram.com/curbside.kitchen/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) This is our favorite party of the year. Let’s make it count. [#8YearsOfArmistice](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/8yearsofarmistice/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) **845 Marina Bay Pkwy #1, Richmond, CA 94804** ## ## Art and Music Festival @East Richmond Heights ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-30-at-10.18.49-AM.png) **The East Richmond Heights Art and Music Festival** returns for its 6th year! This fun, free, family-friendly event takes place on Saturday, August 2nd, from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. along Bernhard Avenue outside the Gyuto Foundation Monastery (6401 Bernhard Avenue, Richmond). This 100% volunteer-organized festival celebrating the artistic spirit of East Richmond Heights has grown to more than 50 outstanding vendors this year. Shop from some of our best local artists working in graphic arts, painting, photography, jewelry, leather, stone, metal, pottery, candles, clothing, and bags, and other crafts. Grab some delicious food from the excellent food vendors and enjoy a full schedule of local musicians taking to the stage. Explore the gardens and prayer wheels and take in the view of Wildcat Canyon from Gyuto Monastery. Face painting and chalk art for the kids. **More info at @erh.artfair (Instagram) or @erhfestival (Facebook).** ## Paint N Sip @Laurel Park Neighborhood ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-30-at-10.39.10-AM.png) **Aug 02, 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. FREE!** Join us for an afternoon of creativity, sips, & connection! Whether you’re an experienced artist or just in it for the fun, come enjoy step-by-step painting instruction. Space is limited to 50 participants. Reserve your spot now: [amandalpnc@gmail.com](mailto:amandalpnc@gmail.com) or text/call (510) 619-87671 **960 South 47th Street, Richmond, CA** ## Zinfandel Tasting! **@**Lara's Fine Dining [](https://nextdoor.com/profile/01ZpRJSJsYwtWLFXc/?is=detail%5Fauthor&ref=grandviewindependent.com) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-30-at-10.22.31-AM.png) **Tuesday, August 5th, 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.** Join us for our Monthly Wine Tasting. Will be poring Zinfandel this month.**1** **900 Esplanade Drive Richmond, CA 94804** ## National Night Out @Richmond ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-30-at-12.47.45-PM.png) **Join us for National Night Out – Richmond Style!** 🏡💜 Please mark your calendars for Tuesday, August 5th, 2025, as we come together for an evening of connection, community, and celebration at National Night Out! 👋 Kick-Off Event 🕔 5:00 PM | 📍 Town Triangle (Near 128 W. Richmond Ave.) *Hosted by the Point Richmond Neighborhood Council* 🎊 End Party 🕕 6:00–9:00 PM | 📍 871 23rd Street (in front of Rigo Auto Sales) *Hosted by the 23rd Street Merchants* — with live music, food, games & more! Brought to you by the City of Richmond, the Richmond Police Department Crime Prevention Program, and the Neighbor-to-Neighbor program ***Let’s strengthen community bonds, meet our neighbors, and show what Richmond is made of. 💪✨*** ### **STEM Library classes @West Side Branch Library** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/07/SAFF-wsb-main-Insta-1-056hNH.png) **Join us for STEM Library classes with Scientific Adventures at the West Side Branch Library** 3:30-5:00 p.m. Wednesdays, July 23rd, 30th, and August 6th! Free, hands-on STEM projects for all kids and their families, so if you have ever wondered what an SAfG class looks like in action, stop by! **135 Washington Avenue (510) 620-6567** --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Tsunami advisory cancelled for the Bay Area URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/tsunami-advisory-cancelled-for-the-bay-area/ Last updated: 2025-07-30T19:08:24.000Z The National Weather Service has cancelled a tsunami advisory for the California coastal region that includes the San Francisco Bay Area. The advisory went into effect yesterday after an 8.8 magnitude earthquake rocked a coastal region of Russia, setting off tsunami warnings across the Pacific and an advisory along the West Coast. [Tsunami Advisory issued for California coastThe National Weather Service has issued a tsunami watch for the entire California coast, including the San Francisco Bay Area.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--50.png)Grandview IndependentLinda Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-07-29-at-5.41.43-PM-1.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/tsunami-watch-issued-for-california-coast/) The National Weather Service predicted tides could reach the Bay Area early Wednesday morning, urging people to stay away from the waterfront and know their evacuation route. In Richmond, the highest tide was 0.8 ft at 2:41 a.m. Wednesday morning, San Francisco and Point Reyes saw higher tides at 1.2 ft and 2.6 ft. The alert was lifted on Wednesday at 11:00 a.m., with the NWS cautioning some areas may continue to experience small sea level changes. "Local conditions can cause a wide variation in wave action. Dangerous currents and fast tidal swings will persist through today. These conditions are hazardous to swimmers, boats, and coastal structures." For more information, visit: [https://www.tsunami.gov/](https://www.tsunami.gov/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) National Weather Service: [https://www.weather.gov/mtr/](https://www.weather.gov/mtr/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Tsunami advisory issued for California coast URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/tsunami-watch-issued-for-california-coast/ Last updated: 2026-02-24T20:20:54.000Z *Updated: July 30, 2025, 7:55 a.m.* ■**A tsunami advisory remains in effect for the coastal areas of California, including the San Francisoco Bay Area.** The National Weather Service has issued a tsunami watch for the entire California coast, including the San Francisco Bay Area. The tsunami watch was upgraded to an advisory Tuesday evening, one level before a warning, indicating coastal flooding is possible, and residents should stay away from the waterfront. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-29-at-7.03.51-PM-1-1.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-29-at-7.22.40-PM.png) The advisory is precautionary and follows an 8.8 magnitude earthquake that occurred earlier today near Petropavlovsk Kamchatka off the coast of Russia’s far-eastern Kamchatka Peninsula, a remote and sparsely populated part of the country. The [NWS](https://www.weather.gov/mtr/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) estimates the time of arrival could be as early as 12:15 a.m. locally. However, this is only an advisory, and not a warning. On social media, Contra Costa County Supervisor John Gioia posted a message urging people to stay away from local waterways. "There is a potential 1ft wave. We do not currently anticipate any major impact to [@CCCounty](https://x.com/CCCounty?ref=grandviewindependent.com) . However, it is recommended that you stay out of the water, away from beaches and waterways," Gioia said. "Cal Office of Emergency Services is tracking this closely and is keeping our County Emergency Planners informed." The City of Richmond sent out a Nixle Alert informing residents of the advisory and asking them to remain aware of their evacuation zone and continue to monitor conditions. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-29-at-7.09.27-PM-1.png) To find your zone, [click here](https://cwsalerts.com/know-your-zone/?ref=grandviewindependent.com). For tsunami updates: [https://tsunami.gov/events/PAAQ/2025/07/29/t06p1k/6/WEAK51/WEAK51.txt](https://tsunami.gov/events/PAAQ/2025/07/29/t06p1k/6/WEAK51/WEAK51.txt?ref=grandviewindependent.com) *This is a developing story; check back for updates.* --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Flaring prompts false community alert URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/flaring-prompts-false-community-alert/ Last updated: 2026-03-07T17:58:26.000Z A brief flaring at Chevron's Richmond refinery this afternoon triggered an unintentional level-two community alert, which was sent to area residents. Officials at the refinery say the notification was issued accidentally and was intended to be a level-one alert, indicating no community response was necessary as crews worked to resolve an issue causing the flaring. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-29-at-4.05.30-PM.png) "A Community Warning System (CWS) Level 2 notification was mistakenly issued, which automatically prompted a public advisory. A correction has been made. Chevron Richmond is experiencing flaring, and our workforce is working quickly to minimize and stop the flaring. It should have been a Level 1 notification. There is no emergency response or community action required," said Catlin Powell, a spokesperson for Chevron. [Contra Costa County](https://x.com/CoCoCWS?ref=grandviewindependent.com) has issued an all-clear notification, and flaring at the refinery has been halted. Real-time air quality data can be found at [richmondairmonitoring.org](http://richmondairmonitoring.org/?ref=grandviewindependent.com). --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.*halted ### Richmond Burrito Trail: Las Cabaña San Pablo Avenue food truck URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-burrito-trail-las-cabana-san-pablo-avenue-food-truck/ Last updated: 2025-07-29T17:17:40.000Z Sometimes it’s hard to tell if a food truck is popular or just slow. With lots of people milling around outside on the sidewalk, we figured Las Cabaña on San Pablo Avenue was worth a try. After all, we’d already experienced the magic of Las Cabañas on 23rd Street, where we discovered the “authentic flavors of Chiapas” in a shiny black trailer that delivered one of our most memorable burrito experiences to date. [Richmond Burrito Trail: Discovering Chiapas cuisine at Las Cabañas Food Truck on 23rd StreetWe went searching for the authentic flavors of Chiapas, Mexico and found it in a gas station parking lot on 23rd Street in the form of a delicious shrimp burrito at Las Cabañas Food Truck.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--49.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Richmond-Burrito-Trail-Caban-as-Food-Truck-1-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-burrito-trail-discovering-chiapas-cuisine-at-las-cabanas-food-truck-on-23rd-street-2/) But if our adventures with Jalisco have taught us anything, it’s that different trucks can offer [vastly](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-richmond-burrito-trail-la-flor-de-jaliscos-san-pablo-avenue-location/) [different](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-richmond-burrito-trail-la-flor-de-jalisco/) [experiences](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-richmond-burrito-trail-completing-the-la-flor-de-jalisco-triad/), even when they share a name. Armed with optimism and empty stomachs, we approached the San Pablo Avenue outpost ready for another culinary adventure. Las Cabaña is the food truck stationed under the Bart tracks next to [Tub Town ](https://www.tubtown.com/?ref=grandviewindependent.com)laundromat, so you can enjoy a burrito while leaving your clothes in the washers for way too long. What we found, however, was a lesson in the inconsistency that can plague food truck franchises. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/07/Richmond-Burrito-Trail-Las-Caban--a-San-Pablo-Avenue-food-truck-burrito.webp) Las Cabaña San Pablo Avenue food truck Super Fish Burrito tipped the scales at a healthy 783 grams. We ordered the Super Fish Burrito, weighing in at a hefty 783 grams, along with some shrimp tacos that we immediately regretted. The shrimp tacos were disappointingly rubbery. Definitely skip those if you find yourself in line. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/07/Richmond-Burrito-Trail-Las-Caban--a-San-Pablo-Avenue-food-truck-shrimp-tacos.webp) Las Cabaña San Pablo Avenue food truck shrimp tacos were disappointingly rubbery. The Super Fish Burrito came piping hot, which was promising. Inside, we found white, flaky grilled fish that was unobtrusively unfishy. We are going to peg it tilapia until we learn otherwise. Unlike the complex layers of interesting flavors we remembered from the 23rd Street location, this burrito was overwhelmingly rice-heavy, with the grain comprising more than 50 percent of the filling. While we appreciated the generous helping of guacamole and the presence of refried beans (always a welcome addition), the overall composition felt unbalanced. The burrito included Pico De Gallo and what we suspected might be sour cream masquerading as a “special sauce,” though we couldn’t be certain. The fish was grilled rather than breaded and fried as we’d expected, which was actually a pleasant surprise in terms of preparation method. Perhaps the second most disappointing was the stale chips that accompanied our meal. This was a stark contrast to the warm, fresh chips that elevated our 23rd Street experience. While the Tub Town location delivers on portion size and heat, it lacks the elevated cylinder of complex flavors that made the 23rd Street Las Cabañas such a standout on our Richmond Burrito Trail. Where the 23rd Street location offered a sophisticated interplay of ingredients that had us wishing the burrito wouldn’t end, the El Cerrito version feels more like a standard rice-and-protein combination that happens to be wrapped in a tortilla. The Richmond Burrito Trail continues to teach us that even when a food truck shares a name and presumably a concept, execution can vary dramatically from location to location. While Las Cabañas on 23rd Street remains one of our top recommendations, we’d suggest sticking with the original if you’re craving authentic Chiapas cuisine. Let us know where to eat next, and check back for another stop on the [Richmond Burrito Trail.](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/tag/burrito-trail/) --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond Police battle daily barrage of auto thefts, assaults, and break-ins URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-police-battle-daily-barrage-of-auto-thefts-assaults-and-break-ins/ Last updated: 2025-07-29T00:11:37.000Z Richmond's streets saw no shortage of criminal activity during the week of July 21-27, 2025, as police logged dozens of incidents ranging from petty theft to attempted murder. Vehicle-related crimes dominated the reports, with car thefts, auto burglaries, and robberies occurring at all hours across the city. Officers also responded to multiple assaults, residential break-ins, vandalism sprees, and drug-related arrests. From midnight motor vehicle thefts to evening armed robberies, here's a comprehensive look at the crimes and arrests that kept Richmond police busy throughout the week. ### Richmond incident map ### **Monday, July 21, 2025** **Midnight motorist mishap:** 2800 block of Virginia Avenue. A motor vehicle theft was reported, leading to an arrest. The suspect was also found in possession of burglary tools at 12:59 a.m. **Utility theft scheme:** 5100 block of Solano Avenue. Police made an arrest for grand theft and utility services theft over $400, along with conspiracy charges at 3:13 a.m. **Morning motor theft:** 1600 block of Monterey Street. A vehicle was reported stolen at 6:02 a.m. **South side swipe:** 200 block of S 45th Street. Vehicle theft occurred at 8:54 a.m. **Strong-arm robbery:** Carlson Boulevard. Strong-arm robbery paired with vehicle theft at 10:43 a.m. **Shoplifting:** 1200 block of MacDonald Avenue. A shoplifter reportedly escalated their crimes to robbery at 1 p.m. **Grand theft:** 2700 block of Wiswall Drive. A grand theft was reported at 1:04 p.m. **Vehicle vandalism:** 3100 block of Shane Drive. Vehicle tampering was reported at 1:34 p.m. **Battery:** 4900 block of Hartnett Avenue. Some sort of altercation was reported to police at 2:08 p.m. **Rental ripoff:** 400 block of Stege Avenue. Someone was busted after embezzlement of a leased/rented vehicle at 2:10 p.m. **Strong-arm robbery:** Roosevelt Avenue. Another strong-arm robbery was reported at 4:09 p.m. **Grand theft:** 300 block of S 4th Street. A sizable theft was reported at 7 p.m. **Residential break-in:** 700 block of 15th Street. Burglars forced their way into a home at 7:13 p.m. **Vehicle vanished:** 300 block of S 25th Street. An unscheduled borrowing of a motor vehicle occurred at 8 p.m. **Trespassing trouble:** 4000 block of Mozart Drive. A trespasser refused to leave at 8:20 p.m. **Simple assault:** 400 block of S 20th Street. Police made an arrest for simple assault at 10:09 p.m. **Petty pilfering:** 600 block of South 29th Street. A petty theft was reported at 10:30 p.m. **Court contempt:** 600 block of S 31st Street. Someone was violating a court order at 11:39 p.m. --- ### **Tuesday, July 22, 2025** **Parkway vandalism:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. Felony vandalism over $400 was reported at 3 a.m. **Dawn assault:** In the 94801 zip code. Officers responded to an assault with force, causing possible great bodily injury at 6 a.m. **Trespassing:** 1300 block of Dunn Avenue. It was reported that someone was trespassing at 7:12 a.m. **Auto burglary:** 2600 block of Hilltop Drive. A car owner learned someone had broken into their car at 7:34 a.m. **Car theft:** 500 block of S 24th Street. Another automotive disappearing act was reported at 7:39 a.m. **Fraud scheme:** 5700 block of Amend Road. Money obtained by false pretenses was discovered at 10:39 a.m. **Battery:** Tewksbury Avenue. Someone was said to have used unlawful force or violence upon a person at 12:10 p.m. **Residential raid:** 3100 block of Garrity Way. Residential burglary without force and petty theft from a motor vehicle were reported at 1:08 p.m. **Card crime:** 600 block of 22nd Street. Theft by use of access card information was reported at 1:28 p.m. **Elm encounter:** 700 block of Elm Avenue. Battery on a person was reported at 2:38 p.m. **Weapon display:** 900 block of 23rd Street. Police made an arrest for assault after someone exhibited a deadly weapon at 3:10 p.m. **Trespassing:** 3100 block of Southampton Court. Someone occupied property without consent at 4:31 p.m. **Criminal combo:** 100 block of Crest Avenue. Someone burglarized and tampered with a vehicle at 5 p.m. **DUI downtown:** The 94804 zip code. Police arrested a driver who was said to be driving under the influence of alcohol at 11 p.m. **Terroristic threats:** 4800 block of Hartnett Avenue. Criminal threats were made at 11:56 p.m., followed by an arrest on intimidation charges. --- ### **Wednesday, July 23, 2025** **Midnight theft:** 6100 block of Burlingame Avenue. Grand theft was reported at midnight. **Theft:** 600 block of 30th Street. Petty theft was discovered and reported to police at 6:45 a.m. **Residential raid:** Crest Avenue. It was discovered that burglars forced their way into a home at 7 a.m. **Parts pilfering:** 100 block of 24th Street. More motor vehicle parts/accessories were reportedly lost to the night at 8:23 a.m. **Car burglary:** 1400 block of Ohio Avenue. A car owner discovered thieves had pawed through their car at 8:34 a.m. **Parkway pilfer:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. A surprise vehicular relocation happened in the night and was reported to police at 9:19 a.m. **Avenue auto theft:** 4100 block of Potrero Avenue. Car thieves liberated another ride at 9:37 a.m. **Street strike:** 100 block of Curry Street. Auto burglary at 10:54 a.m. **Residential burglary:** 700 block of 36th Street. A residential burglary without the use of force was reported at 12:25 p.m. **Battery:** Carlson Boulevard. Battery on a person was reported at 12:50 p.m. **Street smash:** 800 block of 7th Street. It was reported a felony vandalism had occurred at 1:45 p.m. **More vandalism:** Harbour Way. Vandals caused more than $400 in damage at 1:47 p.m. **Minor mischief:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. Minor vandalism was reported at 2:41 p.m. **Commercial burglary:** 2600 block of MacDonald Avenue. Commercial burglary with force, petty theft from a building, felony vandalism, and trespassing were all discovered at 2:48 p.m. **Vandalism:** 900 block of Triangle Court. Another felonious vandalism was reported at 3:17 p.m. **Police pursuit:** 2500 block of Hilltop Mall Road. Someone was evading a peace officer at 4:22 p.m. **Vehicle victory:** MacDonald Avenue. A stolen car was returned to its rightful owner at 4:59 p.m. **Walkway woes:** 400 block of Metro Walk Way. Someone else’s car, however, got a less-than-legal new owner at 5:30 p.m. **Street swipe:** 800 block of 38th Street. Petty theft was reported at 6:59 p.m. **Court contempt:** 400 block of 23rd Street. Someone was in contempt of court for disobeying a court order at 7:35 p.m. **Assault:** 2800 block of Bissell Avenue. More battery on a person was reported at 8:06 p.m. [Armed robbery reported in Alvarado Park leads to large police responseAn armed robbery near the entrance of Alvarado Park in East Richmond Heights on Wednesday night triggered a large police response, including a helicopter and a K-9 unit, but the search was later called off after the suspect fled.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--48.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Alvarado-Park-Richmond.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/armed-robbery-reported-in-alvarado-park-leads-to-large-police-response/) **Officer obstruction:** The 94804 zip code. Someone obstructed or resisted an officer at 9:58 p.m. **Attempted murder:** 1700 block of Maine Avenue. Police arrested an individual on charges of aggravated assault. The charges stemmed from an alleged attempted murder using a knife, assault with a deadly weapon, and assault with force that potentially caused great bodily injury at 10:49 p.m. **Disorderly conduct:** 300 block of S 18th Street. Someone was arrested on drug charges after some disorderly conduct involving alcohol at 11:25 p.m. Someone was also disobeying an order of a fireman or public officer at the same time. --- ### **Thursday, July 24, 2025** **Assault:** 1500 block of Garvin Avenue. Battery on a person was reported at 12:11 a.m. **Mall mischief:** 2800 block of Hilltop Mall Road. Petty theft from a building was reported at 12:17 a.m. **Parkway pilfer:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. Someone’s car took an extended, unapproved test drive at 2:22 a.m. **Boulevard burglary:** 2500 block of Cutting Boulevard. Another car was absent without leave at 6:34 a.m. **Theft:** 300 block of Nevin Avenue. More theft of the petty nature was reported at 7:02 a.m. **Grand theft:** 500 block of Chanslor Avenue. More belongings were stolen at 7:12 a.m. **Double trouble:** 2200 block of Barrett Avenue. Grand theft and felony vandalism were reported at 8:33 a.m. **Emergency assault:** 5600 block of Alameda Avenue. Someone was said to have committed battery against emergency personnel at 9:02 a.m. **Vehicle violation:** 3000 block of Hilltop Mall Road. The embezzlement of a leased/rented vehicle was reported at 9:29 a.m. **Authority resistance:** 400 block of Chanslor Avenue. Police made an arrest after someone reportedly obstructed or resisted an officer at 11:48 a.m. **Grand theft:** 900 block of Nevin Avenue. More grand theft happened at 12:45 p.m. **Identity theft:** 100 block of S 18th Street. Someone was in possession of personal identifying info and had the intent to defraud at 1:26 p.m. **Multiple charges:** 1200 block of MacDonald Avenue. Officers nabbed a suspect on impersonation charges at 4:03 p.m. Drugs and petty theft were also involved somehow. **Aggravated assault:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. Police responded to reports of an assault with force causing possible great bodily injury at 5:02 p.m. **Burglary:** 600 block of 32nd Street. Burglaries continued their assault on the North and East with a residential burglary at 8:46 p.m. --- ### **Friday, July 25, 2025** **Intimidation:** 2300 block of Macdonald Avenue. Police made arrests for intimidation after someone exhibited a deadly weapon and threatened to commit a crime at 12:50 a.m. **Battery:** 2600 block of Lancaster Drive. Police made arrests for simple assault at 9:25 a.m. **Police evasion:** Richmond Parkway & Giant Road. A driver was disregarding safety while trying to evade the police at 9:46 a.m. **Grand theft:** 4600 block of Upland Drive. A grand theft from a motor vehicle was reported at 3 a.m. **Assault and battery:** 200 block of W Chanslor Avenue. Police made arrests for simple assault at 1:21 p.m. **Home invasion:** 200 block of Gertrude Avenue. A home invasion robbery and first-degree robbery of an inhabited dwelling was reported at 2:20 p.m. **Residential burglary:** 600 block of Berk Avenue. A residential burglary with force was reported at 2:59 p.m. **Vandalism:** 1100 block of S 27th Street. Vandals caused property damage at 4:27 p.m. **Reckless Driving:** In the 94805 zip code. Someone was driving recklessly at 7:28 p.m. **DUI trifecta:** In the 94801 zip code. Police busted someone for driving under the influence, with a driver's license restricted for DUI, and committing a hit and run with property damage at 10:42 p.m. **Threateningly:** 2300 block of Brooks Avenue. Someone was threatening to commit a crime at 9:30 a.m. **Auto Burglary:** Crest Avenue. Another auto burglary was reported at 11 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 700 block of 20th Street. A vehicle was taken without the owner's consent at 10 p.m. **Petty theft:** Bissell Way. Theft from a motor vehicle was reported at 5 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 100 block of Garrard Boulevard. Another vehicle was spirited away without the owner's consent at 5 p.m. --- ### **Saturday, July 26, 2025** **Auto Burglary:** 900 block of Ripley Avenue. An auto burglary was reported at 7 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 1000 block of 23rd Street. A stolen vehicle was recovered at 8 a.m. **Petty theft:** 2500 block of Roosevelt Avenue. A petty theft was reported at 10:58 a.m. **Vandalism:** 200 block of Sanford Avenue. Miscreants tampered with and burglarized a car at 2:20 p.m. **Grand theft:** 3400 block of Garvin Avenue. A grand theft was reported at 4:40 p.m. **Assault and battery:** 3800 block of Lakeside Dr. Battery and vandalism were reported at 8:49 p.m. --- ### **Sunday, July 27, 2025** **Assault and battery:** 200 block of Macdonald Avenue. An incident involving battery, battery on a person, and vandalism causing less than $400 in damage was reported. Police made arrests for simple assault at 5:19 a.m. **Aggravated assault:** 3100 block of Moyers Road. Police made arrests for aggravated assault at 6:11 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** Cutting Court. Another vehicle was taken without the owner's consent at 6:55 a.m. **Vandalism:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. Vandalism causing $400 or more in damage was reported at 11:09 a.m. **Trespassing:** The 94801 zip code. Someone reportedly trespassed and refused to leave at 2:18 p.m. **Petty theft:** 1200 block of Macdonald Avenue. Petty theft was reported at 1:40 p.m. **Assault and battery:** 600 block of Stege Avenue. A report was filed for threatening behavior, battery, and misdemeanor threatening crime with intent to terrorize at 3:54 p.m. **Street racing:** 900 block of Chanslor Avenue. Someone was aiding or abetting in an exhibition of speed at 4:31 p.m. **Assault and battery:** 3200 block of Florida Avenue. Battery and exhibiting a firearm were reported at 6:05 p.m. **Commercial burglary:** 1400 block of Hilltop Mall Road. A commercial burglary with force was reported at 8:59 p.m. **Armed robbery:** 3200 block of Pullman Avenue. A robbery with a firearm was reported at 7:30 p.m. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* a ### Armed robbery reported in Alvarado Park leads to large police response URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/armed-robbery-reported-in-alvarado-park-leads-to-large-police-response/ Last updated: 2025-07-24T17:09:06.000Z An armed robbery near the entrance of Alvarado Park in East Richmond Heights on Wednesday night triggered a large police response, including a helicopter and a K-9 unit, but the search was later called off after the suspect fled. The robbery occurred shortly after 9 p.m. in the playground area of the park. According to police radio traffic, the suspect, described as a male adult, approximately 6 feet tall and 180 pounds, wearing a black hoodie, fled north of the playground and into the park. A Richmond police dog was deployed, and the East Bay Regional Park Police established a perimeter. A helicopter was also dispatched to assist with the search. Despite these efforts, officers were unable to locate the suspect, and the search was called off shortly before 10:30 p.m., according to police radio traffic. The victim, who was not injured, remained on scene and spoke with officers. Residents took to the social media platform Nextdoor during and after the incident to share real-time observations, reporting police cars speeding along Arlington Boulevard, a helicopter circling the area, and a visibly distraught woman speaking with officers at the park entrance. “I just got home. We can see the cops at Wildcat, and a lady is distraught. Hope she is okay,” wrote Jenny Chang, who lives nearby. The East Bay Regional Park District has not yet released an official statement. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Eight Great Things to do in Richmond URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/eight-great-things-to-do-in-richmond-10/ Last updated: 2025-07-24T06:10:37.000Z With 30-plus miles of shoreline, two yacht clubs, endless hiking and cycling trails, and a host of eateries, Richmond has a lot to offer. Each week, *Grandview* highlights what we think are the best, not-to-be-missed events and offerings from across the city. ### Artfull Conversations @Arts of Point Richmond ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-23-at-10.26.48-AM-1.png) **July 24, 2025, 4 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.** Join us for conversation and resource sharing related to art and making art. This is not a critique group; it is an opportunity to talk about our work with a supportive and inspiring group of artists. For more information and to RSVP, please email Betsy Kellas at [betsykellas@gmail.com](mailto:betsykellas@gmail.com) and put "ArtFull Conversations" in the subject line. **ar-ti-fact gallery, 109 W Richmond Ave., Point Richmond, CA 94801** ## Martin **Luther @**Vibe Bistro ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-23-at-3.25.51-PM-1-1.png) **LIVE at VIBE** is a recurring live music series hosted at Vibe Bistro in Richmond, CA, spotlighting local artists and open-mic jam sessions. Held on Friday evenings, it’s the perfect way to wind down the week with live soul, jazz, blues, and R&B. Upcoming show, the legendary Martin Luther on July 25. 🎶 LIVE at VIBE 🗓 Varying Fridays 🕖 Doors at 7 p.m. **📍 Vibe Bistro | 1503 MacDonald Ave, Suite B, Richmond, CA** ## Music On the Main @ The Lot ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-23-at-10.08.37-AM-1.png) **Get ready to experience Richmond like never before at Music on the Main — a free community event filled with live music, great food, and local flavor!** Join us on Thursday, July 24, 2025, from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at The Lot, one of Richmond’s newest outdoor spaces, as we bring the city together for an unforgettable summer evening. The lineup features the soulful sounds of André Thierry, and smooth R&B and hip-hop vibes from Phresh Sound. In addition to great music, you’ll find a variety of food, pastry, and craft vendors offering tasty bites and handmade goods. Whether you're coming with family, friends, or just yourself — bring a lawn chair, bring your energy, and enjoy the rhythm of Richmond! **1401 Macdonald Avenue Richmond, CA 94804** ### Mike Rufo @Sailing the Goat ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-23-at-1.08.44-PM-1.png) **Rooted in folk and rock**, Mike’s musical language builds upon powerful lyrics, driving rhythms, and melodic riffs that explore emotional depths and transformation. Mike has also played with leading contemporary artists such as 2016 NPR Tiny Desk Winner Gaelynn Lea and performed on stages throughout the US and abroad. **Jul 25, 2025, 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. Sailing Goat at Point San Pablo Harbor, 1900 Stenmark Dr, Richmond, CA 94801, USA** [https://www.mikerufomusic.com/](https://www.mikerufomusic.com/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) ### Art For The Soul—Expressive Arts Workshop Series @RAH Studio ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-23-at-10.23.23-AM-1.png) **FRIDAY, JULY 25 from 7-9 p.m. & SATURDAY, JULY 26 from 2-4 p.m.** at RAH Studio, 217 W Richmond Ave Studio C. Come as you are to this welcoming, donation-based workshop series focused on creative expression, self-discovery, and the joy of making art without expectations. **Whether you’re picking up a paintbrush for the first time or returning to creativity after a break, this space is for *you***. Each session offers a new multimedia experience using a variety of materials—paint, collage, drawing, and more. You’ll be encouraged to explore, experiment, and engage in the creative process as a way to connect more deeply with yourself and others. *All materials provided, payment on a donation basis.* This is more than just an art class—it’s a gentle invitation to slow down, express yourself freely, and maybe learn something new about the art process *and* yourself. *No experience needed. No pressure. Just process.* **RAH Studio (studio C), 217 W Richmond Ave., Point Richmond, CA 94801** ### THE BRAZILIAN PROJECT **@** Rigger's Loft Wine Co. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-23-at-10.43.11-AM-1.png) **Saturday, July 26** Samba and Bossa Nova from Rio, country dance music from the Northeast of Brazil, and Jazz from Sao Paulo. Help Support Live Music - $5 Music Cover Charge[**RESERVE A TABLE**](https://eatapp.co/reserve/r-b-cellars-80d1ec?ref=grandviewindependent.com)2 p.m. - 5 p.m. **1325** **Canal Boulevard Richmond, CA 94804** ### Mobilize, Organize, Occupy: Gallery Walkthrough @Richmond Art Center ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-23-at-12.45.47-PM-1.png) **Saturday, July 26, 11 a.m.-12p.m.** Join curator Kenneth P. Green Jr. – and son of the artist – for a guided walkthrough of the exhibition [*Mobilize, Organize, Occupy:* Three Moments of Bay Area Activism Through the Lens of Kenneth P. Green Sr.](https://richmondartcenter.org/exhibitions/kenneth-green/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) **Richmond Art Center, 2540 Barrett Avenue, Richmond, CA** ### [Boozy Brunches with General Li](https://www.thefactorybar.net/events/2022/4/24/boozy-brunches-at-the-factory-bar-wzck7-c8bp2-8s979-7lcml-7x5cm-t5nz9-6cke4-h83tt-t298e-dh7g8-z4ty9-36klp-ppddw-z8bf9-esz43-3aypy-new6f-jww5y-e2ys2-ef7p8-msbng-55bjz?ref=grandviewindependent.com) @The Factory Bar ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-23-at-12.13.46-PM-1.png) **Sunday, July 27** Enjoy Mimosas, Bloody Mary’s, Michelada, Mimosas and more delightful cocktails in combination with our good friend Chef Sharon Li ‘s menu, who is bringing her amazing, authentically inspired Taiwanese-American brunch. **12513 San Pablo Avenue Richmond, CA, 94805** --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### East Brother Lighthouse seeks $750K to save historic pier and gangway URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/east-brother-lighthouse-seeks-750k-to-save-historic-pier-and-gangway/ Last updated: 2026-06-18T20:59:48.000Z The non-profit organization that oversees Richmond's historic East Brother Light Station is currently seeking funds to complete much-needed repairs to both the station's pier and gangway, and is seeking donations to help cover the cost. East Brother Light Station, Inc. ([www.ebls.org](http://www.ebls.org/?ref=grandviewindependent.com)), announced on Wednesday a campaign to raise $750,000 to replace the pier and gangway, which provide the only access to the island. Both were constructed by the US Coast Guard in 1962; however, the Coast Guard currently lacks funds for maintenance and repairs. > "Since 1979, East Brother Light Station, Inc. has poured hundreds of thousands of volunteer hours and millions of dollars from B&B revenue into the island to maintain it and keep it open for public use. However, revenue from operation of the B&B and all the volunteers in the world can never be enough to replace the pier and gangway. Without use of the pier and gangway, occupation of East Brother Island would cease, the bed and breakfast inn would close, and the stream of funding critical for maintenance would quickly dry up. The buildings would soon be destroyed by neglect, vandalism and weather. with your help, we can avoid this sad but avoidable outcome. That is why, today, we starting the campaign to save East Brother. We are soliciting donors, grants, philanthropists, foundations, and public agencies for help," the statement said. East Brother Light Station, Inc. has been the steward of the Light Station for the last 45 years, following its abandonment by the U.S. Coast Guard in 1969\. The nonprofit organization has rehabilitated the lighthouse and other structures, which have been operating as a bed and breakfast inn since 1980, generating revenue to support its ongoing maintenance. Former Richmond Mayor Tom Butt, who is also president of East Brother Light Station, Inc., told *Grandview* that he has worked at saving East Brother for more than half his life, and isn't ready to stop yet. "Our dedicated board members and volunteers have donated thousands of hours to make sure this irreplaceable landmark endures for future generations and continued public access," Butt said. "There is nothing else like it anywhere, and we just can’t let it go now. I am confident that people, foundations, philanthropists, and public agencies will step up and give it at least another 150 years." Built in 1874 and automated in 1969, East Brother is the oldest operating wood-frame lighthouse on the West Coast. Designed by Paul J. Pelz, who also built the Mare Island Light in the Carquinez Strait, East Brother is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and is a California Registered Historic Landmark. It has been the subject of hundreds of media articles and video coverage and has also received numerous awards. For more information, contact [tom.butt@intres.com](mailto:tom.butt@intres.com). --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.*would like to help or know someone who can ### Beyond the bread: uncovering Richmond’s best sandwich shops URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/beyond-the-bread-uncovering-richmonds-best-sandwich-shops/ Last updated: 2025-07-22T17:52:11.000Z Deli sandwich, sub, hoagie, grinder, hero, all names for essentially the same thing: a long sandwich served on a sturdy roll, typically filled with meat, cheese, veggies, and a drizzle of oil and vinegar. Which term you use depends on where you are. When we think of deli sandwiches, we think of crunchy sourdough rolls with traditional sliced meats like turkey, ham, or roast beef, dressed and stacked right. It should be served cold. No hot pastrami, no tortas, no cheesesteaks, no hot dogs (yup), no grilled cheese, no club sandwiches. Bánh mì? So close, but not for today. In Richmond, a city more recently known for its tacos and pupusas than its sandwich prowess, there is a collection of small shops and delis making their claim in this all-American lunch category. Over the last few weeks, *Grandview Independent* visited five Richmond sandwich spots to help you find your next reliable go-to. We are judging each place on the essentials: taste, ingredient quality, variety, service, ambiance (because sometimes you want to sit and linger), and price. Whether you are after a meat-packed sub or a perfectly balanced veggie, we have got you covered. ## [Point Richmond Market](https://pointrichmondmarket.com/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/07/point-richmond-market3-1.webp) Point Richmond Market and Deli Turkey Sandwich The first stop on the Richmond Sandwich Trail is in Point Richmond, a neighborhood we will visit a total of three times in search of our new favorite sandwich. Point Richmond Market and Deli is a neighborhood market and deli located at 160 Washington Avenue, renowned for its solid sandwiches. The market features a proper deli counter in the back, offering a variety of salads along with typical small-grocery store fare. There are tables and chairs on the sidewalk out front, but this is a grab-and-go type of place. Sometimes all you want is a classic, no-frills deli sandwich, and that is exactly what we got. Built on fresh, sturdy bread, not too fancy, just right, it holds together a generous stack of turkey or pastrami. We had crisp romaine, tomatoes, onions, pickles, and a pop of pepperoncini. Mayo and mustard are well-balanced. This sandwich was also our first experience of what we are going to call the Point Richmond style of generous leafy lettuce. Really, every Sando in The Point was packed with lettuce. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/07/point-richmond-market2-2.webp) It is well-layered, not overly salty, and avoids the dreaded thick slab of cheese. One taster called it “the old-timey sandwich I know and love,” and that sums it up well. **Two sandwiches with chips $27.98** --- ## [Santa Fe Market](https://www.yelp.com/biz/santa-fe-market-richmond?ref=grandviewindependent.com) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/07/Santa-Fe-Market-richmond6.webp) Santa Fe Market's Roast Beef Sandwich Santa Fe Market is diagonally across the intersection from Point Richmond Market at 155 W Richmond Avenue. We were alerted to the sandwich offerings by the large banner out front, which read, "Sandwich Shop Now Open." This market-style deli impressed with its commitment to traditional preparation methods and premium ingredients at a very competitive $10.99 price point. The establishment’s veggie sandwich showcases the deli’s attention to balance and freshness, featuring avocado, onions, pickles, peppers, and tomatoes on properly prepared bread with a reasonable amount of cheese. Santa Fe Market adheres to the Point Richmond style, offering generous portions of leafy lettuce. The sandwich arrives substantial enough to challenge even hearty appetites. One diner noted the difficulty of holding the hefty creation, yet it maintains its structural integrity without becoming soggy. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/07/Santa-Fe-Market-richmond1.webp) The market atmosphere adds to the experience, evoking an old-timey neighborhood feel complete with a well-stocked produce section and Columbus brand cold cuts. We appreciated the sandwich artist’s attention to detail in writing down orders to ensure accuracy. **Two sandwiches and two bags of chips $25.39** --- ## [Navarro’s Italian Deli](https://www.yelp.com/biz/navarro-s-italian-deli-richmond?ref=grandviewindependent.com) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/07/Navarro-Italian-Deli-richmond2-1.webp) Navarro’s Italian Deli's Avocado and Cheese sandwich Navarro’s Italian Deli, nestled at 987 23rd Street in Richmond, serves as a neighborhood cornerstone offering traditional Italian fare and hearty deli sandwiches. The family-owned establishment, helmed by Daniel Navarro, has gained local recognition not only for its acclaimed sandwiches but also for its pizza featuring creamy cheese and a satisfying, crunchy crust made from a recipe reportedly sourced from a French chef. [On the Richmond Pizza Trail: 23rd Street’s Navarro’s Italian DeliWelcome to Grandview Independent’s pizza quest, Richmond Pizza Trail. The GI staff has turned our sights on pizza while the Richmond Burrito Trail observes a 40-day hiatus. Navarro’s Italian Deli may be best known for its sandwiches, but its pizza holds its own with a mix of satisfying flavors.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--47.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-pizza-trail-Navarros-Italian-Deli2-2-1-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-richmond-pizza-trail-23rd-streets-navarros-italian-deli/) Operating daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., the deli is mostly a to-go affair with only a small counter and a few chairs to sit at and watch the 23rd Street goings-on unfold in front of you. We have started frequenting Navarro’s Italian Deli since our favorite sandwich location fell off. More about that later. It also made an appearance in our pizza quest earlier in the year. Navarro’s custom sandwich offering proves that sometimes the simplest concepts executed flawlessly yield the most satisfying results. The foundation lies in their delicious bread, which arrives with a perfect balance of crusty exterior and tender crumb that holds up to generous fillings. Navarro will offer to toast the bread. Go for it. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/07/Navarro-Italian-Deli-richmond1.webp) What truly sets this sandwich apart is the attention to ingredient quality. The tomatoes were perfectly ripe, the lettuce provided an essential crisp contrast, and the avocado was at ideal ripeness. **Two sandwiches and chips cost $27.98** --- ## [Little Louie’s Café & Catering](https://www.littlelouies.com/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/07/Little-Louies-Cafe---Catering4.webp) Little Louie’s Turkey Sandwich Little Louie’s at 49 Washington Avenue markets itself as offering “an elegantly appointed casual dining experience with a nod to the local boating scene.” While the nautical theming may not immediately strike visitors, the restaurant delivers where it counts with competently prepared sandwiches that satisfy. During a recent lunch visit, the turkey on sourdough proved to be a textbook example of sandwich fundamentals done right. Piled high with turkey, lettuce heavy again, tomato, onion, mayo, and mustard, the offering impressed with its fresh, non-stale bread. The restaurant appears to rotate some menu items. Chowder was available on Friday, and hamburgers and fries round out the offerings beyond sandwiches. Little Louie’s was recently featured on KTVU News Zip Trips. **Two sandwiches and chips cost $25.70** --- ## [Angelo’s Gourmet Delicatessen](https://angelos-gourmet-delicatessen.cafes-city.com/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/07/angelos-richmond3.webp) Angelo’s Gourmet Delicatessen, located at 12025 San Pablo Avenue, has been a neighborhood favorite since the 1930s, and it is easy to see why this Richmond establishment has maintained its loyal following for generations. However, recent visits suggest that while the deli still has its strengths, some operational issues may be causing it to slip from its former glory. Angelo’s offers an array of sandwiches that hit some marks but miss on others. The highlight is Angelo’s classic Rich Lady ham, turkey, and salami combo, loaded up with veggies, including sprouts, which are rarely seen anymore. The sourdough roll was as good as ever, and the meat was piled high. There were some negatives. The main issue is with customization and execution. Despite requesting no mayonnaise, sandwiches can arrive soaked in it, creating an unwanted soggy drippy mess. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/07/angelos-richmond1.webp) The sandwich builder was generous with vegetable portions, including fresh cucumbers, tomatoes, red onions, and an excessive amount of avocado. While some diners enjoy a salad on a roll approach with plenty of fresh vegetables, others may find the execution inconsistent with their orders. **Two sandwiches and chips cost $31.78** Richmond is a large city with a vast array of restaurants, delis, and specialty food. If we missed a good sandwich spot, let us know by dropping a line or two in the comment section below. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Car thefts, assaults, and arson: Richmond’s week in crime URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/car-thefts-assaults-and-arson-richmonds-week-in-crime/ Last updated: 2025-07-21T22:06:04.000Z Another week brought another wave of stolen cars, armed robberies, and assaults across Richmond. Between July 14 and July 20, 2025, police responded to a steady stream of incidents, including arson, sexual assault, and violent threats. Here is a selection of the crimes, arrests, and public safety calls that kept officers busy. ### Richmond crime incidents map ## Monday, July 14, 2025 **Joy ride gone wrong**: 3600 block of Sierra Ridge Avenue. The first of many vehicle thefts was reported at 5:45 a.m. **Five-finger discount**: 1200 block of Macdonald Avenue. A caller reported that a petty theft occurred at 9:35 a.m. **Strip and steal**: 3100 block of Regatta Boulevard. Vehicle parts were pilfered at 11 a.m. **Expensive vandalism**: 5100 block of Wall Avenue. The property was damaged for more than $400 at 1 p.m. **Terror threats**: 100 block of 6th Street. Criminal threats combined with property vandalism at 1:08 p.m. **Missing wheels**: 1600 block of 25th Street. Another vehicle was taken without the owner’s consent at 5 p.m. **Recovery time**: In the 94801 zip code. Police recovered a stolen vehicle at 7 p.m. **Sexual battery**: In the 94801 zip code. Inappropriate touching for sexual arousal was reported at 8 p.m. **More expensive damage**: In the 94801 zip code. Felony vandalism was reported at 8:19 p.m. **Stolen ride**: 2900 block of Gilma Drive. More vehicles disappeared into the underground economy at 8:29 p.m. and again at 10:26 p.m. **Robber gets nabbed**: 1000 block of S 47th Street. Police arrested an armed robber at 9:05 p.m. **Drug arrest**: 4900 block of Hartnett Avenue. Someone ended up in police custody on narcotics transportation and police evasion charges at 9:05 p.m. ## **Tuesday, July 15, 2025** **A midnight auto supply:** 300 block of W Chanslor Avenue. A suspect tampered with a vehicle at midnight. **Grand theft**: 5100 block of Solano Avenue. A significant theft occurred at midnight. **Felony vandalism:** 200 block of S 2nd Street. Vandals struck again in the early morning at 12:24 a.m. **Disappearing wheels**: 500 block of S 30th Street. Thieves made a vehicle disappear at 6:10 a.m. **Grand theft dawn**: 3000 block of Phillips Court. Another significant theft was reported at 7:33 a.m. **Car break**: 300 block of Seaview Drive. Auto burglary at 7:48 a.m. **Hilltop heist**: Hilltop Drive. Someone pawed through items left in a car at 9:30 a.m. **Stealing cars**: 100 block of Santa Fe Avenue. A car thief borrowed a car without the owner’s consent at 9 a.m. **Sexual assault**: In the 94801 zip code. A rape by force was reported at 9:30 a.m. **Petty theft**: 600 block of S 29th Street. Something was reported stolen at 10:15 a.m. **Roosevelt wreckage**: 1100 block of Roosevelt Avenue. Significant property damage happened at 11:40 a.m. **Sixth Street steal**: 500 block of 6th Street. Another car, Gone in Sixty Seconds, at 12:04 p.m. **Scuffle**: 400 block of 24th Street. Officers responded to a physical altercation at 1:49 p.m. **Court contempt arrest**: 800 block of Lassen Street. A court order violation and drug paraphernalia led to an arrest at 3:03 p.m. **Richmond Parkway theft**: 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. Grand theft reported at 5 p.m. **Trespass arrest**: 800 block of 7th Street. A trespasser who was said to be under the influence of intoxicating substances refused to leave the property and was arrested at 5:07 p.m. **Court violation**: 400 block of 22nd Street. Another contempt of court arrest at 6 p.m. **Indecent exposure**: 4500 block of Macdonald Avenue. Someone was underdressed at 8:53 p.m. **Boosted on Bissell**: 300 block of W Bissell Avenue. Another vehicle disappeared at 9 p.m. **Atlas Avenue acquisition**: 2900 block of Atlas Road. Someone took something that didn’t belong to them at 9 p.m. **Late-night lift**: In the 94801 zip code. A car owner was left without a vehicle at 10:40 p.m. **Humboldt heist**: 700 block of Humboldt Street. More petty thieving was reported at 11:30 p.m. **Wayward Pines**: 600 block of S 37th Street. Officers received multiple ShotSpotter activations and located a gunshot victim at 11:35 p.m. ## Wednesday, July 16, 2025 **Automobile misappropriation**: 5000 block of Match Court. Someone’s car flew the coop at 1:49 a.m. **Seventh Street vandalism**: 900 block of 7th Street. Police took two reports after property was damaged at 3:57 a.m. and 4:12 a.m. **Parts pilfering**: In the 94804 zip code. More car parts were found to have been removed in the night at 5:01 a.m. **Humboldt hustle**: 700 block of Humboldt Street. More stuff was reported stolen at 5:30 a.m. **Theft from a building**: 4000 block of McGlothen Way. Items were misappropriated at 6:18 a.m. **Auto break**: 100 block of S 12th Street. A thief broke into a car and stole items at 7 a.m. **Parkway pinch**: 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. Another car was winning at hide-and-seek with its owner at 7:36 a.m. **Tenth Street theft**: 700 block of 10th Street. A car was reportedly burgled at 8:48 a.m. **Macdonald melee**: 2300 block of Macdonald Avenue. Someone was arrested on simple assault charges after some sort of altercation at 9:29 a.m. **Riding the woozy wave**: In the 94804 zip code. One driver reportedly committed a hit-and-run and was busted on charges of driving under the influence at 10:05 a.m. **Restraining order violation**: 2300 block of Rheem Avenue. Someone was reportedly violating a restraining order at 12:21 p.m. **Strong-arm stick-up**: In the 94805 zip code. A robber didn’t need a weapon to ply his trade at 12:42 p.m. **Photo sharing**: Visalia Avenue. It was reported that intimate photos were shared without consent at 12:49 p.m. **Grand grab**: 800 block of Williams Drive. A major theft was brought to the police’s attention at 12:51 p.m. **Lewd solicitation arrest**: 4000 block of Mozart Drive. A person soliciting lewd acts led to a disorderly conduct arrest at 2:53 p.m. **Minor vandalism**: 1000 block of Lassen Street. Property under $400 was damaged on a familiar block at 2:58 p.m. **Parkway property damage**: 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. Major vandalism was reported to police at 3:51 p.m. **Weapon law violations arrest**: 600 block of 9th Street. An arrest was made following incidents involving a deadly weapon assault, a felon possessing a firearm, criminal threats, and brandishing a replica firearm at 6:43 p.m. **San Pablo steal**: 10800 block of San Pablo Avenue. Another car was borrowed without permission at 9:17 p.m. **Commercial break-in**: 15500 block of San Pablo Avenue. Burglars forced entry into a commercial building at 11:25 p.m. ## Thursday, July 17, 2025 **Wall thief strikes:** 3600 block of Wall Avenue. A petty theft was reported at 11:30 p.m. **Morning motor misfortune:** 3000 block of Erla Way. Someone’s belongings went missing from their vehicle at 6:15 a.m. **Marine mishap:** 500 block of Marine Street. Auto burglars made themselves comfortable in someone’s car at 6:30 a.m. **Home burglary:** 3900 block of Jenkins Way. Burglars forced their way into a residence at 7:50 a.m. **Parts pilferer:** 900 block of 35th Street. Vehicle parts and accessories vanished at 8:30 a.m. **Vandalism venture:** 3300 block of Blume Drive. Property damage exceeding $400 was reported at 11:41 a.m. **Grand grab:** 900 block of Nevin Avenue. A grand theft occurred in broad daylight at 12:30 p.m. **Strong-arm arrest:** 800 block of 7th Street. Police nabbed a robber after a strong-arm robbery was reported at 12:36 p.m. **Weapon-wielding:** In the 94801 zip code. Police made an arrest after a victim was assaulted with a deadly weapon at 2:50 p.m. **Late afternoon theft:** 900 block of S 47th Street. Another grand theft was discovered at 4:30 p.m. **Hit-and-run:** In the 94804 zip code. A hit-and-run incident resulted in injuries, with child cruelty charges also filed at 5:51 p.m. **Vehicle vanishes:** 2400 block of Lancaster Drive. A car was taken without the owner’s consent at 9 p.m. **Battery:** 900 block of Nevin Avenue. An altercation was reported at 10:34 p.m. **Shoreline snooping:** Shoreline Court. Auto burglars struck Marina Bay at 11 p.m. ## Friday, July 18, 2025 **Early morning mischief:** In the 94805 zip code. A petty theft occurred at 1:09 a.m. **Dawn discovery:** 5100 block of Fallon Avenue. A grand theft was reported in the early morning hours at 3:47 a.m. **San Joaquin swiping:** 1600 block of San Joaquin Street. Another grand theft was discovered at 6 a.m. **Hot wheels:** 3600 block of Sierra Ridge Avenue. A vehicle was stolen at 6:19 a.m. **Indecent incident:** 700 block of Dornan Drive. An indecent exposure case was reported at 6:41 a.m. **Double dose of defiance:** In the 94801 zip code. Someone was arrested for obstructing officers and disorderly conduct at 8:34 a.m. **Golden Gate grab:** 700 block of Golden Gate Avenue. Auto burglary was accompanied by vandalism at 9:21 a.m. **Solano snatch:** 5200 block of Solano Avenue. A grand theft was reported at 9:50 a.m. **Petty theft:** 1200 block of MacDonald Avenue. Two separate petty thefts occurred at 9:57 a.m. and 11:33 a.m. **Vandal on parole:** 4900 block of Hartnett Avenue. Vandalism and a parole violation were reported at the same location between 10 a.m. and 10:35 a.m. **Commercial caper:** 3100 block of Garrity Way. A building was burglarized and grand theft reported at 12:19 p.m. **Card con:** 800 block of Brookside Drive. Someone used an access card without consent at 1:41 p.m. **Golden Gate break-in:** 700 block of Golden Gate Avenue. A residential burglary without force occurred at 1:53 p.m. **Overexposure:** 2200 block of Macdonald Avenue. Another indecent exposure incident was reported at 2:45 p.m. **License troubles:** The 94801 zip code. Someone was caught driving with a suspended license at 4:06 p.m. **Hilltop heist:** 2900 block of Hilltop Mall Road. A leased vehicle was embezzled at 5 p.m. **Macdonald mayhem:** 3700 block of MacDonald Avenue. An armed robbery escalated to criminal threats at 5:26 p.m. **Boardwalk bash:** Boardwalk Place. Vandalism exceeding $400 was reported at 7:32 p.m. **Criminal threats:** 1700 block of Nevin Avenue. Criminal threats were made at 9:00 p.m. **Ohio Avenue altercation:** 3700 block of Ohio Avenue. An assault was reported at 9:07 p.m. **Vehicle tampering:** 400 block of 6th Street. Vehicle tampering and auto burglary occurred at 9:30 p.m. ## Saturday, July 19, 2025 **Altercation:** 100 block of 16th Street. A battery incident occurred at 12:45 a.m. **Shots fired:** 2000 block of Potrero Avenue. Gunfire was discharged in a grossly negligent manner at 3:28 a.m. **Vehicle tampering:** 2000 block of Chanslor Avenue. Vehicle tampering was reported at 5:00 a.m. **Carjacking:** 200 block of 15th Street. An armed carjacking with a firearm occurred at 5:17 a.m. **DUI and drug double:** In the 94804 zip code. A driver was arrested for DUI and possessing marijuana for sale at 6:03 a.m. **Unauthorized test drive:** 1300 block of Cherry Street. A vehicle was stolen at 6:51 a.m. **Grand theft:** 3200 block of Annapolis Avenue. A grand theft was reported at 12:41 p.m. **Court violation:** 1700 block of Regatta Boulevard. Contempt of court was charged at 4:30 p.m. **Multi-charge:** In the 94804 zip code. Multiple charges, including vehicle theft, stolen property possession, prescription forgery, and drug possession for sale, were filed at 4:45 p.m. **Cutting Boulevard confrontation:** 5000 block of Cutting Boulevard. A strong-arm robbery occurred at 5:02 p.m. **Arson:** In the 94804 zip code. Property was set ablaze at 11:03 p.m. Officers would later arrest the suspected arsonist just after 1 p.m. the next day. ## Sunday, July 20, 2025 **Midnight motorist mishap:** In the 94804 zip code. A DUI arrest was made, with the driver also caught operating without a license at 12:59 a.m. **Southampton swipe:** 3100 block of Southampton Court. A vehicle was reported stolen at 11:02 a.m. **Auto burglary:** 2100 block of Jetty Drive. Auto burglars struck at 11:31 a.m. **Canal confrontation:** 1000 block of Canal Boulevard. A battery incident occurred at 1:30 p.m. **Western woes:** 500 block of Western Drive. Auto burglary was paired with vandalism at 2:12 p.m. **Minor vandalism:** 12200 block of San Pablo Avenue. Minor vandalism was reported at 4:23 p.m. **Strong-arm strike:** In the 94806 zip code. A robbery victim was overpowered without weapons at 7:24 p.m. **Property defacement:** 4000 block of McGlothen Way. Property defacement was combined with petty theft from a building at 10:35 p.m. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond-San Rafael Bridge trail faces final closure vote at August 7 meeting URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-san-rafael-bridge-trail-faces-final-closure-vote-at-august-7-meeting/ Last updated: 2025-07-21T04:03:36.000Z A proposal to close the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge bicycle and pedestrian trail four days a week will face a final vote on August 7 at the Bay Conservation and Development Commission. The commission postponed a similar vote in April after staff recommended against the closure, saying the plan didn’t meet the requirements for “maximum feasible public access” to the Bay Trail. Public records obtained by Bike East Bay showed that BCDC staff had prepared a draft recommendation to keep the trail open around the clock. Facing a likely defeat, Bike East Bay said the Metropolitan Transportation Commission and California Department of Transportation withdrew the item. “The Commission finds that reducing the availability of public access for the modified pilot, as proposed, is not warranted at this time,” the [draft recommendation stated](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-CBhZ1lafuCe8SBryVBQJ-wU7xIK%5F8jP/view?ref=grandviewindependent.com). It also said the plan “does not constitute maximum feasible public access.” Transportation officials have resubmitted the proposal with what they describe as significant updates to address earlier objections. The revised plan would close the 4-mile trail on the bridge’s upper westbound deck from Monday to Thursday mornings, converting it into an emergency shoulder for vehicles. The trail would stay open from Thursday afternoon through Sunday night, and a free shuttle would operate during the closure periods. In a letter to BCDC dated July 7, Muthanna Omran, Caltrans Regional Project Manager for District 4, defended the proposal as a "balanced solution that supports both traffic safety and public access." “This schedule allows the shoulder to operate half the time as a multi-use path and half the time as an emergency shoulder,” Omran wrote. The modified schedule would remain in place through at least 2028 to “generate data needed to make informed decisions on how best to facilitate mobility in this multi-modal corridor.” Omran added that the data will help evaluate “how communities are affected in terms of both equity and impacts from the operation of the path and emergency shoulder.” Omran also highlighted that Caltrans and the Bay Area Toll Authority are advancing separate projects to improve travel options and reduce reliance on single-occupancy vehicles in the corridor. These include the Richmond-San Rafael Forward initiative and the Westbound Improvement Project, which explores converting part of the bridge’s upper deck into a part-time HOV lane. “The data generated by the proposed Path modifications will also influence the design and operation of these upcoming projects,” Omran said. "Caltrans and its partners have recommended that the Metropolitan Transportation Commission commit up to $10 million in active transportation funds for bicycle access improvements in Richmond." ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/07/richmond-bridge-toll-plaza.webp) A car approaches the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge toll plaza on October 10, 2023. However, trail advocates say the revised application contains misleading claims and repackages unrelated projects as mitigation for the loss of public access. In a letter to BCDC, Bruce Beyaert, chair of the Trails for Richmond Action Committee (TRAC), argued that bike and pedestrian projects listed in the Caltrans application as compensatory improvements are either already completed or under construction, and not within Caltrans jurisdiction. Beyaert noted that a $10 million voter-approved Regional Measure 3 allocation for two Richmond projects was secured years ago and is unrelated to the bridge trail decision. "This voter-approved RM3 funding has nothing to do with closing the RSR Bridge Trail and can’t be considered as a quid pro quo," Beyaert said. Beyaert also challenged Caltrans claims that weekday morning incident rates and response times have increased on the bridge since the trail opened. He pointed to findings in UC Berkeley's PATH study, which showed that the observed changes in incidents were not statistically significant and may simply reflect random variation. The same study concluded that there was no evidence to suggest the bike and pedestrian path had a negative impact on overall traffic safety. Bike East Bay’s Advocacy Director, Robert Prinz, said the advocacy group’s review of the updated proposal revealed no meaningful changes that would meet the standard for “maximum feasible public access” to the Bay Trail. “The project description indicates a separate $10 million allocation to other biking and walking projects in Richmond, with the implication that bridge access could be traded for them,” Prinz said. “We do want to see those other projects get built. However, we have confirmed that the funding allocation is not contingent on the bridge trail being closed. So Richmond will still have access to this funding regardless of how BCDC votes.” Prinz said several funded and approved projects are already underway to ease bridge congestion, including an "open road tolling" system now under construction, a westbound HOV and transit lane on the I-580 approach to the bridge, and an upgrade to the Richmond Parkway interchange. [Richmond-San Rafael ForwardThe Richmond-San Rafael (RSR) Forward is a suite of strategies to reduce congestion and improve options for traveling on and near the RSR Bridge.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/favicon-11.ico)Metropolitan Transportation Commission![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/090901172a.jpg.webp)](https://mtc.ca.gov/operations/programs-projects/forward-commute-initiatives/richmond-san-rafael-forward?ref=grandviewindependent.com) The original pilot project, launched in phases between 2018 and 2019, converted bridge shoulders to allow bicycle traffic and add vehicle capacity during peak hours. A UC Berkeley study found that the eastbound shoulder conversion reduced congestion and cut travel times by up to 17 minutes. However, the westbound bike path reduced vehicle throughput and delayed incident response times during weekday mornings. Transportation officials say the modified schedule strikes a balance between recreational use, which peaks on weekends, and traffic safety during weekday commutes. On summer Saturdays, weekend bicycle traffic averages 264 westbound and 219 eastbound trips, compared to 75 westbound and 66 eastbound trips on weekdays, according to the [PATH study](https://its.berkeley.edu/news/path-and-caltrans-release-survey-richmond-san-rafael-bridge-after-study?ref=grandviewindependent.com). The commission had scheduled votes for March 20 and April 3 but canceled both meetings on short notice after staff recommended against the closure. The cancellations frustrated thousands of supporters who had signed petitions and planned to attend. The Bay Area Council has also attempted to rally supporters online with its [Common Sense Transportation](https://www.commonsensetransportation.com/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) campaign. [Bay Area Council plans May 14 rally to push for reopening Richmond Bridge lane to carsRegional business association, the Bay Area Council, has announced plans for a workers rally on Wednesday to reopen the third westbound lane on the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge to cars.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--46.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-bridge-toll-plaza-1-1-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/bay-area-council-plans-may-14-rally-to-push-for-reopening-richmond-bridge-lane-to-cars/) Common Sense Transportation said the new proposal aims to optimize the use of existing infrastructure with a flexible approach to traffic flow. The application also details plans for a part-time westbound carpool (HOV) lane, with an ongoing environmental review examining the potential addition of a third lane on the upper deck to further alleviate congestion. The 70-year-old Richmond-San Rafael Bridge is a key connection between Contra Costa and Marin counties on Interstate 580\. The current pilot project authorization expires December 31, 2025\. Transportation officials estimate the modified pilot would cost about $200,000 in capital and support costs and could operate for up to three years while environmental reviews proceed on other bridge improvements. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Trash company announces tentative agreement to end garbage strike URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/trash-company-announces-tentative-agreement-to-end-garbage-strike/ Last updated: 2025-07-19T02:21:44.000Z Republic Services and Teamsters Local 439 have reportedly reached a tentative agreement to end the strike that disrupted garbage and recycling collection across the Bay Area for nearly two weeks. “We’ve reached a tentative agreement with Teamsters Local 439 for our Forward Landfill employees,” Republic Services said Friday in a statement. “Local 439 has informed us that picket lines are coming down across the Bay Area, and our employees are returning to work tomorrow.” [Trash collection halted amid landfill strike, no pickup today or tomorrowThis story was updated at 7:09 p.m. Tuesday, July 8, 2025 If you are waiting for your garbage to be picked up today, forget about it. A nationwide strike is affecting local waste removal, cancelling all scheduled pickups for Tuesday and possibly Wednesday. County Supervisor John Gioia posted![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--44.png)Grandview IndependentLinda Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-07-08-at-12.59.05-PM-1-2.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/trash-collection-halted-amid-landfill-strike-no-pickup-today-or-tomorrow/) [DIY garbage day: Richmond residents told to haul their own trashGarbage strike disrupts Richmond waste collection; Temporary Drop-Off Site Opens![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--45.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-in-the-dumps-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/diy-garbage-day-richmond-residents-told-to-haul-their-own-trash/) Republic pledged to “work hard to catch up with needed recycling and waste collection as quickly as we can” and thanked the community for its patience. Contra Costa County Supervisor John Gioia confirmed the development on social media. “Republic Services and the Teamsters have announced that the strike is over and there has been an agreement in the Stockton labor dispute,” Gioia said. “Regular garbage, recycling, and green waste collection in West County starts up on Monday with local Teamster employees back at work.” Republic also plans to continue pickups on Saturday to help clear the backlog of waste. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/07/IMG_1582-1.jpg) “The County is moving forward with demanding rate relief for residents,” Gioia said. In Richmond, Mayor Eduardo Martinez said picket lines have cleared, and Republic is working to restore full service. “We have been informed that the labor strike involving Republic Services has ended,” Martinez said in a statement. “Republic is in the process of calling drivers and restoring full service as quickly as possible.” To aid residents during the transition, Richmond will maintain temporary disposal options on Saturday, similar to last weekend. “We thank Richmond residents for their patience and for standing in solidarity with the Teamsters who carried out this action to demand fair treatment and better working conditions,” Martinez said. Residents are encouraged to check the city’s website and social media for updated service information. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond Rent Board survey assesses effects of rent stabilization URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-rent-board-survey-assesses-effects-of-rent-stabilization/ Last updated: 2025-07-18T16:39:06.000Z A newly released survey of Richmond renters reveals that rent control policies have helped stabilize housing costs and increase tenant awareness, but persistent concerns persist about property maintenance, financial stress, and the power imbalance between landlords and tenants. The Richmond Rent Board reviewed the findings of the [2024 Bay Area Rent Stabilization Survey](https://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/DocumentCenter/View/75738/COMPILED-ITEM-G-2%5F-7162025?bidId=&ref=grandviewindependent.com), an analysis comparing tenant experiences in rent-stabilized and non-stabilized housing, on July 16\. The survey, conducted between March and July 2024, gathered responses from 400 Richmond renters as part of a larger regional study led by UC Berkeley’s [Othering and Belonging Institute](https://belonging.berkeley.edu/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) and the [Social Science Research Center](https://hss.fullerton.edu/ssrc/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) at CSU Fullerton. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation funded the study. “This survey helps us better understand the lived experiences of tenants in Richmond and how rent stabilization policies are functioning on the ground,” said Nicolas Traylor, Executive Director of the Richmond Rent Program. “The survey validates that rent stabilization is achieving many of its intended outcomes, namely housing stability, community stability, and tenant awareness of rights and protections.” According to the survey, 82 percent of tenants were aware that Richmond has rent control, and approximately 60 percent were familiar with the Rent Program itself. Awareness was lower among younger tenants and those identifying as Black or Latinx. On affordability, rent-stabilized tenants reported significantly lower average rents. The average rent in stabilized units was $1,258, compared to $1,722 for tenants in non-stabilized units. Stabilized tenants also paid less for utilities and were more likely to have lived in their units for longer. The average initial rent for stabilized units was $2,024, compared to $3,075 for non-stabilized units. Despite these benefits, stabilized tenants reported higher levels of financial strain. About 63 percent of rent-stabilized tenants said they experienced stress or anxiety over paying rent, compared to 57 percent of non-stabilized tenants. Nearly half of stabilized tenants reported having no savings, and 42 percent said they work more than 40 hours a week to make ends meet. Concerns about eviction and displacement were also more prevalent among stabilized tenants. About 36 percent said they were “very concerned” about eviction, compared to 21 percent of non-stabilized tenants. Stabilized tenants also expressed greater concern that their units could become uninhabitable. Traylor said tenants often fear retaliation when requesting repairs. “There were many tenants that responded with statements that their landlords had advised them that they're not going to make repairs because they were regulated, or that if they wanted repairs, they would have to pay for those repairs, which, of course, is not actually allowed,” Traylor said. The survey also highlighted demographic patterns. Stabilized tenants were generally younger, more likely to be immigrants, and more likely to live in smaller units. About 32.5 percent of stabilized tenants were foreign-born, compared to 21.6 percent of non-stabilized tenants. Board members expressed concern over the low rate of Spanish-language participation, with only six percent of respondents completing the survey in Spanish, despite Richmond’s large Latino population. Traylor speculated that fears among undocumented residents about sharing information with a government agency may have contributed to the low response rate. Vice Chair Sara Cantor emphasized the importance of the Rent Program in preventing displacement. “Most of us are one eviction away from being unhoused,” Cantor said. “That is an issue that many residents in the city are upset about.” Cantor said having data to support the impact of rent control will be valuable if its benefits to the community are ever challenged. The survey also found that tenants in rent-stabilized units reported more housing problems overall but were more likely to seek help from city agencies. They were also more likely to receive assistance when they did seek help. Traylor said the findings will guide future outreach strategies, education campaigns, and collaborations with the City of Richmond. Efforts will focus on strengthening the rental inspection program, promoting tenant rights, and improving landlord accountability. “One of the biggest takeaways for me is helping tenants learn how to assert their rights in the face of the kind of inherent imbalance in the landlord-tenant relationship,” Traylor said. He added that the Rent Program is working with the city to revise the rental inspection ordinance to eliminate self-certification by landlords and ensure that all units are inspected annually. Rent Board member Jim Hite raised concerns about the city’s rental inspection process, describing it as inconsistent and vulnerable to manipulation by property managers. He shared his own experience that his unit had been inspected twice but that the inspections were superficial. “I’ve been inspected twice by the city and both times it was really cursory,” Hite said. “A lot of these property managers are just dodging things, and they’re manipulating.” Future initiatives may include rent adjustment education, tenant rights workshops, and expanded support services to help resolve disputes and address housing insecurity. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Eight Great things to do in Richmond URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/eight-great-things-to-do-in-richmond-9/ Last updated: 2025-07-17T06:00:17.000Z With 30-plus miles of shoreline, two yacht clubs, endless hiking and cycling trails, and a host of eateries, Richmond has a lot to offer. Each week, *Grandview* highlights what we think are the best, not-to-be-missed events and offerings from across the city. ## **INTO THE BREECHES** @**Masquers Playhouse** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-16-at-2.23.30-PM.png) **INTO THE BREECHES** *by George Brant, directed by Marilyn Langbehn* Oberon Play House’s director and leading men are off at war with the Axis. Determined to press on, the director’s wife sets out to produce an all-female version of Shakespeare’s *Henriad*, assembling an increasingly unexpected team united in desire, if not actual theatre experience. Together, they deliver a delightful celebration of collaboration and persistence when the show must go on! **July 11 - August 3** [**105 Park Place, Point Richmond**](https://maps.app.goo.gl/CL174ahVbQD9whne8?ref=grandviewindependent.com) **|** [**510-232-3888**](tel:+1 510-232-3888) **|** [**info@masquers.org**](mailto:info@masquers.org) ## Thrive Thursdays @ Nicholl Park ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/07/thrive.png) [#thrivethursday](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/thrivethursday/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) starts at 5:45 p.m., Thursday at Nicholl Park. See you there for healthy fun and dancing. Let’s get moving! ## Rock Painting @ Bayview Library ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/07/rock.png) ### Thursday, July 17, 2025 Get creative and join us for a fun and relaxing rock painting session at the Bayview Branch Library! No previous art experience needed—just bring your imagination! This program is FREE and open to all ages. All supplies will be provided, so just bring your creativity and let's paint some rocks! **5100 Hartnett Avenue Richmond, CA** ## KAREN SUDJIAN and ALEX MARKELS TRIO @Rigger's Loft Wine Co. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-16-at-2.06.03-PM.png) ### Saturday July 19 JAZZ VOCALIST - KAREN SUDJIAN & JIM DAVIDSON Karen Sudjian is an accomplished jazz vocalist and songwriter who sings fluently in English, Portuguese, Spanish, French, and Italian, with a mastery of the beautiful and intricate styles of Brazilian, Blues, and Jazz Standards. Karen Sudjian, vocals, Alex Markels, guitar, Jack Prendergast, bass, and Paul Yonemura, drums. Support Local Musicians -$5 Music Cover Charge 2 p.m. - 5 p.m. **1325 Canal Boulevard Richmond, CA 94804** ## Make Your Own "Neon" Sign @ Armistice Brewing ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-16-at-4.16.08-PM.png) **Saturday, July 19, 2025 at 4 p.m.** Ready to glow your own way? In this electrifying workshop, you’ll create a custom LED “neon” sign—no glass, no gas, just flexible LED tubing and your imagination. Choose a word, phrase, or simple shape and learn how to bring it to life with color and shine. You’ll sketch your design, shape your LED tubing—all with step-by-step guidance and creative freedom. Whether you go sweet, sassy, or downright iconic, you’ll leave with a glowing masterpiece you made yourself. 🎨 All materials provided. 🖐️ Recommended for ages 11 and up Because sometimes your vibe deserves a sign. Literally. Food and drinks are not included in the ticket price. There will be drinks for sale from Armistice Brewing and Curbside Kitchen food truck will have their yummy food for sale. Children are welcome to join (with a ticket) if accompanied by an adult (recommended age 11+). **Get tickets here:** [https://addmi.com/e/make-your-own-neon-sign-armistice-brewing-71925-OUQeMc3XYXvbV96vwlL](https://addmi.com/e/make-your-own-neon-sign-armistice-brewing-71925-OUQeMc3XYXvbV96vwlL?ref=grandviewindependent.com) **Armistice Brewing, 845 Marina Bay Pkwy #1, CA 94804** ## [Hobo Paradise](https://hoboparadise.com/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) @Sailing Goat at Point San Pablo Harbor ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-16-at-2.42.06-PM.png) **July 19, 2025, 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.** Imagine stepping back in time to the late 1920s when early jazz, blues, and rags were the thing, fresh and unpredictable. **Sailing Goat at Point San Pablo Harbor, 1900 Stenmark Dr, Richmond, CA 94801, USA** ## [Live Music ](https://www.richmondbackyard.com/events-1/live-music-with-kaitlyn-williams-m824x?ref=grandviewindependent.com) @[The Backyard with Kaitlyn Williams](https://www.richmondbackyard.com/events-1/live-music-with-kaitlyn-williams-m824x?ref=grandviewindependent.com) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-16-at-2.13.43-PM.png) **Sunday, July 20, 2025 2 p.m. 4 p.m.** 🎶 Experience the magic of [Kaitlyn Williams](https://www.instagram.com/kkaitlynwilliamss/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) on Sunday, July 20 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. 🌟 Indulge in the perfect blend of jazz and alternative pop. 🎤 Join us for a beautiful Sunday afternoon – an unforgettable musical journey awaits! 🔥 Who’s excited?! **205 Cutting Blvd. Richmond, CA 94804** ## Live music from Pete Madsen @Winchaser Wine ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-16-at-2.31.05-PM-1-1-1-1-1.png) **Sunday, July 20, 4 p.m. - 6 p.m.** Pete plays acoustic, probably. Winery opens at 1 p.m., music starts around 4 p.m. Food from Rocky Island Oyster Co. **1352 S 49th St, Richmond, CA 94804** [(415) 806-7480](https://www.google.com/search?gs%5Fssp=eJzj4tVP1zc0TKuoyMmKr0gyYLRSNaiwMLAwNU9NMTQ0TDE2NTQwtjKoMDYxNjAyMTJLMrOwMDIxs%5FDiKs%5FMS0nOSCxOLQIAYdASdg&q=windchaser&rlz=1C5MACD%5FenUS1090US1102&oq=windchas&gs%5Flcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqFQgCEC4YJxivARjHARiABBiKBRiOBTIGCAAQRRg8MgYIARBFGDkyFQgCEC4YJxivARjHARiABBiKBRiOBTIHCAMQABiABDINCAQQLhivARjHARiABDINCAUQLhivARjHARiABDIHCAYQABiABDIGCAcQRRg80gEINTY2OWowajeoAgCwAgA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&ref=grandviewindependent.com) --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Police investigate sexual batteries in Point Richmond URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/police-investigate-sexual-batteries-in-point-richmond/ Last updated: 2025-07-16T03:30:46.000Z The Richmond Police Department is investigating a series of sexual battery incidents in the Point Richmond area that have targeted individuals exercising alone during daylight and early evening hours. Police said the suspect has approached victims and made unwanted physical contact before fleeing. Most incidents occurred along popular walking and jogging paths, including the Point Richmond Tunnel and Keller Beach. On Nextdoor, Emma Mueller reported a woman was attacked in the Point Richmond Tunnel today, Tuesday, July 15. "I was bringing some books to the lending library behind the Plunge and heard screaming and went to check," Mueller said. "She got away by the time I got there with the help of a driver noticing something off in the tunnel, and is safe." Mueller said police arrived within minutes, but the man managed to escape. The suspect is described as a Black male adult, 40 to 50 years old, 5 feet 7 inches to 6 feet tall, with an average build. Police said they are dedicating all available resources to identify and apprehend the suspect. The police department is also urging the community to take precautions when exercising outdoors. > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/p/DMJseMKRyI3/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by Richmond Police Department (@richmondpdcali)](https://www.instagram.com/p/DMJseMKRyI3/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) Community safety tips include staying alert and avoiding distractions, exercising with a partner or in a group, and choosing well-lit and populated paths. Residents should also vary their routines, carry a whistle or personal alarm, and trust their instincts. Police advise leaving an area and reporting any suspicious activity immediately if something feels unusual. The Richmond Police Department requests that anyone with information related to these incidents or who has observed suspicious activity in the Point Richmond area contact them at their non-emergency line, 510-233-1214, or call 911 for emergencies. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Garbage collection to resume URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/garbage-collection-to-resume/ Last updated: 2026-05-02T15:32:55.000Z Republic Services has announced it will resume garbage collection from residences and most small and large businesses, ending the work stoppage that delayed local garbage pickups and frustrated residents whose bins had begun to overflow. Contra Costa County Supervisor John Gioia said in a statement Monday that garbage will be collected, but there will not be recycling and green waste collection at this time. "Put your garbage cart only out on the curb along with any extra bagged trash for pickup at no charge," Gioia said. "Your garbage pickup may occur on a non-scheduled day." Republic is still allowing residents (bring proof of residency) to bring up to 4 bags of garbage at no charge to their Golden Bear Transfer Station at 1 Parr Blvd., Richmond (off the Richmond Parkway) from Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (no bulky items or e-waste). Gioia has also requested that Republic Services provide rate relief to residents for the weeklong suspension of trash collection. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### What happened in Richmond: a week of crime & public safety URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/what-happened-in-richmond-a-week-of-crime-public-safety-9/ Last updated: 2025-07-14T15:51:59.000Z The following incidents represent law enforcement activity reported by the Richmond Police Department for the week of July 7, 2025, through July 13, 2025\. This summary includes arrests, investigations, and notable public safety responses across Richmond neighborhoods. ### Richmond Police Department CAD events *CAD Events include calls for service, traffic stops, and pedestrian stops reported by the Richmond Police Department.* ## Monday, July 7, 2025 **Court contempt combo:** 400 block of 22nd Street. One individual was arrested after a double dose of trouble: contempt of court for disobeying a court order and selling drug paraphernalia to a minor at 1:00 a.m. **Vehicle vanishes:** 700 block of 5th Street. Someone borrowed a car without asking at 2:50 a.m. **Commercial break-in:** 900 block of Spring Street. Burglars forced their way into a commercial building at 3:36 a.m. **Another auto theft:** 700 block of 30th Street. Vehicle thieves struck again at 4 a.m. **Quality of life concerns:** 1000 block of Cutting Boulevard. A challenge to engage in fisticuffs was issued at 4:25 a.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 1300 block of Hensley Street. A stolen vehicle was returned to its rightful owner at 9:29 a.m. **Commercial burglary:** 700 block of 5th Street. Another forced entry into a commercial building was reported at 10:54 a.m. **Vehicle parts pilfering:** 100 block of Harbour Way South. Thieves removed motor vehicle parts at 2:46 p.m. **Double trouble:** 600 block of 31st Street. Vehicle theft and property damage were both reported at 2:52 p.m. **Warrant woes:** Marina Way & Macdonald Avenue. A felony warrant arrest was made at 7 p.m. **Identity theft:** 6300 block of Jerilynn Avenue. Someone used another person’s identity to obtain credit at 7:05 p.m. **Another auto theft:** 2300 block of Lowell Avenue. A vehicle has been re-homed at 9 p.m. **Warrant arrest:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. A misdemeanor warrant arrest was made at 10:22 p.m. **Arson:** 94801 zip code. A blaze-loving buzz-seeker was arrested on arson and drug paraphernalia charges at 10:59 p.m. ## Tuesday, July 8, 2025 **DUI driver:** 1000 block of Hensley Street. Alcohol-impaired driving incident at 1:08 a.m. **Spontaneous lead discharge:** 600 block of S 20th Street. Someone willfully discharged a firearm in a grossly negligent manner at 1:33 a.m. **Burglary tools bust:** 1700 block of Florida Avenue. Possession of burglary tools and drug paraphernalia led to an arrest at 2:45 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 94803 zip code. Someone acquired a new ride, much to the original owner’s dismay at 3 a.m. **Weapon waving:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. Baby, when it’s 3 a.m., I’m out here making criminal threats — can’t help flashing a firearm and catching an intimidation charge. **Residential break-in:** 300 block of S 42nd Street. Someone forced entry into a home at 9:59 a.m. **Weapon display:** 2500 block of Bissell Avenue. Someone exhibited a deadly weapon and made criminal threats at 10:44 a.m. **Failing to register:** 4800 block of Reno Lane. A sex offender failed to register at 11:11 a.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 94801 zip code. A stolen vehicle was returned at 11:14 a.m. **DUIs all the way down:** 94801 zip code. Someone was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol and doing so with a license suspended for DUI at 5:59 p.m. ## **Wednesday, July 9**, 2025 **Trigger happy:** 94804 zip code. Someone willfully and negligently discharged a firearm at 1:42 a.m. **Warrant arrest:** 100 block of W Macdonald Avenue. A felony warrant arrest was made at 4:35 a.m. **Auto burglary:** 4100 block of Klose Way. A vehicle break-in was reported at 10:32 a.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 94804 zip code. Another stolen vehicle was found at 10:33 a.m. **Residential burglary:** W Bissell Avenue. A burglar made an unlawful entry into a residence at 1:23 p.m. **Shoplifting:** 4500 block of Macdonald Avenue. Merchandise was acquired without purchase at 3:59 p.m. **Firearm exhibition:** 94804 zip code. Exhibiting a firearm at 4:03 p.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 94804 zip code. A stolen vehicle was returned at 5:22 p.m. **Card fraud:** 4500 block of Macdonald Avenue. Theft using a forged or invalid access card at 6:58 p.m. **Drug possession:** 94806 zip code. Police made an arrest on drug paraphernalia and providing false identification to police charges at 10:06 p.m. **Homicide:** 900 block of 9th Street. Police responded to a ShotSpotter activation at 11:46 p.m. [Richmond records first homicide of 2025 after nearly nine-month lullRichmond police are investigating the city’s first homicide of the year after a man was found fatally shot Thursday morning at Triangle Court Apartments.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--43.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-homcide-2025-9th-street-1-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-records-first-homicide-of-2025-after-nearly-nine-month-lull/) ## Thursday, July 10, 2025 **Drug possession:** 94804 zip code. Someone was in possession of marijuana that was said to be for sale at 2:07 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 1500 block of Mariposa Street. A car found itself in the hands of an uninvited new owner at 2:15 a.m. **Auto burglaries:** 200 block of Ohio Avenue. Two separate vehicle break-ins at 2:48 a.m. and 2:50 a.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 2600 block of Maricopa Avenue. A stolen vehicle was returned at 5:16 a.m. **Mail theft:** 3200 block of Southridge Drive. Theft of mail was reported at 10:19 a.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 3100 block of Hilltop Mall Road. A stolen vehicle was returned at 11:16 a.m. **Weapon assault:** 94805 zip code. Police made an arrest for assault with a deadly weapon and criminal threats at 12:21 p.m. **Theft from the elderly:** 94804 zip code. Theft of an elder/dependent adult and strong-arm robbery at 1:33 p.m. **Identity fraud:** 1900 block of Mendocino Street. Using another person’s identity to obtain credit at 3:08 p.m. **Shoplifting spree:** 1400 block of Hilltop Mall Road. It was reported someone had shoplifted AND committed petty theft at 5:09 p.m. **Assault with force:** Cutting Boulevard & S 2nd Street. Police made an arrest for assault with force likely to cause great bodily injury at 6:15 p.m. **Auto parts theft:** 2500 block of Esmond Avenue. More theft of motor vehicle parts at 6:48 p.m. **Battery:** 1000 block of Lassen Street. An assault was reported at 7:40 p.m. **Battery:** 200 block of Macdonald Avenue. Another assault was reported at 8:30 p.m. ## Friday, July 11, 2025 **High-value heist:** 1000 block of 23rd Street. A grand theft left someone significantly lighter in the wallet department at 9:32 a.m. **Joyride reunion:** 1000 block of 23rd Street. A stolen vehicle was recovered on the same block at 9:34 a.m. **Stalker shutdown:** 2900 block of Humphrey Avenue. Authorities intervened in a stalking situation at 10:12 a.m. **Auto looters:** 300 block of South 36th Street. Thieves helped themselves to a car’s contents at 12:08 p.m. **Drug gear grab:** 94801 zip code. Police confiscated unlawful paraphernalia at 1:31 p.m. **Wheels back home:** 400 block of S 7th Street. Police made an arrest, and a stolen vehicle was returned to its owner at 3 p.m. **Strong-arm shopping:** 12000 block of San Pablo Avenue. A shoplifter reportedly used force or the threat of force to avoid being apprehended while stealing at 3:30 p.m. **Car break-in blues:** 2600 block of Hilltop Drive. An auto burglar struck while the iron was hot at 3:56 p.m. **Courtroom defiance:** 1700 block of Regatta Boulevard. Someone thought court orders were merely suggestions at 6 p.m. **Five-finger discount:** 1400 block of Merced Street. Petty theft proved once again that small crimes still count at 6:35 p.m. **Tipsy driver:** 300 block of S 7th Street. A DUI arrest showed that 0.08% is indeed a magic number at 7:20 p.m. **Midnight mischief:** 900 block of Triangle Court. Burglars hit a vehicle, then stayed to vandalize it at 10 p.m. **Forced confinement:** 600 block of 7th Street. A violent altercation led to unlawful restraint at 11 p.m. ## Saturday, July 12, 2025 **Midnight meddling**: 900 block of 9th Street. One vandal couldn’t resist tampering with someone else’s transportation at 1:30 a.m. **Saturday morning swiping**: 94804 zip code. A four-wheeled friend found a new, unwanted owner at 10 a.m. **Plastic piracy**: 1400 block of Hilltop Mall Road. A card-criminal deployed digital deception for fraudulent financial gain at 1:22 p.m. **Stolen car**: 3100 block of Garrity Way. Another automotive acquisition artist struck gold at 1:51 p.m. **Parts purloining**: 2800 block of Jo Ann Drive. A scavenger cherry-picked premium vehicle components at 4:37 p.m. **Battery on a person**: 94801 zip code. Fists flew in an evening altercation at 9:30 p.m. ## Sunday, July 13, 2025 **Triple trouble takedown**: 94804 zip code. An arrest was made after one persistent perpetrator’s midnight mayhem marathon at 3:23 a.m.: evading police with reckless abandon, driving without proper paperwork, and intoxicated automotive antics. **Car theft**: 2800 block of Esmond Avenue. A vehicular vanishing act commenced at 2 a.m. **Midnight mischief**: 3100 block of Deseret Drive. A smash-and-grab specialist targeted automotive interiors at 3 a.m. **Merchandise misappropriation**: 4100 block of Markovich Court. A light-fingered larcenist struck at 7:51 a.m. **Paraphernalia possession**: 5700 block of Central Avenue. Questionable contraband was discovered at noon. **Motor theft**: 3100 block of Garrity Way. A vehicular vanishing virtuoso performed their craft at 12:37 p.m. **Battery on a person**: 1200 block of Virginia Avenue. An altercation was reported at 1:52 p.m. **Double trouble on Nevin**: 3400 block of Nevin Avenue. A multitasker managed both a residential break-in and an automotive appropriation at 1:59 p.m. **Assault with a deadly weapon**: 100 block of South 20th Street. Weaponized wrath erupted at 3:25 p.m., with bonus probation-busting behavior. **Evening auto exodus**: 94806 zip code. Another four-wheeled farewell occurred at 5:04 p.m. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### DIY garbage day: Richmond residents told to haul their own trash URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/diy-garbage-day-richmond-residents-told-to-haul-their-own-trash/ Last updated: 2025-07-12T03:40:44.000Z Richmond residents are dealing with widespread trash collection disruptions as a nationwide strike by the Teamsters against Republic Services continues to affect garbage and recycling pickup throughout the city. In response to the ongoing garbage collection strike, Republic Services has started offering West County residents a temporary drop-off option at the Golden Bear Transfer Station in Richmond. According to a recorded voicemail from the company, residents can bring up to four bags of household waste per visit at no charge. The site is located at 1 Parr Boulevard (in North Richmond off the Richmond Parkway). The facility operates Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The move is intended to provide relief to residents while curbside collection remains suspended. To use the service, residents must show proof of residency. Bulky items and hazardous waste will not be accepted. For those unable to drop off trash, Republic Services advises bagging garbage securely and storing it on private property until collection resumes. According to the company, additional bags will be picked up at no extra cost once service is restored. The strike began earlier this week, halting waste collection in much of West Contra Costa County. “We have had no garbage collection in most of West County since Monday,” said Contra Costa County Supervisor John Gioia. “I have been in contact with Republic and the Teamsters Union to encourage a resolution.” Gioia said Contra Costa County and several West County cities have issued Republic a formal notice of breach of its franchise agreement, and Contra Costa Health Services is convening regional health officers to assess what actions can be taken to address any potential health impacts from uncollected waste. To provide further relief, the City of Richmond and Gioia’s office have coordinated with local agencies to place free dumpsters at five locations this Saturday for residential and business use. No hazardous waste will be accepted. - **El Sobrante**: Moose Lodge, 4660 Appian Way (8 a.m. to noon) - **Tara Hills:** Montara Bay Community Center, 2250 Tara Hills Drive (8 a.m. to noon) - **Richmond Civic Center**: 2400 Nevin Avenue (8 a.m. to 3 p.m.) - **Richmond Fire Training Center**: 3506 Cutting Boulevard (8 a.m. to 3 p.m.) - **La Moine Park**: 3530 Morningside Drive (8 a.m. to 3 p.m.) [Trash collection halted amid landfill strike, no pickup today or tomorrowThis story was updated at 7:09 p.m. Tuesday, July 8, 2025 If you are waiting for your garbage to be picked up today, forget about it. A nationwide strike is affecting local waste removal, cancelling all scheduled pickups for Tuesday and possibly Wednesday. County Supervisor John Gioia posted![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--42.png)Grandview IndependentLinda Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-07-08-at-12.59.05-PM-1-1.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/trash-collection-halted-amid-landfill-strike-no-pickup-today-or-tomorrow/) Mayor Eduardo Martinez said the city is receiving daily updates on the situation. “Richmond, like many cities across the country, is currently facing disruptions in its recycling and waste collection services due to an ongoing labor strike involving Republic Services,” Martinez said. “We are actively exploring available options to help address the impacts of accumulating garbage while not directly impacting the collective bargaining negotiations.” Contra Costa Health and West County cities are also working to ensure the strike does not escalate into a public health issue. The labor action is part of a broader dispute between Republic Services and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters over contract terms. The strike began on July 1 in Boston, led by Teamsters Local 25, and has since spread to six states. Workers in Georgia, Illinois, California, and Washington have joined in, including members of Local 439 in Stockton, which covers parts of the Bay Area. On Friday, Jose Becerra, a member of Local 439, picketed outside the Golden Bear Transfer Station in Richmond to support fellow workers in contract talks. Becerra, who works at a Safeway distribution center, said he traveled more than two hours to be there on his own time. “That’s what real Teamsters do,” Becerra said. “We’re extending the picket line in support of our brothers that are negotiating contracts at Republic in Stockton and also the landfill in Montezuma (Colorado).” He said some residents expressed support for the strike, even as they dropped off waste. “The citizens have the choice. That’s what we’re here for, letting them know that we’re on strike,” Becerra said. Residents with questions about recycling and garbage pickup are encouraged to contact Republic Services at (510) 262-7100. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond records first homicide of 2025 after nearly nine-month lull URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-records-first-homicide-of-2025-after-nearly-nine-month-lull/ Last updated: 2025-07-17T04:29:00.000Z Richmond police are investigating the city’s first homicide of the year after a man was found fatally shot Thursday morning at Triangle Court Apartments. Officers responded to the 900 block of 9th Street at 6:44 a.m. following reports of a man down. When they arrived, they located an unresponsive male suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. The Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office identified Claude Richard III, 43, of Richmond, California, as the victim of a fatal shooting. “Medical personnel responded and pronounced the victim deceased,” the Richmond Police Department said in a statement. Police said a ShotSpotter gunfire detection alert was received at 11:46 p.m. the night before, on July 9, indicating possible gunfire in the 900 block of 8th Street. That location is one block west of where the victim was later found. Officers responded to the area after the alert but did not locate any evidence of a shooting at that time. The victim’s identity has not been released pending notification of next of kin. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/07/richmond-homicide-2025-9th-street-1.webp) Homicide detectives with the Richmond Police Department are leading the investigation. Authorities ask anyone with information to contact the RPD Investigations Bureau at (510) 620-6616. The killing marks Richmond’s first homicide of 2025, ending what had been a rare nine-month stretch without a reported killing. Prior to Thursday, the city had not recorded a homicide since October 2024. During a July 2 meeting of the Richmond Police Commission, Police Chief Bisa French acknowledged the unusually long period without a homicide but noted that she avoids publicizing such milestones. “We haven’t had a homicide since October of last year, and we’re very proud of that,” French said. “But I try not to talk about it because we think it’s superstitious. The last time a chief did that, we had one that same night.” The investigation remains ongoing, and no arrests have been announced as of Thursday. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Garbage strike extended URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/garbage-strike-extended/ Last updated: 2025-07-10T22:51:25.000Z *This story was updated at 3:45 p.m., July 10, 2025* If your garbage cans are still sitting full at the curb, you're not alone. The strike affecting local garbage collection has been extended. Teamsters say they are building their bargaining leverage by extending their picket lines to Republic locations where Teamsters have the right to honor picket lines and refuse to go to work. "Teamsters are taking coordinated strike action at Republic Services to fight for fair pay and strong contracts at one of the largest private sanitation companies in North America," said a Teamsters representative. Republic Services employs more than 7,000 Teamsters. [Trash collection halted amid landfill strike, no pickup today or tomorrowThis story was updated at 7:09 p.m. Tuesday, July 8, 2025 If you are waiting for your garbage to be picked up today, forget about it. A nationwide strike is affecting local waste removal, cancelling all scheduled pickups for Tuesday and possibly Wednesday. Country Supervisor John Gioia posted![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--41.png)Grandview IndependentLinda Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-07-08-at-12.59.05-PM-1.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/trash-collection-halted-amid-landfill-strike-no-pickup-today-or-tomorrow/) The first strike was launched on July 1 by 450 Local 25 Teamsters in Boston, where Teamsters claim Republic is refusing to match the wages and benefits offered by the company’s main competitor in Eastern Massachusetts, Capitol Waste and Star Waste Systems. Since then, Republic Teamsters in five states have launched strikes of their own, including members of Georgia Local 728, Illinois Local 179, Stockton Local 439, and Washington Local 252. Republic Services told *Grandview* its main focus right now is servicing what it calls "essential businesses." "At this time, we are focused on servicing essential businesses, such as hospitals and nursing homes. We are working to get caught up as quickly as possible and are actively communicating service delays to impacted customers," said a representative from Republic Services Media Relations. On social media, Contra Costa Health posted a statement, "Garbage pickup is delayed in parts of the county due to a labor action at a Republic Services facility. CCH is monitoring the situation and will share more guidance if needed." ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/07/IMG_1545.jpg) Photo/ Linda Hemmila *Grandview* reached out to the mayor's office and received the following reply. > Richmond, like many cities across the country, is currently facing disruptions in its recycling and waste collection services due to an ongoing labor strike involving Republic Services, Richmond's contracted waste and recycling provider. > > The City continues to monitor the situation closely, and the Mayor's Office is receiving daily updates from City staff and will provide updates as they arrive to us.The City is actively exploring available options to help address the impacts of accumulating garbage while not directly impacting the collective bargaining negotiations between Republic Services and the Teamsters. > > Today's key update from Republic Services: "If your cart is getting full, you may place trash in sturdy garbage bags and store them securely on your property, away from animals. Once service resumes, we will collect the additional bags at no extra charge." Residents with questions or concerns regarding recycling and waste collection are encouraged to contact > > Republic Services directly: Customer Service: (510) 262-7100 Website: [https://www.republicservices.com/municipality/richmond-ca](https://www.republicservices.com/municipality/richmond-ca?ref=grandviewindependent.com) [City of Richmond, CA - Local Government](https://www.facebook.com/people/City-of-Richmond-CA-Local-Government/100064656225258/?%5F%5Fcft%5F%5F[0]=AZWqBQQRsjN0Fxc8FEzdhGFTKzr7pWl99DemHn8VWSsMwSuOKXWILxyIz4NDiKAkXuWOkADt9IzE0VFw1T2Ct3p5y5eSgH4oLarbTax5SIMufZiW6dUn7ZwFKxjIFdYsaZjNOzmcGagpM44I3%5FbncVeDbdsDoHwIkvgH5jJhcJoJVg&%5F%5Ftn%5F%5F=-]K-R) \- [City of Richmond, CA Economic, Environmental, and Health Initiatives](https://www.facebook.com/RichmondEH?%5F%5Fcft%5F%5F[0]=AZWqBQQRsjN0Fxc8FEzdhGFTKzr7pWl99DemHn8VWSsMwSuOKXWILxyIz4NDiKAkXuWOkADt9IzE0VFw1T2Ct3p5y5eSgH4oLarbTax5SIMufZiW6dUn7ZwFKxjIFdYsaZjNOzmcGagpM44I3%5FbncVeDbdsDoHwIkvgH5jJhcJoJVg&%5F%5Ftn%5F%5F=-]K-R) --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Eight Great things to do in Richmond URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/eight-great-things-to-do-in-richmond-8/ Last updated: 2025-07-10T06:08:21.000Z With 30-plus miles of shoreline, two yacht clubs, endless hiking and cycling trails, and a host of eateries, Richmond has a lot to offer. Each week, Grandview highlights what we think are the best, not-to-be-missed events and offerings from across the city. ## Ron Galen's Roda de Choro @The Factory Bar ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-09-at-1.04.44-PM-1.png) This Saturday in the patio, we are hosting Ron Galen's Roda de Choro, music of Brazil. A roda is a circle of players having a jam session. We'll have players from around the Bay doing music by Pixinguinha, Jacob do Bandolim, Waldyr Azevedo, et al. You can also pick up some Brazilian food from Chef Henrik out front and pop in the patio for some Brazilian choro music. **The Factory Bar 12513 San Pablo Avenue Richmond, CA, 94805** ## Summer Concert @Point Richmond Music ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/07/ptmusic.jpg) We hope you will join us this Friday, July 11, for the second concert of our 2025 free outdoor summer music season! We're thrilled to present an evening of globe-spanning live music featuring [Mbira dzaSoko](https://pointrichmondmusic.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=e32379e3d64e0448fdb211e01&id=2acce594c5&e=7aefdfbdfa&ref=grandviewindependent.com) and [Extra Large](https://pointrichmondmusic.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=e32379e3d64e0448fdb211e01&id=47f1579198&e=7aefdfbdfa&ref=grandviewindependent.com). PRM concerts are held every second Friday of the month through September in downtown Point Richmond ([Park Place between West Richmond and Washington Avenues](https://pointrichmondmusic.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=e32379e3d64e0448fdb211e01&id=83dc4a8ece&e=7aefdfbdfa&ref=grandviewindependent.com)) from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. An all-volunteer nonprofit organization, PRM’s mission is to build community through the shared experience of live music. Each event features two bands, food trucks, local restaurants, and a wine, beer & margarita bar—proceeds from which support the music series. Limited festival-style seating is available, and attendees are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs. For more details, visit [www.pointrichmondmusic.org](https://pointrichmondmusic.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=e32379e3d64e0448fdb211e01&id=2fb09a66b3&e=7aefdfbdfa&ref=grandviewindependent.com). ### Scientific Adventures for Families @Main Library ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/07/stem.jpeg) ### Saturday, July 12, 2025 Join us for STEM Library classes with Scientific Adventures! Free, hands-on STEM projects for all kids and their families, so if you have ever wondered what an SAfG class looks like in action, stop by! 1:30 - 3 p.m. **Madeline F. Whittlesey Community Room 325 Civic Center Plaza Richmond, CA 94804** ## 14th Annual Music Festival @North Richmond ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-09-at-1.17.04-PM.png) Enjoy a festival and celebrate the renaming of West Grove to “Jimmy McCracklin Way” in honor of the legendary blues artist. **Saturday, July 12, 2025** **1410 Kelsey Street** ## Made in Richmond @Richmond Art Center ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-09-at-12.35.04-PM-1-1.png) The Richmond Art Center will host **Made in Richmond**, a preview exhibition featuring the work of 80 local artists participating in this year’s Richmond Open Studios. Curated by Richmond artist Erin McCluskey Wheeler, the show runs from **July 9 through September 6, 2025**, with a free opening reception on **Saturday, July 12, from 1–3 p.m.** at the Main Gallery. Made in Richmond offers visitors a curated sample of work from the artists who will be part of Richmond Open Studios, the city-wide art event organized by the Visual Artists of Richmond (VAR). The exhibition is free and open to the public during the Art Center’s regular hours, **Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.** For more details about the **Made in Richmond** exhibition and **Richmond Open Studios**, please visit: [https://www.visualartistsofrichmond.org/press](https://www.visualartistsofrichmond.org/press?ref=grandviewindependent.com) ### **“Trailblazing & Totems” @Point Richmond Gallery** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-09-at-2.41.33-PM-1.png) **OPENING RECEPTION “Trailblazing & Totems” on SATURDAY, JULY 12 from 2—5 p.m. at Point Richmond Gallery**. Join **FATHER DAVID O'ROURKE** and **AOPR artist VIRGINIA RIGNEY** to celebrate the opening of their shared exhibition. **145 West Richmond Avenue, Point Richmond**. Exhibition dates: July 12—August 9\. Gallery Hours: Saturdays & Sundays 1—4 p.m. ### Western Swing Pancake Breakfast @Red Oak Victory ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-09-at-12.27.57-PM.png) We're going to try something a little different from a musical standpoint for our July 13 Pancake Breakfast. **Western Swing music** was popular throughout the service life of *Red Oak Victory* and we're bringing it back with **live music by the popular** [**Aaron Burnham Trio**](https://www.aaronburnhammusic.com/?ref=grandviewindependent.com)**.** If you're not familiar with it, **Western Swing is a blend of swing, country-western, and jazz and provides great music to dance to.** Western Swing fans often **dress the part of classic Hollywood cowboys and therefore part of our breakfast event will be a Western Swing Costume Contest!** (If you need ideas just Google 1940s-50s Western Swing outfits.) As usual, you will enjoy freshly made **pancakes, sausage, bacon, and scrambled eggs** accompanied by apple slices, coffee and orange juice. And **Mimosas are available** for our adult patrons for an extra fee. You can then **tour the *Red Oak Victory*** historic ship and work off some of those extra calories. Also, as always, the radio room will be in operation to send ***free* Radiograms** to friends and loved ones anywhere in the world. Your breakfast is only **$20 (plus $3.18 ticketing fee) for adults and $5 (plus $2.18 ticketing fee) for children** 8 and under. **Breakfast service begins at 9:00 a.m. and ends at 12:30 p.m.** As an added bonus, **a limited number of same-day tours of the ship are available** at a discounted rate with your breakfast purchase. You'll have your **choice of our new self-paced audio tour or a scheduled docent-led tour.** Click on the **GET TICKETS** link for more details, pricing, and purchase. *Red Oak Victory* is ideally situated for **panoramic views of the entire San Francisco Bay** and adjacent cities. After breakfast, enjoy a tour of the ship or just sit, chat with new friends, and enjoy the view. Breakfast ends at 12:30 p.m., but the ship remains open for our guests until 4:00 p.m. ### HAWAIIAN ROYALTY MUSIC @Riggers Loft Wine Co ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-09-at-12.57.47-PM.png) **Sunday, July 13th,** The members of Hawaiian Royalty are of native Hawaiian ancestry or have family ties to Hawai’i. While staying true to the Hawaiian cultural roots, their sound is a blend of Island Reggae music, covers, original music, and the intertwining of other musical genres. Feel good lover’s rock set to Hawaiian language songs, are executed and performed in a compelling reggae feel. It'll get you feeling good, and get you moving to the groove, while bringing the warmth of Hawai’i and its Aloha spirit to even the coldest of days.[**RESERVE A TABLE**](https://eatapp.co/reserve/r-b-cellars-80d1ec?ref=grandviewindependent.com) 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. ***325 Canal Boulevard Richmond, CA 94804*** --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Trash collection halted amid landfill strike, no pickup today or tomorrow URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/trash-collection-halted-amid-landfill-strike-no-pickup-today-or-tomorrow/ Last updated: 2026-03-30T02:26:51.000Z *This story was updated at 7:09 p.m. Tuesday, July 8, 2025* If you are waiting for your garbage to be picked up today, forget about it. A nationwide strike is affecting local waste removal, cancelling all scheduled pickups for Tuesday and possibly Wednesday. County Supervisor John Gioia posted a statement on social media after learning about the local impact. "Our office has been notified that [Republic Services](https://www.facebook.com/groups/1076564749104499/user/100064742466234/?%5F%5Fcft%5F%5F[0]=AZWY-uBihKR-068SyuxNCStlsDLZ2lVhJxkfq3M8suxE9lGMAafpa74mwY20A0FVcopOghLkTd-uj5w0kk81kI8cHZ9iWSbb-08n2FoZMDhJdKpTSqUkbpy5CFqBFo2zsa594%5FeOMy3G8Jv9u1ydAkdhmn54QVa8XZgd4v%5Fn8kXwMlBXu0tNl9YdX9%5FjNPO0nCFOCR9AfavpkDPsCnldxXYrHNChmMhzA%5FXal0PBQ8Tr49rFS1XbVfcaHneEhjj2cWf4IkTNhFnT0uRXcv58O2zY&%5F%5Ftn%5F%5F=-]K-y-R) garbage collection services in West County will not occur today, and likely will not occur tomorrow," Gioia wrote. Gioa said this is due to drivers not crossing a picket line, which was set up to support workers who are on strike at a Republic-owned Landfill near Stockton. "We have been told that pick-up services will hopefully be resumed this Thursday, which means your garbage pick up will be delayed by a couple of days and should be picked up on Thursday, Friday, or Saturday," Gioia said. Republic Services says that it is notifying customers by phone, although comments on social media indicate many residents have received a puzzling email citing severe weather as the cause of the delay in garbage service. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-08-at-12.40.49-PM.png) Image/ social media post Republic Services reached out to *Grandview* with the following statement: > Republic Services is in contract negotiations with IBT 439, the union representing some of our employees at Forward Landfill. Those employees are engaged in a temporary work stoppage, and are picketing at other Republic Services Bay Area locations. Forward Landfill is one of four locations in North America where the Teamsters have called a work stoppage. As a result, we anticipate temporary service delays for some recycling and waste collection customers in the Bay Area. We are making adjustments to our operations to ensure our ability to continue providing service during this situation. We apologize to our customers for any inconvenience this situation may cause. We remain ready to reach a fair agreement with the union that benefits our employees and our customers. The waste management company also stated that, in an attempt to notify customers in the Bay Area of service changes, the weather was incorrectly cited as the cause. "We apologize to our customers for this notification error," the statement said. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### What happened in Richmond: a week of crime & public safety URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/what-happened-in-richmond-a-week-of-crime-public-safety-8/ Last updated: 2025-07-07T17:03:43.000Z The following incidents represent law enforcement activity reported by the Richmond Police Department for the week of June 30, 2025, through July 6, 2025\. This summary includes arrests, investigations, and notable public safety responses across Richmond neighborhoods. ### Richmond Crime Map ## **Monday, June 30** **Trouble on Greenway**: 1200 block of Greenway Drive. One miscreant managed a trifecta of crimes: vandalism valued under $400, grand theft, and vehicle tampering, all occurring at 1:30 a.m. **Railroad recovery**: Railroad Avenue. A stolen vehicle was returned to its rightful owner at 7:20 a.m. **Fraudulent financial finagling**: 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. Someone's financial scheme was uncovered at 9 a.m. **License-less locomotion**: In the 94804 zip code. A suspended license couldn't stop one determined driver from getting busted for DUI-related violations at 9:30 a.m. **Smash-and-grab**: 500 block of Marina Way. An auto burglar struck at 10:05 a.m. **Building bandit**: 400 block of 28th Street. A theft from a building netted reports of grand theft at 10:30 a.m. **Burglary**: 5600 block of Doremus Avenue. Another building burglar struck at 11 a.m. **False imprisonment**: 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. False imprisonment with violence was reported at noon. **Shoplifting**: Macdonald Avenue. Petty theft occurred at noon. **Lakeside vandalism**: 3800 block of Lakeside Drive. Felony-level property damage exceeding $400 was reported at noon. **Meeker misdeed**: 2100 block of Meeker Avenue. Grand theft was reported at 12:09 p.m. **Terroristic threats**: Washington Avenue. Officers made an arrest after criminal threats were issued at 12:30 p.m. **Residential ransacking**: 800 block of South 46th Street. A no-force residential burglary occurred at 2:57 p.m. **Whins Court wreckage**: 5000 block of Whins Court. Property destruction was reported at 5:14 p.m. **Vehicular vanishing**: In the 94801 zip code. A car theft was reported at 6 p.m. **Amador Avenue appropriation**: 700 block of Amador Street. A theft from a building was reported at 7:38 p.m. **Expect More. Pay Nothing:** 4500 block of Macdonald Avenue. Shoplifting occurred at 8:27 p.m. **Sierra Ridge shenanigans**: 3600 block of Sierra Ridge Avenue. Vandalism under $400 was reported at 9 p.m. **Car theft**: 2400 block of Lancaster Drive. Someone was borrowing a car indefinitely at 9:30 p.m. **Strong-arm robbery**: In the 94801 zip code. A strong-arm robbery was reported at 11 p.m. **Macdonald mayhem**: 2300 block of Macdonald Avenue. A dangerous weapon robbery and aggravated assault occurred, leading to an arrest at 11:32 p.m. ## **Tuesday, July 1** **Bayside burglary**: 100 block of Bayside Court. Grand theft was reported at 2 a.m. **Parkway pilfering**: 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. Someone liberated a set of wheels at 2:53 a.m. **Nevin Avenue nuisance**: 300 block of Nevin Avenue. Minor vandalism was reported at 4:16 a.m. **Humphrey heist**: 2700 block of Humphrey Avenue. An unsanctioned redistribution of automotive assets was reported at 4:25 a.m. **Early morning auto theft**: The 94801 zip code. Someone learned their vehicle had been lost to the night at 8 a.m. **Custody complications**: 1600 block of Summer Lane. Court contempt and custodial deprivation charges were filed at 8:30 a.m. **Tulare trouble**: 2800 block of Tulare Avenue. An auto burglary occurred at 8:50 a.m. **Minor theft**: 500 block of Marina Way. Petty theft was reported at 9:27 a.m. **Grand theft**: The 94803 zip code. A grand theft was reported at 10 a.m. **Third Street troubles**: 600 block of 3rd Street. Felony vandalism and auto burglary were reported at 10:40 a.m. **Nelson Drive nabbing**: 4300 block of Nelson Drive. Grand theft was reported at 11:28 a.m. **Armed robbery**: 1000 block of Nevin Avenue. A firearm-assisted robbery occurred at 12:34 p.m. **Threatening crime with the intent to terrorize**: 900 block of Nevin Avenue. Criminal threats were made at 12:46 p.m. **Esmond embezzlement**: 1500 block of Esmond Avenue. Grand theft was reported at 1:07 p.m. **Hilltop hassle**: 2800 block of Hilltop Mall Road. Someone was reportedly violating a court order at 1:09 p.m. **Chanslor car caper**: 100 block of West Chanslor Avenue. A vehicle theft occurred at 2:35 p.m. **Fourth Street felony**: 600 block of 4th Street. Felony vandalism and vehicle tampering occurred at 3:45 p.m. **Chanslor criminal threats**: 2400 block of Chanslor Avenue. Felony-level criminal threats were made at 4:02 p.m. **Car theft:** 2500 block of Rheem Avenue. Another vehicle was spirited away to the criminal underworld at 4:21 p.m. **Car theft**: 3200 block of Center Avenue. Another vehicle vanished at 4:38 p.m. **Identity theft:** 500 block of Willard Avenue. Identity theft for fraudulent purposes was reported at 5:25 p.m. **Follette felony**: 100 block of Follette Street. An auto burglary occurred at 6 p.m. **Merchandise mischief**: 4500 block of Macdonald Avenue. More shoplifting occurred at 7 p.m. **Hilltop heavy damage**: 2500 block of Hilltop Mall Road. Felony-level vandalism occurred at 8:18 p.m. **Vehicle theft**: 100 block of West Bissell Avenue. Another car was taken without the consent of the owner at 9 p.m. **Nevin nuisance**: 900 block of Nevin Avenue. Petty theft from a motor vehicle was reported at 9:20 p.m. **DU**: The 94801 zip code. An alcohol-impaired driver was busted at 10:52 p.m. ## Wednesday, July 2 **Midnight vandalism**: The 94806 zip code. Minor property damage was reported at 12:46 a.m. **Dawn drug dealing**: The 94801 zip code. Police made an arrest after possession and purchase of narcotics for sale was reported at 2:15 a.m. **Commercial break-in**: 1100 block of Macdonald Avenue. A forced commercial burglary occurred at 3:44 a.m. **Chanslor car theft**: 1400 block of Chanslor Avenue. A car thief engaged in automotive appropriation at 6:18 a.m. **Chanslor car theft**: 100 block of Chanslor Circle. Another vehicle was liberated at 8:04 a.m. **24th Street scam**: 500 block of 24th Street. Identity theft for fraudulent purposes was reported at 9:24 a.m. **Andrade Burglary**: 3200 block of Andrade Avenue. A forced residential burglary occurred at 9:31 a.m. **Bayview banditry**: 4900 block of Bayview Avenue. A car thief gave someone else's ride a new zip code at 10:40 a.m. **Center Street caper**: 3300 block of Center Avenue. Petty theft was reported at 2:08 p.m. **Sixth Street gun show**: 600 block of 6th Street. A veritable arsenal of charges, including large capacity magazines, loaded handguns, concealed weapons, and marijuana dealing, led to a trip to the Gray Bar Hotel at 7:01 p.m. **Aggravated assault:** 400 block of South 23rd Street. Police made an arrest on aggravated assault charges after a suspect reportedly made criminal threats and assaulted someone with a deadly weapon at 2 p.m. **16th Street snatch**: 600 block of 16th Street. Petty theft was reported at 8 p.m. **Elevated with the juice of the grape**: The 94804 zip code. An alcohol-impaired driver faced dual charges at 9:39 p.m. ## Thursday, July 3 **Central Avenue caper**: 5200 block of Central Avenue. Grand theft was reported at midnight. **Potrero parts pilfering**: 3900 block of Potrero Avenue. Motor vehicle parts theft occurred at 12:31 a.m. **Driving while under the influence**: In the 94804 zip code. An alcohol-impaired driver was busted at 1:29 a.m. **Lost and found**: In the 94801 zip code. A stolen vehicle was recovered, and possession of a stolen vehicle charges were filed at 2:51 a.m **Hinkley heist**: 2400 block of Hinkley Avenue. A vehicle theft occurred at 4 a.m. **Car part theft**: 300 block of South 36th Street. Motor vehicle parts theft occurred at 8:45 a.m. **Guns and threats**: West Richmond Avenue. Criminal threats and firearm exhibition occurred at 11:19 a.m. **Central Avenue crash**: 4800 block of Central Avenue. A hit-and-run with property damage occurred at noon. **Macdonald mayhem**: 2200 block of Macdonald Avenue. Threats against school personnel, battery, battery against emergency personnel, and elder abuse all reported at 2:45 p.m. **Seventh Street smashing**: 800 block of 7th Street. Felony vandalism occurred at 2:53 p.m. **Auto burglary**: In the 94804 zip code. An auto burglary occurred at 3 p.m. **High on Hartnett**: 5000 block of Hartnett Avenue. Someone was arrested for marijuana possession for sale and residential burglary at 5:25 p.m. **Missing car**: 600 block of Williams Drive. A vehicle theft occurred at 7 p.m. **Vehicle recovery**: In the 94804 zip code. A stolen vehicle was recovered at 8:13 p.m. **Drug violations**: 5000 block of Hartnett Avenue. More marijuana dealing occurred at 10:35 p.m. **Aggravated assault:** 12400 block of San Pablo Avenue. Dual aggravated assault with deadly weapon charges were filed at 10:39 p.m. ## Friday, July 4 **Independence Day arsenal**: In the 94804 zip code. Multiple firearm charges, including loaded handguns and concealed weapons, were filed at 12:37 a.m. **Macdonald merchandise grab**: 3600 block of Macdonald Avenue. Petty theft occurred at 3:30 a.m. **Drug violations**: 500 block of South 30th Street. Police made an arrest on obstruction of officers and disorderly conduct occurred at 4:13 a.m. **Grant Avenue grab**: 2000 block of Grant Avenue. An auto burglary occurred at 7:23 a.m. **Solano snatching**: 3900 block of Solano Avenue. Grand theft was reported at 9:00 a.m. **Carriage cache**: 5200 block of Carriage Drive. Large capacity magazines and assault weapons were discovered at 9 a.m. **Coalinga conflict**: 1500 block of Coalinga Avenue. A strong-arm robbery occurred at 11 a.m. **16th Street snatch**: 100 block of 16th Street. More petty thieving was reported at 11:30 a.m. **Third Street theft**: 200 block of 3rd Street. An auto burglary occurred at 11:53 a.m. **Fireworks**: In the 94804 zip code. Fireworks were seized at 2 p.m. **Macdonald mischief**: Macdonald Avenue. Motor vehicle parts theft and auto burglary occurred at 3:04 p.m. **Fireworks festivities**: Multiple fireworks violation citations were issued throughout the evening from 5:27 p.m. to 10:42 p.m. [Fireworks complaints pour in as illegal displays light up Richmond on the Fourth of JulyThis story was updated Sunday, July 6, 2025, at 8:45 a.m. Despite warnings, heightened enforcement, and a citywide ban, illegal fireworks erupted across Richmond on the Fourth of July, prompting a surge of complaints and reports to police. The Richmond Police Department received more than 180 calls for![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--39.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-fireworks-north-and-east-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/fireworks-complaints-pour-in-as-illegal-displays-light-up-richmond-on-the-fourth-of-july/) **Macdonald mega-arsenal:** West Macdonald Avenue. A massive weapons cache, including machine guns, assault weapons, and large-capacity magazines, was discovered at 8:23 p.m. The alleged gun aficionado was arrested on charges including possession of a machine gun, manufacturing, selling, or transferring an assault weapon, carrying a loaded firearm with a prior felony conviction, possession of a short-barreled firearm, manufacture or possession of a large-capacity magazine, possession of a firearm by a felon or addict, and illegal possession of an assault weapon. **Fifth Street fireworks**: 700 block of 5th Street. Fireworks possession without a permit was reported at 8:32 p.m. **Illegal fireworks:** 500 block of 8th Street: Police took a report for illicit activity of fireworks in violation of Richmond Municipal Code at 9 p.m. **Fireworks violation** *:* An additional fireworks-related violation was logged, with no specific street listed at 9:17 p.m. **Fireworks:** 100 block of Macdonald Avenue. Police recorded a fireworks violation at this central location, again citing unauthorized possession or use at 9:40 p.m. **Late-evening fireworks complaint:** Police took a report for illegal fireworks activity in violation of the Richmond Municipal Code at 10:42 p.m. **Gaynor Avenue obstruction**: 2300 block of Gaynor Avenue. An officer obstruction occurred, and an arrest was made at 10:44 p.m. **Seventh Street smashing**: 800 block of 7th Street. More felony vandalism occurred at 11:11 p.m. ## Saturday, July 5 **Fall Avenue fracas**: 4600 block of Fall Avenue. An assault with force causing great bodily injury occurred at midnight, resulting in an arrest for aggravated assault. **Parkway pestering**: 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. Annoying and harassing repeat calls occurred at 3:33 a.m. **Thomas Drive break-in**: 700 block of Thomas Drive. A forced residential burglary occurred at 5:18 a.m. [Helicopters assist ground crews fighting Dornan Drive fireLast update: 10:05 p.m. Saturday, July 5, 2025 Richmond Fire Department responded to a vegetation fire on Nichol Knob in Point Richmond on Saturday evening, which has already scorched approximately four acres. Fire crews are battling the 3-alarm blaze that started near Dornan Drive, and they are receiving![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--40.png)Grandview IndependentLinda Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-07-05-at-8.36.43-PM-1-1.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/helicopters-assist-ground-crews-fighting-dornan-drive-fire/) **Drug paraphernalia possession**: In the 94801 zip code. Officers made an arrest on drug equipment violation charges at 1:18 p.m. **Battery**: South 45th Street. Police arrested someone for simple assault after an altercation was reported at 4:57 p.m. **Macdonald break-in**: 1000 block of Macdonald Avenue. A no-force residential burglary occurred at 6:34 p.m. ## Sunday, July 6, 2025 **Fast and Furious:** El Portal Drive & Fordham Street. A suspect was arrested on multiple charges after reportedly leading officers on a chase with "wanton disregard for safety" in a stolen vehicle, resisting arrest at El Portal Drive & Fordham Street, and assaulting an officer with a deadly weapon at 3:30 a.m. **Custody violations:** Police station. Someone allegedly violated custody or visitation rights at 10:19 a.m. **Vandalism:** 500 block of 5th Street. Vandalism under $400 was reported at 11 a.m. **Driving with a license suspended for DUI:** In the 94801 zip code. A driver was cited for operating a vehicle while their license was suspended due to a DUI at 11:34 a.m. **Assault with a deadly weapon:** 200 block of South 8th Street. A trifecta of poor life choices unfolded when someone decided to make criminal threats, assault someone with a deadly weapon, and then wave said weapon around for good measure. When officers arrived at 12:44 p.m., they added resisting arrest to their growing collection of charges–*allegedly*! --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Point Molate Bay Trail funding vote delayed after council agenda shift URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/point-molate-bay-trail-funding-vote-delayed-after-council-agenda-shift/ Last updated: 2025-07-07T00:02:16.000Z A decision on whether to allocate $1 million in city funds to complete a segment of the Point Molate Bay Trail was delayed last Tuesday night after the item was pushed to the end of the Richmond City Council agenda and ultimately not heard. Councilmember Sue Wilson requested that the funding measure, originally part of the consent calendar, be moved for separate discussion. Due to a lengthy meeting and other business taking precedence, the council adjourned at 11 p.m. before the item could be considered. The delay means the matter cannot return for a vote until after the council’s summer recess, with the earliest possible date being August 19. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/07/Winehaven-Rendering-trail-point-molate.webp) A rendering of the Bay Trail extension project in Point Molate. Image/ TRAC The funding request, outlined in a [staff report ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58476&ref=grandviewindependent.com)from the Department of Public Works, would appropriate $1 million from the General Capital Fund to cover a shortfall in the city’s share of the Bay Trail extension project. The funds are needed to reimburse the East Bay Regional Park District for its construction work on the 1.25-mile segment, which runs from Point Molate Beach Park to the historic Winehaven District, a stretch that lies on city-owned land. [Nonprofit files suit to save historic Winehaven structuresA nonprofit formed by two former Richmond mayors has filed a lawsuit in a bid to save historic Winehaven structures at Point Molate, once the location of the largest winery in the world. Winehaven Trust is demanding the replacement of roofs and gutters, the stabilization of brick turrets as well![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--38.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Winehaven-richmond-castle-1.jpg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/former-mayors-file-suit-to-save-historic-winehaven-structures/) Trail advocates say the delay puts the project timeline at risk. Bruce Beyaert, chair of the Trails for Richmond Action Committee, warned that to meet grant reimbursement deadlines, construction must begin this fall. “The earliest that grant funds awarded to this project will expire is March 2027,” Beyaert told *Grandview*. “To allow time to process invoices and complete paperwork by this deadline, the project will need to be completed and all paperwork for reimbursement submitted by December 2026\. This means that construction has to be underway by this fall, since the project has an estimated length of 260 construction days or roughly 13 months, if no delays occur.” TRAC also clarified that the planned 2.5-mile Point Molate Bay Trail is separate from the bluff stabilization project, which was funded by the Richmond City Council earlier this year. “TRAC recently learned that some people mistakenly believe that the Point Molate Trail to be built by the contractor engaged by EBRPD involves the bluff stabilization project to which the City Council appropriated $2 million on April 15\. It does not!” TRAC wrote in an email to the council. Supporters of the trail, including dozens of residents who emailed the council ahead of Tuesday’s meeting, argued that the project would provide long-overdue public access to scenic shoreline and create safe connections for pedestrians and cyclists. Many urged the city to act quickly to avoid losing grant funds awarded more than four years ago. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/07/burma-road-bluff-1.webp) This 2015 photo shows severe coastal erosion along Burma Road. Amiee Flynn-Curran, a cyclist and Richmond resident, pushed for creating a safe and accessible cycling route to Point Molate. “The beach park is a gem, breezy on a warm day, beautiful views and opportunities for picnics. Accessing this park by bike can be nearly impossible for those without great athletic skills, as currently the protected bicycle lane ends at Point Molate and the hilly roads are challenging and shared with cars that come around blind corners,” Flynn-Curran wrote to the council. Others focused on environmental concerns, including the possible placement of riprap on the beach to protect the trail from erosion. Wilson has said she supports the trail in concept but wants assurances that the beach will not be damaged before she can vote in favor of additional funding. Wilson expressed reservations about the current alignment, particularly a portion that would require placing rip rap — large concrete chunks — along 300 feet of beach to protect the trail from erosion. “Destroying a large part of our beach to protect a bike path overlooking the beach makes no sense to me, and it is unfair to the many people who like to sit on sand by the water,” Wilson wrote in her June 30 newsletter. Wilson called for the city and EBRPD to commit to rerouting that section inland, stating it would allow for more environmentally friendly erosion controls, such as native vegetation and oyster beds. "If the bike path is less exposed, we are free to use less-dramatic, less-costly, and more attractive nature-based solutions for erosion control on the beach," Wilson said. "I am not willing to spend any more city money on this project until all agencies involved agree to this approach, which I think better reflects the needs of all users of the park." Wilson criticized the budgeting process, pointing out that the trail was initially approved in 2021 with assurances of full grant funding. Wilson also called the budgeting and decision-making process terrible and expressed hope that such problems could be avoided in future projects. “That Council was told trail construction would be funded by grants that were already received. Then last month we were told the city had to come up with $2 million from our General Fund to stabilize the shoreline enough to protect the future trail, which we agreed to put into the budget,” Wilson said. “Now we are being told we have to cough up another million to help build the trail itself. And no one is saying this will be the last request for money for this project.” Beyaert said the delay was disappointing but not the end of the road. “We’ll package all your thoughtful comments and send them to the Council before the next meeting,” he wrote in an update to supporters. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Helicopters assist ground crews fighting Dornan Drive fire URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/helicopters-assist-ground-crews-fighting-dornan-drive-fire/ Last updated: 2025-09-30T17:08:30.000Z *Last update: 12:36 p.m. Monday, July 7, 2025* Richmond Fire Department responded to a vegetation fire on Nichol Knob in Point Richmond on Saturday evening, which has already scorched approximately four acres. Fire crews are battling the 3-alarm blaze that started near Dornan Drive, and they are receiving additional help from the air by way of helicopters attacking the fire from above. By 9:15 p.m., the forward progress of the fire had been stopped, according to a city-issued Nixle alert. "On-scene Incident Command has declared forward progress has now been stopped with extensive mop-up continuing throughout the night along with firewatch," the alert said. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-05-at-8.39.41-PM.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-05-at-8.39.13-PM.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-05-at-8.38.47-PM.png) No evacuation orders were issued. Just before 8 p.m., the City of Richmond sent out the first of several [Nixle](https://local.nixle.com/alert/11712417/?sub%5Fid=1225463&ref=grandviewindependent.com) alerts to residents informing them and providing updates about the fire. Dave Mason, Public Information Supervisor for East Bay Regional Park District, issued a statement on Monday, providing a timeline of events. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/07/IMG_1395.jpg) A scorched area of hillside was visible on Sunday morning following a fire on Nicholl Knob the previous night. Photo/ Linda Hemmila "The vegetation fire at Miller/Knox Regional Park was reported at 6:46 p.m. on Saturday, July 5\. The Fire was near Nicholl Knob. East Bay Regional Park District and Richmond Fire responded," Mason said. "The fire reached a total of 4-5 acres. Hill area trails were closed but have been reopened. There is not information on cause at this time." --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Fireworks complaints pour in as illegal displays light up Richmond on the Fourth of July URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/fireworks-complaints-pour-in-as-illegal-displays-light-up-richmond-on-the-fourth-of-july/ Last updated: 2025-07-06T15:49:52.000Z *This story was updated Sunday, July 6, 2025, at 8:45 a.m.* Despite warnings, heightened enforcement, and a citywide ban, illegal fireworks erupted across Richmond on the Fourth of July, prompting a surge of complaints and reports to police. The Richmond Police Department received more than 180 calls for service related to fireworks on Friday, July 4, up from 111 calls reporting fireworks in 2024. Complaints poured in from across the city, including North Richmond and the Iron Triangle, with officers responding to dozens of reports throughout the night. > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DLvEC7GNPZl/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by Grandview Independent (@grandviewindependent)](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DLvEC7GNPZl/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) But police did make progress in some instances. The department reported that multiple citations were issued Friday night and that officers also confiscated weapons in connection with fireworks activity. "We made 19 fireworks-related arrests, and we seized three firearms," said Lt. Donald Patchin, public information officer for the department. Before the holiday, the Richmond Police Department issued a public notice emphasizing the risks and consequences associated with the use of fireworks. “Fireworks are strictly prohibited in the City of Richmond,” the department said. “Each year, nearly 2,000 children across the United States suffer injuries related to fireworks.” The department also cited the danger fireworks pose to pets, neighbors, and property. It stated that officers would enforce a zero-tolerance policy with an increased police presence over the holiday. ![fireworks](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/07/spent-firworks-pile-barrett-avenue.webp) Spent fireworks were piled on Barrett Avenue on Saturday, July 5, 2025\. Photo/Linda Hemmila Despite those warnings, the sounds of illegal fireworks began several weeks back, but a large volley heard across the city at the stroke of midnight marked the start of the Fourth and continued past midnight the following evening. Police received multiple reports from streets such as 30th Street, Pennsylvania Avenue, and Barrett Avenue, sometimes more than once an hour. Richmond holds an official fireworks show annually on July 3, but for years, unsanctioned neighborhood shows have continued to dominate the evening of July 4\. All fireworks, including those labeled “safe and sane,” are banned in Richmond. [Richmond’s July 3rd celebration draws a crowdResidents came from all parts of the city braving the wind and typical cold temperatures Thursday to partake of Richmond’s own, city-sponsored Independence Day celebration along the waterfront at Marina Bay Park, which, in a nod to the city’s uniqueness, occurs on July 3rd — or what has become![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--36.png)Grandview IndependentLinda Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/IMG_1221-1-1-1.jpg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmonds-july-3rd-celebration-draws-a-crowd/) In 2021, the Richmond City Council rejected an ordinance that would have made property owners and tenants liable for fireworks activity at their residences. Since then, the city has emphasized public education and encouraged residents to report illegal use and sales. ### Maps of Richmond fireworks reports *Richmond police reported receiving 187 fireworks-related calls on July 4, 2025\. This map shows many of the reported locations, though not all calls included location data.* As of Saturday morning, authorities had not released information about any injuries or arrests connected to fireworks. Police said enforcement efforts would continue through the weekend. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond's July 3rd celebration draws a crowd URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmonds-july-3rd-celebration-draws-a-crowd/ Last updated: 2026-07-01T20:29:20.000Z Residents came from all parts of the city, braving the wind and typical cold temperatures on Thursday to partake of Richmond’s own, city-sponsored Independence Day celebration along the waterfront at Marina Bay Park, which, in a nod to the city’s uniqueness, occurs on July 3rd — or what has become known locally as “Fourth of July Eve.” Families and vendors began gathering just after 5 p.m., with tents, lawn chairs, and heavy blankets in tow, as they attempted to stake out the perfect spot in eager anticipation of the fireworks show later that evening. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/07/DSC_7041-1-1.jpg) With the sun dipping below the horizon, a strong, frigid wind blowing off the water, families tucked in with their kids, waiting for that first big boom signaling the start of the show. As the sky broke red, gold, and green, shouts of delight rose from the crowd in the form of gleeful "oohs" and "ahhhhs." Along with the dazzling pyrotechnics, this year’s festivities featured many of the same elements that Richmonders have come to expect over the last 30-plus years, including live music, fun activities, and an array of tantalizing food vendors. But why do we celebrate on the 3rd? ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/07/DSC_7015-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/07/DSC_7032-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/07/DSC_7029-1.jpg) Former Richmond Mayor Rosemary Corbin, who served as Richmond’s mayor from 1993 to 2001, says celebrating on the eve of the 4th of July is unique. Corbin also explained that having the event a day early is less expensive. “It’s cheaper. We get the fireworks for half price,” Corbin told *Grandview*. Tom Butt, also a former mayor, agrees that the lower price tag had a lot to do with the decision to hold the city’s official event earlier than other cities do. “The cost of fireworks is about one-third of what they would be on the 4th,” Butt said. One of Richmond’s most popular events, the July 3 festivities, never fails to draw a sizable crowd, pausing only during the pandemic before returning to enthusiastic celebrants in 2022. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/07/IMG_1244.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/07/IMG_1211--1--1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/07/IMG_1215-1.jpg) Earlier this year, the Richmond City Council debated whether to continue the fireworks tradition, citing concerns about their environmental impact and the potential for adding to noise pollution. Drones were discussed as a viable alternative, with drone shows gaining popularity around the Bay Area over the past few years, and at least one council member supporting the idea. [Richmond council deliberates: shore power mandate, staffing woes, and fireworks dronesA $3 million shore power system at the port, more money for Point Molate litigation, a talk about city staffing, an idea to replace Third of July fireworks with drones, and new commission appointments are on the Richmond City Council agenda for Tuesday night. Overtime use is the equivalent of![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--22.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Boats-1.jpeg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/shore-power-mandate-staffing-woes-fireworks-drones/) Ultimately, the council decided to just say no to the drones, mainly because they are considered pricier, costing on average $99,000 for just an 8-minute show. A traditional fireworks display typically costs the city about $104,000 for a full 15 minutes of pyrotechnic action. There was also some concern that a drone show could lack – if just slightly – the razzle-dazzle experience of a fireworks display. What is in store for next year’s extravaganza remains to be seen, with the council typically discussing funding and planning for the event early each year. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond police review commission welcomes interim investigator to tackle case backlog URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-police-review-commission-welcomes-interim-investigator-to-tackle-case-backlog/ Last updated: 2025-07-03T05:47:26.000Z The Richmond Community Police Review Commission introduced its new interim investigator Wednesday evening, bringing on a retired police chief and his firm to begin clearing a backlog of more than two dozen unresolved misconduct complaints against Richmond police officers. Bill Whalen, a retired police chief who now runs Bill Whalen and Associates, appeared virtually before the commission to discuss his firm’s contract to investigate a number of police misconduct complaints. The city approved a $50,000 contract with Whalen’s firm in May to handle cases that had accumulated since the previous investigator’s resignation in September 2024. [Resigning investigator criticizes police commission’s ability to review complaints against officersThreet said he no longer believes the commission can be relied upon to reach a valid finding on allegations of officer misconduct based on an objective, unbiased view of the evidence.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--33.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/jerry-threet-richmond-police-1-5.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/resigning-investigator-criticizes-police-commissions-ability-to-review-complaints-against-officers-2/) “There is a considerable caseload here with your city that needs to get worked through,” Whalen told commissioners. “It’s more or less an all hands on deck kind of thing, from our standpoint, to help you with clearing out your backlog of cases.” However, several commissioners and public speakers expressed surprise that Whalen operates a firm of multiple investigators rather than working alone. Commissioner Oscar Garcia noted that the interviews were conducted with Whalen individually, raising questions about oversight of other investigators’ work. “If you’re not involved at all, that would concern me,” Garcia said. Whalen assured the commissioners that he would maintain final reviewing authority over all investigations and planned to present the findings alongside the individual investigators who conducted each case. He said his firm includes four investigators, all with law enforcement backgrounds, including two who have gone on to roles in city government. “The goal will be that I’m presenting along with the investigator that did the investigation,” Whalen said. “I would do you a disservice if I was in here trying to represent what the investigator was thinking at the time.” Ben Therriault, president of the Richmond Police Officers Association, expressed surprise at learning the investigative contract involved more than just a single individual. “I was a little perplexed. I didn’t realize it was a group of people or a firm,” Therriault said. “I’m happy to have you, Chief, and I’m glad you’ll be able to work on the backlog of these cases. "Maybe I missed the qualifications of the other folks, but my main concern is making sure they have a full understanding of our laws and things of that nature in California, and not just out-of-state experience.” The commission is grappling with a significant backlog that has grown since the previous investigator’s departure. According to city documents, nine complaints were pending investigation when the Confidential Investigative Appeals Officer resigned in September 2024, and 17 additional complaints have been filed since then. Commission Chair Carmin Martinez said she counted 25 cases in the current complaint log – although one may have been logged twice, she said. The commission has also lost track of recent complaints after losing a staff member who maintained the database of complaints. “We used to have a staff person who was updating a complaint log, but we lost him, and so any complaints in the last month have not been added,” said Commissioner Carol Hegstrom. She noted that at least one new case was filed within the past few days. Martinez reported that four cases face statute of limitations deadlines, adding urgency to the investigation process. Whalen, who retired after 32 years in law enforcement and started his firm in 2021, said he would prioritize cases based on severity, community impact, and potential disciplinary consequences. He expects to begin work before the end of July once the contract is fully executed. The commission requested clarification from the city’s Human Resources department about the hiring process for contractual investigators to ensure transparency in future selections. “As soon as we get the contract executed, the chair, myself, and the city attorney are going to look at a date to sit down and triage the cases and then get them assigned,” Whalen said. “I have a feeling that there will be a few cases that everybody can agree upon that need to get investigated yesterday. So that will be easy. We’ll look at those right away, even before perhaps we sit down and roll our sleeves up and look at the rest of them.” The Community Police Review Commission investigates complaints of alleged police misconduct involving serious bodily injury, unreasonable force, discrimination, sexual harassment, and sexual assault by Richmond police officers. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond officials push back on grand jury police staffing report URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-officials-push-back-on-grand-jury-police-staffing-report/ Last updated: 2025-07-02T17:22:37.000Z A Contra Costa County Civil Grand Jury report criticizing Richmond’s approach to police staffing has triggered a wave of pushback from city officials and police union leaders, reviving tensions over a controversial 2021 decision to reallocate $3 million from the Richmond Police Department. Councilmember Doria Robinson, who introduced the motion to approve the city’s response, said continued debate over the report was becoming a distraction. She urged the council to stop turning the issue into a spectacle. “Let’s fix the problem and not continue to make political theater,” Robinson said. “Let’s do some work.” Robinson said the city had already taken steps to address staffing concerns, including approving police raises and take-home vehicle policies. She said those actions had been unanimous and deserved acknowledgment. “We’ve all voted unanimously to try to improve what’s going on in the police department,” Robinson said. The report, [*Staffing Challenges Facing the Richmond Police Department: Diminishing Funds and Fewer Officers,*](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58516&ref=grandviewindependent.com) found the city had not adequately addressed police staffing needs and had failed to act on two outside consultant reports urging increased hiring. On Tuesday, the Richmond City Council approved its [formal response](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58518&ref=grandviewindependent.com) to the report, but not without a debate. Richmond Police Chief Bisa French said the consequences of the 2021 reallocation began months before the vote, when council discussions proposed cutting up to $10 million from the police budget. French said officers began leaving amid fears of layoffs, creating 14 vacant positions that were ultimately used for the $3 million reallocation approved by the City Council. “Many officers left because they didn’t want to wait to see if they were going to have a job come July 1,” French said. French explained that, between 2020 and 2025, the department lost nearly all of its specialized units, including narcotics, robbery, traffic, and youth services. The investigations division shrank from nearly 50 detectives to just 13. Richmond Police Officers Association (RPOA) President Ben Therriault said the city’s handling of the reallocation, hiring, and union negotiations contributed to the department’s instability. Therriault also called out the city’s denial that the 2021 budget decision amounted to defunding the police. “There was defunding. Absolutely,” Therriault said. “It’s absolutely wrong to say otherwise.” Therriault argued that the city had delayed implementation of recruitment plans and failed to support internal officer training by not offering appropriate incentives. He also criticized the slow rollout of the Community Crisis Response Program (CCRP), attributing delays to city inaction. “The city doesn’t move on things,” Therriault said. “Processes take longer to execute.” Councilmember Sue Wilson voted against approving the response, calling the report divisive and rooted in a false narrative. She said staffing challenges were part of national trends stemming from public reaction to the 2020 killing of George Floyd, not solely a result of Richmond’s 2021 budget decision. “This whole grand jury process is really divisive. It’s also intrusive,” Wilson said. Wilson also rejected suggestions that Richmond should use its $550 million settlement from Chevron to fund ongoing police hiring. She said those funds should be used to invest in long-term environmental and health improvements, as the community intended. Mayor Eduardo Martinez echoed that criticism, saying the report lacked context and ignored information the city had already provided. Martinez said the police union was using the report as leverage during contract negotiations. “I believe that this might be part of RPOA’s tactics,” Martinez said. Despite the objections of some councilmembers, the council voted to submit its official response to the Contra Costa Superior Court by the August 7 deadline. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### OMG! We ate 50 burritos at 50 different local restaurants and food trucks URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/omg-we-ate-50-burritos-at-50-different-local-restaurants-and-food-trucks/ Last updated: 2025-07-01T16:58:51.000Z It started as a simple question: “Where can you get the best burrito in Richmond?” But after 50 restaurants, food trucks, and taquerias later, we’ve learned that Richmond doesn’t have just one best burrito. It has dozens of incredible ones, each telling a unique story about our city’s vibrant food culture. [Burrito Trail - Grandview IndependentThe Grandview Independent has been embarking on a culinary adventure to explore every taqueria, food truck, and restaurant in Richmond. This initiative, dubbed the “Richmond Burrito Trail,” aims to showcase our city’s diverse and delectable burritos.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--32.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/The-Richmondbt-1-6.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/tag/burrito-trail/) Over the past year, the *Grandview* team has embarked on what we call “The Richmond Burrito Trail.” It is a delicious journey through Richmond’s diverse culinary landscape. We’ve eaten our way from The Point to Hilltop, including a long slog up 23rd Street sampling everything from traditional carnitas to cow tongue. The Richmond Burrito Trail isn’t just about food, it’s about community. Every burrito stop has introduced us to business owners, regular customers, and neighborhood stories we wouldn’t have found otherwise. A word about our process: we order burritos without mentioning that we will be dissecting and writing about them, so we can hopefully get the most unfiltered, true experience. As we gear up for burritos 51-100, we’re reminded that Richmond’s food ecosystem is constantly evolving. New spots open, family recipes get passed down, and fusion experiments create tomorrow’s classics. ### Richmond Eats brick-and-mortar For our 50th burrito, we stopped by the Salvadoran and Mexican Richmond Eats’ new brick-and-mortar location, the former [La Garage space](https://www.instagram.com/p/DA7LNKbyL%5F6/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) on Macdonald Avenue. ![Richmond Eats](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/07/RICHMOND-BURRITO-TRAIL-richmond-eats-outside.webp) Richmond Eats, a popular food truck parked beside the Rich City Rides building, is now in a new space. We couldn’t resist stopping by to try their burritos. The restaurant at the corner of Macdonald and 15th Street, near the Richmond Bart station, is huge and industrial, with concrete floors and an open kitchen. We walked in and were greeted in Spanish. Always a good sign. We ordered a Super Pollo Asada Burrito, and soon started hearing the sounds of chopping and grilling from the kitchen. ![Richmond Eats](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/07/RICHMOND-BURRITO-TRAIL-richmond-eats3.webp) Richmond Eats' Super Pollo Asada Burrito comes with chips and salsa. We dug in when we returned to Grandview HQ. The first impression? Lots of melty cheese, more than most places dare to put in. It’s like someone started making a quesadilla and switched courses midstream. The slab had some interesting choices. It was also filled with big chunks of white chicken meat, properly seasoned and with some good color. Fresh avocado chunks throughout, not guacamole. We are seeing a trend here. And for the second time in two weeks, [those red beans again](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-richmond-burrito-trail-cutting-boulevards-terraza-45/), maybe red silk beans (frijol de seda), a variety we haven’t seen included in the hundreds of burritos we’ve eaten over the decades. We liked the rice, but it was different, like dirty rice, which adds a nice texture contrast. Fresh tomatoes, onions, and cilantro bathed in crema give it that cooling element you need. You grab salsa from the refrigerator on your way out. There are two options, a green and a red emulsified salsa, both with a nice heat level. This is probably our ideal heat level, hot enough to make you sweat, but not so hot you can’t taste the flavors. Burritos come with thin, crispy chips that were a little stale, a minor complaint for an otherwise solid meal. The tubular meal weighed in at 624 grams and set us back $16 even. Let us know where to eat next, and check back next week to see where we land on the Richmond Burrito Trail. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### What happened in Richmond: a week of crime & public safety URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/what-happened-in-richmond-a-week-of-crime-public-safety-7/ Last updated: 2025-06-30T14:50:20.000Z The following incidents represent law enforcement activity reported by the Richmond Police Department during the week of June 23-29\. This summary includes arrests, investigations, and notable public safety responses across Richmond neighborhoods. ### Richmond crime map ## Monday, June 23 **Drug possession with arrest:** A narcotics nabbing netted charges for controlled substances and paraphernalia possession at 1:05 a.m. **Vandalism:** 2500 block of Macdonald Avenue. A vandal caused felony-level damage at 1:11 a.m. **Chemically inconvenienced driver:** 5400 block of Solano Avenue. A suspected drunk driver was busted for alcohol impairment and driving with a suspended license at 2:43 a.m. **Residential burglary:** 400 block of South 15th Street. A forceful intruder broke into someone’s home at 4:02 a.m. **Vandalism:** 300 block of West Macdonald Avenue. Morning mischief brought felony-level property damage at 8:18 a.m. **Vandalism:** 300 block of Civic Center Plaza. Property destruction valued at less than $400 occurred at 9:50 a.m. **Battery:** 2300 block of Maine Avenue. A physical altercation erupted at 11:54 a.m. **Armed robbery:** A robber wielding a dangerous weapon struck at noon in the 94801 area. **Residential burglary:** 3000 block of De Anza Drive. A forceful break-in occurred at 2:12 p.m. **Building theft:** 800 block of 10th Street. A petty thief targeted a building at 3:30 p.m. **Shoplifting:** 1200 block of Macdonald Avenue. A sticky-fingered shopper was caught red-handed at 3:38 p.m. **Auto burglary:** 900 block of Marina Way South. A car break-in was reported at 3:56 p.m. **Vandalism:** 600 block of 5th Street. Felony-level property damage struck at 6:02 p.m. **Credit card fraud:** 1200 block of Fred Jackson Way. A financial fraudster used fake cards to make purchases of over $400 at 7:28 p.m. **Armed robbery:** A firearm-wielding robber struck at 10:23 p.m. in the 94801 area. ## Tuesday, June 24 **Weapons violation with arrest:** 600 block of 15th Street. A deadly weapon display, vandalism, and terroristic threats erupted at 8:09 a.m. **Vandalism:** 2500 block of Nevin Avenue. Felony-level property damage occurred at 8:10 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 600 block of Berk Avenue. A car was temporarily relocated to parts unknown at 9:33 a.m. [Richmond police tow 71 abandoned vehicles in southern district cleanup operationThe Richmond Police Department removed 71 abandoned and unregistered vehicles from city streets Wednesday as part of a targeted tow operation aimed at addressing community concerns over blight in the city’s southern district.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--31.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Richmond-police-towing-jeep-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-police-tow-71-abandoned-vehicles-in-southern-district-cleanup-operation/) **Commercial burglary:** 3600 block of Macdonald Avenue. Someone flagged down an officer to report a business break-in at 10:23 a.m. **Multiple charges with arrest:** 3100 block of Hilltop Mall Road. A suspect faced false ID charges, drug possession, and multiple warrants at 10:55 a.m. **Vandalism:** West Macdonald Avenue. Property damage under $400 was reported at 11:57 a.m. **Petty theft:** 100 block of Collins Street. A thief struck at 1:56 p.m. **Credit card fraud:** 1400 block of Hilltop Mall Road. A forged access card theft exceeding $400 occurred at 2:25 p.m. **Residential burglary:** 5900 block of Orchard Avenue. A non-forceful break-in occurred at 2:41 p.m. **Shoplifting:** 3600 block of Klose Way. A retail thief struck at 4:10 p.m. **Auto parts theft:** 10600 block of San Pablo Avenue. Vehicle accessories were stolen at 4:34 p.m. **Battery:** Bissell Avenue. A physical altercation occurred at 5:16 p.m. **Soliciting lewd act:** 33rd Street. A caller dialed 911 to report someone was letting it all hang out at 5:33 p.m. Officers made an arrest for the solicitation of a lewd act. **Attempted murder:** 200 block of 2nd Street. A man was stabbed multiple times and taken to the hospital at 6:33 p.m. Police made an arrest for aggravated assault the next day. **Auto burglary:** 4100 block of Klose Way. A car break-in occurred at 7:30 p.m. **Vandalism:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. Felony-level property damage occurred at 8 p.m. **Auto burglary with fraud:** 4100 block of Klose Way. A car break-in resulted in the theft of an access card at 8:13 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 1400 block of Gaynor Avenue. A repeat vehicle thief struck at 9 p.m. **Residential burglary:** 700 block of Jetty Drive. A non-forceful break-in occurred at 9 p.m. **Battery:** 800 block of Harbour Way South. A physical altercation erupted at 9:15 p.m. **Battery:** Somewhere in the 94804 zip code. A physical fight occurred at 11:22 p.m. ## Wednesday, June 25 **Vehicle recovery with arrest:** The 94801 zip code. Police arrested a suspect for felony possession of a stolen vehicle and possession of unlawful paraphernalia, and recovered a stolen vehicle at 4:14 a.m. **Vehicle embezzlement:** 2900 block of Hilltop Mall Road. A leased vehicle was unlawfully kept at 8:58 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 3000 block of Humphrey Avenue. Theives looted a car for its parts at 10:40 a.m. **Fraud and battery:** 400 block of 6th Street. Handwriting forgery and a physical altercation occurred at 12:49 p.m. **Financial fraud:** 1000 block of Heritage Court. False pretenses netted over $400 at 2:31 p.m. **Drug arrest:** Bissell Avenue. Police arrested a suspect for possession of a controlled substance and misdemeanor disorderly conduct due to being under the influence in public at 5:20 p.m. **Auto burglary:** 3100 block of Garrity Way. Two separate car break-ins were reported at 6:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 6200 block of Columbia Avenue. Someone’s ride has gone on an unscheduled adventure with a new chauffeur driver at 6:42 p.m. **Vehicle recovery:** The 94804 zip code. Police returned a stolen car to its owner at 7:20 p.m. **Shoplifting:** 4500 block of Macdonald Avenue. A retail thief entered a business with the intention of stealing merchandise at 7:30 p.m. ## Thursday, June 26 **Auto burglary:** 2800 block of Martin Luther King Jr Avenue. A car break-in occurred at 3 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 100 block of Shoreline Court. Someone borrowed a car without asking or planning to return it at 6:46 a.m. **Petty theft:** 10300 block of San Pablo Avenue. A thief stole property at 8:16 a.m. **Petty theft:** 1900 block of San Benito Street. A thief struck at 9:40 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 800 block of Yuba Street. Another car was lost to the night and reported to police at 9:55 a.m. **Auto burglary:** 2500 block of Macdonald Avenue. Someone broke into a car and rummaged through the belongings at 10:19 a.m. **Criminal threats:** 2200 block of Cutting Boulevard. A caller reported receiving terroristic threats at 10:34 a.m. **Auto burglary:** 700 block of Payne Drive. A resident reported that someone had broken into their car at 10:43 a.m. **Drug possession with arrest:** The 94804 zip code. Police made an arrest after narcotics were found at 11:29 a.m. **Petty theft:** 2700 block of Martin Luther King Jr Avenue. Property was stolen at 1:12 p.m. **Petty theft:** 4800 block of Central Avenue. A thief struck at 2:08 p.m. **Defrauding an innkeeper:** 3600 block of Sierra Ridge Road. This crime occurs when someone obtains food, fuel, services, or accommodations from establishments such as hotels, restaurants, or campgrounds without paying, with the intent to defraud. **Petty theft:** 800 block of South 49th Street. Property was pinched at 5:42 p.m. **Vehicle tampering:** 3100 block of Garrity Way. Persons unknown tampered with a vehicle at 7 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 600 block of Wilson Avenue. Someone took a car on an unauthorized test drive at 7:04 p.m. **Vandalism:** 100 block of 29th Street. Property damage under $400 occurred at 9:04 p.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 1400 block of Garvin Avenue. A stolen car was located at 10:02 p.m. ## Friday, June 27 **Petty theft:** 600 block of 8th Street. Property was illegally appropriated at 12:08 a.m. **Vandalism:** 600 block of 8th Street. Felony-level property damage occurred at 12:24 a.m. **Petty theft:** 2500 block of Maine Avenue. A thief struck at 7:09 a.m. **Aid fraud:** 4100 block of Overend Avenue. Government aid fraud over $400 occurred at 8 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 2600 block of Emeric Avenue. A car was stolen at 8:08 a.m. **Auto parts theft:** 1900 block of Hill Avenue. Vehicle accessories were stolen at 8:12 a.m. **Drug possession with arrest:** Controlled substances were found at 9:32 a.m. **Vandalism with arrest:** 1400 block of Harbour Way South. Felony-level property damage occurred at 12:47 p.m. **Criminal threats with arrest:** 100 block of South 23rd Street. Terroristic threats were made at 2:28 p.m. **Strong-arm robbery:** A robber used physical force at 3 p.m. **Traffic violations:** 12000 block of San Pablo Avenue. A driver who attempted to evade police and drove recklessly on the highway was found not to have a license when police caught up with him at 3:48 p.m. **False ID with arrest:** 100 block of 1st Street. Public intoxication and false identification to officers at 4:46 p.m. **Smash-and-grab:** 300 block of South 9th Street. A car break-in occurred at 5:02 p.m. **Petty theft:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. Property was absconded with at 5:31 p.m. **Public nuisance:** Macdonald Avenue area. A public nuisance was maintained at 5:34 p.m. A public nuisance is something that affects the entire community or a large number of people, interfering with their common rights. **Vehicle theft:** 900 block of Triangle Court. Another car was found missing at 8 p.m. **Shoplifting with arrest:** 4500 block of Macdonald Avenue. A retail thief was caught at 8:02 p.m. **Public intoxication:** Marina Bay Parkway. Someone overestimated their capacity at 9:11 p.m. **Assault with force:** 900 block of South 47th Street. A violent attack took place at 9:14 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 800 block of 6th Street. A vehicle was spontaneously adopted by a stranger at 9:30 p.m. **Strong-arm robbery:** 900 block of View Drive. A robber didn’t use a weapon when taking someone’s belongings at 9:55 p.m. **Battery:** 300 block of Nevada Avenue. Some sort of physical altercation was reported at 10:06 p.m. **Driving while under the influence:** The 94804 zip code. Police nabbed a suspected drunk driver at 10:36 p.m. ## Saturday, June 28 **Criminal threats:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. Someone made terroristic threats and annoying phone calls at 3 a.m. **Methy arrest:** Somewhere in the 94804 zip code. Police arrested someone on felony controlled substances charges at 8:20 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 3600 block of Center Avenue. A car proved so irresistible someone couldn’t help but take it home at 9:36 a.m. **Fireworks violation:** Undisclosed location in the 94801 zip code. Someone reportedly illegally possessed fireworks at 10:31 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. Another car disappeared into the criminal underworld at 11:35 a.m. **Trespassing:** 1400 block of Fred Jackson Way. It was reported that property was being unlawfully occupied at 1:30 p.m. **Check fraud:** West Chanslor Court. Someone used a fictitious check at 2:02 p.m. **Petty theft:** 3600 block of Sierra Ridge Avenue. Property was reportedly stolen at 3:22 p.m. **Strong-arm robbery:** A robber used physical force to unburden someone of their possessions at 3:56 p.m. ## Sunday, June 29 **Vehicle theft and vandalism:** 2800 block of Foothill Avenue. A car thief also caused felony-level property damage at 4:08 a.m. **Drug use with arrest:** 100 block of 1st Street. A substance abuser resisted officers at 7:46 a.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 2700 block of Hinkley Avenue. A stolen car was found at 8:48 a.m. **Vehicle theft with arrest:** A car thief was caught red-handed at 10:53 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** In the 94804 zip code. Another car was stolen at 11:45 a.m. **Battery:** In the 94804 zip code. A physical altercation occurred at 12:44 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 600 block of Harbour Way. A car was stolen at 2:00 p.m. **Public intoxication:** Undisclosed location in the 94804 zip code. It was reported that someone was under the influence of an intoxicating beverage at 3:07 p.m. **Petty theft:** 4500 block of Macdonald Avenue. Property was pocketed at 4 p.m. **Battery:** 4300 block of Ohio Avenue. A physical fight erupted at 4:42 p.m. **Armed robbery:** Tewksbury Avenue. A firearm-wielding robber struck at 10:22 p.m. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### On the agenda: police reform, historic fires, green economy, homeless services URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-agenda-police-reform-historic-fires-green-economy-homeless-services/ Last updated: 2025-06-29T14:37:08.000Z Richmond’s City Council will confront a packed agenda [Tuesday night,](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx?Id=441968b8-23bd-4ac8-9307-bd206e542794&Agenda=Agenda&lang=English&Item=237&Tab=attachments&ref=grandviewindependent.com) from overhauling police oversight to launching a thousand-job green economy initiative as the city grapples with public safety concerns, environmental challenges, and community development needs. ### [Major fires prompt Richmond to safeguard historic landmarks](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58462&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Councilmembers Soheila Bana and Doria Robinson have developed a comprehensive plan to protect the city’s historic buildings following two devastating fires that damaged what they call "significant cultural landmarks." The proposal directs city staff to work with the Historic Preservation Commission to create a [public inventory](https://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/DocumentCenter/View/5510/Richmond-Historic-Register---List-of-Designated-Local-Historic-Resources?ref=grandviewindependent.com) of city-owned historic buildings, establish a process for installing commemorative signage on both public and private historic sites, implement basic protection measures like improved lighting and fire-resistant landscaping, evaluate each structure’s preservation needs individually rather than applying uniform rules, explore grant opportunities and community partnerships for funding. A progress report will be provided to the council within 180 days. [Update: Richmond’s historic International Hotel, red tagged after fireThe historic International Hotel, where the Pullman Brotherhood of Black Sleeping Car Porters Union members would stay during Richmond’s early years, was reduced to burnt framework and ash early Monday morning after a fire sped through it, destroying the 108-year-old historic building. Now red-tagged, along with neighboring structures, the historic![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--25.png)Grandview IndependentLinda Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/IMG_9222-2.jpg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/one-of-richmonds-most-historic-buildings-the-pullman-hotel-burns-down/) [Historic Mira Flores building damaged by fire as volunteers participate in cleanupA fire broke out at a historic Mira Flores building Friday morning as volunteers were conducting a cleanup event at the adjacent Greenbelt Park, according to city officials.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--26.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Mira-flores-fire-richmond-1-1-2.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/historic-mira-flores-building-damaged-by-fire-as-volunteers-participate-in-cleanup/) --- ### [CPRC's 8 changes & $338,000 to make it happen](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58510&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The Community Police Review Commission is seeking sweeping changes to strengthen civilian oversight of the police department through eight key recommendations, including extending the complaint filing period from 120 days to one year and allowing anonymous complaints to be filed. The commission also seeks to expand its jurisdiction to review all complaints against officers, not just cases involving excessive force, discrimination, sexual misconduct, and officer-involved shootings as currently permitted. [Richmond City Council approves training requirements for Police Review CommissionThe Richmond City Council voted 4-3 Tuesday night to establish mandatory training requirements for commissioners serving on the Community Police Review Commission (CPRC), despite concerns about the timeline and financial support for volunteers.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--30.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/IMG_6541-1.jpg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-city-council-approves-training-requirements-for-police-review-commission/) The proposed reforms would lower the standard of evidence from “clear and convincing” to “preponderance of the evidence,” authorize the commission to subpoena documents and records, require annual public reports, and make non-confidential investigation records available online. The commission also seeks authority to redact complainants’ names from public documents to protect their privacy and prevent retaliation against those who file complaints. The council will consider the recommendations alongside a proposed budget increase from $80,129 to $338,629 to fund a full-time investigator and enhanced community outreach. The changes require negotiations with the Richmond Police Officers’ Association under state labor laws. --- ### [Chevron’s millions won’t buy Richmond more police](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58515&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The Richmond City Council responds to a grand jury report that found violent crimes increased from 2021 to 2024 despite a reduction in homicides, while police staffing remains below approved levels following a $3 million budget reallocation to community services. The 2024-2025 Contra Costa County Grand Jury report criticized the city for failing to act on two expert studies that recommended increasing the number of sworn officers in the Richmond Police Department. The Matrix report from March 2023 and the Raftelis report from May 2024 both recommended increased police staffing. [Report: Richmond Police staffing levels ‘seriously deficient’ to meet the needs of the publicA report on public safety staffing requested by the Richmond City Council has called the current police staffing levels ‘seriously deficient’ to meet the needs of the public and said officer turnover at the Richmond Police Department was an “unsustainable crisis.” The report by Matrix Consulting Group created a data![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--27.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/DSC_2727-2.jpg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/report-richmond-police-staffing-levels-seriously-deficient-to-meet-the-needs-of-the-public/) [On the agenda: Richmond facing staffing challenges, needs dozens of new employees, says reportA workforce analysis by Raftelis Financial Consultants to be presented at the May 28 Richmond City Council meeting recommends filling vacancies and adding 74 new positions, including a dozen more police officers, to meet current service level expectations for all of the city’s existing programs and services for $12.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--28.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-city-staffing-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-facing-staffing-challenges-needs-dozens-of-new-employees/) The grand jury also found that a Community Crisis Response Program, designed to handle mental health calls, has been slow to launch, with only two full-time staff members as of April 2025, and that no calls have been routed through police dispatch. The city anticipates that the program will be operational by the first quarter of 2026. [Richmond launches community crisis response programThe City of Richmond has officially launched its Community Crisis Response Program (CCRP), designed to address non-violent emergencies such as mental health crises and homelessness without the involvement of police.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--29.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Community-Crisis-Response-Program-richmond-1-1-4.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-launches-community-crisis-response-program/) In its response, the city disputed several findings and rejected using Chevron settlement money for police hiring, calling it "fiscally irresponsible to spend one-time funds on ongoing staffing costs." The council cited recruiting improvements that led to 40 new hires in 2022-2023 and 21 percent pay raises for officers between 2022 and 2025, though Richmond Police Chief Bisa French agreed with most of the grand jury’s critical findings. The responses revealed a divide between the city council and the police chief on key issues. While the council disagreed that budget cuts were the sole cause of eliminating specialized units and disputed claims about overtime increases, Chief French agreed with the grand jury’s assessment that the reallocation directly impacted police operations and led to increased mandatory overtime. The council also disputed claims that it took no action on staffing recommendations, pointing to successful recruitment campaigns and pay raises. --- ### [Richmond’s thousand-job promise](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58451&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The council will receive an update on the top five projects in the Richmond GreenBlue New Deal with expected implementation over the next five years. Following an internal evaluation process that included surveys of city staff, the Economic Development Commission, and the Workforce Development Board, the city has narrowed its focus from 24 potential projects to five key areas that will drive job creation and environmental sustainability. The selected projects aim to create at least 1,000 new green-blue jobs while advancing economic equity and environmental justice through targeted investments in clean energy, infrastructure upgrades, and workforce development. The[ five priority projects](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58455&ref=grandviewindependent.com) represent Richmond’s comprehensive approach to sustainable economic development. Port Upgrades and Offshore Wind Manufacturing focuses on modernizing port infrastructure while positioning Richmond as a hub for the emerging offshore wind industry, combining traditional maritime commerce with renewable energy manufacturing. Building Electrification Retrofits and Green Accessory Dwellings addresses the city’s housing and energy needs by upgrading existing buildings to electric systems and creating sustainable secondary housing units. Brownfield Research and Innovation involves rehabilitating contaminated industrial sites for new economic uses while advancing environmental cleanup technologies. Destination Downtown aims to revitalize Richmond’s urban core through sustainable development and green infrastructure that attracts businesses and visitors. Finally, Transition to Zero-Emission Vehicles encompasses the shift to electric vehicle adoption, charging infrastructure development, and related workforce training programs, aligning with the city’s existing planning efforts and offering strong potential for workforce development partnerships. --- ### [Youth jobs pilot aims to tackle blight in neglected neighborhoods](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58456&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Councilmember Jamelia Brown is proposing a six-month pilot program called “Clean Richmond” to address litter, illegal dumping, and graffiti issues in historically underserved neighborhoods. Residents have repeatedly voiced concerns about unsafe conditions and neglected public spaces. The initiative would partner with a nonprofit organization to hire transitional-age youth for a community maintenance crew, addressing day-to-day maintenance challenges that have stretched the city’s Public Works department beyond capacity. Officials acknowledge that growing maintenance demands have outpaced available resources, limiting their ability to address smaller yet highly visible issues in a timely manner, prompting staff to identify funding sources and issue a request for proposals while simultaneously hiring four full-time positions within public works. --- ### [Sidewalk vending program after one year](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58501&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Richmond’s year-old sidewalk vending program has succeeded in reducing unpermitted vendors from 68 to consistently under 30 per month, but enforcement challenges remain significant, according to a city report. Despite issuing 298 violation notices during the program’s first year, the city has collected zero dollars in fines, primarily due to difficulties in confirming vendor identities and limited authority to compel payment under state law, SB 946. The program, launched in August 2024 to comply with state regulations, has issued only 14 special business permits while recording 303 total vendor encounters through enforcement staff. Food vendors dominate the sidewalk commerce landscape, accounting for 96 percent of all sales, with offerings ranging from tacos and pupusas to fresh fruit and roasted corn. [Super Churros trailer booted from sidewalk under Richmond’s new vendor ordinanceA family-owned mobile food business that has served the Richmond community for two decades is seeking city council intervention after being forced to relocate due to new regulations that restrict the size of vendor carts on sidewalks.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--23.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Richmond-super-churros.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/super-churros-trailer-booted-from-sidewalk-under-richmonds-new-vendor-ordinance/) City officials highlight “The Lot” at 1395 Macdonald Avenue as the program’s biggest success story, operating Thursdays and Saturdays as a structured, city-sanctioned vending space that has become popular with both vendors and customers. Staff are now seeking council direction on potential ordinance revisions, including clarifying permissible vending locations for ADA compliance and exploring alternative enforcement mechanisms beyond the current ineffective fine system. [Richmond launches mobile food vendor program to support local businessesThe City of Richmond, in partnership with the Richmond Farmers Market, unveiled its new Mobile Vendor Program on Saturday, Macdonald Avenue near the Richmond Bart Station.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--24.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Tea-Chaiyasith-pais-eatery-1-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-launches-mobile-food-vendor-program-to-support-local-businesses/) --- ### [Overhauling homeless services funding ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58511&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Councilmembers Doria Robinson and Claudia Jimenez’s item would implement sweeping changes to how the city allocates funding for homeless services, establishing what officials describe as a more transparent and community-driven approach to addressing the housing crisis. The initiative calls for a complete restructuring of the current funding mechanism through a formal Request for Proposal process. Direct staff to: 1) Facilitate a bi-annual community review and feedback process, and set annual priorities for city-funded unhoused interventions. 2) Develop an RFP process for allocating unhoused services funds. 3) Develop a financial strategy for multi-year and increased annual funding for unhoused interventions. 4) Return to City Council by November 4, 2025, with deliverables for approval, enabling implementation by January 31, 2026. --- ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/06/flood-prevention-robots.png) ### [Flood prevention robots](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58406&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Vice Mayor Cesar Zepeda’s item is a presentation from Levitree to learn about possible nature-based solutions to help Richmond’s shoreline with sea level rise and groundwater infiltration. --- ### [$2,000 for El Sobrante Stroll](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58485&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Councilmember Soheila Bana is making another push for $2,000 in city funding to support Richmond’s participation in the 2025 El Sobrante Stroll, with backing from co-sponsors Councilmembers Doria Robinson and Jamelia Brown. The proposal would allocate funds from the existing city event budget to cover outreach materials, booth fees, and promotional activities for the annual community celebration. The El Sobrante Stroll draws thousands of attendees from across the region, including Richmond, El Sobrante, Pinole, San Pablo, Hercules, and as far as Vallejo. The event features local business booths, music, food vendors, and showcases from community organizations, serving as what organizers call “a vital platform for community unity and visibility.” With three council sponsors and funding coming from an existing budget line item requiring no additional revenue, Bana’s persistent advocacy for the community event may finally pay off. The city has previously supported similar community events as part of its commitment to promoting equity, cultural engagement, and neighborhood cohesion across Richmond’s diverse communities. --- ### [Public hearing for sanitary and storm fees ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58433&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The council will hold a public hearing and adopt sewer service charges for Fiscal Year 2024-25, allowing the sanitary and stormwater fees to be collected on the annual tax rolls for 2025-26. --- # On the consent calendar (All items placed under the Consent Calendar are considered to be routine and noncontroversial. These items will be enacted upon together with a motion and second, without discussion, of any member of the City Council, and each item shall be deemed to have received the action recommended.) Council members will vote on expanding legal representation through a proposed [$65,000 amendment with Stoel Rives LLP](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58465&ref=grandviewindependent.com) for land use litigation and a [$300,000 increase to Bennett Gelini & Gelini’s](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58378&ref=grandviewindependent.com) contract, which would bring that firm’s total authorization to $859,990 through 2027. The council will consider adopting a resolution urging Congress to [prevent unauthorized military action against Iran](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-city-council-approves-resolution-on-israel-iran-conflict/) and reaffirm its constitutional authority to declare war. The agenda includes authorizing the city manager to contract for up to [$1 million in immigration legal services](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58398&ref=grandviewindependent.com) and public awareness campaigns, while the Environmental and Community Investment Agreement committee has recommended [$750,000 in grants to 28 local organizations.](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58388&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Infrastructure and development items up for consideration include a $72,500 contract for [assessing the Point Potrero Marine Terminal ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58393&ref=grandviewindependent.com)processing building and [$200,000 for additional terminal safety repairs. ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58416&ref=grandviewindependent.com)The council will also weigh a $700,000 contract with [GRID Alternatives ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58413&ref=grandviewindependent.com)for low-income solar installations serving over 20 households. The Police Department seeks approval for $212,575 in equipment purchases, including [air purifying respirators](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58386&ref=grandviewindependent.com), mobile data computers and tactical ballistic safety gear. Public Works will request authorization for up to $3.75 million for [construction management services](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58443&ref=grandviewindependent.com) with five companies and $1 million in funding for[ the Point Molate Bay Trail Project.](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58476&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Library services items include $49,814 for moving services to relocate the Main Library and $30,000 for mobile shelving at the temporary location. The bikeshare program faces a proposed $410,000 contract extension through 2028. Human Resources will present multiple staffing changes, including new positions for Chief Innovation Officer and Community Ambassador, along with [$355,500 for recruitment services. ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58490&ref=grandviewindependent.com) According to the staff report, the Chief Innovation Officer will drive transformative ideas, integrate innovative thinking across departments, align emerging technologies with City Council goals and the needs of our community, and reinforce the commitment to continuous improvement and adaptability. Other agenda items include establishing a [Community Police Review Commission training program](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-city-council-approves-training-requirements-for-police-review-commission/), amending [tobacco retailer moratorium](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-considers-exception-to-tobacco-retailer-moratorium-for-legacy-businesses/) rules, and setting[ residential rental housing fees at $267](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58441&ref=grandviewindependent.com) for controlled units. Mayor Eduardo Martinez will seek approval for [committee appointment amendments ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58495&ref=grandviewindependent.com)and present a proclamation honoring the [100th anniversary of McGlothen Temple Church of God in Christ, ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58493&ref=grandviewindependent.com)while [Chad DeWitt ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58488&ref=grandviewindependent.com)is to be appointed to the Historic Preservation Commission. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond City Council approves training requirements for Police Review Commission URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-city-council-approves-training-requirements-for-police-review-commission/ Last updated: 2025-06-26T19:34:46.000Z The Richmond City Council voted 4-3 Tuesday night to establish mandatory training requirements for commissioners serving on the Community Police Review Commission (CPRC), despite concerns about the timeline and financial support for volunteers. The ordinance requires newly appointed commissioners to complete comprehensive training within 90 days of their appointment, down from the originally proposed six-month window. The training will cover investigative procedures, constitutional rights, police practices, and bias recognition. Councilmember Jamelia Brown, who pulled the item from the consent calendar, argued for the shortened timeline, saying, "waiting nearly a half a year before training begins is again quite extensive." "I've never had a job where you can start working and get training later," Brown said during the meeting. "The more serious that we take our own commission, I think the more serious other people will take the commission as well." The commission, established in 1984, provides civilian oversight of the Richmond Police Department and investigates citizen complaints of police misconduct. Currently, commissioners can begin serving immediately upon appointment without formal training. City Attorney Dave Aleshire explained that the training requirements follow recommendations from the National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement (NACOLE) and align with practices in cities like Berkeley, Anaheim, and Santa Ana. "The commissioners put this recommendation together," Aleshire said. "It does require eight hours of training. It is a volunteer position." CPRC Chair Carmen Martinez spoke in support of the measure, calling it "an important and overdue step in strengthening effective and legitimate oversight." "Commissioners charged with reviewing policy and practices, policing practices and addressing allegations of misconduct, must be equipped with clear tools legal context and procedural understandings," Martinez said. Commissioner Marisol Cantú praised the collaborative effort while acknowledging the challenges of coordinating training for volunteers. "I think it's critical that we are trained as an advisory body, as a recommending body to the city council," Cantú said. She suggested that if the city wants to ensure proper training, it should "invest in the Community Police Review Commission" and possibly compensate members who take time off work. The council also approved a provision directing the city manager to develop a stipend program for the mandatory training hours, not to exceed $10,000, to help volunteers who may need to take time off work. Council Member Doria Robinson, who proposed the stipend, said it would ensure "that more different types of people can do it, and then we don't only get people who are economically able to or are retired." However, the measure drew opposition from three council members who felt commissioners should complete training before participating in hearings. Vice Mayor Cesar Zepeda and Councilmembers Brown and Soheila Bana voted against the final version. "I believe they should be trained before the hearings," Bana said. Ben Therriault, president of the Richmond Police Officers Association, supported robust training requirements with consequences for non-attendance but warned of potential labor law complications. "This has real-world effects on employees, lives, and their careers," Therriault said. "So if you want to be a part of this commission, it's important." Therriault also cautioned that the training requirements may need to be subject to meet-and-confer negotiations with the police union, citing Berkeley's experience. "I'd also add that this is a meet-and-confer element. The City of Berkeley tried to bypass that two years ago and the right back of the table after a PERB charge sitting in a meet and confer on this subject specifically," Therriault said issuing the warning directly to City Attorney Aleshire, citing the potential for a Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) charge which is a formal complaint filed in California alleging that an employer or union has violated labor law. The training program is expected to cost approximately $15,000 annually until a permanent investigator is hired to provide ongoing training. Current commissioners plan to begin their training sessions in late July or early August. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond police tow 71 abandoned vehicles in southern district cleanup operation URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-police-tow-71-abandoned-vehicles-in-southern-district-cleanup-operation/ Last updated: 2025-06-26T05:41:15.000Z The Richmond Police Department removed 71 abandoned and unregistered vehicles from city streets Wednesday as part of a targeted tow operation aimed at addressing community concerns over blight in the city’s southern district. The operation, led by the department’s parking enforcement team, focused on cars that had been left inoperable or parked for extended periods, many with expired registrations. Police said the effort was in direct response to resident complaints and was part of an ongoing push to improve public safety and neighborhood appearance. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/06/Richmond-police-towing-mercedes.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/06/Richmond-police-towing.webp) “These 71 vehicles, some of which were inoperable or parked for far too long, have now been towed away, paving the way for a cleaner, safer environment,” the department said in a social media post. Officials framed the initiative as a community policing effort to keep Richmond’s neighborhoods “looking their best.” --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### On the Richmond Burrito Trail: Cutting Boulevard's Terraza 45 URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-richmond-burrito-trail-cutting-boulevards-terraza-45/ Last updated: 2025-06-24T18:54:54.000Z We stopped by Terraza 45 on Cutting Boulevard not sure what to expect. Terraza says it is a Guatemalan restaurant, and it has burritos on the menu, so we gave it a shot. What we discovered was something special happening in this small Richmond restaurant. [Burrito Trail - Grandview IndependentThe Grandview Independent has been embarking on a culinary adventure to explore every taqueria, food truck, and restaurant in Richmond. This initiative, dubbed the “Richmond Burrito Trail,” aims to showcase our city’s diverse and delectable burritos.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--21.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/The-Richmondbt-1-5.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/tag/burrito-trail/) This is a cozy place not far from the train tracks on a busy section of Cutting Boulevard in the space formerly occupied by the Salvadoran restaurant Lety’s Kitchen. Just when we thought we had reached the end of the Richmond Burrito Trail, eating every burrito in Richmond, we were blindsided by another excellent burrito. Cutting Boulevard, as it turns out, is a hotbed of burrito awesomeness. Just across the tracks is Taqueria Chavinda, and down the street are the Tacos Las Palmas and Tacos Zaragoza food trucks. [On the Richmond Burrito Trail: Cutting Boulevard’s Taqueria ChavindaWe found it! This is the burrito we were searching for, and we found it in an unassuming yet exceptional taqueria tucked next to Uncle Sam’s Liquors on Cutting Boulevard.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--18.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Richmond-Trail-Cutting-Boulevard-Taqueria-Chavinda5.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-richmond-burrito-trail-cutting-boulevards-taqueria-chavinda/) [On the Richmond Burrito Trail: Cutting Boulevard’s Tacos ZaragozaYou know that feeling when you pull up to a taco truck and it’s not flashy — no neon, no Instagram signage, just a faded menu and the hum of the generator — but something tells you you’re in the right place?![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--19.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Richmond-Burrito-Trail-Tacos-Zaragoza4-1-1-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-richmond-burrito-trail-cutting-boulevards-tacos-zaragoza/) [On the Richmond Burrito Trail: Tacos Las PalmasOn the Richmond Burrito Trail: Tacos Las Palmas We’ve crossed the 800-gram line with Tacos Las Palmas’s Super Al Pastor Burrito, the largest burrito we’ve eaten on the Richmond Burrito Trail.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--20.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Tacos-Las-Palmas3-2.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-richmond-burrito-trail-tacos-las-palmas/) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/06/RICHMOND-BURRITO-TRAIL-Terraza-451.webp) Terraza 45 welcomes diners with tropical charm and homestyle comfort. Sunflower-patterned tablecloths and yellow blooms adorn wooden tables and chairs, creating a bright, relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere for an authentic meal. A light stone half-wall adds warmth, complemented by artwork depicting Guatemala’s tropical beauty. Large windows illuminate rich, brown ceramic tiles, creating a stylish yet welcoming space where floral accents and not-so-real greenery evoke a Central American paradise. The young order taker answered enthusiastically when we asked about the best meat option: “Honestly, the Al Pastor is *hella* good.” One of us! Her recommendation proved spot on. The Super Al Pastor Burrito here does something remarkable with flavor. The pork is served with a deep, rich, oniony sauce that concentrates all those savory juices into something deeply satisfying. Really. It’s incredibly saucy, with the tortilla absorbing those rich, reddish drippings. Don’t worry about keeping things tidy. This is meant to be a hands-on experience that rewards you for diving in. The burrito was expertly wrapped and held tight throughout the meal. On the Richmond Burrito Trail Juiciness Scale, the Super Al Pastor Burrito scored a Juicy. **Dry:** Minimal to no moisture, potentially crumbly **Balanced:** Perfectly moist, neither dry nor dripping **Juicy:** Meats or fillings release some liquid, but it’s contained **Saucy:** Noticeably coated in sauce; can get a bit messy **Soupy:** Overwhelmed by liquid, possibly leaking or spilling What really impressed us was the meat-to-filling ratio. Terraza 45 understands that a proper burrito should be about 50 percent meat to everything else, not some rice-heavy affair that leaves you hungry. The Spanish rice has real flavor, and they include whole beans rather than the usual refried version, which we are not going to get that upset about. The pico brings fresh tomato, onion, and cilantro that balances the richness, while perfectly melted cheese ties everything together. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/06/RICHMOND-BURRITO-TRAIL-Terraza-453.webp) At the pre-fight weigh-in, Terraza 45’s Super Al Pastor Burrito measured 694 grams, just 6 grams short of our ideal of 700 Grams. It was also not bulked up with rice, only holding enough to complement the burrito and soak up the yumminess. The average price of a typical super burrito on the Richmond Burrito Trail comes out to approximately $15.17, based on our recent reviews. With a standard deviation of about $1.90, most burritos fall within a couple of bucks of the mean. At $17.51, a burrito would be roughly 1.23 standard deviations above average, making it noticeably pricier, but still within the range of what might be considered typical for the City of Pride and Purpose. Maybe our $15 burrito expectation is outdated and due for an inflation adjustment, but we still think about those times when a Super Burrito was $5 Burritos come with chips and salsa. We were only gifted with the Salsa Verde, which we were initially a little bummed by, but after slathering it on our porky burrito, we realized it was the right choice, with vinegary sharpness thrashing through the porkiness. Let us know where to eat next, and check back next week to see where we land on the Richmond Burrito Trail. The *Grandview Independent* has been embarking on a culinary adventure to explore every taqueria, food truck, and restaurant in Richmond. This initiative, dubbed the “Richmond Burrito Trail,” aims to showcase our city’s diverse and delectable burritos. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### What happened in Richmond: a week of crime & public safety URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/what-happened-in-richmond-a-week-of-crime-public-safety-6/ Last updated: 2025-06-23T17:44:11.000Z The following incidents represent law enforcement activity reported by the Richmond Police Department during the week of June 15-22\. This summary includes arrests, investigations, and notable public safety responses across Richmond neighborhoods. Check the accompanying crime map for specific locations. ### Monday, June 16 **Commercial burglary:** 600 block of 23rd Street. A caller told police three people smashed their way into his business at 1:46 a.m. **Auto burglary and vandalism:** 400 block of Maine Avenue. A miscreant shattered their way into an unsuspecting vehicle, leaving behind a trail of destruction worth over $400 at 2:15 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 2600 block of Moyers Road. A car thief made off with someone’s ride in the early morning hours at 5 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 1400 block of Carlson Boulevard. Another vehicle disappeared into the underground economy at 9:31 a.m. **Petty theft:** 2600 block of Gaynor Avenue. A suspect with sticky fingers swiped belongings around noon. ### Richmond crime map **Weapon display:** 1200 block of Brickyard Cove Lane. A menacing individual flashed a deadly weapon that was not a gun at noon. **Petty theft:** The 94801 zip code. Larceny struck the neighborhood at 3:33 p.m. **Battery:** 2400 block of Macdonald Avenue. Fists flew, and tempers flared as someone got roughed up at 4 p.m. **Shoplifting:** 1200 block of Macdonald Avenue. A shoplifter wanted something, didn’t want to pay for it, and walked right through the door at 5:05 p.m. **Petty theft:** 700 block of South 40th Street. More petty pilfering plagued the streets at 5:59 p.m. **Vandalism**: 2500 block of Hinkley Avenue. A delinquent caused a modest amount of property damage at 10:30 p.m. **Shooting at a dwelling:** 5300 block of Columbia Avenue. Multiple callers reported shots fired, striking two homes. One of the residences had a water pipe hit, flooding a garage at 10:40 p.m. **Auto burglary:** 1300 block of Parkridge Drive. A prowler cracked open someone’s car at 11 p.m. ### Tuesday, June 17 **Vandalism:** 2100 block of Barrett Avenue. A midnight marauder struck as the clock struck twelve. **Felony vandalism:** 100 block of 29th Street. A destruction devotee caused severe property damage at 2 a.m. **Grand theft:** 800 block of McLaughlin Street. A thief scored big, making off with loot worth over $950 at 3 a.m. **Fraud:** 2800 block of Tulare Avenue. A swindler conned cash through clever deception at 8 a.m. **Criminal threats:** 600 block of Yuba Street. Someone spewed terrorizing threats at 11:20 a.m. **Embezzlement:** 6000 block of Giant Road. Someone stole over $950 through financial treachery at 3:01 p.m. **Drug charges with arrest:** The 94806 zip code. Officers collared a suspect juggling fake IDs, narcotics, and dealing dreams at 3:48 p.m. **Vandalism:** 100 block of 5th Street. Another bout of destructive mischief caused property damage under $400 at 4:05 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 3100 block of Gold Court. A wheelman made off with someone’s set of wheels at 5 p.m. **Petty theft:** 2700 block of Nevin Avenue. More larceny struck during the evening hours at 7:05 p.m. **Auto burglary:** 2400 block of Humphrey Avenue. A car burglary broke into someone’s vehicle at 8 p.m. **Vehicle theft and vandalism:** 600 block of Ventura Street. A double-trouble delinquent both stole a car AND trashed property at 9 p.m. **Harassment:** 600 block of Berk Avenue. A persistent pest plagued someone with annoying phone calls at 10:54 p.m. ### Wednesday, June 18 **Vandalism:** 400 block of 8th Street. The witching hour brought property destruction under $400 at 1 a.m. **Felony vandalism:** 200 block of 6th Street. Significant damage was reported at 1 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 4400 block of Wall Avenue. Another car disappeared into the night at 2:37 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 800 block of 7th Street. Morning rush hour brought an unwanted vehicle vanishing at 7:41 a.m. **Weapon display:** Richmond Parkway and San Pablo Avenue. A gun-toting troublemaker flashed their firearm menacingly at 9:34 a.m. **Petty theft:** 1400 block of Harbour Way South. Sticky fingers struck again at 10:14 a.m. **Weapon display:** 3600 block of Sierra Ridge Road. A weapon-wielding individual was taken in for evaluation at 12:30 p.m. **Grand theft:** 200 block of Harbour Way South. A significant theft of valuables, valued at over $950, occurred at 2:26 p.m. **Petty theft:** The 94806 zip code. More petty pilfering plagued the postal code at 4:25 p.m. **Petty theft:** 4500 block of Macdonald Avenue. Larceny continued its afternoon march at 4:50 p.m. **Residential burglary:** 2900 block of Barrett Avenue. A sneaky intruder slipped into someone’s home without forcing entry at 5:44 p.m. **Vehicle recovery:** The 94804 zip code. Officers reunited a stolen vehicle with its rightful owner at 6:08 p.m. **Warrant arrest:** The 94804 zip code. A wanted suspect unsuccessfully resisted arrest at 6:36 p.m. **Sex offender registration:** 1700 block of Regatta Boulevard. Multiple offenders failed to register their whereabouts between 6:57 p.m. and 7:49 p.m properly. **Petty theft:** 200 block of Harbour Way. Evening theft struck the area at 7:34 p.m. **Weapon charges with arrest:** The 94803 zip code. Officers busted a prohibited person packing illegal ammunition and a forbidden firearm at 8:15 p.m. **Weapon display:** 700 block of 17th Street. Another gun-brandishing fellow flashed their firearm at 9:27 p.m. **DUI:** The 94804 zip code. A suspended driver took the wheel while banned from driving at 10:15 p.m. ### Thursday, June 19 **Residential burglary:** 2700 block of Sheldon Drive. A forceful intruder smashed their way into someone’s home just after midnight. **Trespassing:** 3600 block of Ridgewood Way. An unwanted visitor trespassed on private property at 2:47 a.m. **Vandalism:** 3500 block of Klose Way. Morning mischief brought property damage at 10:19 a.m. **Attempted extortion:** 500 block of Florida Avenue. A would-be blackmailer tried to squeeze money from their victim at 3 p.m. **Fireworks possession:** West Macdonald Avenue. A pyrotechnic perpetrator was caught with illegal explosive entertainment at 5:28 p.m. **Vehicle theft with arrest:** The 94801 zip code. Officers caught a car thief red-handed and slapped on the cuffs at 6:50 p.m. **Vandalism:** 3700 block of Via Verdi. Evening destruction brought property damage under $400 at 8:16 p.m. **Grand theft:** 800 block of Chesley Avenue. A building burglar made off with valuable property at 9:08 p.m. ### Friday, June 20 **Weapon display with arrest:** 500 block of Tewksbury Avenue. The clock struck midnight as officers arrested a firearm-flashing fella for aggravated assault. **Weapon charges with arrest: 200 block of 1st Street.** Officers corralled a gun-toting fugitive after a chase, nabbing them for hit-and-run, prohibited person possessing ammunition, evading police, resisting arrest, and carrying a loaded firearm at 12:03 a.m. **Arson:** 1200 block of Ohio Avenue. A fire starter torched property in the early morning hours at 1:15 a.m. **Criminal threats and assault:** 1300 block of Ohio Avenue. Someone issued deadly threats and inflicted serious bodily harm at 1:43 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 1600 block of Atlas Road. Dawn brought another disappearing automobile at 4:40 a.m. **Auto burglary:** 200 block of Chanslor Avenue. An early-rising vehicle break-in artist struck at 6:39 a.m. **Weapon display:** The 94804 zip code. Someone brandished a gun at 9:30 a.m. **Criminal threats and vandalism:** 1100 block of Ells Street. A double-dose of destruction included terrorizing threats and property damage at 10:23 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 4100 block of Klose Way. Another ride vanished into thin air at 11:54 a.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 200 block of South 1st Street. A stolen vehicle was recovered and returned at 12:43 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. Afternoon auto theft struck the parkway at 1:41 p.m. **Theft from vehicle:** 1000 block of Carlson Boulevard. A car prowler pilfered property from someone’s vehicle at 4:33 p.m. **Felony vandalism:** 100 block of 13th Street. Destruction exceeding $400 was reported at 4:35 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 800 block of Johnson Drive. The evening brought another vanishing vehicle at 6 p.m. **Reckless driving:** Nevin Avenue. A driver willfully or wantonly disregarded the safety of people or property at 8:23 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 3600 block of McBryde Avenue. The night claimed another stolen automobile at 9 p.m. ### Saturday, June 21 **Cop fighting drunk:** 1300 block of Wright Avenue. Officers nabbed a drunk driver who attempted to resist arrest at 2:20 a.m. **Drug paraphernalia:** 1500 block of Carlson Boulevard. Morning brought the arrest of someone caught with illegal drug gear at 7:24 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** The 94801 zip code. A double-header of disappearing vehicles struck at 8:15 a.m. and 9:38 a.m. **Criminal threats:** 800 block of Lincoln Avenue. Officers collared a threat-making troublemaker at 10 a.m. **Auto burglary:** 900 block of Marina Way South. A car creeper struck nearby at 11:59 a.m. **Assault:** 4700 block of Hartnett Avenue. Violence erupted as someone wielded a deadly weapon against another person at 12:01 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 2100 block of Florida Avenue. Afternoon auto theft claimed another victim at 1:10 p.m. **Armed robbery and assault:** 700 block of Juliga Woods Street. An armed bandit committed robbery and assault with a deadly weapon at 3:24 p.m. **Weapon display:** 1000 block of 23rd Street. The night ended with someone menacingly brandishing a deadly weapon (not a firearm) at 10:58 p.m. **Street takeovers:** McLaughlin Street, 20th Street, Essex Avenue, and 23rd Street. Officers responded to reports of illegal sideshows and fireworks starting at 11:45 p.m. ### Sunday, June 22 **Strong-arm robbery:** 400 block of Duboce Avenue. Someone was robbed at 1:25 a.m. **Assault with deadly weapon:** 500 block of Marina Bay Parkway. Police arrested a suspect on multiple charges, including assault with force causing great bodily injury, and breaking into a home at 3:28 a.m. **Vehicle tampering:** 1100 block of Roosevelt Avenue. A miscreant tampered with someone's vehicle at 4:30 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 800 block of 9th Street. An early-morning auto thief made off with someone's ride at 5:07 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 600 block of 6th Street. Another wheeler-dealer stole a vehicle at 5:33 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 300 block of Ripley Avenue. Morning brought another disappearing automobile at 9:13 a.m. **Felony vandalism:** 400 block of A Street. Someone caused property damage exceeding $400 at 9:49 a.m. **Residential burglary:** 3600 block of Garvin Avenue. A residential burglary with forced entry was reported at 11:29 a.m. **Auto burglary and vandalism:** 12300 block of San Pablo Avenue. A double-trouble troublemaker broke into a car and caused property damage under $400 at 12:09 p.m. **Vehicle theft and recovery:** 400 block of Ripley Avenue. A stolen vehicle vanished at 12:31 p.m. but was recovered in the 600 block of 8th Street. **Theft from vehicle:** 500 block of 3rd Street. An evening prowler pilfered property from someone's car at 8:07 p.m. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond considers exception to tobacco retailer moratorium for legacy businesses URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-considers-exception-to-tobacco-retailer-moratorium-for-legacy-businesses/ Last updated: 2025-06-23T00:56:20.000Z The Richmond City Council is set to consider exceptions to its tobacco retailer moratorium on Tuesday that would allow some longtime businesses to resume selling tobacco products, even as the ban on new retailers remains in place. City staff identified [nine unlicensed tobacco retailers](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58348&ref=grandviewindependent.com) that could qualify for a proposed "Pathway to Compliance Program" based on strict criteria established by the council. The businesses would need to have held valid city tobacco licenses between 2018 and 2024, maintained continuous business licenses, retained the same ownership, and hold current state tobacco licenses. The potential exception comes more than a year after Richmond imposed a 45-day moratorium on new tobacco retailer licenses in April 2024\. The Richmond City Council imposed a moratorium on new tobacco retail licenses in April 2024, which has since been extended through April 2026. [Richmond City Council considers tobacco moratorium after proliferation of smoke shopsThe Richmond City Council tried to pass a moratorium on tobacco retailers, but with only four councilmembers in attendance, they didn’t have the five votes required to pass an emergency ordinance at Tuesday’s council meeting. Council members reported receiving numerous complaints about the number of smoke shops and![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--15.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/IMG_5200-1-1-2.jpg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-city-council-tries-to-pass-tobacco-moratorium-after-proliferation-of-smoke-shops/) City officials found 51 unlicensed tobacco retailers operating in Richmond, with many continuing to sell products despite receiving cease-and-desist orders. Of those, 31 businesses continued to sell tobacco during inspections conducted in April, while 18 had stopped, and two appeared to have closed. [Early morning fire guts Exotic Clouds smoke shopNeighbors near San Pablo and Solano Avenues awoke to the sounds of small explosions early Saturday morning after a fire broke out at the Exotic Clouds Gift Shop.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--16.png)Grandview IndependentLinda Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/exotic-cloud-fire-san-pablo-avenue-2-1-2.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/early-morning-fire-guts-exotic-clouds-smoke-shop/) The analysis revealed enforcement challenges across the city. Staff discovered that eight unlicensed retailers had violations for selling cannabis or other drugs, while another eight had violations, including selling out-of-state tobacco, untaxed tobacco, or operating without state licenses. [Up in smoke: Richmond tobacco retailers busted for selling marijuana and mushroomsOver the past three weeks, Richmond Police Department detectives, in partnership with Code Enforcement Officers, conducted a series of unannounced inspections of local tobacco retailers, resulting in a substantial drug seizure. Out of the 13 businesses inspected, four were found to be selling illegal drugs, including marijuana and psychedelic mushrooms, packaged and ready for sale.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--17.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Richmond-tobacco-retailers-busted-for-selling-marijuana-psychedelic-drugs--1-3.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/up-in-smoke-richmond-tobacco-retailers-busted-for-selling-marijuana-and-psychedelic-drugs/) The geographic distribution shows the heaviest concentration of tobacco retailers in Districts 1 and 3, where unlicensed retailers outnumber licensed ones. District 1 has 12 unlicensed and nine licensed retailers. In comparison, District 3 has 18 unlicensed and six licensed retailers. ### Richmond unlicensed tobacco retailer map *Green icons show the nine unlicensed tobacco retailers that currently meet the criteria for compliance licensing, blue icons show locations that meet the ownership matching requirements, while red icons show unlicensed locations.* None of the 51 unlicensed retailers would meet with both current location requirements, which mandate 500-foot buffers from other licensed retailers and 1,000-foot buffers from youth-sensitive areas, such as schools and parks. The moratorium was enacted after community complaints about proliferating unlicensed tobacco retailers and concerns about youth access to tobacco products. The boom in tobacco retailers prompted an outcry from the public, leading the council to adopt a moratorium on issuing new tobacco retail licenses last April. Richmond has maintained strict tobacco regulations since 2018, when it banned menthol and flavored tobacco products citywide and established minimum pack sizes for cigars. The city also prohibited electronic cigarettes in 2019. City staff presented two options to the council: maintaining the current moratorium or establishing a compliance pathway for legacy retailers. The proposed ordinance would require two readings, with qualifying businesses eligible to apply for licenses after August 1, pending approval. Nine unlicensed tobacco retailers currently meet the criteria for compliance licensing. If the city waives the ownership matching requirements, nine additional retailers would qualify, potentially increasing the total licensed businesses from 32 to 50. These additional businesses include 24-7 Gas and Food at 5001 Cutting Boulevard, La Costeña Market at 1170 Twenty-Third Street, Chevron at 4838 Macdonald Avenue, Discount Cigarette and Cell Phone at 254 Marina Way, Richmond Food Center at 2220 Cutting Boulevard, Richmond Petroleum at 1000 Cutting Boulevard, Stop and Save Gasoline at 2221–2229 Cutting Boulevard, Stop and Shop Market at 800 Carlson Boulevard, and Valero/7-Eleven at 12678 San Pablo Avenue. The Richmond City Council will meet on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, at 5 p.m. at the Community Services Building, located at 440 Civic Center Plaza, Richmond, CA 94804. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond celebrates freedom and culture at Juneteenth Parade and Festival URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-celebrates-freedom-and-culture-at-juneteenth-parade-and-festival/ Last updated: 2025-06-21T21:49:58.000Z The City of Richmond came alive Saturday as thousands of festivalgoers gathered at Nicholl Park for the annual Juneteenth Parade and Festival, marking one of the largest celebrations of African American freedom and culture in the Bay Area. The day began at 10 a.m. with a parade that wound its way from Cutting Boulevard through 37th Street and Macdonald Avenue, featuring classic cars, the Richmond High School Marching Band, city departments, and community organizations. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/06/Richmond-annual-Juneteenth-Parade-Festival1.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/06/Richmond-annual-Juneteenth-Parade-Festival6.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/06/Richmond-annual-Juneteenth-Parade-Festival7.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/06/Richmond-annual-Juneteenth-Parade-Festival12-3.webp) Grand Marshal Art Johnson, a retired Richmond Police Department Captain, reflected on the historical significance of the day as he surveyed the celebrating crowds following the parade. Johnson was one of the Black Nine, a group of Richmond Police officers who filed the first internal lawsuit in a police department in the United States challenging racial discrimination in 1968\. [On the Agenda: WCCUSD budget cuts, Black Nine honored, and city meeting time changeThe Richmond City Council’s February 25 meeting will feature a presentation from the United Teachers of Richmond, which argues the West Contra Costa Unified School District is manufacturing a fiscal crisis while failing to retain teachers amid rising costs.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--14.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-nine-police.jpg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-agenda-wccusd-budget-cuts-black-nine-honored-and-city-meeting-time-change-2/) “On Juneteenth, in my city where I live, work, and retired from, it’s an honor to look around and see all these people enjoying themselves the way it should be,” Johnson said. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/06/Richmond-annual-Juneteenth-Parade-Festival-council.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/06/Richmond-annual-Juneteenth-Parade-Festival3-2.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/06/DSC_6942-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/06/Richmond-annual-Juneteenth-Parade-Festival10.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/06/Richmond-annual-Juneteenth-Parade-Festival9.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/06/Richmond-annual-Juneteenth-Parade-Festival11.webp) While Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, Johnson said, “it wasn’t until June 19, 1865, that the word reached Galveston, Texas. Back then, there was no television or telephone, so the military brought the good news.” Johnson emphasized the unifying power of such community gatherings. “This kind of gathering helps unify us as a people. We should be united all over the world,” he said, adding his hope for positive change in national leadership. The event at Nicholl Park transformed the venue into a celebration of Black culture and heritage, featuring dozens of vendors offering food and handmade crafts, and community resources. A dedicated youth zone kept families engaged with games, art activities, and educational programming about the significance of Juneteenth. This year’s festival continued Richmond’s tradition of honoring Juneteenth as both a historical milestone and a contemporary call for unity, justice, and community celebration. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Super Churros trailer booted from sidewalk under Richmond’s new vendor ordinance URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/super-churros-trailer-booted-from-sidewalk-under-richmonds-new-vendor-ordinance/ Last updated: 2025-06-20T23:27:32.000Z A family-owned mobile food business that has served the Richmond community for two decades is seeking city council intervention after being forced to relocate due to new regulations that restrict the size of vendor carts on sidewalks. Estephanie Sanchez, representing Super Churros, told the Richmond City Council that her family’s trailer was forced to move from its longtime sidewalk location because it measures 6 feet by 10 feet. The city’s new sidewalk vending ordinance allows only carts 6 feet by 5 feet or smaller on sidewalks. The food truck has been stationed at the same location without complaints from police or the community, according to family members who addressed the council in both English and Spanish. Eric Sanchez, speaking through his daughter, who translated, said that a city employee recently told the family to cease operations and move their trailer due to the permit issue. The family described the interaction as "aggressive" and "unprofessional." ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/06/Richmond-super-churros-super-churros.webp) Eric Sanchez addressed the Richmond City Council on Tuesday, June 17, 2025. “The whole root of the issue, and why the trailer is not on the sidewalk right now, is because this is a new rule from 2024,” Estephanie Sanchez explained in an interview with *Grandview*. “We’re arguing because of only a five feet difference, just because the trailer is five feet bigger.” ### Family business built by hand The business began as a small cart two decades ago, but when the family grew with the birth of Estephanie’s younger sister in 2010, her father decided to expand. “My dad said, ‘You know what? We’re going to make this our family business, our main source of income,’” Sanchez said. “My dad created the trailer by hand, all by himself.” The handmade trailer has been operating with proper permits from the same location since 2011, according to the family. They emphasize they have maintained all required licenses, health permits, and inspections throughout their operation. “We have everything that’s required to operate,” Sanchez said. “We’re licensed. We’ve been in business for so long, so we know how it works. We know how the guidelines, the requirements, and inspections work.” ### Confrontation with a city contractor The family says trouble began when a representative from a third-party contractor hired by the city, identified as 4 Leaf, approached the business. In October 2024, the Richmond City Council approved a $150,000 contract with 4 Leaf, Inc. to support enforcement of the city’s Sidewalk Vendor Ordinance. [On the agenda: Richmond ramps up downtown, equity, and vendor enforcementRichmond’s City Council is set for an action-packed October 22 meeting. On the docket: revitalizing Downtown Richmond through a Main Street Initiative presentation, strengthening racial equity with a dedicated Race Equity Action Plan update, and enforcing sidewalk vendor rules with a $500,000 contract. Council members will also decide whether to rename a local park and hear from mosquito control experts on Tuesday, October 22.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--13.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Richmond-Main-Street-Initiative-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-agenda-richmond-ramps-up-downtown-equity-and-vendor-enforcement/) “This lady, she showed up today as well, and thankfully, I was there. She was being very unprofessional. She never had a badge on her. She didn’t show her identity, so she just looked like an ordinary civilian, and out of the blue, she told my parents to pack up and leave,” Sanchez said. The situation has compelled Sanchez, who graduated from Richmond High School last year and now attends Contra Costa College full-time, to take on the role of both security and translator for her Spanish-speaking parents. “I much prefer being with my parents and being where they need me rather than getting a call saying, ‘Hey, I don’t know what they’re saying. They’re being aggressive, they’re being mean to us,’” she said. The Richmond City Council unanimously agreed to move forward with its vendor ordinance in June 2024, following an increase in complaints from residents regarding vendors lacking proper health permits and blocking streets and sidewalks. Under the regulations, vendors are not allowed in locations that don’t provide at least a four-foot clear path of travel and must comply with Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines to ensure people can safely maneuver on sidewalks. The city also developed a mobile vendor plaza on Macdonald Avenue to alleviate the hardship the new ordinance creates for vendors. However, the Sanchez family has declined this option. “We all agreed that we don’t want to proceed on that route,” Sanchez said. “We never got notified about this new law, or before this law was ever created, and the city never considered us in the conversation.” ### **Community support** The family emphasizes their deep community ties and spotless record with local authorities. “We have all our permits, we have our license, we have no record with the police, so we have a clean slate. Good reviews, good Yelp reviews, good Google reviews, everything,” Sanchez said. The business serves customers from across the region, with patrons traveling from Walnut Creek to Concord, Los Angeles, San Mateo, and Sacramento, according to Sanchez. They operate six days a week from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., closing only on Mondays. “We’ve been really well-known for the past 20 years. We’re friends with the firefighters and police departments from both San Pablo and Richmond. We also do a lot of community events, such as Cinco de Mayo or quinceañeras or just anything event-wise,” Sanchez said. “So we built a huge reputation and a huge career, and we deserve to get at least our spot back.” Several community members spoke in support of the business during the council meeting. Vincent, a resident, criticized what he called “harassment” by a city representative and questioned the size requirement. “If you’ve seen this trailer, it is already too small for two people to work in,” Vincent said. “A four-foot smaller trailer would be a huge investment for the business and would be unsafe.” > [@itss.estefanyyy](https://www.tiktok.com/@itss.estefanyyy?refer=embed&ref=grandviewindependent.com "@itss.estefanyyy") Super Churros has been in the hearts of Richmond CA for over 20 years! Please share and support were anyone can! @Super\_Churros [#richmondca](https://www.tiktok.com/tag/richmondca?refer=embed&ref=grandviewindependent.com "richmondca") [#foodtrailer](https://www.tiktok.com/tag/foodtrailer?refer=embed&ref=grandviewindependent.com "foodtrailer") [#churros](https://www.tiktok.com/tag/churros?refer=embed&ref=grandviewindependent.com "churros") [#bayarea](https://www.tiktok.com/tag/bayarea?refer=embed&ref=grandviewindependent.com "bayarea") [#familybusiness](https://www.tiktok.com/tag/familybusiness?refer=embed&ref=grandviewindependent.com "familybusiness") [♬ original sound - estefany](https://www.tiktok.com/music/original-sound-7516391175817857835?refer=embed&ref=grandviewindependent.com "♬ original sound - estefany") “Our goal is to get the trailer back to its original spot that has been operating for the last 13 years,” Sanchez said, referring to the corner of Andrade and 23rd Street next to the former Fuhrman Printing building. The family argues that the sidewalk space is ample and that their longtime presence without complaints should warrant consideration for an exception to the size requirements. “As you can see, the sidewalk is so huge,” Sanchez said. “This is where my parents give us food. This is where we pay rent. This is where everything is provided as a family. We deserve to be where we always have been.” City officials did not respond to requests for comment. This story will be updated with any response. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond City Council approves resolution on Israel-Iran conflict URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-city-council-approves-resolution-on-israel-iran-conflict/ Last updated: 2025-06-18T16:10:09.000Z The Richmond City Council approved an [emergency resolution](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/FileStream.ashx?DocumentId=58216&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Tuesday calling for diplomacy and an end to hostilities between Israel and Iran following what the city described as a June 12 Israeli military strike on Iranian territory. According to Richmond's resolution, the conflict began with a June 12, 2025, Israeli attack on Iran that allegedly targeted civilian infrastructure, followed by Iranian military retaliation. The document states that the conflict has resulted in civilian casualties on both sides. The City Council voted 6-0 to place the item on the consent calendar, with Vice Mayor Cesar Zepeda abstaining from the individual item but joining the unanimous vote to approve the full consent calendar. The approved resolution urged President Donald Trump and the U.S. government to avoid military involvement and instead support diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis. It also called for nuclear transparency and universal oversight by the International Atomic Energy Agency. "The City of Richmond has long demonstrated its commitment to peace, human rights, and international justice through resolutions addressing global conflicts," the agenda report stated. The resolution specifically noted Israel's status as a nuclear-armed state outside the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty framework while describing Iran as an NPT signatory. It called attention to what it characterized as disrupted diplomatic efforts between Iran and the United States regarding sanctions and nuclear capabilities. The adopted resolution affirmed the rights and safety of Iranian-American, Jewish, Arab, and other global communities in Richmond affected by foreign conflicts while pledging to oppose "war, xenophobia, and hate in all forms." The resolution, sponsored by Councilmember Soheila Bana and co-sponsored by Mayor Eduardo Martinez, condemned military aggression by nuclear-armed states against non-nuclear countries and called for the immediate cessation of hostilities between the two nations. Richmond has previously passed resolutions on international conflicts and global issues. [Richmond Council approves resolution supporting PalestineAfter an epic hours-long public comment section Tuesday night and into Wednesday morning, the Richmond City Council voted five to one in favor of a resolution ‘Affirming Richmond’s Support and Solidarity with the Palestinian People of Gaza.’ The resolution sponsored by Richmond Mayor Eduardo Martinez and Vice Mayor Gayle![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--12.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Richmond-council-resolution-supporting-Palestine-1-2.jpg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-council-resolution-supporting-palestine/) In October 2023, the Richmond City Council passed a resolution after hours of debate that declared the city stood in solidarity with the Palestinian people of Gaza and accused Israel of conducting ethnic cleansing and collective punishment. Tonight's resolution adoption has no fiscal impact on the city. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### On the Richmond Burrito Trail: Masa Tamales & Taqueria's Point Richmond location URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-richmond-burrito-trail-masa-tamales-taquerias-point-richmond-location/ Last updated: 2025-06-17T19:36:04.000Z After our visit to Masa Tamales & Taqueria’s San Pablo Avenue drive-thru location last year, we decided to check out the Point Richmond experience, where you can watch the burrito artisans at work. Unlike the drive-thru automation of their San Pablo location, we opted for the full taqueria theater at the Point Richmond Masa. [On the Richmond Burrito Trail: Masa Tamales & TaqueriaMasa Tamales & Taqueria has a Point Richmond location and another on San Pablo Avenue that is also in the City of Pride and Purpose.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--10.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/masa-richmond2-1-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-richmond-burrito-trail-masa-tamales-taqueria/) You can watch skilled burrito artists at work, witness the tortilla steaming process (sigh), and engage in actual human interaction. We appreciate seeing the craft in action, even when the ingredient ratios don’t quite hit the mark. The interior is trendy, verging on hipster-like, reminiscent of [Mi Casa Grill](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-richmond-burrito-trail-san-pablo-avenues-mi-casa-grill/) or [El Agave Azul](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-richmond-burrito-trail-san-pablo-avenues-el-agave-azul/). Masa Point Richmond has invested in creating a warm, contemporary space that takes itself seriously. Ornate black-and-white tilework lines the counter area with classic Mexican patterns, while black pendant lights cast a focused glow over the ordering station. The open kitchen gleams behind glass partitions, featuring all stainless steel surfaces and industrial lighting that allows you to watch every step of the burrito-building process. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/06/point-richmond-masa-burrito-1.webp) Masa Tamales & Taqueria's Chicken Burrito comes with chips and salsa. Star-shaped hanging lamps and exposed Edison bulbs create atmospheric lighting throughout the dining area, which features a mix of patterned tile and warm wood flooring. A rustic wooden “TAQUERIA” sign crowns the kitchen window, while a blue neon sign glows on the red brick wall. The solid wood tables, with their natural finishes and live edges, complete the artisanal vibe. Sometimes, the old-fashioned approach wins, even when the chicken decides to go into hiding. The Point Richmond location offers the full Masa experience: rice, beans, pico de gallo, guacamole, and sour cream wrapped in a tortilla. We watched through the open kitchen as they steamed our tortilla in the steam press thing, which always reminds us of the dry mount press used in photography. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/06/point-richmond-masa-outside-1.webp) Our chicken burrito initially gave us a puzzling first impression. The refried beans felt chalky against the palate, creating an oddly dry texture that had us feeling a little let down. But patience, fellow burrito travelers! As we worked through the slab, the ingredients began their magical dance of integration. The chalky beans mellowed and melded with the other components, transforming into something far more enjoyable. *We don’t just eat, we experience the evolution of flavor.* The Spanish rice was solid, though we noticed they also offer what appeared to be a [Chipotle](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-richmond-burrito-trail-hilltops-recently-opened-chipotle-mexican-grill/) cilantro rice option. We stuck with the classic. Here’s where things got tricky: finding the chicken proved to be something of a treasure hunt. By which, we mean there should have been more chicken. A lot more chicken. The promised poultry was playing hide-and-seek in our slab, leaving us with more beans and rice than pollo. Not ideal for those seeking a hearty, carnivorous experience. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/06/point-richmond-masa-bar-1.webp) The supporting cast performed admirably. Masa serves delicious, thin, crispy chips that provide the perfect vehicle for their salsas. The smoky red salsa was a genuine standout, complex, flavorful, and with just enough heat to keep things interesting. This was much better than the last time we tried Masa salsa. The salsa verde was OK, doing its job without inspiring much enthusiasm. So we preferred Masa’s meaty Carnitas Burrito from their San Pablo Avenue location despite its smaller 544-gram size. The Point’s Masa Chicken Burrito is a bit larger at 652 grams. Sometimes quality trumps quantity, and the San Pablo Avenue location proved that decisively. Let us know where to eat next, and check back next week for another stop on the Richmond Burrito Trail. [Burrito Trail - Grandview IndependentThe Grandview Independent has been embarking on a culinary adventure to explore every taqueria, food truck, and restaurant in Richmond. This initiative, dubbed the “Richmond Burrito Trail,” aims to showcase our city’s diverse and delectable burritos.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--11.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/The-Richmondbt-1-4.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/tag/burrito-trail/) The *Grandview Independent* has been embarking on a culinary adventure to explore every taqueria, food truck, and restaurant in Richmond. This initiative, dubbed the “Richmond Burrito Trail,” aims to showcase our city’s diverse and delectable burritos. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### What happened in Richmond: a week of crime & public safety URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/what-happened-in-richmond-a-week-of-crime-public-safety-5/ Last updated: 2025-06-16T18:43:20.000Z *Grandview Independent*'s weekly crime log for June 9 - June 14 reflects a wide range of public safety incidents reported by the Richmond Police Department. The entries below represent arrests, investigations, and other notable law enforcement activity across city neighborhoods. For location context, see the crime map embedded below. ### Richmond crime map ### Monday, June 9 **Guns, booze, and hit-and-run:** The 94804 zip code. Officers arrested an intoxicated, armed suspect for DUI, carrying an unregistered loaded handgun, and fleeing after property damage at 2:21 a.m. **Vehicle theft & fraud:** 4100 block of Klose Way and 4500 MacDonald Avenue. Police received word of an auto burglary and a related fraud by false pretenses at 8:23 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** The 94801\. A car was reportedly lost to the night at 8:34 a.m. **Grand theft:** 1400 block of Harbour Way South. A thief made off with property worth hundreds of dollars at 8:55 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 10300 block of San Pablo Avenue. The morning theft parade continued as someone helped themselves to someone else's transportation on this busy commercial strip at 10:14 a.m. **Commercial burglary:** 3200 block of Pierce Street. Business burglars forced their way into a commercial building at 11:39 a.m. **Battery & vandalism:** 3600 block of Sierra Ridge Avenue. A disputeresulted in a physical altercation and damage to property, including the purposeful destruction of a wireless communication device at 1:21 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 600 block of South 4th Street. Police made an arrest after someone was found in possession of a stolen vehicle at 5:10 p.m. **Petty theft:** 1800 block of Bissell Avenue. Car prowlers struck again, this time targeting vehicle parts and accessories at 4:12 p.m. **Petty theft:** 3700 block of Via Verdi. Someone helped themselves to property that didn't belong to them at 5 p.m. **Financial fraud:** 600 block of Pennsylvania Avenue. A fraudster bilked victims out of over $400 at 5:59 p.m. **Auto burglary:** 3200 block of Klose Way. The car burglars returned to a previously hit location at 6:15 p.m. **Aggravated assault & robbery:** 5400 block of Highland Avenue. A violent confrontation resulted in an arrest for serious bodily injury, criminal threats, strong-arm robbery, and firearm brandishing at 7:05 p.m. **Warrant arrest:** 3100 block of Southampton Court. Someone with a warrant was picked up on drug charges at 9:05 p.m. **Petty theft:** 300 block of South 36th Street. More car burglars targeted vehicle parts and accessories, continuing the evening's theme at 9:17 p.m **Grand theft:** 2100 block of Northshore Drive. A significant theft occurred at this waterfront location, with someone making off with valuable property worth hundreds of dollars at 9:44 p.m. **Petty theft:** 2100 block of Meeker Avenue. The night's crime spree continued with another case of someone helping themselves to property that wasn't theirs at 9:49 p.m. **Petty theft:** 200 block of West MacDonald Avenue. Late-night thieves struck again at 10:48 p.m. **Identity theft:** 5400 block of Carriage Drive. It was reported that someone had stolen personal identifying information and intended to defraud at 11:58 p.m. ### Tuesday, June 10, 2025 **Criminal threats:** 200 block of South 16th Street. Early morning threats of violence, with threats to terrorize others with promises of criminal activity at 3:50 a.m., led to an afternoon arrest at 5:50 p.m. **Petty theft:** 1800 block of Hellings Avenue. Morning thieves struck early, helping themselves to property at 6:50 a.m. **Multiple assault & battery charges:** 2400 block of Hinkley Avenue. A complex situation escalated into multiple serious charges, including battery against emergency personnel, resisting arrest, and false imprisonment at 9:24 a.m **Public fighting:** 2800 block of **Martin Luther King Jr.** Avenue. A challenge to fight was made at 9:46 a.m. **Felony vandalism:** 900 block of 23rd Street. Someone caused significant damage exceeding $400 at 12:58 p.m. **Petty theft:** 3100 block of Hilltop Mall Road. Thieves struck again at 3:35 p.m. **Vehicle recovery:** The 94801\. Officers successfully recovered a previously stolen vehicle at 4:15 p.m. **Drug possession:** The 94804\. Police busted someone in possession of illegal drugs at 7 p.m **Criminal threats & stalking:** 300 block of 28th Street. It was reported that someone was making terroristic threats and also stalking someone at 7:52 p.m. **Weapon brandishing:** 400 block of South 24th Street. Someone decided to exhibit a deadly weapon in public at 9:30 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 1900 block of Ohio Avenue. Another automotive bandit helped themselves to someone else's transportation at 9:30 p.m. **Petty theft:** 300 block of Carlston Street. Thieves struck again at 10:30 p.m. **Trespassing & vandalism:** 800 block of Wharf Street. Trespassers not only occupied premises without permission but also caused significant damage exceeding $400 at 10:48 p.m. **DUI & battery:** 1600 block of Garvin Avenue. A wild mix of booze, bad judgment, and bumper cars led to a trifecta of charges: DUI, battery, and hit-and-run. The evening wrapped up at 11:27 p.m. with a ride in the back of a police cruiser. ### Wednesday, June 11, 2025 **Battery against emergency personnel:** 200 block of Macdonald Avenue. Police made an arrest for simple assault following an assault on emergency responders at 3:58 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. Morning commuters discovered that automotive bandits had struck again at 7:05 a.m.. **Multiple weapons & threat charges:** 4100 block of Leke Way and 4500 Jenkins Way. A complex situation involved deadly weapon brandishing, terroristic threats, check fraud, and violation of court orders at 8:54 a.m. **Grand theft:** The 94804\. Thieves struck again, making off with valuable property at 9:35 a.m. **Multiple DUI charges:** The 94801\. A driver was arrested on a bevy of charges, including driving on a suspended license due to a prior DUI, driving under the influence while on DUI probation, and two counts of DUI causing bodily injury, one under general impairment and another with a blood alcohol content of 0.08 or higher at 9:40 a.m. **Vehicle Recovery:** The 94805\. Another previously stolen vehicle was successfully recovered by law enforcement at 10:08 a.m. **Auto burglary:** 4100 block of Klose Way. Car prowlers returned to a familiar hunting ground, breaking into vehicles to steal parts and accessories at 10:40 a.m. **Extortion:** 200 block of 4th Street. A blackmail artist attempted to use threats of disgrace to extract money from their victim at 4:45 p.m. **Grand Theft:** The 94804\. Another significant theft occurred, with valuable property disappearing at 4:49 p.m. **Vandalism:** The 94801\. Property-destroying people struck again, causing damage to someone else's belongings at 7:17 p.m. **Petty theft:** 700 block of 20th Street. Car prowlers targeted vehicle parts and accessories at 7:26 p.m. **Multiple firearms charges:** The 94801\. An armed individual was caught with a loaded, unregistered firearm earning themselves a trip to the pokey at 8:10 p.m. **Privacy invasion:** 300 block of South 13th Street. A tech-savvy criminal used electronic tracking devices to invade someone's privacy at 10:52 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. The night ended with another case of automotive theft at 11:25 p.m. ### Thursday, June 12, 2025 ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/06/23rd-street-macdonald-avenue-crash-1.webp) Three silver cars collided in the intersection of 23rd Street and Macdonald Avenue on the morning of June 12, 2025. **Auto burglary:** 800 block of Harbour Way South. Early morning, car prowlers struck at this location, breaking into vehicles to steal valuable contents at 6 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 200 block of 18th Street. Another automotive bandit helped themselves to unauthorized transportation in the early morning hours at 6:03 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 200 block of South 20th Street. The morning theft parade continued as another vehicle disappeared into the hands of criminal opportunists at 9:06 a.m. **Auto burglary:** 3200 block of Rheem Avenue. Car prowlers struck again, targeting vehicles for their valuable contents and accessories at 9:10 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 1200 block of Chanslor Avenue. Another automotive theft was reported at 9:55 a.m. **Petty theft:** 3000 block of Barkley Drive. Vehicle part thieves struck again, targeting car accessories at 10:55 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 400 block of Chanslor Avenue. The automotive theft trend continued with another case of unauthorized vehicle borrowing at 11:21 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** Bayside Court. Midday brought another case of vehicle theft at 12:39 p.m. **Felony vandalism:** 12200 block of San Pablo Avenue. Vandals caused significant damage exceeding $400 at this commercial location at 1:43 p.m. **License violation:** The 94804\. A habitual offender was caught driving with a suspended license related to previous DUI violations at 2:59 p.m. **Aggravated assault:** 1500 block of Chanslor Avenue. A violent confrontation resulted in battery with serious bodily injury and arrest at 5 p.m. **Drugs & warrants:** Nevin Avenue. A drug bust resulted in charges of marijuana and cocaine possession for sale, outstanding warrants, and resisting arrest at 6:17 p.m. **Auto burglary:** 100 block of South 6th Street Evening car prowlers struck again, targeting vehicles for their valuable contents at 6:25 p.m. **Assault & vandalism:** 700 block of 8th Street. Police made an arrest after a violent situation escalated into battery with serious bodily injury, assault with a deadly weapon, and property damage exceeding $400 at 7:53 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 300 block of Chanslor Avenue. The evening brought another case of automotive theft at 8 p.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 700 block of Yuba Street. Law enforcement successfully recovered another previously stolen vehicle at 8:27 p.m. **Auto burglary:** 900 block of Wilson Avenue. Evening car prowlers struck in this residential area at 9 p.m. **Residential burglary:** 400 block of 43rd Street. Home burglars struck someone's home at 10:21 p.m. ### Friday, June 13, 2025 **Commercial burglary:** 700 block of South 32nd Street. Three suspects were arrested on multiple felony charges, including 1\. evading police by driving against the flow of traffic, 2\. carrying a loaded and concealed handgun in a vehicle, 3\. possessing a firearm as a felon or drug addict, 4\. possessing ammunition as a prohibited person, 5\. carrying a loaded firearm with intent to commit a felony, 6\. possessing a loaded handgun without being the registered owner, 7\. carrying a concealed weapon in a vehicle, 8\. participating in a commercial burglary, 9\. engaging in a criminal conspiracy, 10\. violating probation, and 11\. resisting or obstructing a peace officer during the arrest at 1:29 a.m. **DUI:** The 94804 at 2:48 a.m. An intoxicated driver was caught operating a vehicle while under the influence, earning themselves a trip to the Gray Bar Hotel at 2:48 a.m. **Auto burglary & vandalism:** 700 block of Barrett Avenue. Car prowlers struck again, this time combining vehicle break-ins with property damage exceeding $400 at 9:01 a.m. **Threat:** 2500 block of Lancaster Drive. A situation involving terroristic threats and weapon brandishing was reported at noon. **Identity fraud:** 300 block of South 17th Street. A fraudster transferred personal identifying information with intent to defraud at 2 p.m. **Disorderly conduct:** The 94804\. Public intoxication led to disorderly conduct charges at 5:03 p.m. **Vandalism:** 600 block of 18th Street. Vandals struck again, causing damage to someone else's belongings at 5:17 p.m. **Aggravated assault:** West MacDonald Avenue. A violent confrontation resulted in battery with serious bodily injury on this busy Street at 7:17 p.m. **Criminal threats:** 700 block of 10th Street Someone decided to terrorize others with threats of violence, earning themselves serious criminal charges at 7:23 p.m. **Drug & weapon violations:** 1000 Essex Avenue. An arrest resulted in charges of drug paraphernalia, weapon possession, and resisting arrest at 9:21 p.m. **Firearms robbery:** The 94801\. Armed robbers struck using firearms at 9:40 p.m. ### Saturday, June 14, 2025 **Vehicle theft:** 1500 block of Monterey Street. Late-night automotive bandits struck again, helping themselves to unauthorized transportation at 12:55 a.m. **Strong-arm robbery on the stroll:** 900 block of 24th Street. Robbers used physical force to take property from a victim at 2:54 a.m. **Criminal threats:** 2400 block of Aberdeen Way. Early morning threats of violence were reported at 3:43 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 5400 block of Sutter Avenue. The morning brought another case of automotive theft in this residential area at 7:46 a.m. **Felony vandalism:** 5500 block of Sutter Avenue. Property destroyers caused significant damage exceeding $400 at 8:32 a.m. **Petty theft:** 5000 block of Fleming Avenue. Thieves targeted vehicles for their contents at 11:21 a.m. **Smoke shop burglary:** 600 block of 23rd Street. Business bandits used force to break into commercial premises around noon. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/06/lucky-smoke-shop-1.webp) Richmond Police responded to a commercial burglary at Lucky's Smoke Shop, located at 633 23rd Street, around noon on Saturday, June 14, 2025\. **Disorderly conduct:** 100 block of South 7th Street. Public intoxication led to disorderly conduct charges at 2:50 p.m. **Drug paraphernalia:** Macdonald Avenue. Someone was caught with illegal drug equipment at 4:36 p.m. ### Sunday, June 15, 2025 **Assault with deadly weapon:** 800 block of Carlson Boulevard. Someone attacked another person with a deadly weapon (not a firearm) at midnight. **Vehicle recovery:** 2000 block of Factory Street. Police recovered a previously stolen vehicle around midnight. **Strong-arm robbery:** 1500 block of Carlson Boulevard. Someone used physical force to rob another person at 1:36 a.m. **Willful discharge of firearm:** 500 block of 16th Street. Someone recklessly fired a gun in a grossly negligent manner at 3:33 a.m. **Assault with caustic chemicals:** 100 block of South 41st Street. Someone attacked another person with a corrosive substance and caused property damage worth $400 at 4:46 a.m. **Deadly weapon exhibition:** 1200 block of MacDonald Avenue. Someone brandished a deadly weapon (not a firearm) at 6:15 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 100 block of Harbour Way South. Someone stole a vehicle without the owner's consent at 9:08 a.m. **Drug paraphernalia:** The 94804\. Someone was found in possession of unlawful drug paraphernalia at 9:22 a.m. **False imprisonment:** 3200 block of Florida Avenue. Someone unlawfully restrained another person with violence at 10:13 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 1400 block of Coalinga Avenue. Someone stole a vehicle without the owner's consent at 11 a.m. **Auto burglary:** 4500 block of Fieldcrest Drive. Someone broke into a vehicle on June 14 at noon. **Battery:** 3600 block of Black Feather Drive. Someone committed battery on another person at 12 p.m. **Hit-and-run:** 7th Street. A suspect who fled the scene of a crash causing injury was also found carrying a loaded and stolen firearm in public and also resisted arrest at 4:34 p.m. **Vandalism:** The 94804\. Someone caused property damage worth $400 or more at 7:16 p.m. **Arson:** The 94804\. Someone deliberately set fire to property at 7:30 p.m. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### ‘No Kings’ movement sparks multiple anti-Trump protests in West Contra Costa URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/no-kings-movement-sparks-multianti-trump-protests-in-west-contra-costa/ Last updated: 2025-06-15T01:19:33.000Z Hundreds of West Contra Costa County residents gathered on Saturday afternoon in El Sobrante, El Cerrito, San Pablo, and Hercules to participate in a national day of action called "No Kings," protesting what organizers described as increasingly authoritarian politics. The demonstration, organized by Indivisible West Contra Costa County, was part of a nationwide mobilization held on June 14, coinciding with Flag Day and what organizers said was planned as a military parade by President Trump in Washington, D.C. "We are here with hundreds of people from West County saying, no kings in America, no kings in El Sobrante, no kings in Richmond," said Judy Weatherly from the local organizing group. "We are not going to be scared of your violence. We're not going to be scared by your killing of innocent people." ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/06/Screenshot-2025-06-14-at-1.19.06-PM-1.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/06/Screenshot-2025-06-14-at-1.57.49-PM-1-1.png) Weatherly described the turnout as unprecedented for the area. "This has been a real effort to get all these people here, and we are so excited to be here and to show this level of strength here in West County," she said. "This is new for us. We have never seen this size of a demonstration in West County." The El Sobrante event was one of several held across the region, with similar demonstrations in other parts of the Bay Area. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/06/Screenshot-2025-06-14-at-2.17.05-PM-1.png) Beyond the protest, organizers announced the launch of ongoing community support efforts, including a weekly food drive. "We're starting our food drive at this event, and we're doing that food drive every Friday night at our Friday night events," Weatherly said. The group plans to meet from 5 to 6 p.m. every Friday and will supply food to a station at the Moose Lodge established by a local Girl Scout troop. "This is an ongoing effort to be there for our community, because we know it's going to get rough," Weatherly said. The "No Kings" movement, according to organizing materials, describes itself as a response to what participants view as "increasing authoritarian excesses and corruption" in the current administration. Organizers emphasized their commitment to nonviolent action and encouraged participants to de-escalate any potential confrontations. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/06/Screenshot-2025-06-14-at-1.41.27-PM.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/06/Screenshot-2025-06-14-at-1.41.40-PM.png) The demonstrations come amid broader national political tensions, with organizers framing their actions as a defense of democratic principles and opposition to what they characterize as attempts to consolidate power. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Point Richmond’s free summer concert series opens with Chris James & the Showdowns URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/point-richmonds-free-summer-concert-series-opens-with-chris-james-the-showdowns/ Last updated: 2025-06-14T21:29:19.000Z The Point Richmond Music Committee kicked off its 2025 free summer concert series Friday evening with a double bill featuring Chris James & the Showdowns and Maurice Tani. [Chris James & the Showdowns](https://chrisjamesandtheshowdowns.com/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) opened the evening at 5:30 p.m. with their blend of Southern Rock, Americana, Country and Blues. The San Francisco Bay Area group, led by singer-songwriter Chris James, performed original compositions alongside covers reimagined in their signature style that channels influences from Tom Petty, The Eagles and Creedence Clearwater Revival. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/06/point-richmond-music2-1.webp) Maurice Tani followed at 6:45 p.m., delivering his brand of Americana music to the outdoor venue. The San Francisco-based singer-songwriter, who has released 10 albums, including his latest "All In!" on the Little Village label, showcased his "wry-to-romantic" songwriting style and agile guitar work that has made him a fixture on the West Coast Americana scene for more than two decades. The all-volunteer Point Richmond Music Committee, now in its 24th year, organizes the free summer series as part of its mission to celebrate diversity and promote community through music. The concerts serve as a gathering place for people of all ages and backgrounds. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/06/point-richmond-music3-1.webp) Three more Friday evening concerts remain in the 2025 series: July 11 will feature [Mbira dzaSoko](https://www.mbiradzasoko.com/?ref=grandviewindependent.com), a cultural ensemble honoring Zimbabwean musical traditions, performing at 5:30 p.m., followed by [EXTRA LARGE](https://www.extra-large.net/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) at 6:45 p.m. The Santa Cruz County-based six-piece band, voted Best Local Band nine times running, blends funk, Latin, reggae, and California rock. The August 8 show will showcase soul and funk with [Burrows and Dilbeck](https://www.burrowsanddilbeck.com/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) at 5:30 p.m. and [Big Blu Soul Revue](https://www.bigblusoulrevue.com/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) at 6:45 p.m. Big Blu Soul Revue, formed in 2014, performs music influenced by legends including Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, and Marvin Gaye. The series concludes September 12 with pop band [The Rubinoos](https://rubinoos.com/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) at 5:30 p.m. and indie rock group [The Lemonhammer](https://www.thelemonhammer.com/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) at 6:45 p.m. The concerts are funded through donations from local businesses and volunteers. All performances are free and open to the public. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### On the agenda: Richmond council proposes $1.5 million Black Resiliency Fund URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-agenda-richmond-council-proposes-1-5-million-black-resiliency-fund/ Last updated: 2025-06-14T04:14:00.000Z The Richmond City Council will address a wide range of community issues at its June 17 meeting, from the Harbour 8 Park Expansion Project to historic preservation, and an initiative aimed at addressing racial disparities. Three Richmond City Council members are proposing a $1.5 million initiative to address racial disparities affecting the city’s Black residents through a comprehensive study and community funding program. The [Black Resiliency Project and Fund,](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58210&ref=grandviewindependent.com) introduced by Councilmembers Doria Robinson, Claudia Jimenez, and Sue Wilson, would establish baseline data on inequities in health, education, housing, and employment while creating actionable recommendations to address systemic problems. The proposal comes as Richmond’s Black population has declined significantly over the last four decades. According to Richmond Confidential, cited in the agenda report, nearly half of Richmond residents were African American in 1980, but by 2020, only 18 percent were Black. [Richmond’s Black population declining: ‘You can’t really locate a solid African American community. There just isn’t anymore.’Richmond’s Black population has been declining. In 1980, about half the city’s residents were Black, and in 2020, only 18% were.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/favicon-10.ico)Richmond ConfidentialSojeong Mun![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/-EC-8A-A4-ED-81-AC-EB-A6-B0-EC-83-B7-2023-03-22--EC-98-A4-ED-9B-84-12.44.42.jpg)](https://richmondconfidential.org/2023/04/27/richmond-black-population-dwindling-churches/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) Current data shows disparities across multiple areas. Black residents make up 18 percent of Richmond’s general population but represent 57 percent of those experiencing homelessness, according to the city’s 2023 Homeless Strategic Plan referenced in the proposal. [SOS highlights flaws in county homeless countRichmond’s homeless population decreased by 20 percent, according to new information from the 2024 Contra Costa Health Services Point-in-Time Count. Homeless services provider Safe Organized Spaces says the actual numbers are considerably higher. The annual survey documents people experiencing homelessness and provides a one-day snapshot of homelessness in Contra![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--6.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-homeless-encampment.jpg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/sos-highlights-flaws-in-homeless-count-process-and-data-accuracy/) Health inequities are also pronounced. The [Contra Costa County health report ](https://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/DocumentCenter/View/8652/health-disparities-in-Contra-Costa?ref=grandviewindependent.com)cited in the agenda shows hospitalization rates for asthma among African American children are nearly five times higher than white children. Most homicide deaths in the county occurred among African Americans, the report states. The initiative would hire a consultant to produce the “State of Black Richmond” report within three months if approved. The study would examine barriers to city services and incorporate community engagement to develop recommendations for improvement. A community grant program would distribute funds to local organizations working to reverse negative impacts on Black residents. The proposal also calls for establishing a community advisory committee to oversee the project and guide funding decisions. The councilmembers noted that disproportionate impacts stem from systemic disinvestment and structural exclusion rather than individual failings, citing research on institutional barriers facing African American communities. If approved, the funding would come from the city’s fiscal year 2025-26 general fund budget. The proposal also directs staff to seek additional funding from philanthropic and government sources to continue the work in future years. The initiative aims to reverse decades of disinvestment that particularly affected Black residents during Richmond’s financial struggles, according to the agenda report. Follow-up reports would be produced every three years to evaluate progress toward recommended goals. --- ### [**$3 million Harbour 8 Park expansion project request**](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58177&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The council will also hold a public hearing to consider a $3 million funding request for the Harbour 8 Park Expansion Project, which is contingent on several conditions. The funding requires the execution of a formal agreement with the partner organization, Pogo Park, the submission of detailed project budgets, and the resolution of outstanding questions related to the kitchen component by October 31, 2025. Councilmember Jamelia Brown and Vice Mayor Cesar Zepeda sponsored the measure, which also mandates a formal meeting between city staff and the Pogo Park Board to align on project responsibilities for the city-owned property. --- ### [Denying Up & Under parklet permit appeal](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58148&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The ongoing Up & Under parklet saga continues with a public hearing to consider the appeal of an encroachment permit denial by Nathan Trivers, owner of Up & Under Pub & Grill, to maintain a parklet at 2 West Richmond Avenue. [City says pub parklet has to goThe owners of the Up & Under Pub say they have been told by the City of Richmond staff that, after much debate, their popular parklet has to go. “Despite our efforts to engage in constructive dialogue and find a mutually beneficial solution, the city has chosen to shut us down![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--7.png)Grandview IndependentLinda Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/DSC_1361-1.jpg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/parlet-part-deux/) Trivers is appealing the City Engineer’s denial of an encroachment permit application, which sought approval to maintain a patio-parklet structure in the street adjacent to 2 West Richmond Avenue. According to the staff report, the denial was based on the failure to provide a complete application, as well as concerns related to safety, municipal code compliance, impact on the right-of-way, community complaints, and prior compliance failures. --- ### [Councilmember Jamelia Brown: “Clean Richmond”](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58158&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Councilmember Jamelia Brown’s item would create a six-month $190,600 pilot program called “Clean Richmond” Community Maintenance Crews, which will hire and train residents to maintain public spaces and reduce blight, particularly in underserved neighborhoods. The initiative requires staff to identify funding sources and issue a request for proposals to nonprofit partners. --- ### [Richmond seeking community input for official city tree](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58147&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Vice Mayor Cesar Zepeda, along with co-sponsors Councilmember Doria Robinson and Mayor Eduardo Martinez, has an item to launch a community-driven initiative to select the city's first official tree, with plans to announce the winner by Arbor Day in April. The initiative calls for creating an ad hoc committee to work with the Urban Forest Advisory Committee in developing a list of native tree species suitable for the city’s climate. “The City should adopt an official tree to help celebrate and define our City,” the proposal states. Richmond residents will vote through an online survey to select from the curated list of native trees. The city has allocated up to $5,000 for survey creation, community outreach, and promotional activities. The winning tree will be planted at Civic Center Plaza during an Arbor Day celebration on the third Wednesday of October. The committee must report its findings to the council by the first meeting of October. Richmond already has an official “green,” the Perennial Purple Tree Collard, but lacks an official tree. Residents are expressing early support for the Coast Live Oak (Quercus agrifolia) as a strong candidate for the designation. Or California Buckeye (Aesculus californica) --- ### [Historic building protection plan](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58129&ref=grandviewindependent.com) This item calls for the city to take measures to protect historic buildings following two devastating fires that destroyed significant cultural landmarks. The proposal, introduced by Councilmembers Soheila Bana and Doria Robinson, calls for creating a public inventory of city-owned historic buildings and installing commemorative signage at significant locations. The initiative was prompted by recent fires, including the complete destruction of the International Hotel in April 2023 and fire damage to the historic Sakai house in May 2025\. [Historic Mira Flores building damaged by fire as volunteers participate in cleanupA fire broke out at a historic Mira Flores building Friday morning as volunteers were conducting a cleanup event at the adjacent Greenbelt Park, according to city officials.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--8.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Mira-flores-fire-richmond-1-1-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/historic-mira-flores-building-damaged-by-fire-as-volunteers-participate-in-cleanup/) [Update: Richmond’s historic International Hotel, red tagged after fireThe historic International Hotel, where the Pullman Brotherhood of Black Sleeping Car Porters Union members would stay during Richmond’s early years, was reduced to burnt framework and ash early Monday morning after a fire sped through it, destroying the 108-year-old historic building. Now red-tagged, along with neighboring structures, the historic![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--9.png)Grandview IndependentLinda Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/IMG_9222-1.jpg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/one-of-richmonds-most-historic-buildings-the-pullman-hotel-burns-down/) The plan would implement basic protective measures, such as improved lighting and fire-resistant landscaping, for high-priority sites. The city would also assist private property owners with installing historical markers and seek grants to fund preservation efforts. Staff would provide progress updates within 180 days if approved. --- ### [Land Grab is back on the agenda](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58113&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Councilmember Soheila Bana’s Land Grab item is back on the agenda after it was connected from the May 27 meeting. The item would direct staff to study federal and state legislation regarding land grab practices by for-profit corporations and investors and return to the council within 180 days with recommendations regarding the viability of enacting a local ordinance. --- ### [Proposed budget and capital improvement plan](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58201&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The council will examine the proposed Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget, Five-Year Forecast, and Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan Budget covering Fiscal Years 2025-26 through 2029-30\. Following this review, the council will offer guidance to staff before the final budget adoption. --- ## **On the consent calendar** The council has multiple contracts and initiatives during its consent calendar, including top-five priority projects for the city’s Green-Blue New Deal over the next five years. The council is set to approve several major contracts: a $450,000 three-year roofing contract with RK Roofing & Construction, $1 million per year transportation design contracts with four consulting firms including GHD and Kimley-Horn, and a $300,000 window services contract with Wadsworth Glass. Public safety measures included a $200,000 purchase order for firefighter breathing apparatus through Municipal Emergency Services. A $103,000 fireworks display contract with Pyro Spectaculars North for July 3 at Richmond Marina. Jerry Cole is to be appointed to the Historic Preservation Commission through July 2026. Infrastructure projects advanced with approval of Senate Bill 1 road maintenance funding for fiscal year 2025-26 and a $195,960 autonomous transit feasibility study with Kimley-Horn running through 2027. Additional contracts include a $150,000 agreement for mechanical building services with Legacy Mechanical & Energy Services and a $242,036 amendment, which increases the Rheem Creek Flood Risk Reduction Project to $1.78 million, with the project now accepted as complete. The council will also approve financial reports for April 2025, a public works abatement report, and a cost-sharing agreement with the Richmond Rent Board. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond residents weigh in on traffic circle designed to curb sideshows, improve safety URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-residents-weigh-in-on-traffic-circle-designed-to-curb-sideshows-improve-safety/ Last updated: 2025-06-12T15:25:47.000Z A traffic circle installed at the intersection of Barrett Avenue and Key Boulevard is earning cautious praise from Richmond residents and transportation officials, who say the quick-build project has succeeded in eliminating illegal sideshows but created new challenges for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians. The project is part of a $1.2 million traffic calming initiative the city launched to address reckless driving and improve safety at priority intersections. At a community meeting Wednesday night, city engineers and residents discussed the circle’s effectiveness and aired concerns about aesthetics, navigation, and long-term planning. “We incorporated a road diet through this intersection in order to shorten the pedestrian crossings,” said Fehr & Peers Principal Robert Rees, who helped design the project. “We also wanted to preserve the ability for buses and fire trucks and ambulances to get through. We also wanted to slow the traffic going through the intersection. There was a lot of confusion there before.” [Close encounters of the traffic kindThey’re back. The flexible traffic poles have returned to the Barrett Avenue and Key Boulevard sideshow deterrence pilot project last week.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--4.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/barrett-key-sideshow-deterrence-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/close-encounters-of-the-traffic-kind/) According to officials, the intersection previously functioned as a four-way stop with four lanes of traffic and no crosswalks on side streets. The new design narrowed the roadway, added curb extensions, marked continental-style crosswalks, and installed a raised circular island at the center along with flexible vertical posts to reduce vehicle speed and eliminate space for stunt driving. The improvements have made a visible impact, said several residents. “I think the roundabout is wonderful,” said Anita Parks, who lives mid-block on Key Boulevard. “I think the issue is not the roundabout, but the curb extensions. Large delivery trucks have to back up the entire block. It’s a tough turn, even for SUVs.” Others echoed concerns about driver confusion and the visual clutter created by temporary materials. “People were not stopping at the four-way stop ahead of the build,” said Shelley Trask, who lives nearby. “Now, many are still not stopping. They view it as a traffic circle instead of a four-way stop and proceed before other cars have gone around the circle. I’ve yelled many, many times at people who have blown through the stop sign and nearly hit us.” [Public Works details Richmond sideshow deterrence pilot projectsThe Public Works Department detailed two sideshow deterrence pilot projects during a midyear budget review at Tuesday night’s Richmond City Council meeting. The two locations at Barrett Avenue and Key Boulevard and South 37th Street and Wall Avenue are part of a $1.2 million package of 18 traffic![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--5.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/south-37th-street-wall-avenue-1-1-1.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-public-works-details-sideshow-deterrence-pilot-projects/) Many residents and transportation advocates said the quick-build approach was a vital first step to address urgent safety concerns. “Speaking for those who walk and bike, this is a much more inviting environment,” said Dani Lanis, chair of the Richmond Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee and advocacy manager at Bike East Bay. “The feeling and perception of safety is there. I think it’s important to prioritize safety. I had a family member who was hit and nearly killed. I would much rather keep our community alive now than wait for years to build something more aesthetic.” Dylan, a resident who was previously struck by a car at the intersection, said the changes have made the area safer, despite visibility issues. “At night, you can’t see anything. The vertical posts make it hard to understand where you’re safe and where you’re not,” he said. “But slowing people down has helped. I actually think making it harder to drive through is a benefit.” Public Works Director Daniel Chavarria said Barrett and Key was selected as a pilot site because of persistent sideshow activity and frequent complaints. “This is something new. Barrett and Key is kind of like the high-profile location in Richmond,” Chavarria said. “This solution isn’t a one-size-fits-all. But being one of the first locations means we can learn from it and improve others.” Chavarria said that the city has received more than 400 traffic calming requests from residents. The quick-build model allows Richmond to respond to more sites faster with limited resources. “Let’s identify things that can improve what we already have and won’t break the bank,” he said. “We want to learn from this and apply it to other areas.” City officials said feedback is being documented and used to evaluate near- and long-term adjustments. Some suggestions included clearer signage, removing excess posts, and improving aesthetics. Councilmember Claudia Jimenez emphasized the importance of continued community input. “This is a quick-build, it gives us the opportunity to listen and make changes,” Jimenez said. “Let’s continue to have this engagement and take this as a pilot project to learn what works and apply it across Richmond.” --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### On the Richmond Burrito Trail: Grandma’s Kitchen food truck URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-richmond-burrito-trail-grandmas-kitchen-food-truck/ Last updated: 2025-06-10T17:36:17.000Z There are days when you’re walking down 23rd Street, the food truck lights are calling like promises you know you shouldn’t believe. Parked right there on the property of the Joshua Church of God in Christ-like salvation and sustenance, decided to set up shop together. You think maybe this time it’ll be different, maybe this time the 23rd Street Burrito will deliver on its promises. Especially when it comes recommended by a vegetarian, which should have been the first red flag, but sometimes you ignore the obvious signs because you want to believe in something. It was cold and foggy, you know, summer, so there were no kids from Richmond High lined up for the nacho fries. The truck was all red-shiny and aspiration, looking like it belonged somewhere else, trying too hard to be something it wasn’t. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/06/richmond-burrito-trail-grandmas-kitchen3.webp) Grandma’s Kitchen Al Pastor Super Burrito comes with really tasty crispy chips. We ordered the Al Pastor Super Burrito because the name sounded like it might have stories to tell. Seventeen dollars and forty-seven cents. SEVENTEEN DOLLARS AND FORTY-SEVEN CENTS. For a burrito. That’s the kind of money that makes you question whether you’re getting older or just getting poorer. The first bite was rice and hope, and then it went sideways, but not in a bad way. There were fatty bits of pork swimming around, and look, we’re not gonna lie; they weren’t our favorite. These weren’t the kind of fatty bits that tell you stories about slow cooking and patient hands. These were the kind that made you wonder if maybe next time you should order something else. And suddenly, it all made sense why a vegetarian thought this place was good. They probably never tried the meat. And then the avocado chunks. Now, the avocado chunks were a choice. Not flavorful, perfectly seasoned guacamole like other places do, but whole geological formations of avocado, big green rocks that caught you by surprise, like finding something unexpected in a place you thought you understood. You’d bite down expecting creamy consistency and instead get this chunky surprise that made you wonder if someone in that shiny truck was trying something different or if they were winging it. It wasn’t bad, just different. The salsas were actually pretty good. The beans were solid. The rice was there doing its job, like people who show up on time and contribute something meaningful to the conversation. For $17.47, you want more than fine, and honestly, this was more than fine. What you get is a burrito that’s better than most, even if it has some quirks you weren’t expecting. Its 685 grams filled us up in a way that felt earned, not just because of the price tag but because someone actually put thought into most of it. The fatty bits aside. Sometimes authenticity comes from places that are trying hard and mostly succeeding, even if they don’t get every detail right. Grandma’s Kitchen wants to be the food truck that gives you something worth talking about, and mostly it succeeds. It’s not life-changing, but it’s solid, and maybe that’s enough for most of us, even if some parts don’t land exactly right. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### What happened in Richmond: a week of crime & public safety URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/what-happened-in-richmond-a-week-of-crime-public-safety-4/ Last updated: 2025-06-09T16:25:12.000Z *Grandview Independent*'s weekly crime log for June 2 - June 8 reflects a wide range of public safety incidents reported by the Richmond Police Department. The entries below represent arrests, investigations, and other notable law enforcement activity across city neighborhoods. For location context, see the interactive crime map embedded below. ### Richmond crime map ### **Monday, June 2, 2025** **Arson:** Stenmark Drive & Western Drive. After midnight, someone lit the brush by the highway on fire at 12:50 a.m. **Vehicle burglary:** 800 block of Chesley Avenue. Under the cover of darkness, someone ransacked someone's ride at 2 a.m. **Aggravated assault with a firearm:** 900 block of Nevin Avenue. Someone wielded a weapon in a violent confrontation at 5:35 a.m. **Felony vandalism:** 1300 block of Bissell Avenue. Someone caused more than $400 worth of damage at 11:38 a.m **Grand theft:** 2100 block of Macdonald Avenue. A thief made off with someone's valuables at noon. **Vehicle burglaries:** 3200 block of Klose Way. Car criminals struck twice in succession, hitting at 12:19 p.m. and returning for an encore at 12:53 p.m. **Drug violations:** West Richmond Avenue. Police busted someone red-handed with illegal paraphernalia and narcotics at 1:19 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** Richmond area. A car vanished into thin air as thieves made off with someone's wheels at 2 p.m. **Vandalism:** 2700 block of Macdonald Avenue. Another destructive spree left a $400+ trail of damage at 2:27 p.m. **Vehicle burglary:** 4100 block of Klose Way. Automotive burglars rifled through someone's car at 3 p.m. **Fraud:** 2400 block of Macdonald Avenue. A con artist pulled a fast one on an innkeeper, making off with under $950 at 3:03 p.m. **Petty theft:** 3900 block of Florida Avenue. An unsuspecting victim lost possessions at 3:23 p.m. **Grand theft:** 400 block of Civic Center Plaza. Thieves targeted the civic heart of the city at 3:34 p.m. **Vehicle burglary:** 4100 block of Klose Way. Klose Way's crime wave continued with another automotive break-in at 4 p.m. **Court violation:** 1000 block of Lassen Street. A defiant lawbreaker thumbed their nose at court orders, earning themselves handcuffs at 5:35 p.m. **Alcohol violation:** 700 block of 23rd Street. It was said that a drinker consumed booze in public at 6:08 p.m. **Vandalism:** 600 block of S 24th Street. The day's destruction derby concluded with property damage reported at 8:20 p.m. **Tuesday, June 3, 2025** **Aggravated assault:** 5600 block of Doremus Avenue. A false imprisonment and assault incident resulted in an arrest at 1:15 a.m. **Residential burglary:** 1200 block of Bissell Avenue. A smooth operator slipped into someone's home without forcing entry at 8:12 a.m. **Petty theft:** 900 block of 36th Street. Morning mischief struck as a thief made off with someone's belongings at 8:50 a.m. **Vehicle burglary:** 200 block of W Chanslor Avenue. Car criminals continued their automotive assault at 9:22 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 1500 block of Carlson Boulevard. Another set of wheels disappeared as car thieves struck at 9:38 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 4300 block of Cutting Boulevard. Auto thieves claimed another prize at 10:42 a.m. **Drug violation:** The 94801\. A repeat offender got caught dealing marijuana, adding another notch to their criminal record at 11:06 a.m. **Vehicle violation:** The 94804\. A driver with a DUI-suspended license got busted behind the wheel at 11:21 a.m. **Strong-arm robbery:** 3900 block of Klose Way. Robbers used brute force to steal at 12:46 p.m. **Vandalism:** 1100 block of 34th Street. Vehicle tampering vandals struck someone's ride at 3 p.m. **Weapons violation:** 2500 block of Sheldon Drive. A dangerous combo of property destruction and fake gun brandishing erupted at 5:20 p.m. **Robbery:** 3200 block of Pierce Street. Strong-arm robbers met their match when police slapped on the cuffs at 5:33 p.m. **Disorderly conduct/trespassing:** 500 block of West Cutting Boulevard. A drunk and disorderly troublemaker refused to leave the property, earning a trip to jail at 6:32 p.m. **Vehicle recovery:** The 94804\. Police reunited a stolen car with its rightful owner at 7:20 p.m. **Theft/shoplifting:** 11900 block of San Pablo Avenue, El Cerrito. A five-finger discount artist got caught red-handed and arrested at 7:54 p.m. **Assault:** 400 block of 29th Street. An individual faces serious charges after reportedly wielding a deadly weapon at 8:32 p.m. **Battery:** 1200 block of Macdonald Avenue. A violent altercation was reported at 10:45 p.m. ### **Wednesday, June 4, 2025** **Vandalism:** 2400 block of Aberdeen Way. Pre-dawn destruction caused over $400 in damage at 2:39 a.m. **Vandalism:** 1700 block of Wright Avenue. Minor mischief struck with under $400 in property damage at 3:48 a.m. **Battery:** 3500 block of McBryde Avenue. Morning violence reportedly erupted, resulting in an arrest for simple assault at 7:24 a.m. **Grand theft:** 1400 block of Harbour Way S. Car part pirates stripped someone's vehicle for valuable components at 7:50 a.m. **Commercial burglary:** 4000 block of Florida Avenue. Bandits forced their way into a commercial property at 8:23 a.m. **Multiple violations:** 700 block of Barrett Avenue. A criminal cocktail of battery, trespassing, and drug possession led to arrest at 11:52 a.m. **Aggravated Assault:** 1200 block of Virginia Avenue. Officers made an arrest after someone reportedly made criminal threats and committed an aggravated assault with possible great bodily injury at 12:11 p.m. **Multiple firearm/drug violations:** The 94804\. A felon reportedly obstructed a peace officer while getting busted with guns and drug paraphernalia at 12:39 p.m. **Identity theft:** 3500 block of Waller Avenue. A credit criminal used someone else's identity for financial fraud at 1:20 p.m. **Petty theft:** 12900 block of San Pablo Avenue. A petty theft was reported at 3:11 p.m. **Vandalism:** 200 block of Willard Avenue. Major property destruction left over $400 in damage at 4 p.m. **Assault with deadly weapon:** 3500 block of McBryde Avenue. Officers made an arrest after a dangerous weapon attack turned the afternoon violent at 4:45 p.m. **Fraud:** 500 block of Marina Way. A smooth-talking scammer made off with over $400 through false pretenses at 5:37 p.m. **Criminal threats/court violation:** 500 block of 5th Street. Terroristic threats combined with court defiance at 5:54 p.m. **Grand theft:** 1400 block of Harbour Way S. Car part thieves struck again, stripping another vehicle at 6:20 p.m. **Warrant arrest:** 5000 block of Hartnett Avenue. The long-arm of the law caught up with a warrant dodger at 6:58 p.m. **Court violation:** 3000 block of Deseret Drive. Another court order rebel showed contempt for the system at 7:40 p.m. **Vehicle recovery:** The 94801\. Another stolen car reunion at 7:49 p.m. **Possession of stolen vehicle:** The 94801\. Police caught someone red-handed with a hot vehicle at 8:41 p.m. **Robbery:** 1000 block of 23rd Street. Strong-arm robbers struck under cover of darkness at 9:40 p.m. **Aggravated assault:** 2600 block of Cutting Boulevard. POlice made an arrest for aggravated assault at 10 p.m. ### **Thursday, June 5, 2025** **Battery:** 800 block of Brookside Drive. Dawn violence erupted with a physical assault at 5:47 a.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 1000 block of Canyon Oaks Drive. Another stolen car found its way home at 9:47 a.m. **Fraud:** 2400 block of Lancaster Drive. A con artist's false promises netted over $400 at 11:22 a.m. **Vehicle burglary arrest:** 3200 block of Leona Avenue. Car prowlers got caught in the act and arrested at 11:30 a.m. **Battery:** 4800 block of Central Avenue. Afternoon aggression led to an assault at 1:25 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 4000 block of Ohio Avenue. Another car vanished into the criminal underworld at 4:20 p.m. **Vandalism:** 600 block of 9th Street. Major property destruction caused over $400 in damage at 4:33 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 2600 block of Grant Avenue. Car thieves claimed another victim at 4:39 p.m. **Multiple firearm/drug violations:** 200 block of Broadway/26th Street. A convicted felon had guns, ammo, and drugs for sale at 7:36 p.m. **Kidnapping/false imprisonment:** 2400 block of Aberdeen Way. Officers responded to reports of a kidnapping and false imprisonment at 8:30 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 1300 block of Marina Way S. The night's car theft spree continued at 9 p.m. **Vehicle theft:** 2900 block of Birmingham Drive. Another vehicle disappeared into the darkness at 9:30 p.m. **Firearm discharge:** 2000 block of Potrero Avenue. Reckless gunfire shattered the night's peace at 10:16 p.m. ### **Friday, June 6, 2025** **Vehicle theft:** The 94806\. Pre-dawn car thieves struck in the early morning darkness at 4 a.m. **Commercial burglary:** 11900 block of San Pablo Avenue. Police made an arrest after burglars slipped in without forcing entry at 5:30 a.m. **Vehicle burglary:** 500 block of 20th Street. Morning car prowlers rifled through someone's vehicle at 8:05 a.m. **Vehicle recovery:** 1000 block of 32nd Street. Police reunited another stolen car with its owner at 8:48 a.m. **Vandalism:** 2300 block of Macdonald Avenue. Major property destruction left over $400 in damage at 10 a.m. **Grand theft:** 5200 block of Central Avenue. Thieves made off with valuable property at 2:14 p.m. **Vandalism:** Richmond area. Random property damage struck at 3:16 p.m. **Firearm/criminal threats:** 2600 block of Moyers Road. Gun-waving intimidation led to arrest at 6:46 p.m. **Petty theft:** 1200 block of Melville Square. A petty thief struck at 7:00 p.m. **Driving while under the influence:** Richmond area. A drunk driver was reportedly busted on a couple of DUI-related charges at 10:17 p.m. **Saturday, June 7, 2025** **Vandalism:** 500 block of 6th Street. The week ended as it began with major property destruction around midnight. **Court violation:** 600 block of Lucas Avenue. A court order rebel earned handcuffs just after midnight at 12:08 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 2900 block of Groom Drive. Early morning car thieves struck at 1 a.m. **Grand theft:** 1300 block of Marina Way S. Car part pirates stripped another vehicle at 4 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 1300 block of Gaynor Avenue. Morning car thieves claimed another victim at 7:36 a.m. **Vehicle theft:** 700 block of 6th Street. The automotive crime wave continued at 8:19 a.m. **Grand theft:** Richmond area. Bold thieves struck again at 8:31 a.m. **Shoplifting:** 1200 block of Macdonald Avenue. A five-finger discount artist was at work at 9:15 a.m. **Trespassing:** The 94804\. A trespasser reportedly entered someone's property without permission at 11 a.m. **Multiple violations:** 700 block of South 29th Street. Someone with a warrant was busted with drug paraphernalia and a switchblade at 11:06 a.m. **Firearm/Criminal threats:** 300 block of 32nd Street. Afternoon gun intimidation at 2:25 p.m. **Assault with deadly weapon:** 900 block of Nevin Avenue. A violent attack involving a dangerous weapon was reported at 3:01 p.m. ### **Sunday, June 8, 2025** **Carjacking:** Hilltop Dr & I-80\. Armed carjackers stole someone's car at 12:45 a.m. **DUI:** The 94801\. An impaired driver was busted weaving through the streets under the influence at 8:30 a.m. **Identity theft:** 200 block of Tunnel Avenue. A credit card criminal used someone else's identity for fraudulent financial gain at 11:11 a.m. **Court violation:** 1700 block of Regatta Boulevard. Another defiant lawbreaker thumbed their nose at court orders at 4:31 p.m. **Multiple violations:** 1200 block of 23rd Street. A criminal triple-threat got nailed with warrant arrest, drug possession, and driving with a suspended DUI license at 4:46 p.m. **DUI/License violation:** The 94801\. A repeat DUI offender compounded their troubles by driving on a suspended license at 5:05 p.m. **Stolen property/obstruction:** 900 block of Triangle Court. Car thieves caught red-handed with a stolen vehicle tried to resist arrest at 5:30 p.m. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Caltrans to shut Richmond bridge lanes at night for weeklong maintenance work URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/caltrans-to-shut-richmond-bridge-lanes-at-night-for-weeklong-maintenance-work/ Last updated: 2025-06-09T18:57:17.000Z Drivers crossing the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge should prepare for significant delays next week as Caltrans implements nightly lane closures for maintenance work. The California Department of Transportation announced Thursday that multiple lanes on Interstate 580 will be closed each night from Monday, June 9, through Friday, June 13, between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. The closures will affect traffic from the toll plaza to the western end of the bridge in Marin County. On the eastbound lower deck, lanes 2 and 3 will be shut down throughout the work period. Additionally, lane 2 on the westbound upper deck will be closed Wednesday night only. Despite the closures, Caltrans officials said at least one lane will remain open in each direction during all work hours. The agency is advising motorists to expect delays and consider alternate routes or allow extra travel time for their commutes. "Motorists should expect minor delays, reduce speed, and plan extra travel time," Caltrans said in a statement. The department will deploy changeable message signs to alert drivers ahead of the closure zones. According to a spokesperson for Caltrans, the bike lane on the bridge will remain accessible to cyclists during the work. "I’ve been informed that the bike lane will remain open during the scheduled night closures," DeNise Harding said. For real-time traffic updates, drivers can visit 511.org or Caltrans QuickMap at quickmap.dot.ca.gov. State highway conditions are also available by calling 1-800-427-ROAD. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond confronts staffing shortages at required public hearing URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-confronts-staffing-shortages-at-required-public-hearing/ Last updated: 2025-06-06T16:00:20.000Z Richmond city officials presented a sobering picture of persistent staffing shortages during the city’s first public hearing on workforce vacancies on June 3, drawing urgent calls from union leaders and council members to address hiring delays, burnout, and chronic understaffing across departments. As Richmond prepares to adopt its fiscal year 2025-26 budget, city officials say they may be able to fill about 20 to 25 currently vacant positions, depending on council direction and departmental needs. City Manager Shasa Curl said the city is entering the new fiscal year with approximately 130 vacancies. However, the budget does not support hiring for all of them. Instead, the council will consider an 11 percent vacancy rate as part of its budget assumptions. “Depending on where the city council shakes out on things, you probably have another 20 positions that you can fill, plus or minus 20, maybe, it depends on the level of the position,” Curl said during Tuesday’s council meeting. The positions being considered for hiring are not general vacancies but are designated according to city priorities, Curl said. These include roles in the Community Crisis Response Program, as well as fire, police, and public works departments. Councilmember Doria Robinson, seeking clarity on how hiring decisions are made, asked whether the 20 to 25 roles were specifically selected. “They’re not random. They’re not just any openings. But are they specific?” she asked. “Correct,” Curl responded. “We’ve been prioritizing community crisis response, fire, police, and public works. Those have been the primary four areas and, prior to that, community services.” Curl also noted that hiring in one department can impact staffing decisions in other departments, particularly when demand is high for new or expanding programs. For example, how the CCRP scales could impact the number of roles available in departments like Public Works. “We all have to work collectively as a team to balance things out,” Curl said. Richmond currently has 16 positions listed on the[ job board. ](https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/richmondca?page=1&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The City of Richmond reported a 20 percent job vacancy rate as of December 2024, with 165 of 808 budgeted full-time positions unfilled, during Tuesday’s public hearing required under new state legislation, [Assembly Bill 2561](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill%5Fid=202320240AB2561&ref=grandviewindependent.com). The hearing marked a new level of scrutiny over how staffing shortfalls are impacting city services. Human Resources Director Sharrone Taylor presented the vacancy data to the council, revealing an average vacancy rate of 18 percent or nearly triple the 6 percent vacancy rate built into the city’s budget. Taylor attributed the high rate partly to 55 newly created positions added throughout 2024 for initiatives including traffic calming, transportation improvements, and a community crisis response program. Vacancy rates varied significantly across employee unions. The Richmond Fire Management Association faced the highest rate at 28.3 percent, while the Richmond Police Management Association had the lowest at 2.1 percent. The general employee union SEIU Local 1021 showed a 16.4 percent vacancy rate. Despite hiring 112 new employees and making 65 internal promotions in 2024, the city created 179 new vacancies. Nearly half resulted from employee separations, including 42 resignations and 24 retirements. The city’s annual turnover rate reached 13 percent. Taylor cited multiple factors behind recruitment challenges, including leadership instability that saw five city managers and four human resources directors over seven years. The COVID-19 pandemic also disrupted hiring for at least one year under previous administrations. “The highly competitive market makes it challenging to fill many vacancies, but it is especially difficult to recruit for specialized positions, such as professional engineers,” Taylor said in the presentation. “There are historical challenges that have impacted our recruitment. COVID-19, the great resignation, and unstable leadership left a lasting impact.” Union representatives painted an even more urgent picture of the human cost. “Employees equal families. Families equal tax dollars. When we’re not hiring, we’re not providing jobs or opportunities,” said Kevin Tisdale, president of Richmond’s SEIU chapter. “The city’s budget assumes a 6 percent vacancy rate. We’re saving three times that on the backs of the employees who are still here.” ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/06/Kevin-Tisdale-president--Richmond-SEIU-1-1.webp) Kevin Tisdale, president of Richmond’s SEIU chapter spoke during the Richmond City Council Meeting On June 3, 2025. Tisdale and others raised concerns about “soft holds” or positions left unfilled without clear explanation. “It’s not defined in the personnel rules. We don’t understand why it’s happening,” he said. Ben Therriault, president of the Richmond Police Officers Association, highlighted his department’s particular struggles amid ongoing vacancies. “We’ve had five straight years of decline in staffing,” Therriault said. “Our authorized strength is 146 officers, but we’re operating closer to 1.2 officers per 1,000 residents which is far below the recommended 1.6.” Therriault pointed to council-approved staffing surveys and a Contra Costa Civil Grand Jury report that identified severe recruitment and retention issues. “We need a plan. We need a good contract. You can’t just say it’s a national trend. Other Bay Area cities are fully staffed, why not us?” [Report: Richmond Police staffing levels ‘seriously deficient’ to meet the needs of the publicA report on public safety staffing requested by the Richmond City Council has called the current police staffing levels ‘seriously deficient’ to meet the needs of the public and said officer turnover at the Richmond Police Department was an “unsustainable crisis.” The report by Matrix Consulting Group created a data![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--3.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/DSC_2727-1.jpg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/report-richmond-police-staffing-levels-seriously-deficient-to-meet-the-needs-of-the-public/) The city has implemented several retention strategies, including expanded parental leave benefits, comprehensive training programs, and employee appreciation events. Officials also launched online recruitment campaigns for police, fire, and dispatcher positions while partnering with local programs to create hiring pipelines. Taylor acknowledged that while the city is improving its recruitment infrastructure and succession planning, data gaps remain. “Exit interviews only started mid-2024, so we’ll have more information next year,” she said. The hearing fulfilled requirements under Assembly Bill 2561, which mandates California public agencies hold hearings on job vacancies before adopting final budgets, and represented Richmond’s first formal vacancy report under the new legislation. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### On the Richmond Burrito Trail: San Pablo Avenue's El Agave Azul URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-richmond-burrito-trail-san-pablo-avenues-el-agave-azul/ Last updated: 2025-06-03T19:18:15.000Z El Agave Azul is located in our favorite food districts in Richmond, where so many delicious burrito artists create their foil-wrapped art in the North & East, [Tacos El Tucan](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/decoding-the-burrito-grandview-independent-hits-the-richmond-burrito-trail/), [Mi Casa Grill](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-richmond-burrito-trail-san-pablo-avenues-mi-casa-grill/), [3 Hermanas](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-richmond-burrito-trail-3-hermanas-mexican-home-cooking/), [Taqueria La Bamba](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-richmond-burrito-trail-taqueria-la-bamba/), [Angel’s Restaurant](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-richmond-burrito-trail-angels-restaurant-breakfast-edition/), [Mi Casita Mariscos](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-richmond-burrito-trail-mi-casita-mariscos-taqueria/) food truck and the best of the [La Flor de Jalisco](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-richmond-burrito-trail-la-flor-de-jaliscos-san-pablo-avenue-location/) food truck which is parked on the El Agave Azul property. [Burrito Trail - Grandview IndependentThe Grandview Independent has been embarking on a culinary adventure to explore every taqueria, food truck, and restaurant in Richmond. This initiative, dubbed the “Richmond Burrito Trail,” aims to showcase our city’s diverse and delectable burritos.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--2.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/The-Richmondbt-1-3.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/tag/burrito-trail/) El Agave Azul occupies a peculiar spot in Richmond’s culinary landscape. From the front window, diners can see La Flor de Jalisco food truck, while the view across the street includes a tire shop. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/06/richmond-burrito-trail-agave-azul3-1.webp) La Flor de Jalisco food truck as seen from the inside of El Agave Azul. El Agave Azul, located on San Pablo Avenue, opened its doors in 2019, occupying the space that once housed the beloved local institution Gonzales Restaurant. For longtime Richmond residents, this transition carries emotional weight. Gonzales wasn’t just a restaurant, it was a community gathering place where civic organizations held meetings and families celebrated milestones for decades. Why did it take so long to finally visit El Agave Azul? Maybe we were holding a grudge. Walking into El Agave Azul, you’re immediately struck by how much larger the space feels than expected. The restaurant boasts multiple dining areas, including a substantial patio and bar area, as well as additional seating in the front, making it perfect for rehearsal dinners and large gatherings — something which helped to make Gonzales a favorite. We ordered a Carnitas Super Burrito and a Chile Relleno Plate since we’ve been sampling every Chile Relleno in town. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/06/richmond-burrito-trail-agave-azul1-1-1.webp) El Agave Azul's Carnitas Super Burrito The Carnitas Super Burrito arrives generously stuffed in a properly toasted tortilla, filled with tender, juicy meat, refried beans, guacamole, sour cream, and shredded jack cheese. The carnitas release their savory oils into the tortilla, giving a crispy, satisfying, almost fried crunch. Fresh pico de gallo adds brightness with its mix of cilantro, tomatoes, and onions. The rice deserves special mention. It’s exactly what Spanish rice should be. Fluffy, flavorful without being overdone, neither dried out nor soggy. It doesn’t glom together, and each grain has absorbed just the right amount of seasoning. The most similar burrito is Taqueria La Bamba’s Super Carnitas Burrito. The salsa strikes a nice balance with a gentle heat that builds gradually, allowing the flavors to come through before the spice kicks in. It’s fresh-tasting and well-executed and comes with thin, crispy chips. El Agave Azul’s Chile Relleno is one of the best Chile Rellenos of the local options, earning particular praise. It’s a classic Chile Relleno, not stylized, but prepared with a sophisticated sauce that layers flavors. For the plate, instead of one large, difficult-to-manage stuffed pepper, they gave you two freshly made piping hot Chile Rellenos, which come with rice and beans and freshly made flour or corn tortillas. The downside? Our Super Burrito weighed just 625 grams and set us back $17.95 plus tax, which was within spitting distance of the $22.95 Chiles Rellenos Plate. While we enjoyed this burrito, it is too small and too expensive to make it into our regular rotation. Let us know where to eat next, and check back next week to see where we land on the Richmond Burrito Trail. The *Grandview Independent* has been embarking on a culinary adventure to explore every taqueria, food truck, and restaurant in Richmond. This initiative, dubbed the “Richmond Burrito Trail,” aims to showcase our city’s diverse and delectable burritos. --- **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) ### Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. *If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting local journalism with a* Grandview Independent *subscription. Click to see our* [*monthly*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *and* [*annual*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/yearly) *subscription plans.* *Copyright © 2025* Grandview Independent*, all rights reserved.* ### What happened in Richmond: a week of crime & public safety URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/what-happened-in-richmond-a-week-of-crime-public-safety-3/ Last updated: 2025-06-03T04:07:19.000Z *Grandview Independent*'s weekly crime log reflects a wide range of public safety incidents reported by the Richmond Police Department. The entries below represent arrests, investigations, and other notable law enforcement activity across city neighborhoods. For location context, see the interactive crime map embedded below. ### Richmond crime map ## **Monday, May 26, 2025** **Vehicle theft**: 3700 block of Florida Avenue. A vehicle was taken without the owner’s consent at 6:47 a.m. **Attempted** murder: 2300 block of Gaynor Avenue. Police made an arrest for aggravated assault after someone reportedly fired 10 rounds at 6:49 a.m. **Vehicle recovery**: 2600 block of Hinkley Avenue. Police received a report of a stolen vehicle at 8:46 a.m. **Grand theft**: The 806: Grand theft was reported at 10:37 a.m. **Court violation**: 5200 block of Creely Avenue. Someone was reportedly disobeying court orders at 11:07 a.m. **Aggravated assault**: 3200 block of Pierce Street. Police received reports of an assault with force likely to cause great bodily injury at 2:32 p.m. **Burglary**: 1500 block of Nevin Plaza. An auto burglary was reported at 5:15 p.m. **Obstruction/vandalism**: The 94801 zip code. A suspect was arrested on multiple charges, including obstruction of a peace officer and vandalism over $400 at 5:29 p.m. **Battery/vandalism**: 100 block of S 39th Street. Someone was said to have committed battery on a person and vandalism under $400 at 6:53 p.m. **DUI**: The 94804 zip code. An arrest was made for driving under the influence of alcohol at 8:19 p.m. **Drug charges**: 3000 block of Jo Ann Drive: An arrest was made for multiple drug charges, including possession and transportation of controlled substances, cocaine base possession for sale, and marijuana violations at 10:52 p.m. ## **Tuesday, May 27, 2025** **Firearms**: 1400 block of Cherry Street. Someone was said to have wilfully discharged a gun in a grossly negligent manner at 12:26 a.m. **Burglary/criminal threats**: 2600 block of Hilltop Drive: A residential burglary without force and criminal threats were made at 3:31 a.m. **Grand theft**: 200 block of Tunnel Avenue. A grand theft was reported at 6:38 a.m. **Theft/vandalism**: 1600 block of Visalia Avenue. Possessions were stolen and defaced at 7:09 a.m. **Burglary**: 4000 block of Florida Avenue. A commercial burglary, committed without force, was reported at 8:35 a.m. **Burglary, trespass, vandalism**: West Cutting Boulevard. A man was arrested for commercial burglary with force, trespassing on posted land, and vandalism over $400 at 10:43 a.m. [PG&E equipment standoff resolved after man spends three days on power structureA man was brought down from a power structure Friday afternoon, ending a standoff that began Tuesday morning after the individual scaled the PG&E equipment at South First Street and Cutting Boulevard.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3--1.png)Grandview IndependentLinda Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/IMG_0413-1-1-1.jpg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/pg-e-equipment-standoff-resolved-after-man-spends-three-days-on-power-structure/) **Vehicle recovery**: The 94804 zip code. Police recovered a stolen vehicle at 12:09 p.m. **Fraud**: 2000 block of Gaynor Avenue. Someone was using fake vehicle registration at 1:16 p.m. **Battery**: 800 block of Lassen Street. An assault was reported at 3:07 p.m. **Grand theft**: 5200 block of Sierra Avenue. Grand theft was reported at 4:46 p.m. **Embezzlement**: 1400 block of Hilltop Mall Road: An employee was said to have embezzled over $400 at 4:49 p.m. **Disorderly conduct**: 3100 block of Garrity Way: The distribution of intimate photos of another person was reported at 5:44 p.m. **Burglary**: The 94801 zip code. A thief broke into a car at 6:28 p.m. **Armed robbery**: 100 block of South 7th Street. A subject reportedly used a firearm to rob someone at 9 p.m. **Vehicle recoveries**: 600 block of 4th Street. A stolen vehicle was recovered at 9:01 p.m., and another stolen vehicle was recovered at 11:20 p.m. ## **Wednesday, May 28, 2025** **DUI/obstruction**: Lincoln Avenue. Police busted a suspected drunk driver who added obstruction of a peace officer charges at midnight. **Court violation**: 200 block of S 22nd Street. Police arrested someone for disobeying a court order at 1:16 a.m. **Robbery**: 2500 block of Macdonald Avenue. A strong-arm robbery was reported at 1:28 a.m. **Firearms/obstruction**: 400 block of Chanslor Avenue. A felon was arrested on possession of a firearm and obstruction of a peace officer charges at 5 a.m. **Burglary**: 2300 block of Cutting Boulevard. A car was burglarized at 6 a.m. **Vehicle theft**: 500 block of Duboce Avenue. A vehicle was taken without the owner’s consent at 10 a.m. **Battery/drug possession**: 600 block of 18th Street. Police made an arrest for simple assault and possession of drug paraphernalia at 11:18 a.m. **Robbery**: 1400 block of Cutting Boulevard. Another strong-arm robbery at 12:50 p.m. **Vehicle recovery**: 600 block of 20th Street. A stolen vehicle was recovered at 1:43 p.m. **DUI**: Richmond: A driver was reportedly under the influence of alcohol at 2:28 p.m. **Vehicle theft**: 5100 block of Fresno Avenue. A car was reportedly taken without the owner’s consent at 4 p.m. **Grand theft**: Castro Ranch Road & Conestoga Way: Some sort of grand theft was reported at 5:23 p.m. ## **Thursday, May 29, 2025** **Vehicle theft/recovery**: 600 block of 8th Street. Vehicle stolen and recovered at the same location at 8:38 a.m. **Fraud**: 100 block of Big Bear Court. Someone was said to have obtained over $400 by false pretenses at 9:50 a.m. Big Bear Court is off of Fascination Circle, which is off of Amend Road, which is off of Castro Ranch Road, which is off of the Dam Road, if you didn’t know where Big Bear Court is. **Burglary**: 4100 block of Klose Way: An auto burglary was reported at noon. **Grand theft**: 300 block of South 38th Street. A grand theft was reported at noon. **Vandalism**: 500 block of Tremont Avenue. Something worth more than $400 was reportedly damaged at 12:22 p.m. **Firearms**: Undisclosed location in the 94804 zip code: Someone with a replica firearm waved it about at 12:30 p.m. **Warrant arrest**: 94804 zip code: Officers nabbed someone who had a felony warrant at 4:43 p.m. **Armed robbery**: 2400 block of Macdonald Avenue. Someone was robbed with a dangerous weapon at 5:18 p.m. **Obstruction/drug possession**: 200 block of South 5th Street. An arrest was made for aggravated assault, obstruction of an executive officer, and possession of drug paraphernalia at 6:51 p.m. **Burglary**: 100 block of Western Drive. A residential burglary with force was reported at 8:30 p.m. **Grand theft/vandalism**: 300 block of South 7th Street. Grand theft and vandalism over $400 were reported at 8:30 p.m. **Theft**: 200 block of S 47th Street. A thief made off with motor vehicle parts/accessories at 8:42 p.m. **Multiple charges**: South 23rd Street & Florida Avenue. Police made an arrest on a bevy of charges, including vehicle theft, police evasion, drug paraphernalia possession, obstruction of a peace officer, and possession of a stolen vehicle at 10:36 p.m. **Battery**: 1200 block of Santa Clara Street. A battery on a person was reported to police at 11:03 p.m. ## **Friday, May 30, 2025** **Multiple violations**: Somewhere in the 94804 zip code. DUI, driving without a license, and narcotic possession at 1:48 a.m. **Burglary**: 2000 block of Gaynor Avenue. Residential burglary without force at 3:01 a.m. **Vehicle Recovery**: 6100 block of Plumas Avenue. A stolen vehicle was recovered at 6:14 a.m. **Alcohol Violation**: Richmond: Municipal alcohol violation at 10:57 a.m. **Alcohol Violations**: Richmond: Two separate municipal alcohol violations at 12:11 p.m. and 12:41 p.m. **Robbery**: 1000 block of Canal Boulevard. Strong-arm robbery at 7:40 p.m. **Burglary**: 3200 block of Klose Way: Auto burglary at 8:30 p.m. **DUI**: Richmond: Multiple DUI charges, including driving under the influence and with a 0.08% blood alcohol at 9:22 p.m. **Court violation/trespass**: 400 block of 23rd Street. A trespasser was arrested for refusing to leave a property and contempt of court somewhere between McDonald’s and Taco Bell at 10:38 p.m. ## **Saturday, May 31, 2025** **DUI**: The 806: Officer arrested an alleged tipsy driver on multiple DUI charges, including driving under the influence and with a 0.08% blood alcohol at 2:46 a.m. **Obstruction/vehicle recovery**: The 94804 zip code. Police made an arrest for obstruction of a peace officer and recovered a stolen vehicle at 4:08 a.m. **DUI**: Richmond: Multiple DUI charges, including driving under the influence and with a 0.08% blood alcohol at 4:47 a.m. **Police evasion**: The 94801 zip code. A driver was disregarding public safety while evading police at 10:12 a.m. **Burglary**: 100 block of Broadway: A car was burglarized at 11:43 a.m. **Vehicle recovery**: 3900 block of Fleming Avenue. A stolen vehicle was recovered at 12:35 p.m. **Criminal threats**: 4600 block of Cutting Boulevard. Threats were made with the intent to terrorize at 1 p.m. **Firearms/criminal threats**: 400 block of 21st Street. Someone exhibited a firearm and made criminal threats at 4:10 p.m. **DUI hit-and-run:** 3700 block of Florida Avenue. A driver full of liquid courage caused property damage and attempted to flee at 6:46 p.m. Allegedly! **Speed racer**: The 94804 zip code. People were reportedly racing illegally at 8:49 p.m. ## **Sunday, June 1, 2025** **Vehicle violation**: The 94804 zip code. Someone was reportedly aiding and abetting in an exhibition of speed at 12:15 a.m. **Drug charges/obstruction**: The 94801 zip code. Police arrested someone on drug charges as well as obstruction/resistance of a peace officer at 3:07 a.m. **Drug equipment**: The 94804\. Another arrest for possession of unlawful paraphernalia was at 9:50 a.m. **Vehicle theft**: 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. A vehicle taken without the owner’s consent was reported at 10:06 a.m. **Residential burglary**: 600 block of S 37th Street. A residential burglary with no forced entry was reported at 1:34 p.m. **Battery**: 2900 block of Gilma Drive. A battery on a person was reported at 2 p.m. **Stolen property**: 94804 Zip Code. Receiving known stolen property (misdemeanor) was reported at 3:55 p.m. **Vehicle tampering**: 2100 block of Hilltop Mall Road. Vehicle tampering and vandalism were reported at 5:41 p.m. **Purse-snatching:** 12000 block of San Pablo Avenue. A purse snatching was reported at 8:44 p.m along with a related theft by use of access card information in the 4800 block of Macdonald Avenue. **Felony vandalism**: 4900 block of Bayview Avenue. Vandalism causing $400 or more in damage was reported at 10:41 p.m. --- **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) ### Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. *If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting local journalism with a* Grandview Independent *subscription. Click to see our* [*monthly*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *and* [*annual*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/yearly) *subscription plans.* *Copyright © 2025* Grandview Independent*, all rights reserved.* ### On the agenda: $644 million budget, staff vacancies, anti-land grab ordinance URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-agenda-644-million-budget-staff-vacancies-anti-land-grab-ordinance/ Last updated: 2025-06-02T13:57:03.000Z Richmond’s City Council will meet Tuesday, June 3, to discuss next year's budget, weigh a proposed ordinance targeting corporate land acquisition practices, and vote on a series of public safety and community initiatives, including support for the city’s Juneteenth celebration. ### [$644 million budget, three options for Chevron funds ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=57995&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Richmond city officials have proposed a $644 million budget for fiscal year 2025-26, which includes Chevron funds that could address unfunded infrastructure projects or serve as a contingency for federal funding. The proposed budget includes $257.7 million from the General Fund and $386.3 million from non-General Funds, according to a staff report for the upcoming City Council meeting on June 3, 2025\. The General Fund revenue is projected at $306.2 million, representing a 22.3 percent increase from the current fiscal year’s revised budget. These are funds from the 10-year, [half-billion-dollar agreement with Chevron,](https://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/14165?ref=grandviewindependent.com) which significantly boosted the “Other Revenue” category by more than 35,000 percent. [Richmond City Council approves settlement with Chevron, removes refinery tax ballot measureRichmond City Council approves settlement with Chevron, removes refinery tax ballot measure![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--3-.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-city-council-chevron-tax-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-city-council-approves-settlement-with-chevron-removes-refinery-tax-ballot-measure/) City Manager Shasa Curl and finance department officials outlined three options for utilizing the substantial, limited-term revenue windfall. Option A would hold the funds for six to 18 months due to economic uncertainties. Option B leaves the allocation to be determined by the mayor and City Council, potentially funding unfunded capital improvement projects totaling $104.7 million. Option C would split the money between a federal funding contingency, infrastructure improvements, and pension obligations. The budget reflects significant changes in revenue streams. The Utility Users Tax is expected to increase by $2.9 million to $64.9 million, driven by a forecasted rise in payments from Chevron tied to inflation in energy services. Property taxes are projected to grow by $731,804 to $58.3 million, based on a 4 percent assessed valuation growth forecast. However, sales tax revenue is expected to decrease by $3.1 million to $57.8 million, reflecting the economic slowdown and reduced short-term sales tax revenues. The Documentary Transfer Tax, included in the “Other Taxes” category, is projected to generate $13.6 million, contributing to a $5 million increase in that revenue category. On the expenditure side, the budget allocates $168.4 million for salaries, wages, and fringe benefits, representing the largest expense category. The city plans an 11 percent vacancy rate citywide, generating $19 million in vacancy savings to help balance the budget while addressing natural attrition and onboarding time for new hires. ### [The council will also hold a required public hearing on vacancy rates during the meeting.](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=57980&ref=grandviewindependent.com) According to a staff report, Richmond reported a 20.4 percent vacancy rate across its workforce, with 165 of its 808 full-time positions unfilled as of December 31, 2024\. Staff attributed much of the shortage to 55 newly created positions that accounted for roughly one-third of the vacancy rate. The city processed over 6,400 applications last year and successfully filled 112 positions while making 65 internal promotions. Healthcare costs are expected to increase by 13 percent, or $1.9 million, while workers’ compensation costs are projected to rise by 5 percent. The required contribution to CalPERS for unfunded actuarial liability is expected to increase by $3.8 million compared to the current fiscal year. Utility costs are projected to surge by 29.1 percent, or $1.6 million, with electricity and water expenses increasing by 50 percent and 27.4 percent, respectively. The city faces significant unfunded liabilities, including $396 million in pension obligations and $63 million in Other Post Employment Benefits. Officials recommend using $9.5 million of the limited-term revenue to address these growing obligations. Federal funding uncertainty presents another challenge. President Trump’s executive order targeting sanctuary jurisdictions could affect Richmond’s federal grants and programs, including Employment and Training services and the Richmond Housing Authority. City staff recommend creating a $19.5 million federal contingency fund to protect these programs. The Capital Improvement Plan spans five years with a total budget of $240.8 million, including $170.7 million for fiscal year 2025-26\. Major categories include transportation projects ($46.1 million), general and public safety facilities ($42.1 million), and parks and open spaces ($27.3 million). Several major projects remain unfunded, including the $40 million Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center renovation, $12 million for solar installations on city buildings, $11 million for pavement management, and $7 million for the fire station alerting system. Richmond will also maintain support for annual festivals and community events with a $101,500 budget covering celebrations, including Cinco de Mayo, Juneteenth, and Pride festivals. The council will review the budget on June 17, 2025, before its final adoption, scheduled for June 24, 2025\. Staff will monitor the potential impacts of federal executive orders on sanctuary jurisdictions and make necessary adjustments to the proposal. Other budget-related items include setting the tax rate for the city’s pension override at 0.14 percent for fiscal year 2025-2026 and approving updates to the fee schedule. The council will also consider preliminary engineers’ reports for two maintenance districts that fund landscaping and lighting in the Hilltop and Marina Bay areas, with public hearings scheduled for June 24. --- Other new business includes Councilmember Soheila Bana’s item to develop an ordinance [banning land grab practices](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=57946&ref=grandviewindependent.com) and promoting housing accessibility. This item was continued from the last meeting. The item would direct city staff to study federal and state legislation regarding land grab practices by for-profit corporations and investors and return to the council within 180 days with recommendations regarding the viability of enacting a local ordinance. --- ### [Allocation of $6,000 to Support the 2025 Juneteenth ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=57979&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Councilmember Jamelia Brown has an item for a one-time appropriation of $6,000 to support the 2025 Juneteenth Celebration, which will assist with key components of the event, including youth-centered activities, community engagement, and cultural programming. --- ## On the consent calendar The council will also consider a series of measures at an upcoming meeting, including proclamations recognizing Gun Violence Awareness Month and Juneteenth, as well as budget items and public safety initiatives. All consent calendar items are considered routine and non-controversial, typically approved together without individual discussion unless a council member requests separate consideration. The consent calendar includes a proclamation declaring June 2025 as Gun Violence Awareness Month in Richmond, with individual recognitions planned for local organizations, including the Office of Neighborhood Safety, Faith in Action East Bay, and Moms Demand Action’s Contra Costa Chapter. The proclamation will also honor the families of gun violence victims Maciyah Brown and Joseph Alexander II. --- In public safety matters, the council will vote on adopting fire hazard severity zones within the city as recommended by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. The measure represents the second reading of an ordinance to formally designate these zones. The Police Department is seeking approval for contract amendments with three towing companies, increasing payment limits by a combined $160,000 to handle rotational tow and automotive services through December 2025. Other items include accepting a $34,058 contract for automatic defibrillator battery replacements, approving a revised resolution for affordable housing grant funds, and establishing biannual reporting requirements for the city’s Arts and Culture Division to provide updates on art projects being developed in the city. Councilmembers will also consider a proclamation recognizing Juneteenth and the contributions of African Americans to Richmond. The council will also approve a cooperative cost pool agreement with the Richmond Rent Board and make appointments to the Commission on Aging and Youth Council. --- **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) ### Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. *If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting local journalism with a* Grandview Independent *subscription. Click to see our* [*monthly*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *and* [*annual*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/yearly) *subscription plans.* *Copyright © 2025* Grandview Independent*, all rights reserved.* ### Flaring at Chevron produces smoke, visible flames URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/flaring-at-chevron-produces-smoke-visible-flames/ Last updated: 2026-04-21T15:04:06.000Z Visible flaring at Richmond's Chevron refinery sent a cloud of smoke wafting over Richmond Saturday afternoon, triggering an air quality advisory and alarming residents who watched the cloud — and their concerns grow. Flaring from two stacks, along with a plume of smoke coming from the Richmond Refinery, was first observed around 2:30 p.m. on Saturday and was visible throughout most of Richmond's neighborhoods. Shortly after 3:30 p.m., Chevron posted a message on social media alerting residents to a Level 1 incident — the second-lowest level — stating that employees were working to resolve the issue. "Chevron Richmond is experiencing visible flaring, and our workforce is working quickly to minimize and stop the flaring. A Community Warning System (CWS) Level 1 notification has been issued to keep our community informed. There is no emergency response or community action required," the statement said. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/06/Screenshot-2025-05-31-at-8.56.41-PM.png) Image/ Chevron Bay Area Air Quality Management District issued an air quality advisory and urged residents to watch for health updates from officials and the media. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/06/Screenshot-2025-05-31-at-7.33.05-PM.png) California Congressman John Garamendi sent out a message to residents about the flaring on X, formerly known as Twitter. "I am closely monitoring the situation at the Chevron Refinery in Richmond. Follow [@airdistrict](https://x.com/AirDistrict?ref=grandviewindependent.com) for updates," Garamendi wrote. On Nextdoor, residents quickly began sharing videos and images of the incident, debating among themselves the severity of the situation. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/06/Screenshot-2025-05-31-at-7.35.55-PM.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/06/Screenshot-2025-05-31-at-9.15.57-PM.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/06/Screenshot-2025-05-31-at-9.15.42-PM.png) Flames and a large column of smoke were seen from the East Richmond Hills on Saturday, May 31 at 2:44 p.m. Dark clouds were seen stretching from the Chevron refinery to the East Bay hills at 3 p.m. Photos/ Soren Hemmila Julia Salinas wrote, "It looked insane from up at Hilltop. At one point, the flames were double the height of the stack." Shiela Anne said, "Oh my. That answers why my chest feels tight and like my breathing is off." And Brian Koch said, "This is a normal process when one of the units is being shut down, the refinery will burn off excess fuel in the burn stacks you show in the video. This is part of the safety systems in place for the refinery." Most of the cloud had already begun to dissipate by 4 p.m., thanks in part to wind coming from the southwest, gusting to about 15 miles an hour. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • Support for independent local reporting [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond LAND executive director accuses former board president of $204,960 embezzlement URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-land-executive-director-accuses-former-board-president-of-204-960-embezzlement/ Last updated: 2025-05-31T20:58:43.000Z Richmond LAND Executive Director Princess Robinson has publicly accused former Board President Randy Joseph of embezzling $204,960 from the community organization through unauthorized checks written between January 2023 and September 2024. Robinson, who assumed her role in June 2024, said she discovered the alleged financial misconduct on September 5, 2024, while reviewing the organization’s financial records. According to Robinson’s public statement, Joseph “had written, signed and cashed multiple unapproved and unexplained checks from Richmond LAND’s checking account at Mechanics Bank” without proper authorization or explanation. The total amount of these unauthorized withdrawals is believed to total $204,960. “Immediately upon discovery, I requested Mr. Joseph’s resignation and attempted to recover any losses,” Robinson wrote in an email to the community. “A police report was filed, and the incident was reported to all required regulatory bodies.” The public disclosure was made more than eight months after the organization reportedly took action. “The timing of this public disclosure was carefully considered to ensure that the organization could take appropriate action before making this information widely available,” Robinson said. [Richmond LAND](https://www.richmondland.org/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) operates as a community land trust, removing land and housing from the for-profit market to maintain resident control over community assets. The organization focuses on preventing gentrification and displacement through permanently affordable housing initiatives. Joseph is listed as a member of [Reimagine Richmond](https://www.reimaginerichmond.org/en/team?ref=grandviewindependent.com), a community organization advocating for a shift in police budget funds toward social programs. He is a former Community Police Review Commissioner and lists his current occupation as Housing Justice Program Manager at RYSE Center in Richmond on LinkedIn. *Grandview* has sought comments from Joseph about the allegations but has not received a response. The alleged embezzlement occurred during a period when Richmond LAND faced significant operational challenges, including reduced staffing that required board members to assume day-to-day responsibilities, according to Robinson. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/05/richmond-land-tax-return.png) A 2023 tax return for Richmond Land lists $78,973 in fraudulent charges. A 2024 tax return is not yet available. “As staffing decreased, members of the Board of Directors were required to assume day-to-day operational responsibilities without the necessary training, oversight, or infrastructure, further exacerbating these challenges,” Robinson said. Robinson characterized the organization as having lacked “sustainable systems for collective decision-making” and experiencing “difficulties in navigating internal conflicts” during the timeframe when the alleged misconduct occurred. In response to the discovery, Robinson said Richmond LAND has implemented comprehensive new financial policies and safeguards designed to prevent future incidents. The organization has also assembled a new team focused on analyzing and improving internal systems. “We have implemented a comprehensive new financial policy with updated processes and safeguards to prevent future financial misconduct,” Robinson said. “These measures will ensure greater transparency, accountability, and fiscal responsibility within our organization.” Robinson acknowledged the potential impact on the organization’s reputation but emphasized her commitment to rebuilding Richmond LAND’s infrastructure and maintaining its mission. Carol Hegstrom, who served on the CPRC with Joseph, said she was shocked to learn of the allegations. “In my opinion, he was a good commissioner and made decisions based on evidence, not personal bias,” Hegstrom posted online. “I am shocked to learn of his alleged misdeeds.” Richmond Land was launched as the [Richmond Community-owned Development Enterprise](https://belonging.berkeley.edu/richmonds-community-owned-development-enterprise-cde?ref=grandviewindependent.com) and is now an independent organization known as Richmond LAND. Current projects include the[ North Richmond Eco Village](https://contracostaha.org/las-deltas-redevelopment?ref=grandviewindependent.com), which aims to revitalize vacant public housing land by offering high-quality tiny homes on movable foundations, providing low-cost rentals and rent-to-own options for existing residents. The organization also runs a resident-led project on [South 24th Street ](https://www.richmondland.org/transformative-real-estate-1?ref=grandviewindependent.com)designed to prevent the displacement of Richmond residents. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • Support for independent local reporting [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### PG&E equipment standoff resolved after man spends three days on power structure URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/pg-e-equipment-standoff-resolved-after-man-spends-three-days-on-power-structure/ Last updated: 2025-08-05T02:31:03.000Z *This story was updated on Friday, May 30, 2025, at 7:50 p.m.* A man was coaxed down from a power structure Friday afternoon with the help of local mental health officials, ending a standoff that began Tuesday morning when the individual scaled PG&E equipment at South First Street and Cutting Boulevard. Members of A3, Contra Costa County's mental and behavioral health crisis services team, and ROCK, Richmond's Community Crisis Response Program, were eventually able to persuade the man to come down from the structure. He now faces an array of charges. A security guard at the site confirmed the individual was safely helped down from the structure sometime around 2 p.m. Friday, ending the three-day occupation of the utility equipment that brought out first responders, concerned PG&E employees, and a gaggle of onlookers. On social media, the Richmond Police stated that a joint effort from multiple organizations, including A3 and ROCK, had been successful in resolving the standoff. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/05/IMG_0426-1-1.jpg) "Today at approx. 1:36 p.m., members of A3, ROCK, and PG&E were able to convince the subject to come down from the structure. Due to the amount of time he was on the structure, he was provided medical attention prior to being booked on various charges related to entering the secure facility and disrupting power systems," Richmond Police said. [Man perched on PG&E equipment since Tuesday morningA man has been perched atop a Pacific Gas & Electric power structure at the Cutting Boulevard substation after climbing the utility infrastructure Tuesday morning, authorities said.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--1--1.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-05-29-at-12.06.51-PM-1.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/man-perched-on-pg-e-equipment-since-tuesday-morning/) --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • Provide support for independent local reporting [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Man perched on PG&E equipment since Tuesday morning URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/man-perched-on-pg-e-equipment-since-tuesday-morning/ Last updated: 2026-05-08T01:55:02.000Z A man has been perched atop a Pacific Gas & Electric power structure at the Cutting Boulevard substation after climbing the utility infrastructure Tuesday morning, authorities said. The individual climbed the power structure at 10:43 a.m. on May 27 and is refusing to come down voluntarily, according to Lt. Donald Patchin, chief of staff and public information officer for the Richmond Police Department. Emergency responders have offered resources and assistance to the man throughout the ongoing incident, but he remains on the structure as of Thursday morning. "Officers and mental health workers have offered resources, and attempts have been made to get him to voluntarily come down, but he has refused and is still there at this time," said Lt. Donald Patchin, the department's public information officer. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/05/IMG_0416-1-1-1.jpg) Photos/ Linda Hemmila Police have not released the identity of the individual or disclosed what may have prompted him to climb the power structure. At dusk on Thursday evening, the individual was still visible on the structure and appeared to be wearing a safety harness. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/05/richmond-pge-man-on-equipment.webp) Richmond Police and Fire personnel were attempting to convince the man to voluntarily come down on Wednesday afternoon. Photo/ Soren Hemmila --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • Provide support for independent local reporting [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Investigators cite electrical panel, gas canisters in Richmond smoke shop fire URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/investigators-cite-electrical-panel-gas-canisters-in-richmond-smoke-shop-fire/ Last updated: 2025-05-28T20:35:43.000Z An electrical panel failure likely sparked a fire that caused thousands in damages and displaced two residents at a Richmond smoke shop earlier this month, with butane and nitrous oxide canisters potentially contributing to the blaze’s severity, according to an incident report released by the Richmond Fire Department. The fire broke out at Exotic Clouds smoke shop at 12557 San Pablo Avenue around 3:40 a.m. on May 3, with firefighters responding to reports of explosions and smoke coming from the building’s roof. [Early morning fire guts Exotic Clouds smoke shopNeighbors near San Pablo and Solano Avenues awoke to the sounds of small explosions early Saturday morning after a fire broke out at the Exotic Clouds Gift Shop.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--2--34.png)Grandview IndependentLinda Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/exotic-cloud-fire-san-pablo-avenue-2-1-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/early-morning-fire-guts-exotic-clouds-smoke-shop/) Nearby, Engine 66 was among the first responders dispatched to a commercial structure fire, with reports from dispatch indicating that the business “Exotic Clouds” smoke shop was on fire, according to an incident report by Richmond Fire Department Captain Nicholas Bartesch. “The reporting party stated that they heard an explosion and observed smoke coming from the top of the building,” Bartesch wrote. “While still at the station, Engine 66 personnel heard multiple explosions, which were again heard en route and upon arrival.” Upon arrival, Engine 66 personnel observed gray smoke coming from the rooftop of the structure and an active fire visible through a window on the right side of the building. A heavy steel-reinforced gate secured the front of the business. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/05/exotic-clouds-richmond-fire-outside.webp) Eighteen firefighters from 12 units responded to the incident, with mutual aid provided by Contra Costa County Fire and El Cerrito Fire departments. The fire was brought under control, with crews remaining on scene until 6:32 a.m. While the cause of ignition is under investigation, Bartsch said the material contributing most to flame spread was “anesthetic gas.” “Numerous exploded nitrous oxide canisters were discovered throughout the occupancy,” Bartesch said. Fire Inspector Carolyn Conry reported the fire occurred on the interior of the structure, with the most significant damage on the right side of the building. When firefighters responded, a window on the right side of the building had been breached, with flames visible upon arrival. “Immediately adjacent to the breached window on the interior, there was an electrical panel with significant damage and a V-shaped smoke, heat, and damage pattern extending vertically from the meters up the side of the wall,” Conry said. “Due to these factors, the most likely area of origin was in or around the electrical service on the D (right) side of the interior of the building.” The interior of the structure suffered heavy smoke and fire damage. The fire extended into the roof, causing the structural members to bow and blister. “Butane and nitrous oxide canisters, sold as products in the occupancy, were found near the area of origin and may have contributed to the severity of the fire damage,” Conry wrote. “The owner arrived on scene and stated that there were no known issues with the building or the electrical service,” according to the investigation report. The incident comes months after the business failed its annual fire inspection in November 2024, although it’s unclear whether the failed inspection was related to the fire’s cause. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/05/ANNUAL-FIRE-INSPECTION.webp) Pacific Gas & Electric crews disconnected utilities to the building, and the property owner arranged for contractors to board up and clean the damaged structure. No injuries were reported in the incident. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • Support for independent local reporting [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Multi-agency traffic enforcement nets 85 citations in Richmond URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/multi-agency-traffic-enforcement-nets-85-citations-in-richmond/ Last updated: 2025-05-28T17:41:54.000Z Traffic officers from multiple agencies joined Richmond Police Department personnel in a coordinated enforcement operation, resulting in 85 citations issued across the city on Tuesday. The operation deployed 11 officers to locations identified as collision hotspots and areas where residents have filed numerous traffic complaints. The multi-agency effort focused on combating speeding and other traffic violations throughout Richmond's streets. Richmond Police officials said the enforcement action was designed to address ongoing traffic safety concerns and send a message about the city's commitment to enforcing traffic laws. [Emergency crews respond to crash between school bus and Subaru on Gaynor AvenueThis story was updated on May 9, 2025, at 11:29 a.m. An accident involving a school bus and an SUV at the corner of 26th Street and Gaynor Avenue brought first responders and neighbors to the scene just after 9 a.m. Friday. Neighbors say a White Subaru![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--2--33.png)Grandview IndependentLinda Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-05-09-at-10.02.55-AM-1-2.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/emergency-crews-respond-to-crash-between-school-bus-and-subaru-on-gaynor-avenue/) The citations were issued during the morning hours as officers fanned out to target problem areas previously identified through accident data and community complaints. The multi-agency approach has drawn questions from some residents on social media, with some expressing confusion about officers from other cities issuing citations in Richmond. One resident posted an image of a traffic citation online, questioning why Pittsburg officers were conducting traffic stops on Carlson Boulevard. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/05/traffic-police-richmond-56-mph.jpg) Carlson Boulevard has been the site of several serious traffic incidents. Last year, six-year-old Amadeo Alvarez Jr. was killed in a [hit-and-run collision ](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/family-and-teammates-gather-for-a-candlelight-vigil-for-a-six-year-old-who-died-in-a-car-accident/)at the intersection of Cutting and Carlson Boulevards, prompting a community vigil. In December, 56-year-old Prentiss Jackson was killed in another [hit-and-run while riding a bicycle ](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/authorities-identify-man-killed-in-carlson-boulevard-hit-and-run/)on Carlson Boulevard near Bayview Avenue. Most recently, in January, three people were injured in a collision on Carlson Boulevard following a [sheriff's pursuit.](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/three-injured-in-carlson-boulevard-crash-following-sheriff-pursuit/) On Sunday, May 18, a woman was killed in a[ hit-and-run](https://richmondstandard.com/richmond/2025/05/27/pedestrian-killed-in-hit-and-run-collision-in-richmond/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) in the North and East while crossing San Pablo Avenue. Police later arrested the suspected driver. City officials said they hope the enforcement operation will remind drivers that traffic violations are taken seriously and encourage safer driving habits on Richmond's roadways. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • Support for independent local reporting [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### On the Richmond Burrito Trail: Valley View's Los Cerros Mexican Grill URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-richmond-burrito-trail-valley-views-los-cerros-mexican-grill/ Last updated: 2025-05-27T17:23:32.000Z So we flew down Valley View past Adachi’s and 7 Peaks Restaurant and Bar, looking for stuffed cylinders of happiness. We pulled into the Sunset Center, an older strip mall that kind of crawls up the hillside and disappears into the surroundings. The outside sets our expectations kind of low, but sometimes salvation comes wrapped in aluminum foil and good intentions. Inside, it’s all modern lines and unexpected grace. They renovated this place like they meant it. Clean tables, decent lighting, and a little fenced-in patio out front where you can watch the world go by. It’s the kind of unexpected taqueria that makes you forget you’re in a strip mall. [Burrito Trail - Grandview IndependentThe Grandview Independent has been embarking on a culinary adventure to explore every taqueria, food truck, and restaurant in Richmond. This initiative, dubbed the “Richmond Burrito Trail,” aims to showcase our city’s diverse and delectable burritos.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--2--31.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/The-Richmondbt-1-2.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/tag/burrito-trail/) We ordered the Shredded Chicken Burrito and a Veggie. Both came out floppy but righteous. Perfect refried beans and fluffy, tasty rice, shredded chicken swimming in its own juices, guacamole for days, and cheese that melts into everything. When you cut it open, it oozes slowly and steadily. A beautiful mudslide of comforting gooeyness. The tortilla’s got that perfect toast, crispy enough to hold its ground but soft enough to give when you need it to. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/05/Richmond-Burrito-Trail-Valley-View-Los-Cerros-Mexican-Grill-burrito-1-1.webp) Los Cerros Mexican Grill's Shredded Chicken Burrito was just shy of soupy on the Richmond Burrito Trail Juiciness Scale. At 720 grams, it hit the sweet spot size-wise. If there is a downside, it is the sameness of the ingredients. The rice, the beans, the chicken, all of it was the same. We would have liked more texture diversity, some crunchy onion bits, and some not-so-shredded chicken. Something chunky. The Shredded Chicken Burrito was just shy of soupy on the Richmond Burrito Trail Juiciness Scale. **Dry:** Minimal to no moisture, potentially crumbly **Balanced:** Perfectly moist, neither dry nor dripping **Juicy:** Meats or fillings release some liquid, but it’s contained **Saucy:** Noticeably coated in sauce; can get a bit messy **Soupy:** Overwhelmed by liquid, possibly leaking or spilling The veggie burrito comes with rice, fresh vegetables, lettuce, tomato, a little cheese, and a small amount of sour cream. That delicious guacamole. It’s clean living in burrito form, without meaty stand-ins like grilled veggies. Los Cerros serves up three salsas: a green salsa that is sharp and bright, red with just enough heat to make you remember you’re alive, and a medium tomato that tastes like summer. The portions are generous and come with chips and salsa. We were able to finish this burrito and were not hungry. The menu offers a tight, no-nonsense lineup of Mexican staples. Burritos are our primary focus, and Los Cerros serves up a bevy of generously sized and customizable meat choices like carnitas, pollo, carne asada, or al pastor. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/05/Richmond-Burrito-Trail-Valley-View-Los-Cerros-Mexican-Grill1-insidewebp-1-1-1.webp) Inside the Sunset Center's Los Cerros Mexican Grill. They also offer tacos, quesadillas, and tortas to round out the savory options, each available with the same variety of meats. A small selection of beverages, bottled sodas, and aguas frescas sits near the register, completing the offerings without fuss. This little spot on Valley View Road delivers the goods. Come hungry, leave satisfied, and remember that sometimes the best things are hiding in the places you’d never think to look. Let us know where to eat next, and check back next week to see where we land on the Richmond Burrito Trail. The *Grandview Independent* has been embarking on a culinary adventure to explore every taqueria, food truck, and restaurant in Richmond. This initiative, dubbed the “Richmond Burrito Trail,” aims to showcase our city’s diverse and delectable burritos. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • Support for independent local reporting [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Police investigate Center Avenue shooting linked to traffic collision URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/police-investigate-center-avenue-shooting-linked-to-traffic-collision/ Last updated: 2025-05-27T14:57:07.000Z A motorist was shot during an incident that began with a traffic collision near South 27th Street and Center Avenue early Saturday morning, according to police officials. The victim arrived at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center with a gunshot wound, prompting an investigation that led officers to the shooting scene where they recovered evidence, Lt. Donald Patchin, the department’s public information officer, said Monday. “The incident started with a gunshot victim arriving at Kaiser,” Patchin said. “That prompted an investigation that determined a shooting had occurred in the area of 27th Street and Center Avenue. According to the initial investigation, the victim was involved in a traffic collision with another vehicle around midnight on Saturday, May 24\. When the suspect vehicle attempted to flee without exchanging information, the victim followed in pursuit. “An occupant of the suspect vehicle produced a firearm and fired upon the victim, striking them,” Patchin said. “They then drove to Kaiser for medical treatment and are expected to survive their injuries.” Police have not made any arrests in connection with the shooting, and the investigation remains active and ongoing. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/05/2700-Center-avenue-shooting-richmond.webp) --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • Support for independent local reporting [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Marina Bay Farmers Market celebrates first anniversary URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/marina-bay-farmers-market-celebrates-first-anniversary/ Last updated: 2025-05-26T23:33:31.000Z The [Marina Bay Farmers Market ](https://www.richmondfarmersmarket.org/?ref=grandviewindependent.com)celebrated its one-year milestone Sunday with an extended celebration featuring live music, family activities, and fresh local produce along the Richmond waterfront. [New farmer’s market launches at Marina Bay ParkOn a sunny Sunday, crowds of happy, smiling people turned up at Marina Bay Park for the launch of Richmond’s second Certified Farmer’s Market location. The inaugural Marina Bay Farmer’s Market, held in the parking lot near Regatta Boulevard and Melville Square, got off to a terrific start![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--2--30.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Richmond-Marina-bay-farmers-market1-3-1.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/new-farmers-market-launched-at-marina-bay-park-sunday/) The anniversary event drew families and regular patrons to the weekly market, which expanded its hours to 3 p.m. for the special occasion. Organizers added programming, including a raffle, spoken word performances, children's story time, yoga sessions, and an expanded kids zone. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/05/marina-bay-farmers-market-fruit.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/05/marina-bay-farmers-market-plants.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/05/marina-bay-farmers-market-salsa.webp) The market, which has operated weekly at the Marina Bay location for the past year, has become a community gathering spot. The farmers market typically operates on Sundays, featuring local vendors and family-friendly programming in the Marina Bay area of Richmond. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • Support for independent local reporting [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) **Subscribe today!** --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### What happened in Richmond: a week of crime & public safety URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/what-happened-in-richmond-a-week-of-crime-public-safety-2/ Last updated: 2025-05-26T15:27:57.000Z *Grandview Independent*'s weekly crime log reflects a wide range of public safety incidents reported by the Richmond Police Department. The entries below represent arrests, investigations, and other notable law enforcement activity across city neighborhoods. For location context, see the interactive crime map embedded below. ### Richmond crime map ### **Monday, May 19** **Residential burglary**: 3400 block of Wall Avenue. A forced entry residential burglary was reported at 3:33 a.m. **Battery**: 700 block of 9th Street. Officers investigated a battery incident at 6:07 a.m. **Warrant arrest**: 12700 block of San Pablo Avenue. Officers executed a felony warrant at 11:02 a.m. **Elder abuse and fraud**: 6000 block of Orchard Avenue. Police received reports of theft from an elder/dependent adult and obtaining money by false pretenses at 11:36 a.m. **Vehicle theft**: 3800 block of Lakeside Drive. A vehicle was reported missing at 2:32 p.m. **Grand theft**: 800 block of Ripley Avenue. Officers investigated a grand theft at 2:53 p.m. **Multiple felony incident**: 700 block of South 13th Street. Officers made an arrest for multiple charges, including commercial burglary, kidnapping, assault with a firearm, false imprisonment, armed robbery, firearms violations, and gang participation at 5:02 p.m. **Vandalism**: 3700 block of Wall Avenue. Property was vandalized at 5:19 p.m. **Vehicle recovery**: 2400 block of Powell Street, Emeryville. A stolen car was recovered at 5:30 p.m. **Criminal threats**: 100 block of 22nd Street. Officers arrested someone for making [criminal threats](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes%5FdisplaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=422.&lawCode=PEN&ref=grandviewindependent.com) at 6:36 p.m. **Identity theft**: 4800 block of Central Avenue. Officers investigated the use of another's identity to obtain credit at 6:38 p.m. **Stalking**: Third Street area. Officers investigated a stalking case at 8:04 p.m. **Strong-arm robbery**: 2400 block of Lancaster Drive. A strong-arm robbery was reported at 8:30 p.m. **Pickpocketing**: 4300 block of Lakeside Drive. Police received word of an artful dodger's handiwork at 8:36 p.m. **Grand theft**: 500 block of 23rd Street. Officers investigated a grand theft at 9:40 p.m. **Contempt of court**: 400 block of Marina Way. Someone was violating a court order at 11:35 p.m. ### **Tuesday, May 20** **Vandalism**: 600 block of 4th Street. Officers investigated vandalism under $400 at 12:18 a.m. **Harassing phone calls**: 2200 block of Nevin Avenue. Someone was reciving annoying/threatening telephone calls at 10 a.m. **Grand theft**: Richmond area. Officers investigated a grand theft at 11:11 a.m. **Warrant arrest**: 2800 block of Pullman Avenue. Officers executed a felony warrant at 11:52 a.m. **Criminal threats**: 100 block of Railroad Avenue. Threats were made of a criminal nature at 12:54 p.m. **Grand theft**: Kay Road & Rachel Road area. Officers investigated a grand theft at 1:21 p.m. **Battery**: 400 block of 21st Street. Officers made an arrest for battery at 2:26 p.m. **Credit card fraud**: 4100 block of Klose Way. Officers investigated theft using access card information at 5:04 p.m. **Vehicle recovery**: 2400 block of San Luis Street. Officers recovered a stolen vehicle at 5:24 p.m. **Commercial burglary**: 3800 block of Klose Way. Persons unknown forced entry to a commercial building at 5:46 p.m. **Drug violations and resisting arrest**: Richmond area. Officers made an arrest for public intoxication and resisting arrest at 8:48 p.m. **Disorderly conduct**: 4900 block of MacDonald Avenue. Officers made an arrest for alcohol-related disorderly conduct at 11:55 p.m. ### **Wednesday, May 21** **Shooting at dwelling**: 3200 block of Ohio Avenue. Shots were fired at an inhabited dwelling at 12:34 a.m. **Vandalism**: 2800 block of Center Avenue. Officers made an arrest for felony vandalism over $400 at 5:59 a.m. **Sexual battery**: The 94801 zip code. Officers investigated felony sexual battery at 6:29 a.m. **Warrant arrest**: 2800 block of Howard Street. Someone with a misdemeanor warrant was arrested at 9:11 a.m. **Vandalism**: 1200 block of Virginia Avenue. Officers investigated property damage at 11 a.m. **Contempt of court**: 1000 block of Lassen Street. A court order was reportedily being violate at 2:14 p.m. **Elder abuse**: 600 block of 32nd Street. Officers investigated reprots of elder/dependent adult cruelty at 3:40 p.m. **Extortion**: 900 block of S 47th Street. Officers investigated extortion by threat at 5:07 p.m. **Vehicle theft**: 100 block of S 6th Street. Officers investigated a vehicle theft at 6 p.m. **Vehicle theft**: 4400 block of Center Avenue. Officers investigated a vehicle theft at 6:30 p.m. **Contempt of court**: 1000 block of Lassen Street. Officers made an arrest for violation of a court order at 6:52 p.m. **Contempt of court**: 1700 block of Regatta Boulevard. Officers investigated a violation of a court order at 8 p.m. **Drug and stolen property violations**: 2200 block of Giant Road, San Pablo. Officers made an arrest for possession of narcotics for sale, possession of cocaine base for sale, possession of marijuana for sale, transportation of controlled substances, and possession of a stolen vehicle at 8:10 p.m. **Grand theft**: 200 block of Tunnel Avenue. Officers investigated a grand theft at 11 p.m. **DUI with drugs**: Richmond area. Officers made an arrest for DUI with prior convictions, possession of controlled substances, and driving with restricted license at 11:43 p.m. ### **Thursday, May 22** **Assault with firearm**: 2000 block of Visalia Avenue. Officers investigated an assault with a firearm at 1:48 a.m. **Vehicle theft**: Richmond area. Officers investigated a vehicle theft at 6 a.m. **Auto burglary**: 3100 block of Garrity Way. Officers investigated an auto burglary at 7:44 a.m. **Vehicle theft**: Richmond area. Officers investigated a vehicle theft at 8 a.m. **Vehicle theft**: 600 block of 9th Street. Officers investigated a vehicle theft at 9:46 a.m. **Vehicle recovery**: 1000 block of S 57th Street. Officers recovered a stolen vehicle at 10:54 a.m. **Vehicle theft**: 700 block of 9th Street. Officers investigated a vehicle theft at 11:24 a.m. **Vehicle recovery**: 300 block of South Street. Officers recovered a stolen vehicle at 12:12 p.m. **Battery and contempt**: 300 block of South Seventh Street. Officers made an arrest for battery and violation of a court order at 12:52 p.m. **Shoplifting**: 2100 block of Meeker Avenue. Officers investigated shoplifting at 2:22 p.m. **Vandalism**: 700 block of 35th Street. Officers investigated felony vandalism over $400 at 2:33 p.m. **Battery**: 500 block of Wine Street. Officers investigated a battery at 4:25 p.m. **Armed robbery**: Richmond area. Officers investigated a robbery with a knife/cutting instrument at 6:50 p.m. **Grand theft from a building**: 300 block of Canal Boulevard. Officers investigated grand theft from a building at 7:30 p.m. **Vandalism**: W Richmond Avenue area. Officers investigated felony vandalism over $400 at 8 p.m. **Battery**: 300 block of S 13th Street. Officers investigated battery incidents at 10:01 p.m. **Vandalism**: 400 block of Harbour Way S. Officers investigated felony vandalism over $400 at 10:14 p.m. **Petty theft and vandalism**: Bayside Court area. Officers investigated petty theft and vandalism under $400 at 10:30 p.m. **Kidnapping and armed robbery**: 12500 block of San Pablo Avenue. Officers investigated kidnapping, armed robbery with a firearm, and unlawful use of tear gas at 11:45 p.m. ### **Friday, May 23** **Vandalism**: 200 block of Tunnel Avenue. Officers investigated felony vandalism over $400 at 3:31 a.m. **Mental health emergency**: First Street & MacDonald Avenue area. Officers responded to a mental health crisis at 6:34 a.m. **Traffic violation**: Roosevelt Avenue area. Officers cited someone for driving with a suspended license for DUI at 8:03 a.m. [Historic Mira Flores building damaged by fire as volunteers participate in cleanupA fire broke out at a historic Mira Flores building Friday morning as volunteers were conducting a cleanup event at the adjacent Greenbelt Park, according to city officials.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--2--29.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Mira-flores-fire-richmond-1-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/historic-mira-flores-building-damaged-by-fire-as-volunteers-participate-in-cleanup/) **Harassing phone calls**: 2100 block of Maine Avenue. Officers investigated annoying/threatening telephone calls at 12:49 p.m. **Police evasion**: 12th Street & Barrett Avenue area. Someone evaded a peace officer at 1:07 p.m. **Grand theft**: Richmond area. Officers investigated a grand theft at 1:53 p.m. **Armed robbery**: 1500 block of Cutting Boulevard. An armed robbery with firearms was reported at 5:20 p.m. **Shooting**: Richmond Parkway & Giant Road area. Officers investigated a shooting at an inhabited dwelling or vehicle at 6:02 p.m. **Trespassing**: 4500 block of MacDonald Avenue. Police were called after someone refused to leave at 8:41 p.m. **Vehicle theft**: 200 block of S 5th Street. Officers investigated a vehicle theft at 10 p.m. **Auto burglary**: 4100 block of Klose Way. Officers investigated auto burglary at 10:01 p.m. ### Saturday, May 24 **Attempted murder and assault with a firearm**: 2700 block of Center Avenue. Officers investigated attempted murder with a firearm and assault with a firearm at 12:34 a.m. Police received a ShotSpotter activation of three rounds fired. A few minutes later, someone walked into Kaiser with a gunshot wound to the arm. **Vehicle theft with burglary tools**: 700 block of Virginia Avenue and 300 block of S 5th Street. Officers made an arrest for vehicle theft and possession of burglary tools at 12:35 a.m. **Firearms violations**: 94804 area. A firearm aficionado was said to have multiple firearms violations, including possession of a large capacity magazine, carrying a loaded/concealed handgun at 1:21 a.m. **Assault with force**: 3800 block of Lakeside Drive. Officers made an arrest for assault with force likely to cause great bodily injury at 5:03 a.m. **Grand theft**: 1400 block of Hayes Street. Officers investigated a grand theft at 8 a.m. **Trespassing**: 4100 block of Cutting Boulevard. Officers made an arrest for trespassing on posted land at 8:56 a.m. **Criminal threats**: 1200 block of MacDonald Avenue. Officers made an arrest for threatening a school/public employee at 11:45 a.m. **Vehicle recovery**: 2600 block of Hilltop Drive. Officers recovered a stolen vehicle at 12:34 p.m. **Vehicle theft**: 900 block of 36th Street. Officers investigated a vehicle theft at 3:10 p.m. RPD recovered it! **Vandalism**: 300 block of S 3rd Street. Officers investigated property damage at 3:45 p.m. **Grand theft**: 500 block of Jetty Drive. Officers investigated a grand theft at 4 p.m. **Trespassing**: 1000 block of Factory Street. Someone reportedly refused to leave a posted property at 4:57 p.m. ### Saturday, May 25, 2025 **DUI**: First Street & Nevin Avenue. Multiple DUI charges were filed against a driver at 12:39 a.m., including driving under the influence of alcohol and driving with a blood alcohol content of 0.08 percent or higher. **Vehicle recovery**: Somewhere in the 94804 zip code. A stolen vehicle was recovered at 2:29 a.m. **Criminal threats:** 3100 block S Hampton Ct - Suspect made criminal threats with intent to terrorize and violated court order at 11:55 a.m. **Vehicle Theft**: 1700 block Costa Avenue. A vehicle was taken without the owner's consent at 9:10 a.m. **Vandalism**: 4900 block San Pablo Dam Road. Property damage reported at 9:24 a.m. **Criminal threats**: 5000 block of Giant Road. POlice arrested a suspect for intimidation for reportedly making threats with intent to terrorize at 9:37 a.m. **Burglary**: 2100 block Hilltop Mall Road. Auto burglary was reported at 10:38 a.m. **Burglary**: 200 block South Garrard Boulevard. Auto burglary reported at 12:15 p.m. **Aggravated assault**: Undisclosed location in the 94804 zip code. Police responded to reports of battery with serious bodily injury at 1 p.m. **DUI**: 100 block South 17th Street. A driver was said to be driving under the influence of alcohol at 3:28 p.m. **Strong arm robbery**: 1300 block Macdonald Avenue. Strong-arm robbery incident at 3:30 p.m. **Vandalism**: 5200 block Prather Avenue. Some sort of property damage was reported at 8:16 p.m. **Hit & Run/DUI**: The 94804\. A driver involved in a hit-and-run property damage incident was reportedly under the influence of an intoxicating beverage at 8:39 p.m. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • Support for independent local reporting [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) **Subscribe today!** --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### Historic Mira Flores building damaged by fire as volunteers participate in cleanup URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/historic-mira-flores-building-damaged-by-fire-as-volunteers-participate-in-cleanup/ Last updated: 2025-07-11T16:08:23.000Z A fire broke out at a historic Mira Flores building Friday morning as volunteers were conducting a cleanup event at the adjacent Greenbelt Park, city officials said. Mira Flores is the former site of the historic Sakai and Oishi nurseries, founded by Japanese immigrants in the early 1900s. The blaze occurred at the long-troubled development site, with witnesses reporting people running from the property as flames erupted. No injuries were immediately reported. District 3 City Councilmember Doria Robinson confirmed the fire happened during a volunteer day that had drawn community members to clean up Greenbelt Park. Robinson described the timing as particularly painful given the positive community engagement taking place nearby. “Today, when we were out there doing volunteer work to clean up the park, and people were reportedly running out of the property while it was on fire,” Robinson posted on social media. Robinson said that addressing the issue of individuals entering the premises has been an ongoing challenge. While police and CORE teams have reportedly removed people from the building, they consistently return. “If you’ve been following, we had a community meeting with the new owners and neighbors discussing this and talking about all the additional steps they have taken to make constant repairs to the fences, etc,” Robinson said. The Mira Flores project has faced years of delays and complications. The mixed-use development was originally planned to include residential units, commercial space and preservation of the historic buildings. Previous developers encountered financial difficulties, leaving the project stalled. In 2016, the Richmond Redevelopment Agency acquired the nursery property. City officials in Richmond had the goals of constructing affordable senior housing, developing a park, and restoring the existing nursery buildings on the site. A new property owner recently took control of the site and has been working with the city on security improvements, including fence repairs and other protective measures. Robinson said a community meeting was held with the new owners and neighbors to discuss additional security steps. [Miraflores project not dead yet, city in negotiation with new ownerRichmond Councilmember Doria Robison reported the new owner of the former Miraflores property is possibly interested in picking up the bankrupt housing project near I-80\. Miraflores is the former site of the historic Sakai and Oishi nurseries, founded by Japanese immigrants in the early 1900s. The proposed project consisted of![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--2--26.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Miraflores-project-richmond-1-1.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/miraflores-project-not-dead-yet-city-in-negotiation-with-new-owner/) “If you’ve been following Mira Flores, you’d know I’ve been pushing hard to get the project on the right track, and we’ve made tremendous progress with a new property owner, the park moving forward,” Robinson said. “I will continue to push until this project is realized.” Over the years, Richmond has lost several important buildings to fire. [Update: Richmond’s historic International Hotel, red tagged after fireThe historic International Hotel, where the Pullman Brotherhood of Black Sleeping Car Porters Union members would stay during Richmond’s early years, was reduced to burnt framework and ash early Monday morning after a fire sped through it, destroying the 108-year-old historic building. Now red-tagged, along with neighboring structures, the historic![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--2--27.png)Grandview IndependentLinda Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/IMG_9222.jpg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/one-of-richmonds-most-historic-buildings-the-pullman-hotel-burns-down/) [Former “Burnt Ramen” punk club goes up in smokeRichmond firefighters responded to the 100 block of Espee Avenue around 2:30 a.m. Sunday for a commercial structure fire at the former Burnt Ramen punk rock music club.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--2--28.png)Grandview IndependentLinda Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/IMG_9083-1-1-1.jpg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/former-burnt-ramen-punk-club-goes-up-in-smoke/) The extent of damage to the historic structures was not immediately available. Following the fire, members of the Red Cross were on the scene providing assistance. --- [**SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *Grandview Independent* needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you. **SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:** • Unlimited access to all articles • Newsletters with exclusive content • Support for independent local reporting [**CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE**](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) **\- Starting at just $10/month** **FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:** • **Twitter:**[ ](https://twitter.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com)[@GrandviewIndy](https://x.com/GrandviewIndy?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Instagram:**[ @GrandviewIndependent](https://instagram.com/grandviewindependent?ref=grandviewindependent.com) • **Facebook:**[ ](https://facebook.com/grandviewindependent)[@Grandview Independent](https://www.facebook.com/people/Grandview-Independent/61574982556947/) **Don't let local news disappear. Your subscription makes the difference between keeping our community informed or going dark. Subscribe today!** --- *Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.* ### On the agenda: police oversight, emergency care, and housing equity URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-agenda-police-oversight-emergency-care-and-housing-equity/ Last updated: 2025-05-23T21:16:37.000Z Faced with a growing backlog of civilian complaints and the absence of a police oversight investigator since September, the Richmond City Council is set to vote May 27 on a contract with Bill Whalen & Associates to restore investigative capacity to the Community Police Review Commission, part of a packed agenda that also includes emergency medical response reforms, anti-displacement legislation, seismic safety initiatives, and nearly $2 million in public service contracts and grants. ### [Richmond taps ex-police chief to clear backlog of civilian complaints against officers](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=57820&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The commission has been without a Confidential Investigative Officer since Jerry Threet’s departure in September 2024\. At the time, the CPRC had nine complaints that remained to be investigated. Since then, an additional 17 complaints have been filed. The CPRC needs an interim investigator while the city continues recruiting and hiring a permanent investigator. According to the staff report, Bill Whalen is a retired Chief of Police, bringing a wealth of investigative expertise. His career also encompassed diverse roles, including Public Information Officer, Emergency Manager, SWAT Commander, Internal Affairs Investigator/Supervisor, Detective Supervisor, Use of Force Instructor, Detective, and Field Training Officer. “He brings learned experience and investigation expertise and is credentialed by the Workplace Investigative Association. Mr. Whalen’s scope of work will involve review of the backlog of complaints, prioritization of the cases, and commencement of the investigations with the goal of reducing the backlog in preparation for the permanent placement,” the report states. With the assistance of CPRC’s attorney, [Floy Andrews](https://www.richmondprogressivealliance.net/richmond%5Fprogressive%5Falliance%5Fmembers%5Felect%5Fnew%5Fleaders?ref=grandviewindependent.com), city staff conducted a Request for Scope of Work and received responses from Municipal Resource Group, Bill Whalen & Associates, and Jonathan Dugas. The Community Police Review Commission Ad Hoc Committee reviewed the submitted scopes of work and resumes, ranked the firms, and referred the top candidate to the City Council for their consideration. Bill Whalen and Associates was identified as a qualified firm that is available to provide investigative services temporarily until a permanent investigator is hired. ### Seven study and action items The council is also set to receive an [update from Richmond Promise](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=57921&ref=grandviewindependent.com), introducing a [fire hazard severity zones ordinance](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=57806&ref=grandviewindependent.com) recommended by Cal Fire, and reviewing a [feasibility study for Advanced Life Support](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=57829&ref=grandviewindependent.com) first responder services that could reshape emergency medical response citywide. The council will also consider community programs, including a Transbay Coalition proposal for [volunteer-managed bus stop benches ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=57826&ref=grandviewindependent.com)and a [seismic retrofit initiative targeting older residential and small business structures ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=57918&ref=grandviewindependent.com)to improve earthquake preparedness. Additionally, council members will examine potential[ legislation to combat predatory land acquisition](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=57923&ref=grandviewindependent.com) practices by corporations and investors, while receiving final recommendations from the Coalition/Taskforce to End Gender-Based Violence, which seeks funding for a [multilingual public awareness campaign](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=57832&ref=grandviewindependent.com) extending through January 2026. ## On the consent calendar The council will also consider a series of contracts and services next week, including [a $265,000 increase to the legal services agreement ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=57803&ref=grandviewindependent.com)with Best Best & Krieger for code enforcement, bringing the total to $275,000 through December 2026\. The council will also introduce an ordinance [requiring biannual reports ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=57924&ref=grandviewindependent.com)from the Richmond Arts and Culture Division. The council is expected to accept a [$150,000 Metropolitan Transportation Commission grant](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=57753&ref=grandviewindependent.com) for the Richmond Wellness Trail Phase 2 design work through Trust for Public Land and[ adopt the 2024 Housing Element Annual Progress Report.](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=57823&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Economic development items included approving property tax roll assessments for the [Downtown Richmond Property and Business Improvement District](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=57781&ref=grandviewindependent.com), a $30,000 contract amendment with CSW|Stuber-Stroeh Engineering Group for [Port of Richmond services](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=57817&ref=grandviewindependent.com), and a [2.5 percent general rate increase](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=57764&ref=grandviewindependent.com) to the Port’s Federal Maritime Commission tariff. Additional approvals include[ $600,000 in electrical maintenance contracts](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=57787&ref=grandviewindependent.com) for the Port of Richmond, a $25,200 contract amendment with Haley and Aldrich for [dredging permits,](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=57772&ref=grandviewindependent.com) and [response time standards for the Fire Department](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=57794&ref=grandviewindependent.com). The council also approved a $50,000 contract with Davillier-Sloan for [labor-management services](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=57776&ref=grandviewindependent.com), the Richmond Workforce Development Board’s 2025-2028 [local plan](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=57769&ref=grandviewindependent.com), and proclamations [recognizing LGBTQI+ Pride Month](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=57813&ref=grandviewindependent.com) and [Mental Health Awareness Month.](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=57815&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Police Department items included accepting $16,556 in federal grant funds for the[ End Abuse in Later Life Program](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=57751&ref=grandviewindependent.com), a $75,000 three-year contract with San Joaquin Delta College for[ police academy training](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=57797&ref=grandviewindependent.com), and a $180,000 contract with[ Breakpoint Investigations for background checks.](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=57800&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The council concluded by awarding $450,000 power washing contracts each to EcoSanitation and [Professional Power Washing ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=57759&ref=grandviewindependent.com)Maintenance for three-year terms. --- ### Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. *If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting local journalism with a* Grandview Independent *subscription. Click to see our* [*monthly*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *and* [*annual*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/yearly) *subscription plans.* *Copyright © 2025* Grandview Independent*, all rights reserved.* ### Eight Great Things to Do in Richmond URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/eight-great-things-to-do-in-richmond-7/ Last updated: 2025-05-22T05:47:17.000Z Check out Grandview Independent's top picks of this week's events that you won't want to miss. Each week, we select the best happenings in Richmond and highlight them here, in our calendar. ## Sir Slushalot @The Factory Bar ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/05/Screenshot-2025-05-21-at-4.37.04-PM.png) DJ Sir Slushalot ([Link](https://www.instagram.com/sirslushalot/?ref=grandviewindependent.com)) will be bringing his music to the Factory Bar! Come by and enjoy it with a cocktail or beer. **Thursday, May 22 6:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.** 12517 SAN PABLO AVE. RICHMOND 510-778-1079 ## Thrive Thursday's @Nicholl Park ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/05/thrive.png) Join Us Every Thursday evening to improve our Health and Wellness. Thrive Thursday/PASOS Health Event at Nicholl Park in Richmond from 5:45-7 p.m. This is the public health journey we’re on in West Contra Costa! [@contracostahealth](https://www.instagram.com/contracostahealth/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) 3230 Macdonald Avenue, Richmond. ## Scholar Celebration @Richmond Art Center ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/05/2025-Scholar-Celebration---Horizontal.png) Richmond Promise will celebrate a decade of service to Richmond students when it welcomes the newest cohort of RP Scholars at the 10th annual Richmond Promise Scholar Celebration on **May 28 at the Richmond Art Center.** The free event will take place from **5 to 7 p.m.** and is open to the public. The gathering will provide new RP Scholars, family, friends and community with an opportunity to come together and celebrate students as they prepare to graduate from high school and matriculate to postsecondary education. The evening will include light refreshments, activities, alumni speakers, and a recognition of RP’s newest class. With over 500 students set to join Richmond Promise this year, RP will bring on its largest incoming cohort since the COVID-19 pandemic. The increase in applications and scholarships awarded represents a clear affirmation that providing access to higher education in Richmond is more important to the community than ever. “The Scholar Celebration is our community’s chance to show our youth that Richmond supports their higher education journeys,” said RP Executive Director Christopher Whitmore. “As our incoming Scholars prepare for higher education, we want them to feel joyous, excited, and motivated, and it takes our entire community to help them establish that strong start.” Since its launch in 2016, Richmond Promise has supported over 3,700 Richmond young people as they make their way to and through higher education. Richmond Promise currently serves more than 1,300 scholars who are pursuing associate and bachelor's degrees, and career technical education certifications, at over 200 colleges and universities across the United States. The majority of Richmond Promise scholars identify as people of color, first-generation college students, and students from low-income backgrounds. The Scholar Celebration serves as the Richmond Promise’s largest event and a tradition that welcomes the newest cohort of Richmond youth to a community of local degree and certificate seekers who are supported through a multi-year scholarship and wraparound services. Organizations interested in sponsoring the event can contact Director of Development Hannah Dworkin at [hdworkin@richmondpromise.org](mailto:hdworkin@richmondpromise.org). For more information on the Richmond Promise Scholarship as well as support services available for RP Scholars, visit [richmondpromise.org](http://richmondpromise.org/?ref=grandviewindependent.com). ## BENEFIT CONCERT @Rigger's Loft ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/05/Screenshot-2025-05-21-at-11.42.16-AM.png) Hey there, music lovers! 🎵 Swing by Riggers Loft in Richmond on **May 24 from 1-7 p.m.** for our BENEFIT CONCERT!! 🎸 Six fabulous bands are set to rock the stage for a cause. Good music, amazing wine, and lip-smacking food await you. 🍷🍔 Let's unite and save our beloved Loft! Be there. Be generous. [#SaveRiggersLoft](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/saveriggersloft/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) [#BenefitConcert](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/benefitconcert/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) [#MusicForACause](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/musicforacause/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) 🎶❤️ ### Jazz and Oyster Sundays with Rocky Island Oyster Co @Windchaser Wine Co ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/05/Screenshot-2025-04-16-at-12.23.50-PM.png) **Sunday, May 25 1 p.m. - 6 p.m**. Live Music from Amy Ukena Band, Pizza and Oysters from The Rocky Island Oyster Co. ## All day reggae party @The Backyard ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/05/Screenshot-2025-05-21-at-11.47.10-AM.png) **Sunday, May 25**, is the last Sunday of the month which means it is REGGAE AT THE BACKYARD time, sweet reggae on vinyl in the mix all day, hosted by [@selectarebel](https://www.instagram.com/selectarebel/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) w/ special guest dj’s, [@djpoizen](https://www.instagram.com/djpoizen/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) and [@djrasrican](https://www.instagram.com/djrasrican/?ref=grandviewindependent.com), needle drops at 1 p.m.!!! Food and drinks by [@richmondbackyard](https://www.instagram.com/richmondbackyard/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) FREE All day reggae party from 1 p.m.-8 p.m. 😎 Come enjoy your favorite [#SundayFunday](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/sundayfunday/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) with your favorite Backyard Eats 🍔 [#Local](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/local/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) beer + wine 🍷 And a beautiful day at your friendly neighborhood Backyard 🌴📍**205 Cutting Blvd. Richmond, CA 94804** # Honey Disposition @Sailing Goat at Point San Pablo Harbor ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/05/Screenshot-2025-05-21-at-4.53.00-PM.png) **San Francisco-based** **Original folk, jazz, rock, and pop** Honey Disposition, the passion project of singer/songwriters Elizabeth Boaz and Alex Michels, is a San Francisco-based band rooted in the profound connection of friendship and a shared passion for music. Despite their contrasting musical upbringings, with Alex immersing himself in classical trumpet and rock & roll guitar and Elizabeth exploring the realms of musical theater from an early age, the two artists discovered common ground in their shared dedication to original songwriting. Their paths crossed in 2018, and it became evident that their collaboration held the potential for something remarkable. In the years that followed, Honey Disposition evolved into an iconic duo — with a rotating assortment of fun musical guests! — committed to making a meaningful impact on both local and global communities through their music. Elizabeth's perceptive lyrics and distinctive vocal arrangements seamlessly blend with Alex's catchy melodies and soulful trumpet playing, creating a signature sound that resonates with authenticity. Pulling from genres such as folk, jazz, rock, and pop, their original music and cover song selections appeal to a wide range of listeners. This dynamic duo extends their influence beyond the stage, recording their original music in their home studio, leading educational music camps and masterclasses, and touring frequently all around the United States. Their commitment to spreading joy and empowerment is evident in every note they compose and every stage they grace. As Honey Disposition continues to shape the musical landscape, Elizabeth Boaz and Alex Michels stand as a testament to the transformative power of collaboration, proving that the convergence of diverse backgrounds can give rise to a harmonious and impactful artistic journey. [https://www.honeydisposition.com/](https://www.honeydisposition.com/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) [info@sailinggoatrestaurant.com](mailto:info@sailinggoatrestaurant.com)​ **(510)847-7426 1900 Stenmark Drive, Richmond, CA 94801** ## Art on Display @West Side Branch Library ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/05/Screenshot-2025-05-21-at-12.30.57-PM.png) Be sure to check out art by AOPR artist **SUSAN CAPUT,** currently on display at the **West Side Branch Library, 135 Washington Avenue** in Point Richmond, until June 6. --- ## Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. *If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting local journalism with a* Grandview Independent *subscription. Click to see our* [*monthly*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *and* [*annual*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/yearly) *subscription plans.* *Copyright © 2025* Grandview Independent*, all rights reserved.* ### On the Richmond Burrito Trail: El Sol Mexican Restaurant URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-richmond-burrito-trail-el-sol-mexican-restaurant/ Last updated: 2025-05-20T16:00:35.000Z Point Richmond is just so quaint, with its tree-lined historic district filled with older buildings and the sound of heavy steel wheels rolling nearby. Among the charming establishments that contribute to the neighborhood's appeal, [El Sol Mexican Restaurant](https://elsoleastbay.net/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) sits on Park Place and has been offering Mexican Comfort Food since 1982, according to a sign inside the taqueria. We were perusing the menu online and decided to order ahead, too. It was a mistake. Sometimes, getting the best meals out of a restaurant requires some face time with your order taker. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/05/Richmond-Burrito-Trail-El-Sol-Mexican-Restaurant5-1-1.webp) El Sol’s Chili Verde Super Burrito comes with the standard fixings: melty cheese, rice, refried beans, and sour cream. Our phone started ringing when we were halfway down to The Point. They didn’t have the chili relleno we also ordered. Sampling Richmond’s chili rellenos is a bit of a Burrito Trail sidequest. We strolled into El Sol around noon. Its bright yellow interior features lots of plants, hand-painted signs, and paintings on the walls. A few tables were occupied by diners already eating. We ordered a Chili Verde Super Burrito based on the menu description; cubed pork, seasoned and simmered for hours in a spicy, tasty broth of cilantro, jalapeño, long green chilis, garlic, onion, and tomatoes. The 786-gram burrito delivered tender meat but lacked the abundance expected. While the pork was tender and flavorful, it wasn’t generous enough to truly satisfy. El Sol’s burritos come with the standard fixings: melty cheese, rice, refried beans, and sour cream. Maybe we were lulled into a false sense of security after our run of 23rd Street burritos, but we weren’t even thinking about lettuce finding its way onto our burritos. The saucyness of the chili verde (good), melty cheese (also good), and sour cream (not complaining) couldn’t help out the dry rice (failed to impress). El Sol’s chips received the most enthusiastic praise of the meal, with one diner declaring them “the best” part of the experience. The red salsa accompanying them earned points for its “smoky, heartier flavor” and thicker consistency compared to runnier versions found elsewhere. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/05/Richmond-Burrito-Trail-El-Sol-Mexican-Restaurant2-1.webp) The overall consensus? “It’s okay.” Let us know where to eat next, and check back next week to see where we land on the Richmond Burrito Trail. The *Grandview Independent* has been embarking on a culinary adventure to explore every taqueria, food truck, and restaurant in Richmond. This initiative, dubbed the “Richmond Burrito Trail,” aims to showcase our city’s diverse and delectable burritos. --- ### Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. *If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting local journalism with a* Grandview Independent *subscription. Click to see our* [*monthly*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *and* [*annual*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/yearly) *subscription plans.* *Copyright © 2025* Grandview Independent*, all rights reserved.* ### What happened in Richmond: a week of crime & public safety URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/what-happened-in-richmond-a-week-of-crime-public-safety/ Last updated: 2026-04-21T03:01:25.000Z *Grandview Independent*'s weekly crime log reflects a wide range of public safety incidents reported by the Richmond Police Department. The entries below represent arrests, investigations, and other notable law enforcement activity across city neighborhoods. For location context, see the interactive crime map embedded below. Grandview Independent Richmond Crime Incident Map Loading… From To Load ## Filter by type All Loading… ### **MONDAY, MAY 12** **Battery:** 100 block of S 5th Street. Officers responded to a battery incident at 3:38 a.m. **Criminal threats**: 100 block of 9th Street. A suspect threatened to commit a crime with the intent to terrorize at approximately 8:34 a.m. The suspect also exhibited a deadly weapon other than a firearm. An arrest was made for aggravated assault. **Criminal threats**: 5100 block of Columbia Avenue. Police responded to reports of criminal threats at 8:41 a.m. **Firearm discharge**: 300 block of 27th Street. Officers investigated reports of a shooting into an inhabited dwelling at 1:12 p.m. **Battery:** 3100 block of Southampton Court**.** Policeresponded to a report of an assault at 2:28 p.m. **Battery arrest**: Washington Avenue. Officers made an arrest for simple assault at 3 p.m. **Vandalism:** 600 block of 18th Street. Officers responded to vandalism and grand theft from a motor vehicle at 8 p.m. **Fire starter:** Somewhere in the 94804\. Someone set fire to someone else’s property at 10:50 p.m **Assault**: Somewhere in the 94804\. An assault with a deadly weapon was reported at 11:35 p.m. **Drugs:** Undisclosed location in the 94804\. Officers made an arrest for public intoxication and obstruction of a police officer at 11:40 p.m. **Warrant arrest/firearms**: 500 block of 12th Street. Officers arrested a suspect with a felony warrant at 11:53 p.m. The suspect also reportedly exhibited a deadly weapon and threatened to commit a crime with the intent to terrorize. ### **TUESDAY, MAY 13** **Commercial burglary**: 900 block of 13th Street. A commercial burglary with force was reported at 4 a.m. **Residential burglary**: 2800 block of Maritime Way. Police responded to a residential burglary with force and petty theft at 4:44 a.m. **Drug arrest** Somewhere in the 94801\. Officers arrested a suspect for possession of controlled substances for sale at 1:53 p.m. **Criminal threats**: 1700 block of Lincoln Avenue. Reports of criminal threats came in at 7:24 p.m. **Battery**: 400 block of 28th Street. Someone reported a battery at 8:19 p.m. **Court order violation:** 2300 block of Rheem Avenue. Officers made an arrest for a violation of a court order at 8:54 p.m. ### **WEDNESDAY, MAY 14** **Arson**: 94805 zip code. Arson of an inhabited structure was reported at 1:16 a.m. **Battery and robbery:** 4500 block of Florida Avenue. Officers responded to reports of an assault and strong-arm robbery at 1:23 a.m. **Vandalism**: 1100 block of Macdonald Avenue. Felony vandalism was reported at 5:26 a.m **Firearm threats:** 400 block of 23rd Street. A suspect was arrested for allegedly exhibiting a firearm and making criminal threats at 1:11 p.m. **Drugs:** 2300 block of Macdonald Avenue. Police arrested someone on possession of cocaine base for sale, possession of a narcotic controlled substance, and possession of marijuana for sale at 7:10 p.m **Vandalism**: 100 block of Harbour Way S. Felony vandalism was reported at 9 p.m. [Birds “exploding” in East Richmond: the media coverageThe story of the mysterious bird deaths in one East Richmond neighborhood has gone international. Last week, we learned several birds were found dead on Bernhard Avenue just outside of city limits in unincorporated Contra Costa County, prompting dramatic headlines about Richmond from several media outlets.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--2--25.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/east-richmond-bernhard-birds-1-1-1-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/birds-exploding-in-east-richmond-the-media-coverage/) **Drug possession:** In the 94804\. A suspect was arrested for possession of a narcotic controlled substance at 12:06 a.m. **Police evasion**: A suspect evaded police with a disregard for safety in the 94804 area at 4:44 a.m. **Armed robbery**: 200 block of South 2nd Street. A robbery with a dangerous weapon occurred at 5:55 a.m. **Assault on officers:** 2100 block of Ohio Avenue. An 18-year-old reportedly rammed police cars and took officers on a wild chase, wantonly disregarding safety before smashing into a woman’s Audi SUV in Albany at 7:55 a.m. [Wanted crime spree suspect arrested after wild East Bay chaseA wild chase and takedown of a suspect during the busy Thursday morning commute in the East Bay has drawn the attention of at least five law enforcement agencies.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/apple-touch-icon-180x180-2.png)KTVU FOX 2Henry Lee![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/screenshot-2025-05-15-190637.png)](https://www.ktvu.com/news/wanted-crime-spree-suspect-arrested-after-wild-east-bay-chase?ref=grandviewindependent.com) **Drug possession:** 700 block of Alamo Avenue. Someone was said to have unlawfully possessed paraphernalia and controlled substances at 10:21 a.m. **Battery**: 1400 block of Marina Way S. Some sort of assault was reported at 11:35 a.m. **Battery/assault**: Somewhere in the 94801\. Officers responded to reports of battery and assault with a deadly weapon. An arrest was made for simple assault at 1:42 p.m. **Assault**: Somewhere in the 94801\. Someone reportedly used a deadly weapon to assault another person and was arrested at 7:04 p.m. **Robbery/battery**: 900 block of 23rd Street. A strong-arm robbery and battery were reported at 11:45 p.m. ### **FRIDAY, MAY 16** **Aggravated assault**. 300 block of 21st Street. Officers made an arrest for aggravated assault at 12:51 a.m. **Elder abuse:** 200 block of 23rd Street. Officers investigated reports of causing harm or death to an elder or dependent adult at 1:05 p.m. **Kidnapping/abduction**: 2400 block of Lancaster Drive. Police made an arrest for kidnapping and abduction at 3 p.m. **Aggravated assault**: 700 block of 22nd Street. The weapon was reportedly deadly, but at least it was not a firearm at 4:53 p.m. **Aggravated assault**: 5800 block of Alameda Avenue. Police made an arrest for aggravated assault at 10:20 p.m. **Robbery/assault**: 400 block of Macdonald Avenue. Police responded to reports of a strong-arm robbery and assault at 11:04 p.m. **Driving under the influence:** 2400 block of Rheem Avenue. A driver was arrested for DUI alcohol at 11:49 p.m. ### **SATURDAY, MAY 17** **Reckless driving**: In the 94801 area. Someone was driving recklessly at 7:45 a.m. **Drug sales**: 3400 block of Collins Avenue. It was reported that someone was in possession of a controlled substance for sale at 10:05 a.m. **Chemically inconvenienced:** Cutting and Carlson boulevards. Someone was reportedly intoxicated in public at 1:30 p.m. **Hot cars:** 5300 block of Gately Avenue.Police made an arrest for car theft at 1:42 a.m. **False Report**: 100 block of Harbour Way S. Someone was said to have falsely reported a crime at 3:09 p.m. **Vandalism:** 1000 block of Lassen Street. Felony vandalism was reported at 5:48 p.m. **Firearm discharge:** 2100 block of Maine Avenue. A firearm was willfully discharged in a grossly negligent manner at 7:50 p.m. ### **SUNDAY, MAY 18** **Vehicle recovery/stolen property**: The 94801 area. Officers recovered a stolen vehicle and arrested a suspect for possession of a stolen vehicle at 1:31 a.m. **Vehicle tampering**: 3400 block of Richmond Parkway. Vehicle tampering was reported at 3:22 a.m. **Vandalism**: 600 block of 31st Street. Felony vandalism was reported at 3:32 a.m. **Battery:** In the 94801 area. Officers responded to a report of battery and arrested someone on simple assault charges at 9:14 a.m. **Vandalism:** 3900 block of Lakeside Drive. Felony vandalism was reported at 3:21 p.m. **Assault:** 3400 block of Macdonald Avenue. An assault was reported at 7:34 p.m. --- ### Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. *If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting local journalism with a* Grandview Independent *subscription. Click to see our* [*monthly*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *and* [*annual*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/yearly) *subscription plans.* *Copyright © 2025* Grandview Independent*, all rights reserved.* ### Birds “exploding” in East Richmond: the media coverage URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/birds-exploding-in-east-richmond-the-media-coverage/ Last updated: 2025-05-18T21:17:46.000Z The story of the mysterious bird deaths in one East Richmond neighborhood has gone international. Last week, we learned several birds were found dead on Bernhard Avenue just outside of city limits in unincorporated Contra Costa County, prompting dramatic headlines about Richmond from several media outlets. The story, which was first reported by ABC News 7, called the situation a “disturbing avian mystery.” [Birds dying at alarming rate in East Bay neighborhood: ‘Just horrifying’A disturbing mystery is unfolding in a Richmond neighborhood, where state officials say there’s no evidence of electrocution from power lines after more than 50 birds have died, but residents are not convinced.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/favicon-8.ico)ABC7 San Francisco![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/16389846_051125-kgo-richmond-birds-split-img.png)](https://abc7news.com/post/exploding-birds-plague-richmond-california-neighborhood-residents-plea-pge-fix/16389172/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) PG&E quickly disputed the idea that its power lines are killing birds in Richmond. PG&E Spokesperson Tamar Sarkissian told *Grandview Independent* that after reviewing the incidents, both PG&E and the California Department of Fish & Wildlife (CDFW) do not believe these birds are being electrocuted. “The power pole at issue is compliant with avian safe guidance, as established by the Avian Powerline Interaction Committee,” Sarkissian said. Given the mounting concerns of the neighborhood, Sarkissian said PG&E sent yet another employee to the location on Wednesday, May 14\. The PG&E employee confirmed that everything in the electric system at the location was operating safely and properly. ![Bernhard Avenue](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/05/bernhard-richmond-bird-1.webp) Handwritten signs warn of the dead birds on Bernhard Avenue in East Richmond. CDFW’s Wildlife Health Lab staff also found no signs of electrocution in the collected birds. “The birds did show injuries consistent with trauma that could possibly have been caused by a pellet gun, BB gun, or a slingshot,” according to a statement. “CDFW also received photos of other dead birds found at the location that showed injuries consistent with trauma. The exact cause of the trauma to all of these birds could not be determined.” Yet national and international media outlets were quick to report on the story. British daily newspaper *The Guardian* led with “California town investigates mystery of ‘exploding’ bird deaths,” describing residents as “grappling with a disturbing mystery after multiple birds were found dead, with some appearing to ‘explode’ mid-air.” [California town investigates mystery of ‘exploding’ bird deathsRichmond residents say 50 dead birds have been found, with signs of injuries maybe caused by BB gun or slingshot![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/apple-touch-icon-512.png)The GuardianCoral Murphy Marcos![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/4341.jpg)](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/may/14/richmond-california-exploding-bird-deaths?ref=grandviewindependent.com) *People Magazine* raised the stakes with “California Residents Mystified by ‘Inexplicable’ Exploding Birds Epidemic, While Authorities Suggest Foul Play,” using the term “epidemic” and the most predictable use of “foul” imaginable. [California Residents Mystified by ‘Inexplicable’ Exploding Birds Epidemic, While Authorities Suggest Foul PlayCalifornia residents in the Richmond Bay area have reported several birds appearing to explode, with multiple deceased creatures found on their streets. Per reports, authorities suggest the birds were shot, potentially by a BB or pellet gun![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/apple-touch-icon-180x180-1.png)PEOPLEPeople Editorial Guidelines![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/exploding-birds-051425-8d1c7ae5cc3944698704e62669d2abcb.jpg)](https://people.com/california-residents-birds-exploding-multiple-dead-11734411?ref=grandviewindependent.com) Not to be outdone, *Smithsonian Magazine* went with[ “Birds Are Dying Mysterious, Violent Deaths in This Northern California Neighborhood—and No One Can Explain Why.” ](https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/birds-are-dying-mysterious-violent-deaths-in-this-northern-california-neighborhood-and-no-one-can-explain-why-180986623/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) *Vice’s* headline declared, “Birds Keep Exploding in California—and Nobody Knows Why,” while the article itself admitted there were “two possible culprits: a faulty power grid or a very stealthy neighborhood bird sniper,” with the second option aligning with officials’ statements. [Birds Keep Exploding in California—and Nobody Knows WhyBy all accounts, Richmond, California, is a pretty chill Bay Area suburb. And then residents started finding “exploded” birds in their yards.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/cropped-site-icon-1.png)VICELuis Prada![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/birds-keep-exploding-in-california-and-nobody-knows-why.jpg)](https://www.vice.com/en/article/birds-keep-exploding-in-california-and-nobody-knows-why/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) *USA Today* reported, “50 birds die on one street in a California suburb, wildlife officials suggest foul play,” and quoted resident Mark Hoehner, who described witnessing the incidents: “I see the birds on the line, I hear that crack ... coming from where the bird is sitting on the line and then I look up just in time to see a bird just fall lifeless to the ground.” [50 birds die on one street in California suburb, wildlife officials suggest foul playResidents of a neighborhood in Richmond, California reported to local outlets that they have seen dozens of birds die on a stretch of electrical wire.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo-icon.png)USA TODAY, USA TODAY![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/83633897007-getty-images-1478599511.jpg)](https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/05/14/50-birds-die-california-suburb/83610805007/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) The *Independent*, another British newspaper called it a “Mysterious exploding bird epidemic ‘horrifying’ Bay Area neighborhood” while noting that PG&E was investigating whether its power lines played a role – despite PG&E’s statement that the birds showed no evidence of electrocution. [Mysterious exploding bird epidemic ‘horrifying’ Bay Area neighborhoodPG&E, the regional power company, said it was aware of the issue and is investigating to determine whether or not its power lines are playing any role in the mysterious bird deaths![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/icon-512x512.png)The IndependentGraig Graziosi![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/bird-power-line-south-africa.jpg)](https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/exploding-birds-bay-area-california-b2749374.html?ref=grandviewindependent.com) *CBS News* featured a statement by resident Jeremy Hoehner Haele, who said, “My dad’s been seeing them, he’s been seeing a lot more than I have. Actually, he’s seen them appear to be fried on the wire themselves, like he’s said he’s seen that a couple times.” [Mystery surrounds dead birds found in Northern California cityThe California Department of Fish and Wildlife has confirmed they received two dead birds from Pacific Gas & Electric Co. for evaluation, after several birds were found dead in a Bay Area neighborhood under mysterious circumstances.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/icon-192x192-1.png)CBS San FranciscoMelanie Corry![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/dying-birds.png)](https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/dead-birds-found-in-richmond-northern-california/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) Despite the inconclusive findings, media outlets like *The Guardian*, *People*, and *Vice* have run with dramatic headlines, turning Richmond into the center of a global mystery where even the birds aren’t safe. --- ### Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. *If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting local journalism with a* Grandview Independent *subscription. Click to see our* [*monthly*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *and* [*annual*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/yearly) *subscription plans.* *Copyright © 2025* Grandview Independent*, all rights reserved.* ### On the agenda: CPRC probe, fee hikes, and park upgrades URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-agenda-cprc-probe-fee-hikes-and-park-upgrades/ Last updated: 2025-05-16T20:51:01.000Z At its May 20 meeting, the Richmond City Council will consider a call by two councilmembers to launch an independent legal investigation into potential ethical breaches and bias within the Community Police Review Commission. Also on the agenda: updates to the city’s Master Fee Schedule projected to raise $373,000 in revenue, a parks construction contract worth $1.7 million, a recreation budget shortfall of $8.3 million, and a raft of consent items, including a raise for the city clerk, lease renewals, and a transportation planning study funded by Measure J. ### [Richmond councilmembers call for CPRC probe](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=57715&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Two Richmond city councilmembers are calling for an independent investigation into the city’s Community Police Review Commission (CPRC), citing “serious ethical concerns” raised in the September [resignation letter ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=57716&ref=grandviewindependent.com)of the commission’s independent investigative officer. Councilmembers Soheila Bana and Jamelia Brown urged the city to retain a third-party legal expert to investigate the CPRC’s decision-making and potential breaches of ethical standards. The move comes eight months after Jerry Threet, the former Confidential Investigative and Appeals Officer (CIAO) for the CPRC, stepped down, saying the commission could no longer be trusted to fairly adjudicate misconduct allegations against Richmond police officers. “I no longer believe the commission can be relied upon to reach a valid finding... based on an objective, thorough, and unbiased view of the totality of the investigative evidence,” Threet wrote in his September 10 resignation email, which was distributed to the mayor, city councilmembers, city staff, and CPRC commissioners. [Resigning investigator criticizes police commission’s ability to review complaints against officersThreet said he no longer believes the commission can be relied upon to reach a valid finding on allegations of officer misconduct based on an objective, unbiased view of the evidence.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--2--24.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/jerry-threet-richmond-police-1-4.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/resigning-investigator-criticizes-police-commissions-ability-to-review-complaints-against-officers-2/) Threet, an attorney with experience in civilian oversight, accused commissioners of ignoring key evidence and treating internal deliberations like “grudge matches.” He said some commissioners entered closed sessions with firm opinions despite reviewing case materials only hours beforehand. In one case, Threet claimed the CPRC reached a misconduct finding against an officer when the evidence should have resulted in “exonerated” or “not sustained.” Remaining in the position, Threet said, would have forced him to support a body that no longer aligned with the ethical standards of the National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement (NACOLE), and possibly violate California State Bar rules regarding complicity in unlawful conduct. The resignation letter did not reference a specific case, but it comes just days after a majority of the commission determined that officers used “unreasonable force” in the Kevin McDonald case, according to [a public case summary ](https://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/DocumentCenter/View/73563/2023%E2%80%94McDonald?ref=grandviewindependent.com)released by the CPRC on September 4, 2024. The case, Complaint No. 2023-3, involved the fatal shooting of McDonald by Sergeant Alexander Caine and Detective Robert Branch of the Richmond Police Department on June 28, 2023, during the execution of a search warrant. The CPRC investigated this incident, and while the exact details of their internal deliberations are not fully revealed, their findings differed significantly from those of other reviews. [Richmond cops cleared in fatal shooting last summerProsecutors said the officers acted in lawful self-defense and the defense of others when they killed Kevin McDonald.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/32x32-ebt.png)East Bay Timesjason.greenbayareanewsgroup.com![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/EBT-L-RICHSHOOT-0629.jpg)](https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2024/05/17/richmond-cops-cleared-in-fatal-shooting-last-summer/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) Commissioners Marisol Cantú, Carmen Martinez, Andre Jackson, Rachel Lorber, and Daniel Lawson voted in favor of this finding, while Commissioners Oscar Garcia and Carol Hegstrom voted against. Commissioner Steven Lacy was absent. The CPRC also recommended that the Richmond Police Department require officers to position their body-worn camera lenses to avoid obstruction during such incidents, a recommendation adopted unanimously by the commission. However, this finding was not shared by the Richmond Chief of Police, Bisa French, who, in a communication dated December 3, 2024, stated, “I do not agree with the findings” and indicated a response had been sent to the City Manager on November 13, 2024. Ultimately, Richmond City Manager Shasa Curl issued a final determination on February 4, 2025, explicitly “exonerating” Detective Branch and Sergeant Caine. In a letter addressed to Chief French and CPRC Chair Hegstrom, the City Manager concluded that the force utilized was “objectively reasonable and consistent with the City of Richmond Police Department’s Use of Force policy.” The City Manager further stated that the officers acted to defend their lives from the “imminent threat posed by Mr. McDonald when he raised a loaded assault-style rifle and aimed it at the officers.” Curl also declined to adopt the CPRC’s recommendation regarding body-worn camera policies. Councilmember Bana’s agenda report calls for halting CPRC decisions on officer-related cases until an external review is completed. The report recommends the commission also suspend any policy proposals or findings brought to the council during the review period. --- ### [Master Fee Schedule update](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=57720&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The City of Richmond is updating its Master Fee Schedule, with adjustments proposed to cover the costs of city services. The update, presented to the City Council on May 20, 2025, includes adjustments to user fees based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Cost Index, and changes to Developer Impact Fees to comply with AB 602\. The proposed fee adjustments are projected to generate an additional $373,461 in annual revenue across various city departments. --- ### [Cost-of-Service Analysis and Fee Study for Community Services-Recreation](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=57693&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The Recreation Department projects $1.2 million in revenue and $9.5 million in expenditures for Fiscal Year 2025-26, requiring a General Fund allocation of approximately $8.3 million. This revenue projection assumes no changes to the current Recreation fees. However, if Recreation fees were to increase by the city-wide Master Fee Schedule’s Employment Cost Index (ECI) of 3.6 percent, an estimated $42,120 in additional revenue could be generated. --- ## On the consent calendar *All items placed under the Consent Calendar are considered to be routine and noncontroversial.* Under commendations and proclamations, the council will issue a proclamation declaring [May 18–24, 2025, as National Public Works Week](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=57730&ref=grandviewindependent.com). Mayor Eduardo Martinez will present the item, highlighting the city’s appreciation for its public works employees and infrastructure efforts. A [resolution urging state support for public transportation](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=57701&ref=grandviewindependent.com) will be adopted, calling for equitable funding, progressive revenue sources, and zero-emission operations. The measure is co-sponsored by Mayor Martinez and Councilmember Sue Wilson. The council will approve the city’s [2024 Housing Element Annual Progress Report](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=57717&ref=grandviewindependent.com)[,](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=57717&ref=grandviewindependent.com) part of Richmond’s long-term housing plan through 2031. A[ ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=57683&ref=grandviewindependent.com)[lease agreement](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=57683&ref=grandviewindependent.com)[ with U.S. Congressman John Garamendi](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=57683&ref=grandviewindependent.com) will allow his district office to remain at City Hall through 2027 at an annual cost of $13,689. The [pension override tax rate](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=57703&ref=grandviewindependent.com) for FY 2025-2026 will be introduced at 0.14 percent, a routine fiscal measure to support retirement obligations. A [5 percent raise for the City Clerk](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=57734&ref=grandviewindependent.com) will be approved, consistent with the city’s executive management agreement. The city will [renew its contract with Superion, LLC](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=57726&ref=grandviewindependent.com), for continued support of the TRAKiT land use software system, at a cost of nearly $61,000. A [sole-source contract for $38,000](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=57707&ref=grandviewindependent.com) will be approved for library software support, retaining consultant Daniel McMahon through 2028 to support the Sierra Integrated Library System. [Scarlett Perez will be reappointed](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=57732&ref=grandviewindependent.com) to the Richmond Youth Council, continuing her term through October 2025. The council will [receive a written crime report](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=57729&ref=grandviewindependent.com) from Police Chief Bisa French, along with a [public works abatement report](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=57688&ref=grandviewindependent.com)[ ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=57688&ref=grandviewindependent.com)on nuisance cleanups and maintenance. The council is set to approve a [$1.54 million construction agreement](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=57710&ref=grandviewindependent.com) with Bauman Landscape & Construction Inc. for upgrades to soccer fields and restrooms at Wendell Park, with a 10 percent contingency budget bringing the project total to $1.7 million. [Soccer fields, bike lanes, land disposition policy on the council agenda tonightThe Richmond City Council will ponder new soccer fields and a bike lane project, review the mid-year budget, and establish a land disposition policy tonight. The council will receive a draft of the Soccer Field and Park Amenities Assessment presentation. Staff recommends using $4.2 million in ARPA funds to![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--2--23.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/wendel-park-futbal-1.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/soccer-fields-bike-lanes-land-disposition-policy-on-the-council-agenda-tonight/) [$315,000 from Measure J funds](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=57705&ref=grandviewindependent.com) will be appropriated for a long-range transportation infrastructure planning study. A lease amendment will be approved for[ ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=57735&ref=grandviewindependent.com)[office trailers and storage space](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=57735&ref=grandviewindependent.com) at the Hilltop Landscape District Office, totaling $404,718 over five years. The city will [accept $1.8 million in regional transportation funds](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=57689&ref=grandviewindependent.com) and authorize a cooperative agreement with the West Contra Costa Transportation Advisory Committee to support improvements to the I-80/Central Avenue corridor. --- ### Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. *If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting local journalism with a* Grandview Independent *subscription. Click to see our* [*monthly*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *and* [*annual*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/yearly) *subscription plans.* *Copyright © 2025* Grandview Independent*, all rights reserved.* ### Eight Great things to do in Richmond URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/ei-great-things-to-do-in-richmond/ Last updated: 2025-05-15T05:49:33.000Z Check out Grandview Independent's top picks of this week's events that you won't want to miss. Each week, we select the best events happening in Richmond and highlight them here in our calendar. ## Thrive Thursdays @Nicholl Park ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/05/Screenshot-2025-05-13-at-2.12.27-PM.png) **Starting May 15**, we will be hosting a weekly event every Thursday evening through August 14 (except July 3rd). *Join us for rotating activities such as:* - “Walk with a Doc” where a local doctor will answer questions and give advice - Yoga - Learn to Dance – Salsa, Merengue, Bachata, Cumbia and More - Health and Social Services Resources - Fresh Fruits and Vegetables - Other helpful resources and wellness activities ***Nicholl Park, 3230 Macdonald Ave., Richmond.*** ## Bike to Wherever Day @Bike East Bay ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/05/Screenshot-2025-05-13-at-4.47.00-PM.png) Get ready for the Bay Area’s biggest bike holiday! On **Thursday, May 15**, tens of thousands of people have pledge to ride their bike to work, to school, on an errand, through their neighborhood, to a friend’s house, wherever! Join in on the fun by pledging to ride at BikeEastBay.org/Pledge: you’ll unlock all the details for how to snag a free BTWD tote bag, find Energizer Stations near you, and celebrate the joy of biking at a special event. ## ## Festival & Fundraiser @SkyJam ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/05/Screenshot-2025-05-13-at-10.30.54-AM-1.png) **SkyJam Festival & Fundraiser** is coming back this year to East Richmond for another jam-packed day of free entertainment, food trucks, and family fun! Come meet the Bay Area's Best Children's Entertainer, Buki the Clown, and enjoy live music and performances by local artists like Hawaiian music ensemble, ‘AHAmele, from Oakland’s Academy of Hawaiian Arts (AHA). Bring your kids and explore engaging activities curated by play-based learning experts and enthusiasts at Skytown Co-Op Preschool. Jump around the festival and stop by the firetruck, bounce houses, and face painting! Also, don’t miss out on great deals and unique offers at the silent auction, garage sale, and free children's book exchange (bring your books with you!). All funds raised through SkyJam directly support Skytown, a local non-profit dedicated to early childhood education. Please visit our website for additional details and ***RSVP*** [***https://www.skytown.org/skyjam***](https://www.skytown.org/skyjam?ref=grandviewindependent.com)***!*** ## Spring Family Day @Richmond Art Center ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/05/Screenshot-2025-05-13-at-10.35.41-AM.png) ***Art-making fun... served family style!*** **Saturday, May 17, 12 p.m.-3 p.m. | FREE** Join us on Saturday, May 17, from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. for art-making fun… served family style at Richmond Art Center’s annual **Spring Family Day**! This free event features all-ages drop-in art activities that celebrate creativity, curiosity, and making art side by side. Families can: - Screenprint posters with an original design by **Julia LaChica** - Make native seed bombs to take home - Create handmade zines with artist **Shani Ealey** Special guest artists **Princess Robinson** and **Graham L.P.** are running a community-led project. Inside the galleries, kids and adults can dive into **John Wehrle**’s retrospective exhibition with a fun search-and-find activity—prizes included! Plus, don’t miss the WCCUSD Student Art Show, featuring work by talented young artists from West County middle and high schools. This free event is open to kids of all ages and their grown-ups. No rsvp is necessary. **Visitor Information**: Richmond Art Center is located at 2540 Barrett Avenue, Richmond, CA 94804\. Gallery hours are Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission is free. **Accessibility and Parking**: Ample free parking is available in the 25th Street lot across from Richmond Art Center. Wheelchair access is available via the Barrett Avenue entrance, with accessible parking spaces nearby. [Parking and Entrance Map](https://richmondartcenter.us13.list-manage.com/track/click?u=65182c7d7479c044239fd5885&id=2ee4ba9f0f&e=7caed59cea&ref=grandviewindependent.com) **About Richmond Art Center**: Richmond Art Center has been sharing art and creating with the community since 1936\. Our programs encompass art classes, exhibitions, and events at our facility in downtown Richmond, as well as off-site activities that bring free, high-quality art-making experiences to WCCUSD schools and community partners. [richmondartcenter.org](https://richmondartcenter.us13.list-manage.com/track/click?u=65182c7d7479c044239fd5885&id=b1dd7327f0&e=7caed59cea&ref=grandviewindependent.com) ***For more information and images contact: Amy Spencer,*** [***amy@richmondartcenter.org***](mailto:amy@richmondartcenter.org) ## Wildfire Safety and Preparedness Open House @Fire Station 63 ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/05/Screenshot-2025-05-13-at-10.32.13-AM-1.png) This is a free family-friendly educational event happening next **Saturday, May 17, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.** See you there! ***5201 Valley View Rd, Richmond, CA 94803*** ## *Boozy Brunch @*The Factory Bar ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/05/Screenshot-2025-05-13-at-1.54.29-PM.png) **Boozy Brunch** at [@the\_factory\_bar](https://www.instagram.com/the%5Ffactory%5Fbar/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) this coming Sunday, May 18, from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.! ***12715 San Pablo Avenue Richmond, CA*** ## Roots, Rhythm & Vines @Rigger's Loft Wine Co. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/05/Screenshot-2025-05-13-at-11.34.39-AM.png) **Sunday, May 18, 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.** Join us for a SUNDAY SOIREE and DANCE PARTY with **ANDRE THIERRY**!! Immerse yourself in a delightful array of local flavors. You can reserve a table indoors or relax in the fresh air on our waterside patio (weather permitting). **Loft Kitchen** will prepare classic dishes like Crawfish Monica, Fried Catfish, Jambalaya, Beignets, and more! Delicious Wine and Cider, Sangria & Soft Drinks **Live Music:** Grammy-nominated Andre Thierry and his band honor the generations through traditional and new music influenced by French Creole LALA, Zydeco, and Accordion Soul, transcending genres with a distinct home-grown music style. Proceeds from ticket sales will support the event beneficiary, the **"Are You Ready To Learn" music program** for youth and their families. [Tickets](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/andre-thierrys-roots-rhythm-vines-tickets-1275467189699?aff=oddtdtcreator&ref=grandviewindependent.com): General Admission-$11 / Reserve Seat-$20 Tables-$210 ***1325 Canal Blvd, Richmond, CA 94804*** # Closing Reception @Point Richmond Gallery ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/05/Screenshot-2025-05-13-at-1.22.41-PM-1.png) ### The Peace of Imperfection **Sunday, May 18, 2025 2 p.m. 5 p.m.** Come raise a glass to celebrate the closing of artists Candice Fuhrman and Susy Siddens’ show***,*** The Peace of Imperfection. Take advantage to revel in their use of mixed media, shapes, colors, and imagery that focus on how life, and art, with all its imperfections, are perfectly perfect. All are welcome. ***Point Richmond Gallery 145 W Richmond Avenue Point Richmond, CA 94801*** --- ## Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. *If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting local journalism with a* Grandview Independent *subscription. Click to see our* [*monthly*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *and* [*annual*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/yearly) *subscription plans.* *Copyright © 2025* Grandview Independent*, all rights reserved.* ### Bay Area Council plans May 14 rally to push for reopening Richmond Bridge lane to cars URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/bay-area-council-plans-may-14-rally-to-push-for-reopening-richmond-bridge-lane-to-cars/ Last updated: 2025-05-13T21:33:34.000Z Regional business association, the Bay Area Council, has announced plans for a workers rally on Wednesday to reopen the third westbound lane on the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge to cars. The business-sponsored advocacy organization has advocated for the pathway’s removal. The rally is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 14, in the Caltrans parking lot just before the toll plaza on the Richmond side of the bridge. Organizers say the bike-pedestrian path on the upper deck was originally intended as a third lane and should be opened during the morning commute. Bay Area Council Senior Vice President Rufus Jeffris said workers in essential sectors like construction, nursing, teaching, and emergency services, who must drive to work, face significant traffic congestion exacerbated by accidents. “A solution to reopen the third lane for emergency vehicles and vehicle breakdowns that has been in the works for almost two years is ready to go and deserves approval now,” Jeffris said. A plan to allow limited westbound vehicle access has been under consideration for nearly two years, but has yet to be approved. At the end of March, the California Department of Transportation withdrew its proposal to limit pedestrian and bicyclist access to the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge following public outcry and organized advocacy efforts. [Caltrans withdraws plan to convert Richmond Bridge Trail into breakdown laneCalifornia Department of Transportation has withdrawn its proposal to limit pedestrian and bicyclist access to the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge following public outcry and organized advocacy efforts.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--2--22.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-bridge-cyclist-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/caltrans-drops-plan-to-restrict-richmond-san-rafael-bridge-trail-access-2/) The agency had proposed converting the bridge’s multi-use path into a vehicle breakdown shoulder from Monday through Thursday, reducing access to weekends only. The plan drew swift opposition from cycling and pedestrian groups, including Bike East Bay, which helped mobilize thousands of supporters to speak against the restriction. Jeffris said the [Bay Conservation and Development Commission ](https://www.bcdc.ca.gov/?ref=grandviewindependent.com)has pledged a hearing will be sometime before the end of July. Participants at Wednesday’s rally are expected to include members of Laborers Local 324 in Contra Costa County and Local 26 in Marin, along with representatives from Ghilotti Bros., the Richmond Police Officers Association, and community organizations such as the Richmond NAACP. Speakers will include Marin County Supervisor Brian Colbert, Richmond NAACP President Willie Robinson, and North Bay and East Bay business leaders. Advocates of the third-lane plan argue that the current configuration contributes to dangerous traffic backups on Interstate 580 and creates delays for essential workers who don’t have practical transit alternatives. The Richmond-San Rafael Bridge carries more than 80,000 vehicles per day. The upper deck currently has two westbound lanes and a portion of the San Francisco Bay Trail, while the lower deck hosts two eastbound lanes with a third that opens during the afternoon commute. While Caltrans has studied options to convert the shoulder into a travel lane, no implementation date has been announced. --- ### Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. *If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting local journalism with a* Grandview Independent *subscription. Click to see our* [*monthly*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *and* [*annual*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/yearly) *subscription plans.* *Copyright © 2025* Grandview Independent*, all rights reserved.* ### On the Richmond Burrito Trail: Tacos El Rulas’ warehouse cathedral URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-richmond-burrito-trail-tacos-el-rulas-warehouse-cathedral/ Last updated: 2025-05-13T15:36:24.000Z When you think you’ve seen it all, you walk into a 23rd Street Taqueria and get blown away. Tacos El Rulas’ new space is nothing short of amazing. It is a monument — a behemoth built inside what feels like a repurposed airplane hangar. It has concrete floors, towering ceilings, huge murals, loud music, a field of tables and chairs, and a stage. We heard the city is negotiating to bring live music to the venue. It’s surreal. Otherworldly. Like a dream someone had about a taco truck that grew so popular it had to move into an aircraft carrier. And that is kind of what happened. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/05/tacos-el-rulas5.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/05/tacos-el-rulas.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/05/tacos-el-rulas1.webp) Tacos El Rulas started as a food truck. It grew a cult following, became a late-night destination, and is now parked outside a space that feels like it was never meant to hold food at all. It doesn’t feel like a restaurant. It feels like a warehouse that started throwing parties and never stopped. Nothing about it is ordinary. The size. The layout. The energy. It is almost too much until it isn’t. We spotted the huge loaded potatoes and giant burritos El Rulas serves up on Instagram and read a few reviews about their giant tortas but were never sure what to make of it. On Yelp, [Tacos El Rulas](https://www.yelp.com/biz/tacos-el-rulas-richmond?ref=grandviewindependent.com) only manages a measly 2.5 stars. [Richmond’s New Late-Night Taqueria Goes BigTacos El Rulas serves the East Bay’s largest tortas and most decadent loaded baked potatoes.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/favicon-7.ico)KQEDLuke Tsai![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/El-Rulas-crop-1020x574.jpg)](https://www.kqed.org/arts/13963832/tacos-el-rulas-richmond-late-night-taqueria-midnight-diners?ref=grandviewindependent.com) El Rulas offers a wide-ranging menu that blends traditional Mexican street food with seafood and sushi options. Tacos are priced at $4 and include fillings such as tripa, birria, suadero, chuleta, and more. Burritos range from $13 to $25, with options like ribeye, camarón, California and chile relleno. The menu also features huaraches, mulitas, quesabirrias, and sopes, as well as loaded fries topped with shrimp, ribeye, or garlic. Seafood dishes include camarones prepared in various styles, such as a la diabla, al mojo de ajo and empanizado. Along with mixed seafood, molcajetes priced up to $39\. Sushi rolls, including the Mar y Tierra and Hot Cheetos Roll, range from $17 to $19.99\. Aguachiles come in several varieties, including verde, pulpo, and mango habanero. Everything looked tasty, but we prefer to eat our food in tube form. We ordered the Burrito California. It is like a real burrito, but instead of rice and beans, the wrap artists use French fries, which makes it feel a little too *San Diego* for us. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/05/tacos-el-rulas-burrito-1.webp) The California Burrito from Tacos El Rulas is made with french fries. There is no rice. No beans. Just golden fries, soft and savory, soaking up the juices of dark, smoky carne asada. The steak is deeply seasoned and seared until the edges verge on crispy. Guacamole and sour cream add that creamy richness that makes burritos so fulfilling. For those keeping count, this is three straight weeks of guacamole on our 23rd Street Burritos. El Rulas boasts a solid salsa bar that elevates its offerings with a vibrant variety of flavors and heat levels. The lineup includes a Salsa Verde, an orange emulsified, and a fiery Chile de Arbol salsa that delivers a clean, lingering heat. Our favorite was the Salsa Roja with bits of blackened pepper, adding a bit of char, and what tasted like fresh jalapeño. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/05/tacos-el-rulas-salsa-bar-1.webp) We enjoyed splashes of salsa on the burrito, letting the peppery goodness mix with the juicy carne asada and sour cream and coat the papas. It was good and only cost $16.41\. But now that we’ve tried French fries on a burrito we are ready to proclaim French fries do not belong on a burrito. Potatoes just give off too much Breakfast Burrito vibe, and we began to really miss the rice and beans by the time we closed out our 746-gram burrito. El Rulas has built an amazing cathedral to Mexican food and culture on a lonely stretch of 23rd Street, and everyone should check it out. The food is good too. --- ### Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. *If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting local journalism with a* Grandview Independent *subscription. Click to see our* [*monthly*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *and* [*annual*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/yearly) *subscription plans.* *Copyright © 2025* Grandview Independent*, all rights reserved.* ### What happened in Richmond: crime & public safety May 5-11 URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/what-happened-in-richmond-crime-public-safety-may-5-11/ Last updated: 2025-05-12T18:00:44.000Z This week's crime log reflects a wide range of public safety incidents reported by the Richmond Police Department. The entries below represent arrests, investigations, and other notable law enforcement activity across city neighborhoods. For location context, see the interactive crime map embedded below. ### Richmond interactive crime map ### Monday, May 5 **Battery & Criminal Threats:** 300 block of 6th Street. It was reported that someone attacked another person and threatened to commit a crime at 3:10 a.m. **Criminal Threats:** 1400 block of Gaynor Avenue. Another threat to commit a serious crime at 4:00 a.m. **Kidnapping, Robbery & Drugs:** 3100 Southampton Court. Officers made an arrest on robbery, kidnapping, and possession of controlled substances charges at 8:15 a.m. **Battery:** 1400 block of Marina Way S. Someone physically attacked another person at 4:24 p.m. **Vehicle Theft, Evasion & Stolen Vehicle:** Location not specified. A driver took a vehicle without the owner's consent, tried to get away from a police officer, and was in possession of a vehicle that had been reported stolen at 6:01 p.m. **DUI:** 2800 block of Humphrey Avenue. A driver earned a trip to the Graybar Hotel for reportedly driving under the influence of alcohol at 7:25 p.m. **Battery:** Undisclosed location in the 94804 zip code. Someone physically attacked another person, causing serious bodily injury at 7:00 p.m. **DUI:** Somewhere in the 94801 zip code. Another driver was under the influence of alcohol at 10:51 p.m. **Felony Arrest – Multitasking:** Undisclosed location in the 94804 zip code. A parolee was arrested on felony charges including possession of a controlled substance while armed, possession and transport of narcotics for sale, carrying a loaded and concealed firearm, and being a felon with a gun. Additional charges include parole and probation violations and carrying an unregistered, loaded handgun in public at 11:14 p.m. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/01/Support-local-journalism-richmond.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal) ### Tuesday, May 6 **Paraphernalia Possession:** Undisclosed location in the 94804 zip code. Police made an arrest for possession of items used for illegal drug activity at 9:30 a.m. **Warrant Arrest:** 1200 block of Macdonald Avenue. Officers found someone with an active warrant for their arrest for a felony at 9:55 a.m. **False Financial Statement:** 4500 block of Whitecliff Way. An individual reportedly committed financial fraud by utilizing a fraudulent financial statement at 10:00 a.m. **Commercial Burglary:** 4900 block of Macdonald Avenue. Burglars forcefully broke into a business at 11:52 a.m. **Trespass:** 1500 block of Macdonald Avenue. Police made an arrest after a trespasser refused to leave private property after being asked at 12:58 p.m. **Obstructing Police & Shoplifting:** 1200 block of Macdonald Avenue. A suspected shoplifter interfered with a police officer and stole merchandise from a business at 5:02 p.m. **Battery:** 2400 block of Nevin Avenue. Police made an arrest for simple assault charges at 8:25 p.m. ### **Wednesday, May 7** **Battery:** 15500 San Pablo Avenue. Someone physically attacked another person at 4 a.m. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/05/bridge-standoff.webp) photo/ Richmond Police Department **'Sovereign Citizen' Incident:** Bay Bridge. An erratic driver claiming “sovereign citizen” status led RPD on a slow pursuit. After failed negotiations, a chemical agent was deployed, and the driver was arrested at 5:45 a.m. **DUI (Drugs):** Macdonald Avenue. Police nabbed a driver who was reportedly under the influence of drugs at 6:30 a.m. **Bomb Threat:** 2100 block of Maine Avenue. A bomb threat was reported at 7:58 a.m. **Battery:** Richmond (Street not specified). Someone physically attacked another person at 8:20 a.m. [Armed suspect evades police after Florida Avenue standoffA man armed with an assault-style rifle prompted a large police response and a temporary lockdown in a Richmond neighborhood Wednesday before eluding capture, authorities said.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--2--21.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-florida-avenue-police-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/armed-suspect-evades-police-after-florida-avenue-standoff/) **Robbery:** 3000 block of Cutting Boulevard. Property was reportedly stolen using force or fear at 3:31 p.m. **Fraud:** 1000 block of 36th Street. Someone illegally obtained money or property by misrepresentation at 4:37 p.m. **Robbery:** Carlson Boulevard & Cutting Boulevard. More property was reportedly stolen using force or fear at 4:55 p.m. **Battery:** 1400 block of Hilltop Mall Road. Someone physically attacked another person at 5:39 p.m. **Assault with Deadly Weapon:** 900 block of 13th Street. Someone attacked another person with a non-firearm weapon at 6:45 p.m. **Utility Theft:** Somewhere in the 94801 zip code. Police arrested someone for illegally using utilities, damaging power lines, and stealing high-value property at 7:50 p.m. ### Thursday, May 8 **Assault:** 2400 block of Aberdeen Way. Someone caused injury and made threats at 1:45 a.m. **Commercial Burglary:** 8th Street. Burglars entered a business without using force at 7:50 a.m. **Weapons & Drug Violations:** Somewhere in the 94801 zip code. Arrest for multiple firearm and narcotics offenses at 11:10 a.m. **Criminal Threats:** 3400 block of Klose Way. Crimes were threatened with intent to terrorize at 1:51 p.m. **Battery:** 1400 block of Marina Way South. One person physically attacked another at 3:40 p.m. **Embezzlement:** 5000 block of Valley View Road. Someone fraudulently took money or property entrusted to them, valued at over $950 at 5:16 p.m. **Access Card Theft:** 400 block of 39th Street. Property over $400 was stolen using a forged or invalid access card at 6:47 p.m. **Drug Violations:** Somewhere in the 94801 zip code. Multiple drug-related offenses, including possession, transportation, and intent to sell at 8 p.m. **Drug Violations:** Somewhere in the 94801 zip code. Arrest for marijuana distribution and excess possession at 8:30 p.m. **Annoying Calls:** 600 block of South 26th Street. Someone made harassing phone calls at 10:29 p.m. ### Friday, May 9 **DUI:** Somewhere in the 94806 zip code. A driver was cited for driving with a license suspended due to DUI at 12:20 a.m. **Aggravated Assault:** 500 block of South 29th Street. Officers responded to a report of assault with possible great bodily injury at 1:51 a.m. **Stolen Vehicle & Firearms Arrest:** Livingston Lane. Stolen car recovered and suspect found with unregistered loaded handgun at 3:12 a.m. [Emergency crews respond to crash between school bus and Subaru on Gaynor AvenueThis story was updated on May 9, 2025, at 11:29 a.m. An accident involving a school bus and an SUV at the corner of 26th Street and Gaynor Avenue brought first responders and neighbors to the scene just after 9 a.m. Friday. Neighbors say a White Subaru![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--2--20.png)Grandview IndependentLinda Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-05-09-at-10.02.55-AM-1-1.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/emergency-crews-respond-to-crash-between-school-bus-and-subaru-on-gaynor-avenue/) **Robbery:** 900 block of Nevin Avenue. A shoplifting incident escalated into robbery at 11:24 a.m. **Weapons Law Violation:** Undisclosed location in the 94804 zip code. Arrest for carrying a concealed weapon and a large-capacity magazine at 12:46 p.m. **DUI:** Cutting Boulevard & South Harbor Way. Driver arrested for DUI, failure to obey an officer, and probation violation at 3:41 p.m. **Battery:** 4800 block of Central Avenue. A battery incident was reported at 7:25 p.m. **Imitation Firearm:** Somewhere in the 94804 zip code. An individual displayed an imitation firearm in public; had a prior similar offense at 7:55 p.m. **Injury Hit-and-Run:** 12500 block of San Pablo Avenue. A hit-and-run collision resulted in injuries at 10:46 p.m. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/05/Atchison-village-fire-1-1.webp) Village fire: Bissell & Curry Street. Richmond firefighters knocked down a fire at Atchison Village around 4 p.m. photo/ Courtesy of Kay Lynn **Residential Burglary:** 4300 block of Fran Way. Residential burglary without forced entry was reported at 6:00 p.m. **Battery, False Imprisonment & Property Damage:** 2900 block of Macdonald Avenue. Individual arrested for battery and related charges at 11:15 p.m. ### Saturday, May 10 **Battery:** 500 block of South 29th Street. Report of a battery on a person at 12:09 a.m. **Arson:** 600 block of 2nd Street. Property was damaged by an intentionally set fire at 1:05 p.m. **Commercial Burglary:** 1100 block of Hensley Street. Forced entry into a commercial location at 3:38 p.m. **Exhibit Firearm:** Somewhere in the 94801 zip code. Suspect reported for publicly exhibiting a firearm at 10:43 p.m. --- ### Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. *If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting local journalism with a* Grandview Independent *subscription. Click to see our* [*monthly*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *and* [*annual*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/yearly) *subscription plans.* *Copyright © 2025* Grandview Independent*, all rights reserved.* ### Emergency crews respond to crash between school bus and Subaru on Gaynor Avenue URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/emergency-crews-respond-to-crash-between-school-bus-and-subaru-on-gaynor-avenue/ Last updated: 2026-05-16T17:50:14.000Z *This story was updated on May 9, 2025, at 11:29 a.m.* An accident involving a school bus and an SUV at the corner of 26th Street and Gaynor Avenue left one person with minor injuries and several cars damaged. Neighbors say a White Subaru Forester and a school bus collided at the intersection around 9:11 a.m. Friday. Police have not confirmed the cause of the collision. Nearby, resident Janis Mara heard the crash and came out to find wreckage in the street. "I didn't see it, but I heard it," Mara said. Mara said she couldn't tell who was on the school bus, but overheard first responders say there were no passengers. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/05/Screenshot-2025-05-09-at-10.29.09-AM.png) Emergency personnel were on scene by 9:30 a.m. and were seen treating at least one person. Two parked cars were also damaged. Barbara Gorin, who lives on the corner of 26th and Gaynor, captured video of the crash on her security camera. Gorin said the sound of the crash was loud, and she believes speed was a factor in the collision. "The white car was speeding, and the driver of the school bus was taken away – she was really shaken up," Gorin said. "Thank God there were no kids on the bus this time, but this is a warning shot." Gorin said years ago, there was a four-way stop sign, and that cars regularly speed down Gaynor Avenue. "They need a four-way stop here desperately," Gorin said. "Our car was totaled right in front of the house. This wouldn’t be happening if they put stop signs back on our corner that were taken out many years ago." --- ## Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. *If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting local journalism with a* Grandview Independent *subscription. Click to see our* [*monthly*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *and* [*annual*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/yearly) *subscription plans.* *Copyright © 2025* Grandview Independent*, all rights reserved.*; ### BART service resumes after system-wide outage, riders still facing delays URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/computer-issue-shuts-down-bart/ Last updated: 2025-05-09T17:44:14.000Z *This story was updated on May 9, 2025, at 10:30 a.m.* BART service has resumed system-wide following a major disruption Thursday morning caused by a computer networking problem that halted train service across the entire system. While trains are now running again, BART officials warn that riders should expect residual delays of approximately 20 minutes as the system recovers. The outage, which began earlier this morning, led BART officials to urge commuters to seek alternate means of transportation. As of 10:05 a.m., BART announced that service had resumed but warned of “major delays toward all destinations.” A follow-up update around 11 a.m. confirmed continued delays due to the earlier train control issue. On social media, AC Transit warned riders to anticipate increased crowding and possible delays due to mutual aid service during the BART outage and suggested riders consult their online tracker for real-time updates. [ACT RealTime | Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/favicon-6.ico)AC Transit Logo![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/logo.png)](http://actransit.org/rt?ref=grandviewindependent.com) Commuters seeking alternative routes during future disruptions can refer to BART’s alternative transportation guide:[ Bay Area Rapid Transit Alternatives](http://bart.gov/alternatives?ref=grandviewindependent.com). This marks the second time in a year that a major BART disruption has occurred around this time. Almost exactly one year ago, a system outage at the Richmond station halted service to MacArthur, was also tied to technical issues. [Update: BART restores train service between Richmond and MacArthur stationsLast update: 1 p.m. Friday, May 10, 2024\. UPDATE: As of 11:10 a.m., BART has restored normal train service between the Richmond and MacArthur BART stations. BART employees are turning away morning commuters today as the regional transportation agency has no service between Richmond and MacArthur due![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--2--18.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-bart-closed.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-bart-station-closed-no-service-to-macarthur/) --- ## Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. *If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting local journalism with a* Grandview Independent *subscription. Click to see our* [*monthly*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *and* [*annual*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/yearly) *subscription plans.* *Copyright © 2025* Grandview Independent*, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond confronts crumbling port infrastructure in new report URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-confronts-crumbling-port-infrastructure-in-new-report/ Last updated: 2025-05-09T05:49:57.000Z Several structures at Richmond’s Point Potrero Marine Terminal are in poor to critical condition and require urgent repairs, according to an [initial engineering assessment ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=57584&ref=grandviewindependent.com)presented to the Richmond City Council on Tuesday. Damilola Taiwo, a structural engineer with Moffatt & Nichol, said the goal is to assess the condition of the port structures and determine what’s needed to maintain or expand operations. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/05/richmond-port-map.webp) Outline of Areas to be Studied Taiwo said the Kaiser company developed four shipyards in Richmond during the 1940s to support the World War II effort. In the 2000s, the third shipyard was rehabilitated, and the facility is now known as Point Potrero Marine Terminal. Berths 5 and 6 at the port have seen limited use over the past 40 years, primarily serving as lay berths for inactive vessels, according to the report. In contrast, Berths 7 and 8 remain active and are currently leased to the Auto Warehousing Company, supporting the import of vehicles from Korea and Japan. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/05/auto-imports-richmond-california-1-1.webp) In 2009, Shipyard No. 3 was rehabilitated into a Roll On/ Roll Off terminal for the import of automobiles. The facility also includes graving basins and finger piers, which are used to berth vessels such as the historic Red Oak Victory ship and other operating commercial ships. The piers on the west side of the facility, originally constructed in the 1940s, have undergone updates over the years by both the port and its tenants to maintain operational standards. Taiwo said Berths 5 and 6 showed signs of serious damage, including a sagging slab from a broken beam, missing piles, and pavement failure. Berths 7 and 8 had corrosion damage and cracked concrete piles. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/05/richmond-port1-1-1-1.webp) The graving basins were in fair condition, supported by a solid rock foundation, though exterior columns showed damage. The finger piers were in worse shape, with structural deterioration in many of the piles and support beams. “We want to use what we’ve learned from our inspections to provide for the cost to design and construct any improvements we might see needed to either support ongoing operations or expand those operations, looking typically in long-term projects within the next five to 10 years,” Taiwo said. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/01/Support-local-journalism-richmond.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal) Port Director Charles Gerard highlighted the aging state of the port’s infrastructure, primarily dating back to World War II, and emphasized the impact of insufficient upgrades and maintenance over several decades. Gerard said the findings will help position the city to apply for grants. “The more we can document and demonstrate our needs, the stronger our grant application will be,” Gerard said. A full report, including load ratings and cost estimates for priority projects over the next five to ten years, is expected by the end of June. “We’ll include safety repairs, recommended upgrades, and associated budgets,” Taiwo said. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/05/mayor-on-a-boat.webp) Mayor Eduardo Martinez participated in an inspection at the port. Photo/ City of Richmond Mayor Eduardo Martinez, who participated in one of the inspections, welcomed the update. “I’m eager to see the report when it’s finalized,” Martinez said. “And you might have to sit down with me and explain a lot of it, but I’m eager to learn.” Councilmember Sue Wilson emphasized the extensive repairs required and expressed hope the port could become a significant revenue center for the city. “I don’t know what it costs to fix these things in a port, but I’m learning that nothing is cheap,” Wilson said. Richmond City Manager Shasa Curl said that initial recommendations will be presented, followed by developing mid- and long-term strategies. These strategies will largely depend on federal developments and interest rates. “In the past, there have been opportunities to pursue grants, and with all the volatility right now, we think it’s important that we have a strategy since there hasn’t been one historically,” Curl said. Gerard said the final plan will prioritize safety, business potential, and cost. “We’re targeting a list of 10 priority projects that we would tackle in the coming five to ten years,” he said. --- ### Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. *If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting local journalism with a* Grandview Independent *subscription. Click to see our* [*monthly*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *and* [*annual*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/yearly) *subscription plans.* *Copyright © 2025* Grandview Independent*, all rights reserved.* ### Armed suspect evades police after Florida Avenue standoff URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/armed-suspect-evades-police-after-florida-avenue-standoff/ Last updated: 2025-05-08T02:09:24.000Z A man armed with an assault-style rifle prompted a large police response and a temporary lockdown in a Richmond neighborhood Wednesday before eluding capture, authorities said. Officers with the Richmond Police Department responded at 9:56 a.m. to the 4500 block of Florida Avenue after a woman reported that the father of her child had arrived at her home with a rifle and threatened her, according to Lt. Donald Patchin, a spokesperson for the department. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/05/Florida-Avenue-standoff-1.webp) Richmond Police released a photo of the firearm recovered at the home. Photo/ RPD “The victim reported that her child's father had arrived at her residence while armed with an assault-style rifle. The suspect threatened the victim with the firearm. The victim was able to successfully flee the residence with her child, leaving the suspect alone inside the residence,” Patchin said. Police identified the suspect as Javon Hudson, 22, of Fairfield. After briefly observing Hudson leave the residence, officers lost sight of him and believed he had re-entered the home. A perimeter was established, and attempts were made to contact him, police said. “After failing to contact the suspect and obtaining a search warrant, RPD SWAT team members conducted a physical search of the residence,” Patchin said. "Officers determined that the suspect was not inside the residence and had managed to escape the perimeter. A search of the residence did result in an assault rifle being recovered." The incident led to road closures and a lockdown in the surrounding area, including near the Miraflores Senior Apartments at Florida Avenue and South 45th Street. A Mobile Command Center and drones were deployed, and police advised residents to remain indoors until the situation was resolved. [Update: area cleared, lockdown lifted after Richmond police respond to barricaded suspectRichmond police responded Wednesday to a potentially armed and barricaded suspect at Florida Avenue and South 45th Street near Miraflores Senior Apartments, prompting street closures and a warning for residents to remain indoors.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--2--17.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-south-45th-flordia-police-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/police-respond-to-possibly-armed-barricaded-suspect-near-miraflores-apartments/) Authorities cleared the area and lifted the lockdown by 4:30 p.m. No injuries were reported. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Moschetti at (510) 620-6618. --- ### Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. *If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting local journalism with a* Grandview Independent *subscription. Click to see our* [*monthly*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *and* [*annual*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/yearly) *subscription plans.* *Copyright © 2025* Grandview Independent*, all rights reserved.* ### Update: area cleared, lockdown lifted after Richmond police respond to barricaded suspect URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/police-respond-to-possibly-armed-barricaded-suspect-near-miraflores-apartments/ Last updated: 2025-05-07T23:34:30.000Z *This story was updated on May 7, 2025, at 4:30 p.m.* **UPDATE:** Authorities have now cleared the area, and the lockdown has been lifted. Richmond police responded Wednesday to a potentially armed and barricaded suspect at Florida Avenue and South 45th Street near Miraflores Senior Apartments, prompting street closures and a warning for residents to remain indoors. The department said officers were on scene and urged the public to avoid the area due to ongoing police activity. A Mobile Command Center and drones were reportedly deployed as law enforcement worked to resolve the situation. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/05/Screenshot-2025-05-07-at-2.56.11-PM-1.png) On social media, Richmond police posted a message asking residents to avoid the area. "Officers are currently at the scene of a possibly armed and barricaded suspect. Please avoid the area of Florida Ave and South 45th St. Residents in that area are advised to remain indoors. Expect street closures and traffic delays in the area." No injuries were immediately reported. Further details about the suspect or the circumstances were not released. Authorities said traffic delays should be expected until the area is cleared. --- ### Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. *If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting local journalism with a* Grandview Independent *subscription. Click to see our* [*monthly*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *and* [*annual*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/yearly) *subscription plans.* *Copyright © 2025* Grandview Independent*, all rights reserved.* ### Eight Great Things to Do in Richmond URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/eight-great-things-to-do-in-richmond-6/ Last updated: 2025-05-07T05:54:42.000Z Check out Grandview Independent's top picks of this week's events that you won't want to miss. Each week, we select the best events happening in Richmond and highlight them in our calendar. ## MIDNIGHT KITCHEN @Rigger's Loft Wine Co ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/05/Screenshot-2025-05-06-at-8.28.03-PM.png) **Saturday, May 10, 2 p.m. - 5 p.m.** Elevate your spirit and nourish your soul with Midnight Kitchen. This band serves up a mix of Chicago, New Orleans & West Coast Blues and R&B, with tasty sides of Jump and Swing. Featuring Jeanne Schuman’s sultry vocals, Tim Port’s penetrating guitar lines, Barbara Miercke’s evocative violin, and drummer Nancy Geimer and bassist Rich Nosek, holding down the groove. Midnight Kitchen provides the blues you can use to elevate your spirit and nourish your soul! Support Live Music - $5 Music Cover Charge. [RESERVE A TABLE](https://eatapp.co/reserve/r-b-cellars-80d1ec?ref=grandviewindependent.com) ## Mother's Day @Windchaser Wine Co. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/05/Screenshot-2025-05-06-at-10.44.53-AM.png) Were havin a biiiig pizza party for mothers day folks!!! Bring your moms bring your dogs the sun will be shining and the wine will be flowin!!! Live Blues Music from the Strange Angels!!! Come on down!!! **Windchaser Wine Co 1352 S 49th St, Richmond, California** [www.windchaserwine.com](https://l.instagram.com/?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.windchaserwine.com%2F%3Ffbclid%3DPAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAadTcN4HDCGQ1O9noEbZ2qnbdMYcd7m8Iojg6HPx30oIsAXBUSb2oVPouwWCgg%5Faem%5FmiwvT9b608L4LB5d3GWuVQ&e=AT0F3Z9W0ywGjDiKudc8kdjzy7qjHeXW8sUGWcDKzw2eEhEnirItu5T2PRhs%5Fbu8Q4YudxZ8T0v5iETiL19Rqv2QaNh4ssWWI7C7dgNE1PF9FtsYe8i7f-M&ref=grandviewindependent.com)[](https://www.instagram.com/windchaserwineco/followers/mutualOnly?ref=grandviewindependent.com) # [](https://www.instagram.com/windchaserwineco/followers/mutualOnly?ref=grandviewindependent.com) ## Mother's Day @Red Oak Victory ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/05/Screenshot-2025-05-06-at-11.20.59-AM.png) When you treat Mom to breakfast on **Mother's Day,** her breakfast will be cooked in and served from a real World War II ship's galley. **Freshly made pancakes, sausage, bacon, and scrambled eggs will be accompanied by apple slices, coffee, and orange juice.** And **Mimosas will be available** for our adult patrons for an extra fee. And, of course, **live music is always a part of our Pancake Breakfasts, and this time we'll feature Bay Area favorite** [**Rob Reich**](https://t.e2ma.net/click/p9g5an/h3y4urld/1u9q3bc?ref=grandviewindependent.com)**.** **Your breakfast is only $20 (plus $3.18 ticket fee) for adults and $5 (plus $2.18 fee) for children eight and under.** Breakfast service begins at 9:00 a.m. and ends at 12:30 p.m. We are introducing our innovative, **new audio-enabled self-guided tour** at this event. Plus, a limited number of docent-led tours are also available. *Red Oak Victory* is ideally situated for panoramic views of the entire San Francisco Bay and adjacent cities. After breakfast, enjoy a tour of the ship or just sit, chat with new friends, and enjoy the view. Breakfast ends at 1:00 p.m., but the ship remains open for our guests until 4 p.m. **1337 Canal Blvd., Berth 5 Richmond, CA 94804 nfo@redoakvictory.us** ## Mother's Day @ Lara's Fine Dining ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/05/Screenshot-2025-05-06-at-1.39.30-PM.png) Show appreciation for an incredible woman this Mother’s Day by reserving a place at our spot. Let’s share comforting favorites and enjoy quality time together. We’re looking forward to hosting you! **1900 Esplanade Dr, Richmond, CA 94804 Phone:** [**(510) 234-1860**](https://www.google.com/search?q=lara%27s+fine+dining+richmond+ca&num=10&sca%5Fesv=e4a529db535589d2&rlz=1C5MACD%5FenUS1090US1102&sxsrf=AHTn8zp1Bfq2WiHVDLDz8Zfo7zbE%5F3anug%3A1746585498946&ei=mscaaP20OYnN0PEP%5FYmX4Ao&gs%5Fssp=eJzj4tVP1zc0zDIyLjetMM0yYLRSNaiwMLAwNbc0MTFONk8ztDA1tTKoMDaxTE4F4sQUMwNTE0MjL7mcxKJE9WKFtMy8VIWUzLzMvHSFoszkjNz8vBSF5EQA7IUZIg&oq=lara&gs%5Flp=Egxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAiBGxhcmEqAggBMgoQIxiABBgnGIoFMhYQLhiABBhDGMcBGMkDGIoFGI4FGK8BMgoQABiABBhDGIoFMggQLhiABBixAzIQEC4YgAQYsQMYQxjUAhiKBTILEC4YgAQYsQMYgwEyDRAuGIAEGLEDGEMYigUyDRAuGIAEGLEDGEMYigUyEBAuGIAEGLEDGEMY1AIYigUyEBAAGIAEGLEDGEMYgwEYigUyJRAuGIAEGEMYxwEYyQMYigUYjgUYrwEYlwUY3AQY3gQY4ATYAQFI9hRQAFi-B3AAeAGQAQCYAXugAeEDqgEDMC40uAEByAEA-AEBmAIFoAKhEMICBBAjGCfCAhEQLhiABBiRAhjHARiKBRivAcICERAuGIAEGLEDGNEDGIMBGMcBwgIFEAAYgATCAggQABiABBixA8ICExAuGIAEGMcBGCcYigUYjgUYrwHCAhkQLhiABBhDGMcBGJgFGJkFGIoFGJ4FGK8BwgIQEC4YgAQY0QMYQxjHARiKBcICFBAuGIAEGJECGMcBGIoFGI4FGK8BwgILEC4YgAQYkQIYigXCAg4QLhiABBjHARiOBRivAcICDhAAGIAEGLEDGIMBGIoFmAMAugYGCAEQARgUkgcHMC40LjctMaAH0WayBwcwLjQuNy0xuAehEA&sclient=gws-wiz-serp&ref=grandviewindependent.com) **Menu:** [**larasfinedining.com**](https://www.larasfinedining.com/?ref=grandviewindependent.com#take-out-menu-section) # [Mother’s Day @The Backyard](https://www.richmondbackyard.com/events-1/live-music-at-the-backyard-with-nilo-ayele?ref=grandviewindependent.com) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/05/Screenshot-2025-05-06-at-7.27.13-PM.png) **Sunday, May 11, 2025 12 p.m. 5 p.m.** 🌸✨ Celebrate Mother’s Day at The Backyard on Sunday, May 11th, from 12 PM - 5 PM with delicious food, refreshing drinks, and a laid-back atmosphere perfect for quality time with family. Enjoy live music, fresh air, and a beautiful space to relax and celebrate the moms in your life. 🍷💐🎶 **205 Cutting Blvd, Richmond, CA 94804 Phone:** [**(510) 323-6708**](https://www.google.com/search?gs%5Fssp=eJzj4tVP1zc0LEmqyk6xSCsyYLRSNaiwMLAwtTA2MU5JM0tMS0s0tTKoSE21MEs0NjExNTIyTzMzT%5FQSLclIVUhKTM6uTCxKUSjKTM7Izc9LAQBnNBef&q=the+backyard+richmond&rlz=1C5MACD%5FenUS1090US1102&oq=the+backyard&gs%5Flcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqEAgDEC4YrwEYxwEYgAQYjgUyDQgAEAAY4wIYsQMYgAQyCggBEC4YsQMYgAQyDAgCEEUYORixAxiABDIQCAMQLhivARjHARiABBiOBTIGCAQQRRg8MgYIBRBFGDwyBggGEEUYPDIGCAcQRRhB0gEIOTQ1N2owajSoAgCwAgE&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&ref=grandviewindependent.com) **Menu:** [**richmondbackyard.com**](https://www.richmondbackyard.com/menu-1?ref=grandviewindependent.com) ## Mother's Day @Curious Flora ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/05/Screenshot-2025-05-06-at-3.47.53-PM-1.png) Curious Flora Nursery is a wonderland where plants, people, and community continue to thrive in the footprint of the former location of Annie’s Annuals and Perennials in Richmond CA. When a beloved nursery suddenly closed, a group of managers with decades of experience banded together to form Curious Flora. We are an employee-led nursery committed to the continued curation and propagation of an astounding selection of plants from California’s wildly diverse landscapes and gems from boundless destinations. We believe that the best gardens and nurseries reflect the joy of discovery, the reward of shared effort, and the wonder of changing times. ***740 Market Ave Richmond, CA Open Every Day 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.*** ## Secret Ingredients Documentary @The Magick Lantern Theater ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/05/Screenshot-2025-05-06-at-11.44.01-AM-1.png) At the heart of the story is Kathleen DiChiara and her young family of five, who were collectively struggling with 21 chronic diseases. They were like many other families – yet despite living a healthy lifestyle and making a point to exercise and ‘eat right’ – they were constantly struggling with one condition after another. When Kathleen was faced with a severe health crisis, she became determined to figure out what was causing these conditions. Everything changed when she identified the secret ingredients that were keeping them in a perpetual state of illness – and eliminated them from their kitchen. The results were dramatic. Documentary 1hr 20 min Richmond's Dr. Jeff Ritterman, who is featured in the film, will be leading the Q&A. Bring your questions! Saturday, May 10, 2025\. Doors open 7 p.m. Film Starts 7:30 p.m. First United Methodist Church **201 Martina Street (at West Richmond Ave) Point Richmond** [https://www.magicklantern.org/](https://www.magicklantern.org/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) ## Community Town Hall @CoBiz ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/05/Screenshot-2025-05-06-at-4.29.02-PM.png) Join us for a collaborative follow-up meeting at CoBiz Richmond, hosted by Ceres Policy Research. This community town hall builds on our earlier event—“Shaping the Future of Chevron’s Strategy for Community”—and continues the public engagement process tied to Chevron’s settlement with the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) in February 2024. This meeting is your opportunity to stay informed, ask questions, and help shape the ongoing Community Action Plan (CAP). We’ll present recent updates on flaring incidents, Chevron’s air quality compliance efforts, and new commitments to community transparency under the Rule 6-5 agreement. ***Event Highlights:*** - Presentation from Chevron Richmond Refinery on flaring activity, air quality performance, and updates on improvements to public information systems. - Community Action Plan (CAP) Overview led by members of the CAP planning committee and Ceres facilitators. - Interactive Breakout Discussions focused on real-time alerts, environmental health concerns, and accountability strategies. - Public Comment Period to voice your experiences, ideas, and concerns directly to the CAP team and Chevron representatives. This event is part of an ongoing commitment to ensure Richmond residents are centered in the planning and implementation of long-term environmental protections and transparency measures. *Why Attend?* - Stay up to date on Chevron’s progress and the CAP process. - Share your feedback on what information and protections matter most to you. *Who Should Attend?* - Richmond residents impacted by refinery activity or concerned about air quality - Local leaders, environmental justice advocates, and neighborhood council members - Anyone interested in greater transparency and community partnership with Chevron ***Light dinner and refreshments will be provided.*** **If you require Spanish/ASL interpretation or other access accommodations, please email klynch@cerespolicyresearch.com by May 7, 2025.** Click here for [Event registration site with more information](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/community-town-hall-what-comes-next-for-chevrons-community-action-plan-tickets-1337185250079?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl&ref=grandviewindependent.com). **CoBiz Richmond, Inc. 1503 Macdonald Avenue #Suite A Richmond, CA** --- ## Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. *If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting local journalism with a* Grandview Independent *subscription. Click to see our* [*monthly*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *and* [*annual*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/yearly) *subscription plans.* *Copyright © 2025* Grandview Independent*, all rights reserved.* ### On the Richmond Burrito Trail: 23rd Street's seafood-centric Mariscos Los Reyes URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-richmond-burrito-trail-23rd-streets-seafood-centric-mariscos-los-reyes/ Last updated: 2025-05-06T14:31:34.000Z The Richmond Burrito Trail is back on 23rd Street for a visit to the recently opened Mariscos Los Reyes. The seafood restaurant opened about a month ago on the ground floor of the three-story building at 761 23rd Street, which has seemingly been under construction forever. The exciting explosion of new taquerias, each presenting their own unique and delicious burrito creations, offers a delightful abundance of choices. Just when you think you’ve seen it all, another innovative flavor combination emerges, further enriching the vibrant burrito landscape. This continuous expansion of the burrito universe presents an exciting opportunity for discovery and endless delicious possibilities. > [ View this profile on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/mariscoslos.reyes/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [Mariscos Los Reyes](https://www.instagram.com/mariscoslos.reyes/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) (@[mariscoslos.reyes](https://www.instagram.com/mariscoslos.reyes/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading)) • Instagram photos and videos Mariscos Los Reyes offers a seafood-focused menu with shrimp, ceviche, aguachile, fish, platters, cocktails, and soups like Caldo de Camarón and 7 Mares. They also serve classic dishes, including tacos, burritos, quesadillas, nachos, and traditional soups, plus breakfast dishes. Grilled items, pasta (often with seafood), appetizers, and a kids’ menu are available. The restaurant has a full bar and is open for dine-in and take-out, with karaoke on Thursdays. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/05/Mariscos-Los-Reyes-inside-1-1.webp) Mariscos Los Reyes restaurant presents a clean, modern dining experience with dark tables, wooden chairs, a bar with seating and a TV, and a partially open kitchen. Los Reyes was doing brisk business when we stopped in during [Richmond’s Cinco de Mayo Festival](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/thousands-celebrate-richmonds-cinco-de-mayo-festival-sunday/) on Sunday. The Mariscada looks so inviting with its various flavors, but this is the [Burrito Trail](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/tag/burrito-trail/), so we carried on and went with a Super Camarón Burrito and also ordered a Super Vegetariano Burrito. Always cooked to order and piping hot since you can’t pre-cook the shrimp, we watched eagerly as the chef tossed the crustaceans and red bell peppers on the grill. The 642-gram Super Shrimp Burrito was absolutely loaded with shrimp and guacamole and rounded out with Spanish rice, refried beans, orange cheese, and sour cream wrapped in a tortilla with a post-construction toasting on the grill. *This marks two straight weeks of guacamole on our 23rd Street Burritos!* ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/05/Mariscos-Los-Reyes-burrito-1.webp) Mariscos Los Reyes's Super Camarón Burrito is loaded with guacamole and comes with chips and salsa. Shrimp burritos sing their own song, different but beautiful in their own way. The shrimpiness comes through the whole slab, battling strong guac, onions, cilantro, and cheese flavors. This is the third Camarón Burrito on the Richmond Burrito Trail, and we enjoyed them all, but for different reasons. [Richmond Burrito Trail: Discovering Chiapas cuisine at Las Cabañas Food Truck on 23rd StreetWe went searching for the authentic flavors of Chiapas, Mexico and found it in a gas station parking lot on 23rd Street in the form of a delicious shrimp burrito at Las Cabañas Food Truck.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--2--16.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Richmond-Burrito-Trail-Caban-as-Food-Truck-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-burrito-trail-discovering-chiapas-cuisine-at-las-cabanas-food-truck-on-23rd-street-2/) [On the Richmond Burrito Trail: Mi Casita Mariscos TaqueriaOn the Richmond Burrito Trail: Mi Casita Mariscos Taqueria The Richmond Burrito Trail discovers the essence of Sonora, Mexico, with a visit to the Mi Casita Mariscos Taqueria on San Pablo Avenue.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--2--15.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Mi-Casita-Mariscos-Taqueria-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-richmond-burrito-trail-mi-casita-mariscos-taqueria/) ### **New veggie burrito spot** A new contender has entered the Richmond Burrito Trail veggie burrito scene, and it’s offering a departure from the familiar. Our recent visit revealed a burrito that distinguishes itself from neighborhood staples like Tacos El Tucan, carving out its own niche with a thoughtful balance. Nothing felt haphazard or dominant. Instead, each element seemed to complement the others, resulting in a well-rounded and satisfying bite. The generous inclusion of creamy guacamole was a definite plus, and the presence of grilled vegetables, including zucchini, bell peppers, and carrots, added a welcome depth of flavor and texture. The Super Camarón Burrito was Saucy, verging on Soupy on the Richmond Burrito Trail Juiciness Scale. While the Super Vegetariano Burrito was Juicy. **Dry:** Minimal to no moisture, potentially crumbly **Balanced:** Perfectly moist, neither dry nor dripping **Juicy:** Meats or fillings release some liquid, but it’s contained **Saucy:** Noticeably coated in sauce; can get a bit messy **Soupy:** Overwhelmed by liquid, possibly leaking or spilling The burritos come with warm, thin, crispy chips and a fresh red tomato salsa with an unexpected heat, all for $34 even. Let us know where to eat next, and check back next week to see where we land on the Richmond Burrito Trail. The *Grandview Independent* has been embarking on a culinary adventure to explore every taqueria, food truck, and restaurant in Richmond. This initiative, dubbed the “Richmond Burrito Trail,” aims to showcase our city’s diverse and delectable burritos. --- ### Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. *If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting local journalism with a* Grandview Independent *subscription. Click to see our* [*monthly*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *and* [*annual*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/yearly) *subscription plans.* *Copyright © 2025* Grandview Independent*, all rights reserved.* ### Gunfire erupts in Richmond's Target parking lot URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/gunfire-erupts-in-richmonds-target-parking-lot/ Last updated: 2025-05-06T02:32:07.000Z Police are investigating a shooting that occurred Sunday evening at the Target shopping center on Macdonald Avenue around 6:35 p.m., authorities said. Officers responded to a ShotSpotter activation and determined a shooting had occurred, according to Lt. Donald Patchin, chief of staff for the Richmond Police Department. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/05/Richmond-target-shooting.webp) Richmond police taped off a large section of the Target parking lot Sunday evening. “One vehicle was struck, no people were hit. Investigators are working the case," Patchin said. Officers taped off a large portion of the parking lot closest to the DaVita Dialysis center and dropped several evidence markers on the ground. A post circulating on social media appears to capture the gunfire that took place during a car meet in the Target parking lot near the DaVita Dialysis center. In the video, multiple people can be seen scattering as shots ring out, with several vehicles parked nearby. > [@trxfreddyy](https://www.tiktok.com/@trxfreddyy?refer=embed&ref=grandviewindependent.com "@trxfreddyy") [♬ original sound - trxfreddyy](https://www.tiktok.com/music/original-sound-7500806977191168799?refer=embed&ref=grandviewindependent.com "♬ original sound - trxfreddyy") --- ### Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. *If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting local journalism with a* Grandview Independent *subscription. Click to see our* [*monthly*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *and* [*annual*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/yearly) *subscription plans.* *Copyright © 2025* Grandview Independent*, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond crime incidents and offenses April 28-May 4 URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-crime-incidents-and-offenses-april-28-may-4/ Last updated: 2025-05-05T15:50:58.000Z This week's crime log reflects a wide range of public safety incidents reported by the Richmond Police Department. The entries below represent arrests, investigations, and other notable law enforcement activity across city neighborhoods. For location context, see the interactive crime map embedded below. ### Monday, April 28, 2025 **DUI Arrest**: Undisclosed location. A driver was arrested for driving under the influence at 12:22 a.m. **DUI Arrest**: 2400 block of Wendell Avenue. Another driver was arrested for driving under the influence at 4:35 a.m. **Grand Theft**: 4600 block of Valley View Road. A grand theft incident occurred at 5:35 a.m. **Grand Theft**: 2300 block of Lancaster Drive. A grand theft incident occurred at 7:29 a.m. **Theft**: 2900 Groom Drive. A theft by use of access card information was reported at 8:22 a.m. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/01/Support-local-journalism-richmond.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal) **Vehicle Recovery**: 5100 Macdonald Avenue Officers recovered a stolen vehicle at 11:16 a.m. **Vehicle Theft**: 600 McLaughlin Street. Someone took a vehicle without the consent of the owner at 12:01 p.m. **Criminal Threats**: 100 37th Street. Someone reportedly made criminal threats and committed perjury at 1:55 p.m. **Vehicle Theft**: 900 Lassen Street. Another vehicle was taken without the consent of the owner at 2:26 p.m. **Chemically inconvenienced**: 4900 Macdonald Avenue. Officers arrested someone on disorderly conduct charges related to alcohol at 3:36 p.m. **Commercial Burglary/Theft by Access Card**: 4500 Macdonald Avenue. A commercial burglary and a theft by access card information were reported at 3:55 p.m. **Residential Burglary**: 2800 Florida Avenue. A residential burglary with no force was reported at 4:42 p.m. **Obstructing a Public/Peace Officer**: 300 block of 24th Street. One person was arrested after reportedly obstructing a peace officer or emergency medical technician at 7 p.m. **Residential Burglary**: 1100 block of Barrett Avenue. A burglar reportedly broke into a home at 7:48 p.m. **Pimping**: 2300 block of Lincoln Avenue. A person was reported for pimping involving a prostitute over the age of 16 at 10:46 p.m. **Vehicle Theft**: 900 block of South 45th Street. A vehicle theft occurred at 11 p.m. ### Tuesday, April 29, 2025 **Auto Burglary**: 700 block of Golden Gate Avenue. An auto burglary occurred at 12:43 a.m. **Grand Theft**: Valley View AD. A grand theft occurred at 2:45 a.m. **Vehicle Thefts** were reported in the 600 block of 5th Street, the 600 block of Chanslor Avenue, the 1600 block of Potrero Avenue, the 4900 block of Central Avenue, the 1000 block of Lassen Street, and on 2nd Street. **False Identification/Robbery**: 11900 block of San Pablo Avenue. Someone was arrested for robbery and providing false identification to officers at 4:39 p.m. **Possession of Burglary Tools/Stolen Vehicle/Vehicle Theft**: 2200 block of Macdonald Avenue. Officers nabbed someone in possession of burglary tools and a stolen vehicle at 6:15 p.m. **Gone in 60 Seconds**: 900 block of Humboldt Street. A vehicle theft occurred at 7 p.m. **Obstructing arrest**: 600 block of South 30th Street. Police made an arrest for obstructing a peace officer or emergency medical technician at 8 p.m. **False Imprisonment**: 2300 Humphrey Avenue. False imprisonment with violence occurred at 8:58 p.m. ### Wednesday, April 30 **Vehicle Theft**: 5800 block of Fresno Avenue. A vehicle theft occurred at 7:05 a.m. **Grand Theft**: 1400 block of San Joaquin Street. A grand theft was reported at 10:03 a.m. **Grand Theft from Person**: 3200 block of Pierce Street. A grand theft from a person occurred at 11 a.m. **Stalking**: 300 block of Carlson Boulevard. A stalking incident occurred at 11:52 a.m. **Auto Burglary**: 1300 block of Macdonald Avenue. An auto burglary occurred at 12:00 p.m. **Contempt of Court**: 100 block of 13th Street. Contempt of court occurred at 1:52 p.m. **Theft by Access Card Information**: 4900 block of McBryde Avenue A theft by use of access card information occurred at 4:33 p.m. **Auto Burglary**: 1100 block of Barrett Avenue. An auto burglary occurred at 5:00 p.m. **Residential Burglary**: 1100 Barrett Avenue. A residential burglary with force occurred at 5:25 p.m. **Criminal Threats**: Undisclosed location in the 94801\. Police made an arrest for intimidation at 7:21 p.m. **Assault with Firearm**: 900 block of S 47th Street. Police investigated a report of assault with a firearm on a person after a suspect allegedly brandished a gun in front of an occupied vehicle near BTA, then fled the scene before officers arrived at 7:27 p.m. **Theft by Access Card Information**: 1600 block of Canyon Drive. A theft by use of access card information occurred at 7:58 p.m. **Grand Theft**: 4100 block of Klose Way. A grand theft from building occurred at 9:04 p.m. **Contempt of Court**: 100 block of 13th Street. Contempt of court and obstructing a public/peace officer/emergency medical technician occurred at 9:08 p.m. ### Thursday, May 1 ### **Robbery**: 2200 block of Macdonald Avenue. A strong-arm robbery was reported at 12:29 a.m. **Criminal Threats**: 600 block of South 20th Street. Someone threatened to commit a crime with the intent to terrorize occurred at 1:17 a.m. **Trespassing**: 4900 block of Macdonald Avenue. Officers made an arrest for trespassing on posted land and refusing to leave at 3:40 a.m. **Petty theft**: 4800 block of Macdonald Avenue. Officers made an arrest for vandalism at 9:50 a.m. **Vehicle Theft**: 2900 block of San Mateo Street. A vehicle theft occurred at 11:22 a.m. **Grand Theft**: 1000 block of Chesley Avenue. A grand theft from a building occurred at 1:12 p.m. **Obstructing a Peace Officer**: 4100 block of Lakeside Drive. Police made an arrest for obstructing a public/peace officer/emergency medical technician at 5:27 p.m. **Felony while O/R**: 4800 Hartnett Avenue. An individual was arrested for committing a felony while out on release, as well as for possession of marijuana for sale and selling/giving/transporting marijuana at 6:31 p.m. **Shoplifting**: 4500 block of Macdonald Avenue. Police made an arrest for shoplifting and providing false Identification at 6:32 p.m. **Auto Burglary**: 700 block of Wilson Avenue. An auto burglary occurred at 9 p.m. **Grand Theft**: 500 block of South 28th Street. A grand theft occurred at 9:00 p.m. **DUI and obstructing**: Undisclosed location in the 94804\. Officers made an arrest for driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol and obstructing a peace officer at 10:15 p.m. ### Richmond crime interactive map --- ### Friday, May 2, 2025 **Vehicle Theft**: 5500 block of Country View Drive. A vehicle theft occurred at 3:00 a.m. **Vehicle Theft**: An unspecified location. A vehicle theft occurred at 8:30 a.m. **Vehicle Theft**: 200 block of South 43rd Street. A vehicle theft occurred at 12:05 p.m. **Contempt of Court**: 4900 block of Cypress Avenue. Contempt of court occurred at 1:16 p.m. **Carrying a Loaded Firearm/DUI**: 900 block 15th Street. Someone was arrested for a DUI and for carrying a loaded firearm at 5 p.m. **Vehicle Theft**: 500 block of 12th Street. A vehicle theft occurred at 6 p.m. **Battery**: 2100 block of Pyramid Drive A battery on person occurred at 6:23 p.m. **Assault with Deadly Weapon/Criminal Threats**: 3800 Lakeside Drive. An assault with a deadly weapon was reported along with some criminal threats at 7:29 p.m. **Battery with Serious Bodily Injury**: 2700 block of Barrett Avenue. A battery incident resulting in serious bodily injury occurred at 7:30 p.m. **Firearm Robbery**: 1500 block of Carlson Boulevard. A robbery involving a firearm occurred at 10:58 p.m. **Vehicle Theft**: 3100 Benjamin Drive and 3400 Richmond Pkwy. Vehicle thefts occurred at 11:00 p.m. ### Saturday, May 3, 2025 **DUI/Driving with Suspended License**: 2700 block of Garvin Avenue. A rocket-fueled driver reportedly drove with a suspended license at 12:08 a.m. **DUI**: Richmond Parkway and Atlas Road. Police made an arrest for driving under the influence at 12:41 a.m. **Smoke shop fire:** 12500 block of San Pablo Avenue. Firefighters were dispatched to the Exotic Clouds smoke shop after multiple callers reported seeing smoke and hearing explosions coming from the building at 3:40 a.m. [Early morning fire guts Exotic Clouds smoke shopNeighbors near San Pablo and Solano Avenues awoke to the sounds of small explosions early Saturday morning after a fire broke out at the Exotic Clouds Gift Shop.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--2--14.png)Grandview IndependentLinda Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/exotic-cloud-fire-san-pablo-avenue-2-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/early-morning-fire-guts-exotic-clouds-smoke-shop/) **Vehicle Theft**: 100 block of South 37th Street. Another car was lost to the night, reported the owner at 9:35 a.m. **Assault with Deadly Weapon/Stalking**: 2000 block of Western Drive. Assault with a deadly weapon and stalking were reported at 10:25 a.m. **Robbery**: 1400 block of Marina Way South. A shoplifter was arrested after reportedly using force or threats of force to avoid apprehension at 11:20 a.m. **Obstructing a Public/Peace Officer/DUI**: An unspecified location in the 94806\. Police investigated a DUI and obstructing a peace officer at 4:25 p.m. **Vehicle Recovery**: 100 Marina Way. Police recovered a stolen vehicle at 8:06 p.m. ### Sunday, May 4, 2025 **Vehicle Theft**: 1600 block of Pennsylvania Avenue. Someone took a vehicle without the owner's consent at 6:35 a.m. **Contempt of Court**: 2000 Jetty Drive. Someone was disobeying a court order at 12 p.m. **Drunk in public**: Richmond. Police were called to deal with someone's public intoxication at 2 p.m. **Robbery**: 4800 block of Central Avenue. A shoplifter reportedly used force or threats of force to avoid apprehension at Costco at 3:36 p.m. **Firearm Discharge**: 4500 block of MacDonald Avenue. Someone popped off 17 rounds in the Target Parking lot near DaVita Dialysis in a grossly negligent manner at 6:35 p.m. **Robbery**: 3400 block of Macdonald Avenue. Robbery/strong arm occurred at 8:47 p.m. **Brandishing a firearm**: 800 block of Carlson Boulevard. Someone exhibited a firearm at 10:24 p.m. --- ### Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. *If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting local journalism with a* Grandview Independent *subscription. Click to see our* [*monthly*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *and* [*annual*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/yearly) *subscription plans.* *Copyright © 2025* Grandview Independent*, all rights reserved.*Boulevard ### Thousands celebrate Richmond’s Cinco de Mayo Festival Sunday URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/thousands-celebrate-richmonds-cinco-de-mayo-festival-sunday/ Last updated: 2025-05-04T22:19:02.000Z Thousands of people gathered Sunday on 23rd Street in Richmond to celebrate the city’s annual Cinco de Mayo Festival, a colorful, day-long event filled with music, food, and community pride. Stretching from Rheem to Clinton avenues, the festival featured two live music stages, dozens of food stalls serving traditional Mexican cuisine and others, and demonstrations highlighting the region’s Latino heritage. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/05/Richmond-Cinco-de-Mayo-Festival1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/05/Richmond-Cinco-de-Mayo-Festival2.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/05/Richmond-Cinco-de-Mayo-Festival3.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/05/Richmond-Cinco-de-Mayo-Festival5.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/05/Richmond-Cinco-de-Mayo-Festival4.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/05/Richmond-Cinco-de-Mayo-Festival10.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/05/Richmond-Cinco-de-Mayo-Festival11.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/05/Richmond-Cinco-de-Mayo-Festival12.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/05/Richmond-Cinco-de-Mayo-Festival13.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/05/Richmond-Cinco-de-Mayo-Festival14.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/05/Richmond-Cinco-de-Mayo-Festival16.jpg) Community organizations, local artists, and the City of Richmond — including the Richmond Public Library and Richmond fire and police departments — set up booths to engage with the public and share resources. The 23rd Street Merchants Association organizes the free, family-friendly event, which is one of East Bay's largest Cinco de Mayo celebrations. --- ### Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. *If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting local journalism with a* Grandview Independent *subscription. Click to see our* [*monthly*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *and* [*annual*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/yearly) *subscription plans.* *Copyright © 2025* Grandview Independent*, all rights reserved.* ### Early morning fire guts Exotic Clouds smoke shop URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/early-morning-fire-guts-exotic-clouds-smoke-shop/ Last updated: 2025-09-30T17:07:56.000Z *Last updated on May 3, 2025, at 2:24 p.m.* Neighbors near San Pablo and Solano Avenues awoke to the sounds of small explosions early Saturday morning after a fire broke out at the Exotic Clouds Gift Shop. Firefighters were dispatched to the shop at 12557 San Pablo Avenue at 3:40 a.m. after multiple callers reported seeing smoke and hearing explosions coming from the building. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/05/exotic-cloud-fire-inside-1.webp) Richmond's gunshot detection system, ShotSpotter, also detected a shot fired at the same location. The blaze went to a second alarm after the fire crews at the scene reported heavy smoke and continued to hear explosions coming from inside the shop. Firefighters had to make a forced entry to gain access to the burning building, which was fortified with security devices. The fire was contained in about 30 minutes, but left the interior heavily damaged. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/05/Screenshot-2025-05-03-at-12.59.16-PM-1.png) Photo/ Christian W. Wimmer Richmond Fire Department Photographer Christian W. Wimmer posted images on social media of a fire crew battling the blaze and described the scene. "Richmond Fire Ladder Truck Company No. 4 after they cut some holes to open up the roof to ventilate the structure to help release the heat, smoke, and toxic gases inside," Wimmer said. On Saturday morning, workers were visible outside the business making repairs and repainting the exterior of the building. By afternoon, the city had red-tagged the shop, barring entry. The fire is still being investigated, and there are currently no reported injuries. However, according to dispatch records, the Red Cross was asked to assist with displaced occupants. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/05/IMG_0155-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/05/IMG_0160.jpg) Exotic Cloud Gift Shop opened in April 2024, just as the Richmond City Council began working to pass a moratorium on tobacco retailers. [Richmond City Council considers tobacco moratorium after proliferation of smoke shopsThe Richmond City Council tried to pass a moratorium on tobacco retailers, but with only four councilmembers in attendance, they didn’t have the five votes required to pass an emergency ordinance at Tuesday’s council meeting. Council members reported receiving numerous complaints about the number of smoke shops and![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--2--13.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/IMG_5200-1-1-1.jpg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-city-council-tries-to-pass-tobacco-moratorium-after-proliferation-of-smoke-shops/) Council members reported receiving numerous complaints about the number of smoke shops and tobacco retailers operating throughout Richmond. A city investigation showed that some retailers were operating without the required tobacco retailer license or had other license violations. --- ## Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. *If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting local journalism with a* Grandview Independent *subscription. Click to see our* [*monthly*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *and* [*annual*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/yearly) *subscription plans.* *Copyright © 2025* Grandview Independent*, all rights reserved.* ### On the agenda: port repairs, budget & police oversight URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-agenda-port-repairs-budget-police-oversight/ Last updated: 2025-05-02T19:24:01.000Z Richmond City Council will review a report on critical structural issues at Point Potrero Marine Terminal, consider a revived Ciclovia proposal, and unveil a $306M draft budget for FY 2025–26 on Tuesday, May 6\. Mayor Eduardo Martinez has also proposed an Ad Hoc committee on police oversight reforms. ### [Council to review structural condition of historic port terminal](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=57600&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The City of Richmond will receive an initial presentation on the condition of the Point Potrero Marine Terminal, a historic waterfront facility now in use for automobile imports. The assessment, led by engineering firm Moffatt & Nichol, found extensive structural issues at several sections of the terminal, including Berths 5 and 6, which were described as being in “poor to critical” condition. According to the report, slab sagging from beam failures, missing timber piles, and pavement erosion were among the key concerns in these areas. Berths 7 and 8, currently leased by Auto Warehousing Company for importing vehicles from Korea and Japan, also showed signs of deterioration, including corrosion damage and cracking in some concrete piles due to structural overloads. The assessment, authorized by the council in October 2024, is intended to guide long-term planning for maintenance, upgrades, and potential operational expansion at the site. The 65-acre terminal, built during World War II as Shipyard No. 3, was transformed into a modern roll-on/roll-off port in 2009. The city’s consultants also reviewed the terminal’s [graving basins](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dry%5Fdock?ref=grandviewindependent.com) and finger piers, which date back to the 1940s. While the interior columns of the graving basins were generally in good condition, the exterior columns showed “moderate to major” damage, including cracks, delamination, and exposed reinforcing steel. The finger piers exhibited mixed conditions, with severe pile damage in two areas and delamination in several beams. Liftech Consultants, ENGEO, and Power Engineering Construction inspectors conducted visual and confined space evaluations between February and March. The Whirley Crane, a terminal landmark, also underwent visual inspection. Officials anticipate substantial investment needs over the next five to ten years to maintain operations and support economic growth at the terminal. --- ### [Another attempt to discuss the Ciclovia project](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=57528&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Councilmember Claudia Jimenez’s Ciclovia project is back on the agenda after it was continued from the April 22 and 29 meetings. The proposal calls for staff to develop a design, budget, and implementation plan to temporarily close selected city streets to vehicle traffic, allowing for cycling, walking, and community-centered activities. --- ### [Richmond unveils $306 million budget draft amid economic uncertainty](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=57600&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Richmond city officials will present a draft $306.2 million operating budget for Fiscal Year 2025-26 on Tuesday, highlighting cautious optimism in the face of national economic volatility and possible threats to federal funding. Despite a projected $48.5 million general fund surplus, driven by increased property taxes and a 22.3 percent rise in revenue, the draft budget proposes a 3.4 percent decrease in expenditures compared to the previous year. City officials emphasized restraint, citing national instability and an executive order from President Trump that targets sanctuary cities like Richmond. Three options for using the surplus were outlined: holding the funds in reserve, investing in capital improvement projects such as sidewalks and parks, or strengthening long-term fiscal health by addressing pension liabilities and internal infrastructure needs. The City Council is scheduled to adopt the final budget on June 24, following public study sessions in early and mid-June. --- ## On the consent calendar *All items placed under the Consent Calendar are considered to be routine and noncontroversial.* ### [Ad hoc committee to review CPRC Recommendations](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=57578&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Mayor Eduardo Martinez has proposed forming an ad hoc committee to review the CPRC’s procedures and recommendations for improvement. According to a report from Mayor Martinez, the CPRC has spent several months reviewing and discussing thirteen recommended changes to its current operations. Eleven changes may require updates to the Richmond Municipal Code, and seven may require a “meet and confer” process with the Richmond Police Officers Association. The CPRC's recommendations include proposals for hiring a permanent investigative officer, increasing time limits for complaints, annual reporting, expanding investigation authority, publishing records, changing standards of proof, redaction, subpoena authorization, and training programs. The ad hoc committee members would include the Chief of Police, a CPRC representative, the City Attorney, the mayor, and Councilmembers Claudia Jimenez and Sue Wilson. Meanwhile, Councilmember Soheila Bana said she tried to introduce an agenda item to hire a third-party legal expert to investigate allegations of ethical breaches and bias within the CPRC. This move was in response to a resignation letter from Jerry Threet, the former Confidential Investigative and Appeals Officer (CIAO) of the CPRC. [Resigning investigator criticizes police commission’s ability to review complaints against officersThreet said he no longer believes the commission can be relied upon to reach a valid finding on allegations of officer misconduct based on an objective, unbiased view of the evidence.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--2--12.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/jerry-threet-richmond-police-1-3.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/resigning-investigator-criticizes-police-commissions-ability-to-review-complaints-against-officers-2/) In his letter, Threet raised concerns about the CPRC’s ability to function lawfully, fairly, and credibly. He cited a “steady erosion” in adherence to objective, evidence-based evaluations, instances where evidence was ignored, and commissioners reaching findings of misconduct without proper review of evidence. Threet also alleged that commissioners often reviewed case files mere hours before closed sessions and sometimes failed to watch all relevant body-worn camera footage. Threet’s letter stated, “I no longer believe the commission can be relied upon to reach a valid finding...based on an objective, thorough, and unbiased view of the totality of the investigative evidence,” and that continuing in his role would require him to support a body that does not adhere to the National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement (NACOLE) Code of Ethics. Bana’s agenda item called for an investigation to determine whether misconduct, bias, or bad faith influenced the CPRC’s findings, to recommend appropriate corrective actions, and to help restore public trust. Councilmember Jamelia Brown, who said she co-sponsored Bana’s item, was initially unclear why it was not placed on the agenda, only to later learn that it would have directly conflicted with the mayor’s ad hoc item. “While I’m not drawing any conclusions, the timing is certainly noteworthy,” Brown posted on social media. --- ### [Rent Program annual report for fiscal years 2021-22, 2022-23, and 2023-24](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R210D8I%5FUWc&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The Rent Program is scheduled to present its annual report on rental housing to the City Council. This report is required by the Fair Rent Ordinance. [Here is a video the rent program created. ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R210D8I%5FUWc&ref=grandviewindependent.com) In fiscal year 2023-2024, Richmond had 7,857 fully rent-controlled units and 10,485 partially rent-controlled units, which include 4,430 governmentally subsidized units like Section 8 and 6,046 units exempt due to the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act. --- ### [Purchase of a Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=57526&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Picture This, members of the Crime Prevention Unit are placing an order for a 2023 Chrysler Pacifica plug-in van to lead community engagement and outreach campaigns. --- ### [As-needed code enforcement services](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=57563&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The council is slated to approve a contract with 4LEAF, Inc. for as-needed code enforcement services, not exceeding $550,000, running from April 22, 2025, to January 30, 2027. --- ### [Sanctuary city contracting & investment policy update](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=57568&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The Finance Department will provide an update on the Sanctuary City Contracting and Investment Policy Ordinance, and the council is expected to adopt a resolution waiving Ordinance No. 12-18 requirements as applied to Motorola Solutions. The council will also receive the city’s Investment and Cash Balance Report, Monthly Overtime Reports, and Documentary Transfer Tax Report for March 2025, and the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Quarter 3 budget report. --- ### [$300k to expand Richmond Moves shuttle program city-wide](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=57558&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The Richmond Moves shuttle program may expand city-wide, thanks to a $300,000 Clean Mobility Options grant. The council will consider a contract amendment with Nomad Transit, LLC (Via) to facilitate this expansion, potentially bringing the total contract limit to $6,535,000, extending to July 7, 2027\. A third amended contract with Trans Metro Inc. to support paratransit van services for seniors and individuals with disabilities, not exceeding $250,000, for a total contract amount not to exceed $650,000, extending through June 30, 2026, is also up for approval. --- ### [$450,000 contract with OverDrive](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=57555&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The council will also consider a three-year, $450,000 contract with OverDrive, Inc., for Library patrons to access the Libby application for digital e-books and magazines from January 10, 2025, to January 9, 2028\. (W.5.c) --- ### Mayor’s board and commission appointments The mayor’s office has several board or commission reappointments, including Isabel C. Ramos Zaragoza and O’Neill Fernandez to the Human Rights and Human Relations Commission, Whitney Tipton to the Richmond Rent Board, and Connie He to the Richmond-Shimada Friendship Commission. There are two new appointments: Kate Baker to the Richmond Library Commission and Liz Bittner to the Urban Forest Advisory Committee. --- ### [Proclamation honoring the annual Cinco de Mayo Festival](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=57538&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The City of Richmond will honor the Annual Cinco de Mayo Festival, a celebration commemorating the historic Battle of Puebla, Mexico, that has grown into a vibrant expression of Mexican-American culture and community spirit. Held in partnership with the City of San Pablo, this year’s festivities on May 4 bring together residents through music, dance, food, and art, highlighting the richness of Mexican heritage. --- ### Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. *If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting local journalism with a* Grandview Independent *subscription. Click to see our* [*monthly*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *and* [*annual*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/yearly) *subscription plans.* *Copyright © 2025* Grandview Independent*, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond opens applications for crisis intervention positions URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-opens-applications-for-crisis-intervention-positions/ Last updated: 2025-05-01T21:52:44.000Z The City of Richmond has officially posted the first job opening for its long-anticipated Community Crisis Response Program, signaling a major step forward in launching an initiative designed to reduce police involvement in non-violent emergencies. The Community Intervention Specialist job opened for applications on Wednesday and will close on May 15\. It offers a monthly salary ranging from $6,518 to $7,923, with benefits that include health coverage, paid parental leave, and participation in the CalPERS retirement system. The specialist role will be part of the city’s Reach Out with Compassion and Kindness (R.O.C.K.) initiative, which aims to send trained civilian responders, instead of police officers, to calls involving behavioral health crises, substance use, homelessness, and other non-violent issues. [Richmond selects program manager for Community Crisis Response ProgramThe City of Richmond has hired Michael Romero, who was part of the Huntington Beach mobile crisis response team, as manager for the city’s yet-to-be-launched Community Crisis Response Program. According to a biography supplied by the City of Richmond, Romero oversaw operations for the Huntington Beach 24-hour a day,![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--2--11.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Richmond-community-Crisis-Response-Program-Manager-Michael-Romero-1-1-1.jpg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-selects-program-manager-for-community-crisis-response-program/) Under the supervision of the program’s manager, Michael Romero, Community Intervention Specialists will work in the field to de-escalate crises, connect individuals to support services, and help reduce the strain on emergency rooms and police officers. The city is seeking applicants with experience in outreach, mediation, and trauma-informed care, particularly those with lived experience with the challenges the program is designed to address. Romero said the Community Crisis Response Program’s work is centered around the ability to connect with people in an impactful and meaningful way. The management team expects responses from a large pool of candidates with a deep connection to and passion for serving the Richmond community. ![Community Crisis Response Program](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/05/Rock-Responders-community-crisis-response.webp) The Community Crisis Response Program participated in the Latin American Independence Day Parade on Saturday, September 14, 2024\. “The Rock Responders will be individuals with a combination of education, work experience, lived experience, and the ability to connect with individuals in crisis. We are looking for folks that are passionate about this work, motivated to be out in our Mobile Crisis Response Vans, in our community, and driven to make a difference in somebody’s life,” Romero said. Each of the ROCK responders will be chosen based on a stringent hiring process, Romero said, with a panel of stakeholders from all disciplines within the city and county to ensure the best of the best for the Richmond Rock Team. Romero said this is an exciting and crucial time for the program. “Rock Responders, that we are calling our ‘Elite 8,’ will need to be dedicated, passionate, and well-versed at this type of work,” Romero said. “Successful programs ultimately come down to the people delivering services in the community, the ones engaging with our children, youth, adults, and elders who are experiencing an incredibly challenging time.” The job posting notes that ideal candidates will be familiar with Richmond’s communities, possess conflict resolution skills, and be comfortable working collaboratively with emergency services like police, fire, and medical personnel. Applicants must have a high school diploma and two years of advocacy experience. However, additional training or certification in substance use or mental health services is preferred. The positions are a major milestone for the city’s Community Crisis Response Program, which was approved by the City Council in late 2023 and has since been in development within the Office of Neighborhood Safety. The program is expected to begin responding to calls later this year. [City council selects ONS to implement program to respond to low-level 911 callsThe Richmond City Council is initiating a plan to create a non-police alternative response team for low-level emergency calls within the city’s Office of Neighborhood Safety. The Richmond Community Crisis Response Program is a pilot initiative for a non-police response to calls from Richmond residents staffed by team members![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--2--9.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Reimagine-Richmond.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/office-of-neighborhood-safety-to-respond-to-low-level-911-calls/) On Tuesday, April 22, 2025, the Richmond City Council upheld a recommendation to place the newly established Community Intervention Specialist position under SEIU Local 1021, rejecting an appeal by the Richmond Police Officers Association that sought to fold the position into its own union. [Richmond council rejects police union bid to absorb civilian crisis respondersThe Richmond City Council upheld a recommendation to place the newly established Community Intervention Specialist (CIS) position under SEIU Local 1021, rejecting an appeal by the Richmond Police Officers Association (RPOA) that sought to fold the position into its own union. Meanwhile, non-sworn civilian staff within the Richmond Police Department have announced plans to leave their current unions and pursue representation under the RPOA.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--2--10.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Richmond-city-council-1-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-council-rejects-police-union-bid-to-absorb-civilian-crisis-responders/) Richmond joins a growing number of cities across the country, such as Eugene, Oregon, and Oakland, California, that have created civilian response teams to handle incidents that do not require an armed law enforcement presence. Advocates argue such programs improve outcomes for vulnerable residents and reduce the potential for unnecessary use of force. Interested individuals must apply through the City of Richmond’s online portal by 11:59 p.m. on May 15\. A select group of applicants will be invited to participate in oral interviews before being placed on an eligibility list. More information about the position and qualifications can be found at the [City of Richmond Employment Opportunities.](https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/richmondca/jobs/4917989/community-intervention-specialist?pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs&ref=grandviewindependent.com) --- ### Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. *If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting local journalism with a* Grandview Independent *subscription. Click to see our* [*monthly*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *and* [*annual*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/yearly) *subscription plans.* *Copyright © 2025* Grandview Independent*, all rights reserved.*. ### Eight Great Things to Do in Richmond URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/eight-great-things-to-do-in-richmond-5/ Last updated: 2025-05-01T05:54:22.000Z Check out Grandview Independent's top picks of this week's events that you won't want to miss. Each week, we select the best events in Richmond and highlight them in our calendar. ## First Friday Out! @Windchaser Wine Co. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/04/Screenshot-2025-04-30-at-3.21.51-PM-1-1.png) Friday, May 2nd, 4 p.m. - 8 p.m. Music from SourFlower With: The Factory Bar, Pickles N Smoke BBQ, Rocky Island Oyster Co, and more. **1352 S 49th St, Richmond, CA 94804** ## African American Shipyard History Quilt Project @ Visitors Education Center ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/04/Screenshot-2025-04-30-at-2.37.26-PM.png) Shipyard Artists [**Stacey M. Carter**](https://www.shipyardartists.com/artist/stacey-m-carter/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) and [**William Rhodes**](https://www.shipyardartists.com/artist/william-rhodes/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) spent the past year uncovering the shipyard’s history with Bayview seniors. The exhibit will showcase this rich history through quilts created by William Rhodes, historic documents documented by Stacey Carter, and oral histories gathered by the two artists. **1414 Harbor Way South Richmond, CA** ## California Natural Wine Fair @Wine Study ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/04/Screenshot-2025-04-30-at-3.10.09-PM.png) By The Way #9 \~ A California Natural Wine Fair**.** Join us at The Study Wine Bar for an afternoon filled with natural wine, delicious food and live music! Saturday, May 3 at Purity Wine/The Study Wine Bar **1401 Marina Way South ##280 Richmond, CA 94804** ## **OPENING RECEPTION** @Arts of Point Richmond ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/04/Screenshot-2025-04-30-at-2.16.21-PM.png) **SATURDAY, MAY 3 from 2—5 p.m.,** work by **Arthur** Norcome and Stacy Mootoo at ar-ti-fact gallery. Arthur Norcome [https://www.norcome.com](https://www.norcome.com/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) creates abstract watercolor paintings, and Stacy Mootoo [https://canvasrebel.com/meet-stacy-mootoo/ ](https://canvasrebel.com/meet-stacy-mootoo/?ref=grandviewindependent.com)crafts amazing handmade paper sculpture. **Artists Talk: Saturday, May 17, 2 to 4 p.m.** Exhibition dates: Saturday, May 3—Sunday, May 25\. Gallery Hours: Saturdays 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.; Sundays 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. **109 West Richmond Avenue, Point Richmond, CA 94801.** ### Makano, Flex, La Factoria @ Richmond Auditorium ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/04/Screenshot-2025-04-30-at-2.26.56-PM.png) **Get Ready for Flex Live at Richmond Memorial Auditorium on Saturday, May 3, 2025.** Flex is set to light up Richmond Memorial Auditorium with their unforgettable sound on Saturday, May 3, 2025\. With fan-favorite hits like **Te Quiero, Dime Si Te Vas Con Él, and Sin Tu Amor (feat. Alex Pro)** and 303.2K+ devoted followers, this is the kind of show that leaves you speechless. With multiple shows on their tour, this event promises to be a high-energy, emotional rollercoaster where Flex brings their signature style to life. Get ready to dance, sing, and possibly experience a music-induced euphoria (seriously, bring tissues). **Event Details:** **📅 Date:** Saturday, May 3, 2025 **⏰ Time:** 8 p.m. **📍 Venue:** Richmond Memorial Auditorium ## Cinco De Mayo @23rd Street ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/04/Screenshot-2025-04-30-at-2.38.38-PM.png) Celebrate the 20th anniversary of Richmond's Cinco De Mayo Festival Sunday, May 4, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on **23rd Street between Rheem and Clinton Avenues.** ### **May the 4th Beer w/ You @**Armistice Brewing Company ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/04/Screenshot-2025-04-30-at-2.10.58-PM.png) May 4th, Star Wars Celebration Costume Contest, Trivia, Special Beers, and More. **845 Marina Bay PKWY STE 1Richmond, CA, 94804** ### **Cinco de Mayo w/ El Garage @**Armistice Brewing Company ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/04/Screenshot-2025-04-30-at-2.55.56-PM-1.png) Monday, May 5th, celebrate Cinco De Mayo with Armistice Brewing and local favorite El Garage, and enjoy $6 Beers all day! **845 Marina Bay PKWY STE 1 Richmond, CA** --- ## Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. *If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting local journalism with a* Grandview Independent *subscription. Click to see our* [*monthly*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *and* [*annual*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/yearly) *subscription plans.* *Copyright © 2025* Grandview Independent*, all rights reserved.* ### Planner unveils Hilltop Horizon vision, residents voice concerns over density URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/planner-unveils-hilltop-horizon-vision-residents-voice-concerns-over-density/ Last updated: 2025-05-01T17:26:58.000Z City planners unveiled a new land use concept for the long-awaited Hilltop Horizon redevelopment during a recent advisory committee meeting. The plan presents a vision of mixed-use neighborhoods, varied housing densities, retail zones, and public green space. However, the proposal drew sharp criticism from several community leaders and residents concerned about building heights, infrastructure strain, and a perceived mismatch with previous public input. Bev Choi, Program Manager with Environmental Science Associates (ESA) walked participants through a conceptual plan for the 143-acre site centered on the former Hilltop Mall. The plan introduces four zoning categories: mid-density, transitional, high-density, and a gateway zone. The goal is to create walkable neighborhoods, commercial hubs, and open-space corridors. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/04/Planner-unveils-Hilltop-Horizon-density.webp) “We’re creating a framework to transition density gradually across the site, building up toward a vibrant commercial core,” Choi said. She emphasized the plan’s flexibility, saying it would allow the city and developers to adapt as market conditions change. “We’re aiming for a balance that supports housing, jobs, retail, and connectivity.” The draft concept includes building heights ranging from 35 feet in mid-density zones to as high as 135 feet in the gateway area. Residential densities span from 15 to 200 units per acre. Community feedback revealed deep concern over those figures. “We do not support high-density housing,” said Bhavin Khatri, president of the Hilltop District Neighborhood Council. “What we need is more retail, entertainment, and open space. All we have in this area is housing.” Arto Rinteela, president of the Richmond Neighborhood Coordinating Council, shared similar concerns. “This feels like bait and switch,” he said. “Before we start talking about density, we need infrastructure studies and answers about police and fire services. We do not have the support systems for what’s being proposed.” Even the Hilltop Mall property owner, Prologis, expressed frustration. Cyrus Sanandaji, representing the company, said the plan as presented is not economically viable and does not align with community expectations. “The reality is that while there are theoretical constructs that make this look like an appealing proposal, the economic constraints and the community’s desires seem to be in direct conflict with what’s being shown,” Sanandaji said. “Anything above 30 units an acre from a housing perspective is completely unrealistic. We urge the planners to pause and truly listen to what we and the community are saying.” ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/04/Planner-unveils-Hilltop-Horizon-parking-lot-1-1.webp) Sanandaji warned that if the city adopts a plan that is out of step with economic feasibility, the project could stall indefinitely. “None of the promised infrastructure, parks, pathways, or civic spaces happen if there’s no viable development,” Sanandaji said. “Let’s align expectations so that we can actually deliver something meaningful, something that gets built.” Choi noted that the plan remains preliminary and that traffic, infrastructure, and feasibility studies will follow once a preferred plan is selected. “This is a long-term vision,” she said. Not all voices opposed the concept. Some community members welcomed the proposed density and saw opportunity in the vision. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/04/Planner-unveils-Hilltop-Horizon-site-section.webp) “I’m a YIMBY. I live in this community and want to see something cool in my neighborhood,” said Coire Reilly, a program manager with the West Contra Costa Transportation Advisory Committee. “I want to see something that’s a regional draw, something that the city can be proud of.” Reilly said the current draft is already less intense than what was envisioned in Richmond’s general plan. “The original zoning is to have the entire mall area at a very high-density development,” Reilly said. “This plan is removing a lot of that high-intensity zoning by putting in the medium density buffers on the edges, the transitional areas in between. All of those things are less than what is planned for in the general plan.” Reilly warned that missing the opportunity to build boldly at Hilltop could limit the city’s ability to attract investment and new amenities. “I think that wasting it really with lower densities would be a great loss for the city and for the region,” Reilly said. “Do you want to have new retail? Do you want to have a new library, a new substation, all these things that could be possible on this site?” Michele Morris, the city’s lead planner for the project, said more engagement is coming. Study sessions are scheduled with the Planning Commission and City Council in May and June. “We want to hear from everyone,” Morris said. “The more feedback, the better.” The city aims to adopt a final plan by 2026. --- ### Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. *If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting local journalism with a* Grandview Independent *subscription. Click to see our* [*monthly*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *and* [*annual*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/yearly) *subscription plans.* *Copyright © 2025* Grandview Independent*, all rights reserved.* ### On the Richmond Burrito Trail: smoky chicken, serious salsas, and jungle karaoke at La Selva Taqueria URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-richmond-burrito-trail-smoky-chicken-serious-salsas-and-jungle-karaoke-at-la-selva-taqueria/ Last updated: 2025-04-29T14:18:02.000Z On a lively stretch of 23rd Street in Richmond, La Selva Taqueria stands out with a jungle-themed flair that feels part street party, part hidden oasis. Black walls, disco balls, murals, black panther statuary, and a full Lion King scene set the tone inside. Signs announce karaoke nights every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 8 p.m., promising a lively, welcoming crowd where the mic and the salsa are always ready. Even before you step inside, La Selva grabs your attention. A smoky barbecue chicken aroma drifts down the block, impossible to ignore. Through a wrought-iron fence, you can glimpse chickens cooking over open flames in the courtyard. It is a comforting sight, and the use of a full-size shovel to manage coals signals you are about to get something hearty and handmade. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/04/Richmond-Burrito-Trail-La-Selva-Taqueria-burrito.webp) La Selva Taqueria's 689 gram The Super Pollo Asado Burrito. That same rugged, no-nonsense energy carries through to the burrito. The Super Pollo Asado Burrito arrives hefty and tightly wrapped, with a saucy, water-balloon feel that hints at what is inside. Bright orange Spanish rice, a generous helping of refried beans that might be Too Much Beans for some people, but not for us. The beans were in the Goldilock zone between soupy and pasty, which we enjoy so much. The fresh onion, tomato, sour cream, and a good scoop of guacamole fill it out. The guacamole, seldom seen on 23rd Street burritos, is a real treat here and is appreciated. At 689 grams and priced at $14.21, this slab is close to our ideal 700/15\. The flavors deliver on the smoky promise: backyard barbecue chicken vibes wrapped in a tortilla. However, the distribution was uneven. The first half of our burrito had barely any chicken. And not one, but two small rib bones turned up inside a rare slip we might have overlooked had it been just one. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/04/Richmond-Burrito-Trail-La-Selva-Taqueria-salsa-1-1.webp) On the side, La Selva's chips are crisp and satisfying, but the real highlight is the sprawling salsa bar, one of the best we have seen lately. Multiple salsas are on offer, including a Salsa de Aguacate, Salsa Verde, a smoky Chipotle Adobo Salsa, and a bold Salsa Roja. The green salsa flecked with charred tomatillo, often mild elsewhere, packs some heat. We ladled the salsa from a massive molcajete. La Selva is not just about eating; it is about celebrating. Between the smoky courtyard cooking, the punchy salsas, the jungle-disco decor, and the promise of weekend karaoke, it feels like a hidden party tucked into everyday Richmond life. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/04/Richmond-Burrito-Trail-La-Selva-Taqueria2-1.webp) Let us know where to eat next, and check back next week for another stop on the Richmond Burrito Trail. The *Grandview Independent* has been embarking on a culinary adventure to explore every taqueria, food truck, and restaurant in Richmond. This initiative, dubbed the “Richmond Burrito Trail,” aims to showcase our city’s diverse and delectable burritos. --- ### Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. *If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting local journalism with a* Grandview Independent *subscription. Click to see our* [*monthly*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *and* [*annual*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/yearly) *subscription plans.* *Copyright © 2025* Grandview Independent*, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond crime incidents and offenses April 20-27 URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-crime-incidents-and-offenses-april-20-27/ Last updated: 2025-04-28T16:25:50.000Z The following is a summary of notable incidents recently handled by Richmond police, as reported in the department’s daily log. The police log provides a brief record of arrests, reported crimes, and other public safety activity across the city. ### Sunday, April 20 Vandalism: 900 block of Humboldt Street. Vandalism was reported with damage estimated to be less than $400 at 3:24 a.m. **Weapon/False Personation Charges:** Southern District: Police arrested two men early Sunday after a proactive patrol in the southern district led to the discovery of two loaded firearms in a vehicle. Around 2 a.m., officers responded to loud music at an apartment complex but made no arrests. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/04/richmond-police-guns.jpg) Police arrested two men early Sunday after a proactive patrol in the southern district led to the discovery of two loaded firearms in a vehicle. Around 2 a.m. Photo/RPD An hour later, a K9 officer stopped the same vehicle for expired registration and a search revealed two loaded firearms, one with an illegal conversion device for fully automatic fire. The driver gave a false name and had an outstanding warrant, while the passenger had three out-of-state warrants and was known to carry firearms. Both were booked on multiple firearm charges, including possession of a machine gun. **Aggravated Assault:** 200 block of 17th Street. Someone was arrested on aggravated assault with a deadly weapon charges at 6 a.m. **Battery:** 1900 block of Florida Avenue. A battery on a person was reported at 12:20 p.m. **Residential Burglary:** 1300 block of Santa Clara Street. A residential burglary involving force was reported at 7:50 p.m. **Criminal Threats**: 2300 block of Brooks Avenue. Criminal threats were reported at 9:30 p.m. **DUI:** Starr Avenue and MacDonald Avenue. An individual under 21 was arrested for driving under the influence with a blood alcohol content over 0.01% at 10:15 p.m. **Battery:** 200 block of MacDonald Avenue. Battery on a person was reported at 10:39 p.m. ### Monday, April 21 **Battery:** 5000 block of Valley View Road. Battery on a person was reported at noon. **Fraud:** 2500 block of Chanslor Avenue. Fraud involving the conveyance or transfer of personal identification information intending to defraud was reported at 1 p.m. **Weapon Charge:** Richmond. An individual was arrested for being a prohibited person owning or possessing ammunition with no specific address listed at 2:35 p.m. **Battery:** 1000 block of Market Avenue. Battery on a person was reported at 3:20 p.m. **Criminal Threats:** 200 block of Harbour Way South. Criminal threats were reported at 5:17 p.m. **Carjacking/Conspiracy/Obstructing:** 5400 block of Central Avenue and 2800 block of San Luis Street. Officers responded to a report of three suspects who tried to carjack a victim near Pierce Street and Central Avenue. Police said the victim was able to flee before the suspect could take his vehicle. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/04/richmond-police-carjacking-1.webp) Richmond Police Department SWAT team cleared a residence following the reported carjacking. Photo/ RPD “Officers responded and located three suspects that matched the description provided by the victim. The suspects fled, with one escaping into a residence,” police said on social media. “Officers could see people inside the house who refused to come out. Due to a firearm being used, the RPD SWAT team responded. Once a search warrant was secured, RPD SWAT cleared the residence. One person was arrested, and two were detained.” ### Tuesday, April 22 **Exhibiting Firearm:** 600 block of Florida Avenue. Exhibition of a firearm was reported at 12:39 a.m. **Residential Burglary:** 300 block of West MacDonald Avenue. A residential burglary involving force was reported at 4:00 a.m. **Fraud:** 3600 block of Chanslor Avenue. Fraud involving the conveyance or transfer of personal identification information with the intent to defraud was reported at 2:29 p.m. **Vandalism:** 3500 block of Center Avenue. Vandalism with damage less than $400 was reported at 3:13 p.m. **Arson:** 12000 block of San Pablo Avenue. An arson incident was reported at 6:57 p.m. **Aggravated Assault:** 900 block of Nevin Avenue. Aggravated assault with force likely to cause great bodily injury was reported at 8:38 p.m. **Assault with Firearm:** 15th Street. Assault with a firearm on a person was reported at 9:10 p.m. **Grand Theft/Stolen Property:** 5700 block of Sacramento Avenue. Grand theft and receiving known stolen property were reported at 11:39 p.m. **Vandalism:** 100 block of South 11th Street. Vandalism causing property damage was reported at 11:49 p.m. ### Wednesday, April 23 **Residential Burglary:** 2500 block of San Mateo Street. A residential burglary with no force was reported at 12:36 a.m. **Weapon Charge:** Undisclosed location. An individual was arrested for the unlawful use of tear gas or a tear gas weapon, with no specific address listed, at 10:09 a.m. **Grand Theft:** 1000 block of 23rd Street. Grand theft was reported at 10:22 a.m. **Aggravated Assault/Robbery/Battery:** 900 block of Cutting Boulevard and 300 block of South 9th Street. Aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and robbery (Estes) were reported at 1:31 p.m. **Marijuana Cultivation:** 2000 block of Roosevelt Avenue. Someone was reportedly cultivating more than six marijuana plants at 10:50 p.m. ### Thursday, April 24 **Aggravated Assault:** 200 block of 17th Street. Aggravated assault with a non-firearm deadly weapon was reported at 6:36 a.m. **Aggravated Assault/False Imprisonment/DUI:** 1500 block of Merced Avenue. Aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and false imprisonment with violence were reported, and an individual was arrested for DUI alcohol in connection with this incident at 7:00 a.m. **Commercial Burglary:** 1100 block of Hensley Street. A commercial burglary involving force was reported at 1:03 p.m. **DUI:** 3200 block of Roosevelt Avenue. An individual was arrested for DUI involving drugs at 11:16 p.m. ### Friday, April 25 **DUI:** 1000 block of Chesley Avenue. An individual was arrested for DUI alcohol at 1:04 a.m. **Burglary/Possession of Burglary Tools:** 800 block of 23rd Street. An individual was arrested for possession of burglary tools and commercial burglary with no force at 5:20 a.m. **Firestarter:** Richmond. Arson of property was reported in the 94804 zip code with no specific address listed at 8:36 a.m. **Disturbing the Peace:** 3000 block of Hilltop Mall Road. Use of offensive words within a school was reported at 10:03 a.m. **Fraud:** 1200 block of MacDonald Avenue. Obtaining money or property by false pretenses over $400 was reported at 11:46 a.m. **Aggravated Assault/Vandalism:** 900 block of Cutting Boulevard. Aggravated assault with a non-firearm deadly weapon and felony vandalism ($400 or more) were reported at 8:13 p.m. **Possession of Burglary Tools:** Richmond. An individual was arrested for possession of burglary tools with no specific address listed at 9:41 p.m. ### Saturday, April 26 **Negligent Discharge of Firearm:** 2800 block of Center Avenue. Willful discharge of a firearm in a grossly negligent manner was reported at 12:06 a.m. **Fraud:** 5200 block of San Jose Avenue. Obtaining money or property by false pretenses over $400 was reported at 11:01 a.m. **DUI:** 2500 block of MacDonald Avenue. An individual was arrested for DUI alcohol and DUI with a blood alcohol content of 0.08% or higher at 8:47 p.m. ### April 27, 2025 **DUI Arrest:** An individual was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol at an unspecified location at 2:15 a.m. **Aggravated Assault:** 600 block of Payne Drive. Police responded to a series of incidents, including assault with a deadly weapon involving possible great bodily injury, at 8 a.m. **Felony Vandalism:** 4700 block of Hartnett Avenue. Vandalism causing $400 or more in damage was reported at 1:25 p.m. **Commercial Burglary:** 3400 block of Collins Avenue. A forced entry commercial burglary was reported at 1:53 p.m. **Felony Battery:** An incident of felony battery against an emergency person was reported at an unspecified location. **Felony Vandalism, Obstruction:** 13th Street. Felony vandalism causing over $400 in damage and obstruction of a peace officer were reported at 6:00 p.m. **DUI:** 3900 block of Esmond Avenue. Police responded to a crash in the North and East and investigated a driver for driving under the influence of alcohol at 8:20 p.m. --- ### Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. *If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting local journalism with a* Grandview Independent *subscription. Click to see our* [*monthly*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *and* [*annual*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/yearly) *subscription plans.* *Copyright © 2025* Grandview Independent*, all rights reserved.* ### On the agenda: special meeting set as Richmond council hits 11 p.m. cutoff URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-agenda-special-meeting-set-as-richmond-council-hits-11-p-m-cutoff/ Last updated: 2025-04-25T19:21:44.000Z The Richmond City Council will hold a special meeting next week after a packed agenda left councilmembers short on time Tuesday night, forcing them to delay discussions on the city’s capital improvement program, budget priorities, firework fines, and temporary closing of select streets to cars. The special council meeting lists a start time of 3:30 p.m. with no closed session items. The council was set to receive updates and provide direction on several major topics, including new Capital Improvement Program requests and proposed citywide prioritization factors. However, with only minutes remaining before the meeting’s scheduled end, Mayor Eduardo Martinez acknowledged that the scope was too broad to address in the limited time available. “There’s way too much for us to discuss in six minutes,” Martinez said. “So we will continue at our next meeting.” The council recently changed the meeting start times and added a strict 11 p.m. stop time. As time expired, council members debated how to provide feedback before May 6 without violating the Brown Act, which restricts how public officials can communicate outside formal meetings. Some floated the idea of submitting questions in writing or holding a special meeting. “Point of order,” Vice Mayor Cesar Zepeda said. “We’re now out of order because the meeting is over.” There are only three items on the special meeting agenda, all held over from the April 22 meeting. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/04/Capital-Improvement-Program-1.webp) Capital Improvement Program Program Fiscal Year 2024-25 Project Map (Shaded Blue Areas Reflect Capital Project Locations) ### [Richmond reviews capital project spending, prioritization](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=57507&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Richmond city staff is updating the City Council on its Capital Improvement Program, which includes 95 projects. Staff is addressing budget shortfalls in existing projects and presenting a draft list of new, unfunded project requests for the 2025-26 fiscal year. The list includes 49 projects that would cost more than a Chevron Settlement ($569,017,750) The city also proposes a new weighted criteria system to prioritize projects, considering factors like equity, required work, project readiness, environmental impact, and economic development. The council will review the program and provide direction to staff, as the city aims to allocate resources effectively. According to the agenda, the public comment session is closed. Two people signed up to comment on the item Tuesday night, but even the council gadflies had left minutes before the 11 p.m. end of the meeting. --- ### [Creating safe spaces for walking, bicycling, and activities](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=57514&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Richmond could soon join the growing number of cities around the world embracing open streets events, as Councilmember Claudia Jimenez is proposing a pilot Ciclovia project for summer 2025. [Ciclovia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ciclov%C3%ADa?ref=grandviewindependent.com) is a Spanish term that means “cycleway,” either a permanent bike path or temporarily closing streets to automobiles for cyclists and pedestrians. The proposal calls for staff to develop a design, budget, and implementation plan to temporarily close selected city streets to vehicle traffic, allowing for cycling, walking, and community-centered activities. According to the agenda report, Ciclovias are events that “temporarily close streets to automobiles to provide safe spaces for walking, bicycling, and other social activities.” Originating in Bogotá, Colombia, in the 1970s, the concept has since expanded globally, with local adaptations such as San Francisco’s “Sunday Streets,” which launched in 2008. If approved, Richmond’s pilot event would require coordination with transit agencies like AC Transit to reroute buses, identify suitable streets and solicit public input. Options for engagement include workshops, surveys, or collaboration with neighborhood councils and community organizations. --- ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/04/2025-Fire-Hazard-Severity-Zones-richmond-1.webp) High and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones ### [Increasing fines for fireworks in high fire hazard zones](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=57477&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Richmond City Councilmember Soheila Bana proposes tripling fines for illegal fireworks in areas designated as High and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones to reduce wildfire risk and improve public safety. The item would direct the City Attorney’s Office to draft an ordinance amending the city’s municipal code to specifically target fireworks-related violations in high-risk fire zones. According to the proposal, illegal fireworks can ignite fires that spread rapidly through dry vegetation and nearby structures, leading to property damage, displacement, and environmental harm. The measure argues that increased fines would serve as a stronger deterrent, especially during high-risk periods like the Fourth of July and New Year’s Eve. --- ### Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. *If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting local journalism with a* Grandview Independent *subscription. Click to see our* [*monthly*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *and* [*annual*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/yearly) *subscription plans.* *Copyright © 2025* Grandview Independent*, all rights reserved.* ### Eight Great Things to do in Richmond URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/eight-great-things-to-do-in-richmond-4/ Last updated: 2025-04-24T06:06:46.000Z Check out Grandview Independent's top picks of this week's events that you won't want to miss. Each week, we select the best events in Richmond and highlight them in our calendar. ## **OTHER DESERT CITIES @**Masquers Playhouse ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/04/Screenshot-2025-04-23-at-2.49.10-PM.png) **April 25 – May 18, 2025** Brooke Wyeth returns home to Palm Springs after a six-year absence to celebrate Christmas with her parents, her brother, and her aunt. Brooke announces that she is about to publish a memoir dredging up a pivotal and tragic event in the family’s history — a wound they don’t want reopened. In effect, she draws a line in the sand and dares them all to cross it. **Masquers Playhouse |** [**105 Park Place, Point Richmond**](https://maps.app.goo.gl/CL174ahVbQD9whne8?ref=grandviewindependent.com) **| P. O. Box 71037, Richmond, CA 94807 |** [**510-232-3888**](tel:+1 510-232-3888) **|** [**info@masquers.org**](mailto:info@masquers.org) ## HOT ROD JUKEBOX @Go Green! Mobility Fair ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/04/Screenshot-2025-04-23-at-4.07.42-PM-1.png) **REVVED-UP RETRO RocK ‘N ROLL with Hot Rod Jukebox** *Saturday, April 26,from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.* The event includes: Games, crafts, and you can test ride electric bicycles and sample food from [Emiliano’s Tacos](https://www.yelp.com/biz/emiliano-tacos-el-cerrito?ref=grandviewindependent.com) and [Momolicious](https://www.momolicious.com/?ref=grandviewindependent.com). **515 Richmond Street (EC BART parking lot)** ## Live Music @ The Backyard with E. Live ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/04/Screenshot-2025-04-23-at-3.58.08-PM.png) **Saturday, April 26, 2025 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.** Get ready to groove at The Backyard on Saturday, April 26th! From 3 p.m.-7 p.m., experience the electric vibes of DJ E. Live! It's going to be a throwback afternoon filled with funky beats, soulful rhythms, and all your favorite Backyard eats! Don’t miss out on this funky, feel-good vibe! **The Backyard 205 Cutting Boulevard Richmond** ## The Art Springs Quartet + BDay Pot Luck @Windchaser Wine Co. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/04/Screenshot-2025-04-23-at-3.50.46-PM-1-1-1-1.png) **Sunday, April 27, 4 p.m. - 6 p.m.** Winery opens at 1 p.m., Art Springs Quartet 4-6 p.m. Potluck local vibes. **1352 S 49th St, Richmond, CA 94804** ## Big City Trees @Sailing Goat Point San Pablo Harbor ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/04/Screenshot-2025-04-23-at-4.52.16-PM-1.png) **Sunday, April 27,** **4 p.m. – 7 p.m.** Big City Trees took shape at the beginning of the pandemic from a group of veteran Bay Area musicians looking for a way to stay connected. Initially playing for seagulls at various industrial bayside locations, they built a sound, equal parts Pop, Folk, and Indie Rock, highly rhythmic and built around vocal harmony. After honing their set list in driveways all over Northern California, BCT is bringing music back to the clubs and audiences eager for a feeling of uplift and resilience. Sailing Goat is the newest addition to a farm-to-table restaurant experience in a fabulous outdoor setting! It is a bayside escape to nourish the body and feed the soul, offering coastal cuisine with seasonal plates, local beer and wine, and live music! We encourage guests to tip the bands! We truly appreciate your support for the Arts! **Sailing Goat at Point San Pablo Harbor, 1900 Stenmark Dr, Richmond, CA 94801, USA** ## Rich City Rollers @Lucas Park ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/04/Screenshot-2025-04-23-at-5.03.46-PM.png) **Sunday at Lucas Park 11-1 p.m.** Join us for free beginners class and skates! This is a family-friendly event. Rich City Rollers joined the Richmond Park Equity Project (RichPEP). The collective of orgs are working together to activate parks and provide public input for improvements. We will be at Lucas Park twice a month! 🎉 look out for dates. ## Richmond Business Forum @ Richmond Auditorium ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/04/Screenshot-2025-04-23-at-5.07.58-PM-1-1.png) **Are you a business owner in Richmond?** If so, come and participate in the first ever city of Richmond Business Forum. Hosted by Vice Mayor Zepeda. Meet with the city, the Chamber of Commerce, and other business owners to discuss the challenges and possible solutions with the city. Tuesday, April 29 at 6 p.m. in the **Bermuda Room at the Richmond Auditorium.** ## "TAKING IT OUTDOORS" BANNERS **@**Point Richmond ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/04/Screenshot-2025-04-23-at-4.38.40-PM.png) This year's banners are now on display in Point Richmond thanks to Arts of Point Richmond, whose fabulous artists are displaying their work on walls, windows, and gates around the neighborhood. A map to guide you on an artful journey is available here: [https://www.artsofpointrichmond.com/tio](https://www.artsofpointrichmond.com/tio?ref=grandviewindependent.com) --- ## Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. *If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting local journalism with a* Grandview Independent *subscription. Click to see our* [*monthly*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *and* [*annual*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/yearly) *subscription plans.* *Copyright © 2025* Grandview Independent*, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond council rejects police union bid to absorb civilian crisis responders URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-council-rejects-police-union-bid-to-absorb-civilian-crisis-responders/ Last updated: 2025-04-23T05:58:16.000Z The Richmond City Council upheld a recommendation to place the newly established Community Intervention Specialist (CIS) position under SEIU Local 1021, rejecting an appeal by the Richmond Police Officers Association (RPOA) that sought to fold the position into its own union. Meanwhile, non-sworn civilian staff within the Richmond Police Department have announced plans to leave their current unions and pursue representation under the RPOA. The position is part of the city’s [Community Crisis Response Program ROCK ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=57456&ref=grandviewindependent.com)(Reach Out with Compassion and Kindness), which aims to redirect certain non-violent, low-level emergency calls away from traditional police response. [Richmond launches community crisis response programThe City of Richmond has officially launched its Community Crisis Response Program (CCRP), designed to address non-violent emergencies such as mental health crises and homelessness without the involvement of police.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--2--8.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Community-Crisis-Response-Program-richmond-1-1-3.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-launches-community-crisis-response-program/) Sharron Taylor, Human Resources Director, outlined why the new positions belong with SEIU. According to Taylor, the role is designed as a non-sworn, community-centered position under the Office of Neighborhood Safety, and placing it within RPOA would send a contradictory message to the community. “It’s imperative to maintain a distinction between police services and the function of the community crisis response program,” Taylor said. The CIS role, developed following years of community advocacy and budget reallocations from the police department, was assigned to SEIU Local 1021 by the Human Resources Department earlier this year. The RPOA challenged that assignment, arguing that the classification was better aligned with their public safety mission. However, the City’s Employee Relations Officer upheld the SEIU determination in a final decision on March 19, 2025, prompting an official appeal by RPOA to the Richmond City Council. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/04/Richmond-police-union-1-1.webp) Richmond Police Officers Association President Ben Therriault and attorney Jonathan Murphy, argued the city failed to bargain in good faith. Jonathan Murphy, the RPOA’s attorney, argued the city failed to bargain in good faith and accused staff of prematurely finalizing the CIS’s union assignment. “If we don’t know what they’re going to do, how can we possibly know what the community of interest is?” he asked, claiming the city has not defined the job’s scope and has only held one meet-and-confer session. Richmond Police Officers Association President Ben Therriault said while the union supports the creation of the Community Crisis Response Program, the decision to exclude the Community Intervention Specialist role from RPOA threatens both operational coherence and staff safety. Therriault said the role would overlap with police responsibilities and should be represented within the police union. “These folks are going to be doing police-type work. It says that right in the job description. We’re talking about a position that’s going to be dispatched by radio, that needs to be integrated with police operations, and that will be out there responding to community crises,” Therriault said. Kevin Tisdale, president of the Richmond chapter of SEIU, urged the council to recognize the community-focused intent behind the new civilian classification and to uphold Taylor’s findings. “The community is still awaiting the services from this classification, services that were created by the council direction to meet urgent mental health needs,” Tisdale said. “This is not a police role. It’s a community service role, modeled after successful 8-1-1 and 3-1-1 programs across the Bay Area.” Community members, advisory board members, and ROCK supporters filled the council chambers and online to voice their support for keeping CIS independent from law enforcement. Overwhelmingly, speakers advocated for a public health-oriented response rooted in care and de-escalation, particularly for mental health incidents and vulnerable populations. “I called 911 looking for help when my sister needed emotional, physical, medical help after hospitals turned us away,” said Rosie Rendon, a member of the Community Crisis Response Program Advisory Board. “He didn’t know what to do, and he left.” While the council ultimately reaffirmed the classification under SEIU Local 1021, the debate underscored broader tensions about labor representation within the city’s public safety landscape. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/04/Kito-Williams-Richmond-Police-Department---Jailer-1.webp) Richmond Police Department Jailer Kito Williams said non-sworn police employees have expressed their intent to leave SEIU Local 1021 and seek representation under the Richmond Police Officers Association. Kito Williams, a jailer with the Richmond Police Department, addressed the council Tuesday night and said over 80 percent of non-sworn police employees have expressed their intent to leave SEIU Local 1021 and seek representation under the Richmond Police Officers Association. “This decision did not come lightly. It stems from a deep, shared belief among the undersigned employees that our roles, responsibilities, and daily experiences place us in far closer alignment with the mission, operations, and community service focus of the RPOA,” Williams said. We work side by side with sworn personnel, serve the same public safety goals, and operate within the same command structure and environment.” Williams said the interests and needs of non-sworn police employees are fundamentally different from those of general city employees represented by other city unions. “We believe they can be better understood and represented by the RPOA. We are hopeful that the city will respect our collective voice and support a smooth and fair transition in accordance with applicable labor laws and meet-and-confer obligations. Our shared goal is to ensure that all City of Richmond employees are represented by the organizations best suited to advocate for their specific classifications, roles, and interests,” Williams said. In discussing potential next steps for the appeal, City Attorney Dave Aleshire said the RPOA could appeal the council decision to the California Public Employment Relations Board. “If the RPOA is dissatisfied with the City Council’s decision this evening, then they could bring that to the Public Employment Relations Board and have them review the appropriateness of upholding the city manager’s unit determination. Realistically, that is likely the last step in the process.” --- ### Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. *If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting local journalism with a* Grandview Independent *subscription. Click to see our* [*monthly*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *and* [*annual*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/yearly) *subscription plans.* *Copyright © 2025* Grandview Independent*, all rights reserved.* ### On the Richmond Burrito Trail: Cutting Boulevard's Tacos Zaragoza URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-richmond-burrito-trail-cutting-boulevards-tacos-zaragoza/ Last updated: 2025-04-22T18:28:31.000Z You know that feeling when you pull up to a taco truck and it’s not flashy — no neon, no Instagram signage, just a faded menu and the hum of the generator — but something tells you you’re in the right place? That’s Tacos Zaragoza. It’s parked quietly but confidently in front of a boarded-up fire-damaged home on South 15th and Cutting. The kind of house that Zillow tries to sell as a “rare opportunity” with “fire damage” and “strong property values,” like they’re hoping some cash buyer doesn’t know how to read between the lines. But we’re not here to flip houses. [500 S 15th St, Richmond, CA 94804 | MLS #41082279 | ZillowThis 928 square feet Single Family home has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. It is located at 500 S 15th St, Richmond, CA.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/apple-touch-icon-1.png)ZillowZillow, Inc.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/3f7844125bec28523ccb29a0d4a83eee-cc_ft_1536.jpg)](https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/500-S-15th-St-Richmond-CA-94804/68043102%5Fzpid/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) As much fun as we had [eating](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-richmond-pizza-trail-san-pablo-avenues-richmond-pizza-house/) [all](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-richmond-pizza-trail-the-points-raymonds-pizzeria/) [kinds](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-richmond-pizza-trail-23rd-streets-navarros-italian-deli/) [of](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-richmond-pizza-trail-23rd-streets-navarros-italian-deli/) [Richmond](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-richmond-pizza-trail-a-slice-of-mountain-mikes-pizza/) [Pizza](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-richmond-pizza-trail-tradition-gets-a-tandoori-makeover-at-pizza-twist/), after 40 burrito-less days, the Richmond Burrito Trail was more than ready to dig into some new slabs. We ordered two Zaragoza Burritos. One was Steak. One was Al Pastor. While we waited, we had a chance to talk shop with a fellow burrito enthusiast. He likes Tacos Zaragoza because of the prices and cleanliness. The burritos from Las Palmas up the street used to be *huge* and cheaper. We laughed about how prices are up everywhere now, agreeing this one was a deal at only $13.20 per 640-gram burrito. The steak came first. Big and hot — like, unexpectedly hot. The kind of burrito that releases visible steam when you open it up. Full of chopped beef, not ground, and definitely not the sad, gray cafeteria meat you get when someone’s given up. This beef had *texture*, man. Crispy edges, dark crust like it had spent time on a flat-top with stories to tell. The kind of meat that makes you sit down even if you didn’t plan to. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/04/Richmond-Burrito-Trail-Tacos-Zaragoza1.webp) Tacos Zaragoza's Al Pastor Burrito with chips and salsa. But then came the al pastor. And that one, that’s the burrito that sticks with you. Chunks of pork that were somehow both tender and still proud to be chunks. No mush. Just bite after bite of red-slicked glory. The pork had that deep chile flavor, smoky-sweet, and just a little heat. Grilled onions tucked inside like secrets. The red grease soaked straight through the flour tortilla, perfuming it with the kind of flavor only fat can deliver when it gets to work on carbs. It was not messy — intentional, like it knew what it was doing. There was cheese — real, stringy, melty cheese. Sour cream that cooled it down just when it needed to. Fresh onions and cilantro that reminded you someone in that truck still cares. Pinto beans (fine), a bit of Spanish rice (restrained, thank you), and a vinegary red sauce that didn’t knock you over, but had enough edge to cut through the richness. OK, so some refried beans and guacamole would really kick this handheld feast to another level. But there’s a certain kind of joy that doesn’t make a big scene. It just rolls up, grills some pork, and hands it to you wrapped in foil. That’s what this was. —A reminder that something doesn’t have to be perfect to be perfect *right now*. The burritos come with sandwich bags filled with corn chips and extra salsa. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/04/Richmond-Burrito-Trail-Tacos-Zaragoza2-1.webp) Let us know where to eat next, and check back next week for another stop on the Richmond Burrito Trail. The *Grandview Independent* has been embarking on a culinary adventure to explore every taqueria, food truck, and restaurant in Richmond. This initiative, dubbed the “Richmond Burrito Trail,” aims to showcase our city’s diverse and delectable burritos. --- ### Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. *If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting local journalism with a* Grandview Independent *subscription. Click to see our* [*monthly*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *and* [*annual*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/yearly) *subscription plans.* *Copyright © 2025* Grandview Independent*, all rights reserved.* ### Viridi powers into Richmond, replaces Moxion URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/viridi-powers-into-richmond-replaces-moxion/ Last updated: 2026-01-21T00:35:12.000Z Viridi, a manufacturer of battery energy storage systems, announced Monday that it has acquired the former Moxion Power production facility at Richmond's Portside Commerce Center. Viridi hopes the new 40,000+ square-foot, state-of-the-art facility will create a West Coast presence for the battery manufacturer, expanding its business operations from New York to California. In addition to the acquisition, Viridi has also secured a $9.3 million grant from the California Energy Commission. "This grant from the CEC is a testament to the urgent need for advancing energy storage solutions that are both safe and scalable," said Jon M. Williams, CEO of Viridi. "Our expansion to the West Coast represents more than just growth—it's a pivotal step toward transforming California's energy landscape. We're honored to contribute to Governor Newsom's vision for a fully renewable and economically sustainable energy future. [Moxion-Inquire – ViridiWelcome You’ve been redirected to Viridi. If you were looking to reach Moxion Power, please contact us and we will get back to you soon. Download our Total Solutions Line Card or browse this site to learn more about Viridi’s Technology. Moxion Power Co. filed for voluntary bankruptcy under chapter 7 of the U.S. Code \[…\]![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/viridi-logo-icon-2022.svg)Viridi![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/viridi-featured-image.jpg)](https://viridiparente.com/moxion-inquire/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) Last summer, Moxion Power vaporized, leaving 100 employees scrambling for new jobs and the future of the not-yet-completed building unclear. The newly constructed commerce center was listed for lease in December, just as the finishing touches were being applied. [Portside Commerce Center seeks new tenant after Moxion meltdownRichmond’s nearly completed Portside Commerce Center is now available for lease after its first tenant, Moxion Power, vaporized last summer, leaving a hundred employees scrambling for employment and making the building’s future occupancy unclear.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--2--6.png)Grandview IndependentLinda Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Portside-Commerce-Center-inside-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/portside-commerce-center-seeks-new-tenant-after-moxion-meltdown/) Viridi says its battery energy storage systems, or BESS, feature a proprietary anti-propagation architecture, eliminating the risks of propagation inherent in lithium-ion battery systems. Prioritizing safety, scalability, real-time remote monitoring, and advanced AI, they are available for both stationary and mobile use. --- ### Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. *If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting local journalism with a* Grandview Independent *subscription. Click to see our* [*monthly*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *and* [*annual*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/yearly) *subscription plans.* *Copyright © 2025* Grandview Independent*, all rights reserved.* ### Chevron calls proposed Richmond legislative subpoena “unnecessary” and “unwarranted” URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/chevron-calls-proposed-richmond-legislative-subpoena-unnecessary-and-unwarranted/ Last updated: 2025-04-20T17:11:52.000Z Chevron is pushing back against a proposed legislative subpoena from the City of Richmond, calling the move "unnecessary and a waste of public resources." In a statement provided to *Grandview*, Chevron said it filed its final 2025 business license paperwork just two weeks ago. It called the proposed subpoena unnecessary, inconsistent with the city’s established process, and unhelpful in advancing the conversation. “We have been engaged with staff on a process to answer questions they may have and are committed to continuing the conversation. This unwarranted action will only serve to waste time and city resources that could otherwise be used to provide important city services,” Chevron wrote in a statement. [On the agenda: Richmond eyes Chevron subpoena, open streets, fireworks crackdown, and moreThe Richmond City Council is set to weigh a subpoena against Chevron over tax audit noncompliance, consider a summer Ciclovia-style open streets pilot, and debate tripling fireworks fines in fire-prone zones as part of a wide-ranging April 22 agenda that also includes military equipment oversight, capital spending reforms, union disputes, and a series of ceremonial proclamations and public safety contracts.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--2--5.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-protest-chevron-1-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-agenda-richmond-eyes-chevron-subpoena-open-streets-fireworks-crackdown-and-more/) The City Manager’s Office is recommending the Richmond City Council authorize the subpoena at its April 22 meeting, saying Chevron has repeatedly failed to fully comply with audit requests related to its 2025 business license tax payments. The subpoena would compel the oil giant to turn over financial records needed to verify payments made under Measure U, the city’s voter-approved business tax reform. City staff say Chevron made two payments — one in December 2024 and a second in April — but has not provided adequate documentation to confirm their accuracy. Chevron maintains it is cooperating and views the subpoena as an unnecessary escalation. --- ### Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. *If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting local journalism with a* Grandview Independent *subscription. Click to see our* [*monthly*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *and* [*annual*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/yearly) *subscription plans.* *Copyright © 2025* Grandview Independent*, all rights reserved.* ### On the agenda: Richmond eyes Chevron subpoena, open streets, fireworks crackdown, and more URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-agenda-richmond-eyes-chevron-subpoena-open-streets-fireworks-crackdown-and-more/ Last updated: 2025-04-18T22:33:33.000Z The Richmond City Council is set to weigh a subpoena against Chevron over tax audit noncompliance, consider a summer Ciclovia-style open streets pilot, and debate tripling fireworks fines in fire-prone zones as part of a wide-ranging April 22 agenda that also includes military equipment oversight, capital spending reforms, union disputes, and a series of ceremonial proclamations and public safety contracts. ### [Crude calculations: Richmond presses Chevron for tax transparency](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=57471&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The City of Richmond is preparing to issue a legislative subpoena to compel Chevron U.S.A. Inc. to hand over financial records related to its 2025 business license tax payment after what city officials described as repeated failures by the oil giant to cooperate with audit requests. According to an April 22 agenda report, the City Manager’s Office, with support from outside legal counsel, recommends that the Richmond City Council adopt a resolution authorizing the subpoena. The city argues that Chevron’s lack of compliance has obstructed its ability to verify the accuracy of tax payments under Measure U. This voter-approved ordinance updated Richmond’s business license tax structure. Chevron reportedly made two payments toward its 2025 business license tax — one in December 2024 and a second “true-up” payment in April — but has not fully responded to the city’s requests for supporting documentation. “Chevron has failed to meaningfully respond to multiple requests,” the report states, calling the subpoena necessary to determine whether the corporation has underpaid its taxes. --- ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/04/23rd-street-richmond-1.webp) On September 13, 2024, the day before the Latin American Independence Day Parade, 23rd Street was closed to traffic and transformed into an unofficial cyclist and pedestrian boulevard. ### [Creating safe spaces for walking, bicycling, and activities](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=57482&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Richmond could soon join the growing number of cities around the world embracing open streets events, as Councilmember Claudia Jimenez is proposing a pilot Ciclovia project for summer 2025. The proposal calls for staff to develop a design, budget, and implementation plan to temporarily close selected city streets to vehicle traffic, allowing for cycling, walking, and community-centered activities. According to the agenda report, Ciclovias are events that “temporarily close streets to automobiles to provide safe spaces for walking, bicycling, and other social activities.” Originating in Bogotá, Colombia, in the 1970s, the concept has since expanded globally, with local adaptations such as San Francisco’s “Sunday Streets,” which launched in 2008. If approved, Richmond’s pilot event would require coordination with transit agencies like AC Transit to reroute buses, identify suitable streets — potentially those tied to ongoing or completed improvement projects — and solicit public input. Options for engagement include workshops, surveys, or collaboration with neighborhood councils and community organizations. --- ### [Increasing fines for fireworks in high fire hazard zones](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=57477&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Richmond City Councilmember Soheila Bana is proposing triple fines for illegal fireworks in areas designated as High and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones to reduce wildfire risk and improve public safety. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/04/2025-Fire-Hazard-Severity-Zones-richmond.webp) High and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones The item, set for discussion at the April 22 City Council meeting, would direct the City Attorney’s Office to draft an ordinance amending the city’s municipal code. The amendment would specifically target fireworks-related violations in high-risk fire zones. According to the proposal, illegal fireworks can ignite fires that spread rapidly through dry vegetation and nearby structures, leading to property damage, displacement, and environmental harm. The measure argues that increased fines would serve as a stronger deterrent, especially during high-risk periods like the Fourth of July and New Year’s Eve. The proposed ordinance would amend Chapter 11.05 of the Richmond Municipal Code. The financial impact is expected to be limited to the staff time required to draft the amendment. [From Christmas to New Year’s: tracking fireworks and gunfire in RichmondTo keep you up-to-date on firework and celebratory gunfire issues in the city and your neighborhood, The Grandview Independent has created an interactive map of calls for service regarding fireworks and gunshots, organized by Richmond City Council Districts.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--2--3.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-fireworks-2023-1-1.jpeg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/from-christmas-to-new-years-tracking-fireworks-and-gunfire-in-richmond/) --- ### [ROCK’s representation](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=57452&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Held over from last week is an appeal by the Richmond Police Officers Association (RPOA) regarding the Unit Determination for Community Intervention Specialist, and to make a final determination regarding the bargaining unit. The police union is appealing a decision by the city’s Human Resources Department to assign the new role to SEIU Local 1021, the city’s general employees union. The position is part of the city’s Community Crisis Response Program ROCK (Reach Out with Compassion and Kindness), which aims to redirect certain non-violent, low-level emergency calls away from traditional police response. [On the agenda: union clash, pension debate, and flood fixesRichmond’s efforts to reshape public safety, tackle mounting pension debt, and address long-standing infrastructure woes are set to converge at Tuesday, April 15 meeting where a union dispute over the city’s community crisis response program, a $392 million pension liability, and the future of flood-prone Parchester Village will take center stage.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--2--4.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Richmond-ROCK-program-1-1-1-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-agenda-union-clash-pension-debate-and-flood-fixes/) --- ### [Military equipment use annual report](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=57432&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The council will receive the 2024 Annual Military Equipment Report and determine if the police department’s use of military equipment complied with the military equipment policy and state law. Staff recommends the council review and adopt a resolution accepting the 2024 Military Equipment Annual Report and renew the authorizing ordinance to ensure that the Richmond Police Department will have access to each of its existing pieces of qualifying equipment. Richmond utilizes a range of military equipment defined by state regulations, including small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) and SWAT robots for aerial and ground reconnaissance. The city also has a Mobile Command Vehicle designed to direct public safety operations. The Richmond Police Department’s inventory also includes breaching shotguns, patrol rifles classified as specialized firearms under .50 caliber, flash-bang noise-flash diversionary devices and explosive breaching tools, chemical agents such as tear gas and OC munitions (excluding standard pepper spray), and kinetic energy weapons like 40mm launchers and bean bag shotguns. --- ### [Rethinking capital improvement spending](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=57488&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Richmond city staff are updating the Capital Improvement Program and addressing budget shortfalls in existing projects, with 95 projects currently underway and 24 already completed. The city is also developing a plan for Fiscal Year 2025-26, including a list of unfunded project requests, and proposing a new weighted criteria system to prioritize capital projects. This initiative follows a recent allocation of $4,571,504 to the CIP from unspent funds. The prioritization framework will weigh factors such as equity, required work, readiness, environment, economics, quality of life, safety, housing, plan implementation, and collaborations to score project requests. --- ## On the consent calendar Vice Mayor Cesar Zepeda will lead a proclamation honoring Jean Carney, Richmond’s longest-serving employee, for 41 years of dedicated service. Mayor Eduardo Martinez will proclaim April as American Muslim Appreciation and Awareness Month, acknowledging the contributions and presence of Muslim Americans in Richmond. Councilmember Soheila Bana will also present a proclamation in honor of Mansour Taeed and Shahrzad Khorsandi—co-founders of Central Stage—for their role in preserving and promoting Iranian American art and culture during Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. The council will consider a resolution authorizing the West Contra Costa Integrated Solid Waste Authority (RecycleMore) to enter into a new post-collection agreement beginning July 1\. The agenda also includes approval of a $14,000 purchase by the Fire Department for an Emergency Rail Kit to improve response to hazardous material incidents. The Police Department will accept $90,412 from the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant for police safety equipment and seek approval for an additional $50,000 in its contract with Oliver’s Tow, Inc., increasing the total to $95,000 through the end of 2025. From the Mayor’s Office, Bruce Brubaker is slated for reappointment to the Planning Commission through June 2026, while Madiha Qader will be reappointed to the Richmond Fund for Children and Youth Oversight Board through December 2026. Public Works will present a written abatement report and seek Council approval to adopt the final Richmond Parkway Transportation Plan. A significant construction agreement with Calico California Constructores, Inc. is also on the agenda—valued at over $2.5 million for the Soccer Fields-Restrooms-Parks Project at Shields-Reid Park. A preliminary engineering agreement with BNSF Railway Company is up for approval as part of the city’s Transformative Climate Communities Wellness Trail Phase 2 project, and a $15,000 contract with RDO Equipment Co. will cover repairs to a city tree chipper. --- ### Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. *If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting local journalism with a* Grandview Independent *subscription. Click to see our* [*monthly*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *and* [*annual*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/yearly) *subscription plans.* *Copyright © 2025* Grandview Independent*, all rights reserved.* ### Pt. Richmond music venue Baltic Kiss closes doors URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/pt-richmond-music-venue-baltic-kiss-closes-doors/ Last updated: 2026-04-21T15:10:30.000Z Baltic Kiss has lost their bid to keep the music playing in Richmond. One of the few venues willing to book indie and rock bands, the club closed abruptly this week after a lengthy court battle over back rent and a history of financial trouble. Thursday night, musicians booked as the evening's entertainment were stopped cold by locked doors. A sign posted by the Contra Costa County sheriff announced the eviction that had occurred earlier in the day, leaving customers and band members surprised by the club's shuttering. On Instagram, Baltic Kiss confirmed their closure in a post thanking supporters. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/04/Screenshot-2025-04-17-at-10.57.49-PM.png) The post drew mixed reactions and more than 200 commenters – including one from Angelic Noise, the band that was slated to play Thursday night. "We are the band they canceled on tonight. We are on tour from Portland. We are out a bunch of money on this show now," wrote Trevor Ryan Scott. Another poster wrote, "I had the pleasure of playing there while on tour some time back. It was an absolutely amazing venue, great staff, and just an overall great vibe. You will be dearly missed." ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/04/Screenshot-2025-04-17-at-10.53.30-PM-1.png) Baltic Kiss landlord Daniel Butt confirmed the not-quite-three-year-old music club's eviction. "The sheriff locked Tony out yesterday and delivered possession back to us. It is a big mess and a lot of clean up, but we intend to keep it as a live music venue/bar/restaurant and will be looking for proposals to run it as such," Butt said. Back in January, Baltic Kiss owner Tony Carracci set up a GoFundMe to try to save the struggling establishment after a difficult year that saw the popular club continue to rack up ever-increasing debt. "Although we initially planned to close at the end of January, things have changed. The overwhelming love and support from all of you has given us hope, and we’ve decided to give it one more push. With some planned renovations to make our dining room and bar more functional, we’re ready to fight for the future of Baltic Kiss and the future of live music," Carracci said in a statement on his GoFundMe. [Baltic Kiss sets up “Go Fund Me” to keep doors openChef Tony Carracci and wife Suzi hope fans of Point Richmond’s Baltic Kiss will help them keep the doors open at their live music venue and restaurant, which has struggled to keep up with expenses following a year of declining revenue and increased food and beverage costs.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--2--2.png)Grandview IndependentLinda Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/DSC_2287--1--1-1-1-1.jpg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/baltic-kiss-sets-up-go-fund-me-to-keep-their-doors-open-2/) At the time, Carracci told *Grandview* he had renewed hope and wasn't planning to give up on his business any time soon. "We signed a 10-year lease and plan to be around for a long time," Carracci said. "We have been so impressed with the people in Richmond and the sense of community here, we aren't going to give up." However, in recent weeks, social media posts have begun to pile up from people claiming to be Baltic Kiss employees who say they have not been paid for their work and are owed money. Those posts drew comments from musicians who say they've pulled out of shows at the Baltic in support of the unpaid workers. Richmond resident and Breedloves guitarist Jay Kirkland said that the Baltic was a big morale boost for both local musicians and Richmond. “I have lived in Richmond for 60 years, and the Baltic was one of the best things that’s ever happened to Richmond. A well-deserved shot in the arm for the musicians and morale in the surrounding areas. Kirkland said. "Point Richmond was starting to feel like a ghost town before the Baltic Kiss. Same thing with BSPBQ, Tony and Suzie, woke up that sleepy little marina.” *This story has been updated to include additional information.* --- ## Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. *If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting local journalism with a* Grandview Independent *subscription. Click to see our* [*monthly*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *and* [*annual*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/yearly) *subscription plans.* *Copyright © 2025* Grandview Independent*, all rights reserved.* ### Gunfire wounds one at Crescent Park Apartments; investigation ongoing URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/gunfire-wounds-one-at-crescent-park-apartments-investigation-ongoing/ Last updated: 2025-04-18T00:29:45.000Z Richmond police are investigating a shooting that left one person injured on Tuesday evening at the Crescent Park Apartments. Officers responded to a ShotSpotter activation around the 4900 block of Hartnett Avenue at approximately 8:49 p.m. on April 15 and found a victim suffering from a gunshot wound, according to Lt. Donald Patchin, a public information officer with the Richmond Police Department. The victim was taken to a local hospital and is expected to survive. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/04/shooting-4900-block-Hartnett-Avenue-richmond.png) Richmond police are investigating a shooting at the Crescent Park Apartments on Tuesday, April 15, 2025. Two vehicles and a nearby structure were also struck by gunfire, Patchin said. No arrests have been made, and the investigation is ongoing. This is Richmond's second shooting in four days. A man was struck by gunfire in a separate shooting in the 700 block of 26th Street on April 11. [Police investigate Friday night shooting in North & East neighborhoodA man was shot and wounded Friday evening just blocks from Grant Elementary School in the city’s North & East neighborhood, according to police.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/logo2--2--1.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Police-arrest-suspect-gun-fired-nevin-avenue-1-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/police-investigate-friday-night-shooting-in-north-east-neighborhood/) --- ### Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. *If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting local journalism with a* Grandview Independent *subscription. Click to see our* [*monthly*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *and* [*annual*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/yearly) *subscription plans.* *Copyright © 2025* Grandview Independent*, all rights reserved.* ### Eight Great things to do in Richmond this week URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/eight-great-things-to-do-in-richmond-this-week/ Last updated: 2025-04-17T14:49:30.000Z Check out Grandview Independent's top picks of this week's events that you won't want to miss. Each week, we select the best of what's happening in Richmond and highlight it in our calendar. ### [**Duane Patton & Mikelle Morgan**](https://www.thefactorybar.net/events/37erj7dz4xzh6kk-zdst5-gk8zx?ref=grandviewindependent.com) **@The Factory Bar** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/04/Screenshot-2025-04-16-at-5.25.35-PM.png) **Special Musical Guest - Duane Patton** \- Entertainer, Singer, Songwriter, & Musician. (known from his background vocals, multi-platinum album “Short Dog’s In The House The Ghetto) will be bringing big energy and smooth sounds to the Factory Bar from 6-8 p.m. ***12517 SAN PABLO AVE.*** ***RICHMOND, CALIFORNIA 94805*** ## **Pride+Purpose Day @East Brother Beer Co.** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/04/Screenshot-2025-04-16-at-12.33.21-PM.png) ***Pride + Purpose Day*** is more than a taproom event—it’s a celebration of what makes Richmond strong. This Friday, April 18th, we’re opening our doors (and our hearts) for our Second Annual Pride + Purpose Day—an afternoon of good beer, great food, and giving back to the community we call home. From 3–9 p.m., 10% of all taproom sales will go to [@richmondpromise](https://www.instagram.com/richmondpromise/?ref=grandviewindependent.com), a nonprofit working to ensure every Richmond student has a pathway to higher education. That’s not just a donation—it’s an investment in the next generation of leaders, dreamers, and changemakers. Between sips of award-winning beer and bites from Mr. Dim Sum, we invite you to connect with the Richmond Promise team (on-site from 5–6 p.m.), learn about their work, and see how every pint poured helps fund futures. **Time: 3 p.m.-9 p.m.** **Meet the RP Team from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.** ***Location: East Brother Beer Co. Taproom, Richmond, CA*** ## **Live Music @The Backyard with Nilo Ayele** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/04/Screenshot-2025-04-16-at-12.43.27-PM.png) **FREE LIVE MUSIC** at *The Backyard* continues! Join us Saturday, April 19th as the incredibly talented [@niloayele](https://www.instagram.com/niloayele/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) takes the stage from 1 p.m.-4 p.m. 🥳🎶 Get ready for an afternoon of soulful rhythms 🇧🇷 🎸✨ and your favorite Backyard eats! 🍔 Don't miss this unforgettable musical journey! **Saturday, April 19, 2025, 1 p.m. 4 p.m.** ## **Earth Day @North Richmond** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/04/Screenshot-2025-04-16-at-12.50.16-PM-1.png) Join our Watershed Restoration Team at Wildcat Creek to celebrate Earth Day 2025 on Saturday, April 19th, 9 a.m.-11 a.m. We’ll be removing trash from the Wildcat Creek ecosystem and planting native plants to help this beautiful waterway flourish. Then we’ll be joining our partner organizations for a celebration at Shields-Reid, which will last until about 2 p.m. We’d love your help as we reconnect with and nourish the life-giving spaces right in our backyard. Tools and gloves will be provided; wear clothes that can get a little dirty. Meet at the North Richmond Ballpark! **When**: Saturday, April 19th from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. **Where**: North Richmond Ballpark [Sign up here!](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/north-richmond-earth-day-2025-wildcat-creek-cleanup-tickets-1249545627609?ref=grandviewindependent.com) ## **Great Tomato Plant Sale @Civic Center** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/04/Screenshot-2025-04-16-at-1.07.09-PM-1.png) ***UC Master Gardeners*** ***2025 tomato plant sale*** Saturday, April 19 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at Richmond Civic Center. ## **DAVID LANDON @Rigger's Loft Wine Co.** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/04/Screenshot-2025-04-16-at-12.49.13-PM.png) **AMERICANA…ONE OF SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA’S PREMIER GUITARISTS AND VOCALISTS** David Landon is regarded as one of the San Francisco Bay Area’s premier guitarists and vocalists who has performed nationally and internationally at festivals, concerts, and clubs. Throughout his career, David has performed with many notable artists including 80’s pop star, Tiffany, TV and Broadway star Mario Cantone as well as multi-platinum artist Lenny Williams. In the studio, David has had the pleasure to work with Taj Mahal, Kenny Neal, and Adam Duritz of the Counting Crows. After two decades of performing in international blues clubs and festivals, Mr Landon has come back to his first love of acoustic guitar and classic acoustic music in the singer-songwriter style, playing his original acoustic Americana music either as a solo artist or with his band. Help Support Live Music - $5 Music Cover Charge. [RESERVE A TABLE](https://eatapp.co/reserve/r-b-cellars-80d1ec?ref=grandviewindependent.com) 2 p.m. - 5 p.m. ## **Easter Sunday @Windchaser Wine Co.** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/04/Screenshot-2025-04-16-at-12.23.50-PM.png) **Easter Sunday 420 Party with Rocky Island Oyster Co!** Food, wine, music. Who knows what's gonna happen? ***Sun April 20 1 p.m. - 6 p.m*** ## **Courtney Kelly and the Tapscott Band *@*Sailing Goat** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/04/Screenshot-2025-04-16-at-1.54.21-PM.png) **Courtney Kelly** — Professional Singing Pianist & Guitarist based in San Francisco and a graduate of The American Musical and Dramatic Academy in Hollywood, Courtney Kelly is a dynamic musician known for delivering unforgettable performances. A versatile singing pianist and guitarist, she also works as a session and gig backup vocalist. Courtney has released two well-received songs on Spotify, *It's All Faded* and *Not Fair*, showcasing her unique sound and artistry. She brings this same passion and energy to her live performances, enhancing corporate events, birthdays, anniversaries, wineries, and restaurants. Surrounded by some of the finest musicians, she offers a range of live music setups, including DUO (featuring stunning harmonies), TRIO, and FULL BAND performances, depending on availability. Her local stage presence includes performances at venues like Chase Center, The Palace of Fine Arts Theater, The Lost Church, DNA Lounge, IVY Room, and Brick & Mortar. ***April 20, 2025, 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. Sailing Goat at Point San Pablo Harbor, 1900 Stenmark Dr, Richmond, CA 94801, USA*** --- ## Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. *If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting local journalism with a* Grandview Independent *subscription. Click to see our* [*monthly*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *and* [*annual*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/yearly) *subscription plans.* *Copyright © 2025* Grandview Independent*, all rights reserved.* ### Police investigate Friday night shooting in North & East neighborhood URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/police-investigate-friday-night-shooting-in-north-east-neighborhood/ Last updated: 2025-04-16T23:14:22.000Z A man was shot and wounded Friday evening just blocks from Grant Elementary School in the city's North & East neighborhood, according to police. Officers responded to a ShotSpotter activation on April 11 just after 10:30 p.m. in the 700 block of 26th Street, where they found a victim suffering from gunshot wounds, according to Lt. Donald Patchin, a spokesperson for the Richmond Police Department. “The victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment and is expected to survive. Investigators are currently investigating,” Patchin said. According to neighbors and police calls for service logs, shots were detected in the same location on March 29 at 9:35 p.m. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/04/Police-investigate-Friday-night-North-East-shooting.webp) The Richmond Police Department recorded 20 shooting incidents between January 1 and March 31, according to its 2025 year-to-date shooting report. The report shows one attempted murder, 11 negligent discharges, six shootings into occupied dwellings or vehicles, and two shootings into unoccupied structures or vehicles. --- ### Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. *If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting local journalism with a* Grandview Independent *subscription. Click to see our* [*monthly*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *and* [*annual*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/yearly) *subscription plans.* *Copyright © 2025* Grandview Independent*, all rights reserved.* ### On the Richmond Pizza Trail: Tradition gets a tandoori makeover at Pizza Twist URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-richmond-pizza-trail-tradition-gets-a-tandoori-makeover-at-pizza-twist/ Last updated: 2025-04-15T17:59:54.000Z You can tell yourself it’s just pizza. You can square the box on your passenger seat and drive home thinking it’s going to be the usual — cheese, sauce, crust, maybe something spicy if you’re feeling bold. But Pizza Twist in El Sobrante doesn’t work like that. This small shop tucked into the strip mall across from the Dollar Tree doesn’t serve pizza so much as reinterpret it, turning familiar ingredients into something wild, whimsical, and delicious. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/04/Pizza-Twist-El-Sobrante-pizza.webp) Pizza Twist's Tandoori Chicken pizza topped with mozzarella, chicken, red onion, mushrooms, garlic, green chilies and finished with chopped cilantro. Pizza Twist is an Indian fusion pizza chain with a growing number of Bay Area locations, including this outpost on the San Pablo Dam Road. The restaurant’s name isn’t a marketing gimmick — it’s a promise. You are not here for pepperoni and ranch dressing. You are here for bold flavors, serious spice, and pizzas that taste like the food you didn’t know you craved. Inside the restaurant, designed in the sports bar eclectic motif, Bhai Manpreet Singh Ji Kanpur Wale is on screen melodiously reciting the daily prayer while another screen has the news on mute. It is calm and empty midweek at lunchtime. We ordered the number one bestseller, Tandoori Chicken Pizzatwist. We apparently have strict rules about pizza, which are lightly followed. You open the box, and it’s all there: the browned crust, the golden cheese, the confident scatter of mushrooms and red onions. But something’s different. The smell isn’t oregano or tomato. It’s ginger. Garlic. Maybe coriander. And something you can’t quite place until you take a bite. Instead of tomato sauce, you’re greeted by something warmer, deeper, more complex — Pizza Twists tandoori sauce, creamy and glowing orange, creeping across your tongue with a confident heat. The pie is topped with mozzarella, chicken, red onion, mushrooms, garlic, green chilies (or were those jalapeños?), and finished with chopped cilantro. That first bite was so surprising and so delicious, we are a little jealous of the next person to eat this spicy pizza for the first time. In the before-time at the office, we always picked Indian food for our lunch meetings: butter chicken, aloo gobi, curry of all sorts, tikka masala, and mango lassi. Homer Simpson drooling, "mmmm." We love it all. The crust is thin, surprisingly crisp, and lightly dusted with cornmeal. It holds up well, even under the weight of the sauce and heavier toppings. The spice level matters here. We chose “Spicy” (one step below “Extra Spicy”) and found ourselves dabbing our foreheads between bites. There’s heat in the sauce, yes, but also in the scattered chilies. It’s a hot pizza—not unbearable, but insistent. “This isn’t for a kid’s party,” someone at our table said after their second slice and a third gulp of water. That feels right. This pizza isn’t trying to be universally appealing. It’s spicy. It’s specific. It has a point of view. Even the cilantro garnish adds a fresh contrast that elevates the bite, with everything on the pie feeling deliberate. Cilantro? On a *pizza*? Just go with it. The menu is broad. There are paneer pizzas. Palak (spinach) pizzas. Achari gobi (pickled cauliflower) pizzas. There’s even a Tandoori Pasta section and desi-spiced wings. But the pizza is clearly the star, and the fusion combinations are what keep people coming back. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/04/Pizza-Twist-El-Sobrante-twisty.webp) Prices hover around $25 – $30 for a large specialty pie — not the cheapest on the Richmond Pizza Trail, but understandable given the ingredient quality and sheer novelty. You’re not paying for pepperoni. You’re paying for a new experience. Is Pizza Twist for everyone? Probably not. Will everyone call it pizza? That depends on your definition. But for those open to trying something new—and those who love both pizza and Indian food—it’s an unexpected delight. A familiar format with an unfamiliar flavor. A reminder that the best meals aren’t always about comfort. Sometimes they’re about surprise. This wraps up the Richmond Pizza Trail, and the Richmond Burrito Trail returns next week. --- ### Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. *If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting local journalism with a* Grandview Independent *subscription. Click to see our* [*monthly*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *and* [*annual*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/yearly) *subscription plans.* *Copyright © 2025* Grandview Independent*, all rights reserved.* ### Glydways turning Sears into AV command center at Hilltop Mall URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/glydways-turning-sears-into-av-command-center-at-hilltop-mall/ Last updated: 2025-06-26T21:26:23.000Z Construction continues at Glydway's 14-acre development hub, which is transforming part of the former Sears building at Hilltop Mall into a development and demonstration core for its all-electric transit technology. In January, Glydways announced it was building a temporary 14-acre testing hub for its Automated Transit Network technology. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/04/Autonomous-car-Glydway-hilltop-1.webp) Work continues on the Glydways test track at the Hilltop Mall site. For the last several weeks, workers have been visible in the parking lot and on the building itself, preparing the site for the transformation from a dormant retail space to a high-tech transit facility. According to city documents, permits finalizing the plan were approved on Tuesday, paving the way for Glydways to divide the existing space, creating a conference room and a control room for a test track. The vacant auto repair shop will also be repurposed for electric vehicles. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/02/Glydway-Richmond-development-hub.webp) A Glydways illustration of the 14-acre facility shows the test track connected to the old Sears autocenter. The project also includes minor interior modifications, such as an accessible path of travel from entry to restrooms and upgrading a restroom for accessibility compliance. The total area of work covers 13,381 square feet. The facility will include a mile-long test track, a 13,000-square-foot maintenance and storage center, and a control center to oversee system operations. It will also include a visitor showroom featuring immersive virtual reality demonstrations of Glydways projects worldwide. The company plans to conduct safety and reliability testing before its first ATN pilot launch in 2026\. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/02/Glydway-Richmond-development-hub-track-1-1-1.webp) Work continues at Glydways' Richmond facility in the Hilltop Mall parking lot on Wednesday, February 12\. Glydways says the Richmond facility is strategically positioned near one of its largest upcoming projects in East Contra Costa County, a 28-mile [Automated Transit Network](https://ccta.net/projects/east-county-automated-transit-network/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) developed in partnership with the Contra Costa Transportation Authority and Tri Delta Transit. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/01/Support-local-journalism-richmond.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal) Gokul Hemmady, CEO of Glydways, said the Hilltop Mall project doesn't just expand the company's physical footprint; it lays the groundwork for a new era of urban mobility. "By building this hub in our own backyard, we're not only advancing our systems close to home but also demonstrating our commitment to bringing efficient, zero-emission transit solutions to the Bay Area and beyond," Hemmady said. Mattie Sorrentino, Director of Corporate Communications at Prologis, said Glydways has a short-term lease to temporarily occupy a portion of the defunct mall site. At the same time, Prologis, the property's owner, continues to focus on long-term redevelopment plans for the largely vacant location. [Autonomous car company to create 14-acre facility at Hilltop MallAutonomous car company Glydways announced plans on Monday for a temporary development and demonstration facility at Hilltop Mall.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/GISticker-119.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Glydcar-hilltop-mall-1.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/autonomous-car-company-to-create-14-acre-facility-at-hilltop-mall/) According to Sorrentino, Prologis has been exploring redevelopment options with city staff and community stakeholders over the past two years. "Based on input from the community as well as the city, we are working to bring a modern, mixed-use development that will create jobs and contribute to Richmond’s economy," Sorrentino said. Prologis is currently focused on the city's specific plan process and continues to evaluate market conditions to ensure the feasibility of a long-term project. [Richmond’s Hilltop revamp: transforming from retail hub to mixed-use destinationThe City of Richmond is gearing up for a major transformation, as plans are underway to reimagine Hilltop Mall and surrounding areas. The Hilltop Horizon Specific Plan is set to reshape approximately 143 acres of land, including the mall and its immediate surroundings, into a mixed-use destination. There is a![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/GISticker-120.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/macys-hilltop-mall-richmond-1.jpg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmonds-hilltop-mall-revamp/) The company plans to meet with community stakeholders before finalizing redevelopment plans and submitting a formal planning application. "We look forward to meeting with various community stakeholders in the future for feedback," Sorrentino said. --- ### Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. *If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting local journalism with a* Grandview Independent *subscription. Click to see our* [*monthly*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *and* [*annual*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/yearly) *subscription plans.* *Copyright © 2025* Grandview Independent*, all rights reserved.* ### On the agenda: union clash, pension debate, and flood fixes URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-agenda-union-clash-pension-debate-and-flood-fixes/ Last updated: 2025-04-11T15:08:02.000Z Richmond’s efforts to reshape public safety, tackle mounting pension debt, and address long-standing infrastructure woes are set to converge **at Tuesday, April 15** meeting where a union dispute over the city’s community crisis response program, a $392 million pension liability, and the future of flood-prone Parchester Village will take center stage. ### [Richmond’s ROCK and a hard place](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=57290&ref=grandviewindependent.com) A simmering labor dispute over the city’s plan to expand community-based crisis response services will come to a head on Tuesday at city hall, where councilmembers are expected to decide which union will represent a new class of workers: Community Intervention Specialists. The Richmond Police Officers Association (RPOA) is appealing a decision by the city’s Human Resources Department to assign the new role to SEIU Local 1021, the city’s general employees union. The position is part of the city’s Community Crisis Response Program ROCK (Reach Out with Compassion and Kindness), which aims to redirect certain non-violent, low-level emergency calls away from traditional police response. [Richmond launches community crisis response programThe City of Richmond has officially launched its Community Crisis Response Program (CCRP), designed to address non-violent emergencies such as mental health crises and homelessness without the involvement of police.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/Untitled-design--15--2.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Community-Crisis-Response-Program-richmond-1-1-2.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-launches-community-crisis-response-program/) The city’s Personnel Board approved the classification in March 2024, but not without objections from the RPOA. The union argues that the role duplicates duties currently performed by police officers and should, therefore, be represented by RPOA. “This unit is taking work directly from the RPOA,” RPOA attorney Jonathan Murphy wrote in a February 2025 letter to Human Resources Director Sharrone Taylor. “There is no other bargaining unit… representing members with even remotely similar job functions and requirements.” Taylor disagreed. In a January 27 email, she wrote that the classification “has a more compelling community of interest with the city’s general employees bargaining unit than with the Police Officers’ Association.” She noted that the role mirrors work done by Neighborhood Change Agents and Code Enforcement Officers — both non-sworn classifications represented by SEIU. The Community Intervention Specialist role is part of a broader shift in how Richmond responds to mental health crises, homelessness, and other social issues. The city said the CCRP was designed to “reduce reliance on police and criminal justice responses by offering a public health response.” Specialists would respond to low-level emergency and non-emergency calls, conduct risk assessments, provide referrals, and use de-escalation techniques. [District 6 Councilmember Claudia Jimenez,](https://www.richmondprogressivealliance.net/20250311%5Frpa%5Fblog%5Fupdates%5Ffrom%5Fcouncilmember%5Fclaudia%5Fjimenez?ref=grandviewindependent.com) the primary champion of Richmond’s police budget reallocation efforts, said the police union is preventing the hiring of eight community responders. “The RPOA’s resistance to this program is deeply concerning, especially considering the program’s potential to benefit our entire community,” Jimenez said. “I am deeply disappointed in the efforts by the RPOA to stall and try to prevent this program from being fully implemented.” Also on the agenda is adopting the [salary schedule](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=57288&ref=grandviewindependent.com) for the community intervention specialist. Salary would start at $78,220.56 and grow to $95,077.20 in the fifth step. Richmond police officers can earn between $118,824 and $159,468 per year, according to the department’s [recruiting website.](https://www.joinrichmondpd.com/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) --- ### [CalPERS Conundrum: Richmond’s $392 million pension debt](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=57311&ref=grandviewindependent.com) NHA Advisors, the city’s municipal advisor, will provide more information about the options to pay down the city’s $392 million in unfunded pension liabilities now that the general fund will have extra funds due to the $550 million Chevron tax settlement. In March, a union researcher gave a presentation claiming that the early payment plan could save taxpayers $117 million in interest while freeing up $33 million annually for city services. [Richmond officials weigh using Chevron settlement to pay down $392 million pension debtRichmond city officials will explore a plan to accelerate repayment of the city’s $392 million in unfunded pension liabilities using funds from its $550 million Chevron tax settlement, a move supporters say could save taxpayers $117 million in interest while freeing up $33 million annually for city services.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/Untitled-design--15--3.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-03-27-at-10.06.28-AM-1.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-officials-weigh-using-chevron-settlement-to-pay-down-392-million-pension-debt/) City staff engaged NHA Advisors to compare options for funding the CalPERS Unfunded Actuarial Liabilities within the context of the city council's goals and priorities. --- ### [Richmond grapples with Parchester Village’s drainage crisis](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=57308&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Public Works will hold a study session to discuss the draft scope of the Parchester Village – Giant Highway Infrastructure Master Plan. Parchester has long faced critical infrastructure issues, including inadequate drainage, poor pavement conditions, and limited pedestrian and bicycle access. These problems are particularly acute along the Giant Highway corridor, a vital route for residents and emergency services. Recent flooding during heavy rains and King Tides has further highlighted the urgency of upgrades, with preliminary estimates suggesting costs could range from $10 million to $50 million, depending on the solutions pursued. [Richmond allocates $500K to address flooding in Parchester VillagePublic Works Director Daniel Chavarria said the flooding problem in Parchester has existed for 50 years, which suggests there is no simple solution.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/Untitled-design--15--4.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/parchester-village-wall-1-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-allocates-500k-to-address-flooding-in-parchester-village-2/) The study, funded by a $500,000 allocation from the city’s FY 2023–24 budget, will unfold in two phases. Phase I will focus on data collection, community engagement, and conceptual designs, while Phase II will advance selected projects to 30 percent design readiness. Priorities include drainage improvements, sidewalk infill, ADA-compliant upgrades, and a potential Class IV bikeway. --- ## On the consent calendar *All items placed under the Consent Calendar are considered to be routine and noncontroversial.* Among the items is a resolution urging the California State Legislature to adopt Assembly Bill 91, the [MENA Inclusion Act, ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=57250&ref=grandviewindependent.com)which seeks to disaggregate demographic data for Middle Eastern and North African populations. Additionally, the council will consider a significant [$1.17 million contract ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=57246&ref=grandviewindependent.com)amendment with WestEd to continue evaluation services for the Richmond Fund for Children and Youth through 2028. A $1.59 million grant acceptance from the [Bay Area Air Quality Management District](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=57282&ref=grandviewindependent.com) for the Port Division, alongside a $70,000 sole-source contract for [office furniture ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=57277&ref=grandviewindependent.com)for the Port Administration offices. [Congressman John Garamendi’s office](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=57223&ref=grandviewindependent.com) will also secure a two-year lease for district space at Civic Center Plaza. The Finance Department will present its January and February [investment and cash balance reports](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=57231&ref=grandviewindependent.com), an update on the city’s [investment policy,](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=57413&ref=grandviewindependent.com) and request that the council adopt a revised investment policy. The Fire Department seeks approval for [$229,462 in Measure H funding](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=57264&ref=grandviewindependent.com) from Contra Costa County Health Services. Community services are set to expand with a [$3,174 grant for library lending,](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=57240&ref=grandviewindependent.com) a [$500,000 workforce development grant ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=57262&ref=grandviewindependent.com)for electrification training, and a [$150,000 contract for tutoring services. ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=57243&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The Mayor’s Office has several reappointments on the agenda, including Sara Cantor and Jim Hite to the Richmond Rent Board, Kerby Lynch to the Economic Development Commission, and James “Jim” Becker to the Richmond Environmental Community and Investment Agreement (ECIA) Grant Review Ad Hoc Committee. Additionally, April 2025 will be proclaimed [Sexual Assault Awareness Month.](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=57280&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Public Works is seeking approval for a $365,185 contract with Kearns & West to support the [Keller Beach Sanitary Sewer Project,](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=57258&ref=grandviewindependent.com) as well as $465,000 for emergency repairs to the [Dornan Tunnel sewer line. ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=57296&ref=grandviewindependent.com)A $2 million appropriation from the General Capital Fund will support the [Point Molate Beach Stabilization](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=57306&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Project, and a $360,000 sole-source contract with Vestis Group, Inc. for [uniform rental and laundry services](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=57236&ref=grandviewindependent.com) is also on the agenda. --- ### Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. *If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting local journalism with a* Grandview Independent *subscription. Click to see our* [*monthly*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *and* [*annual*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/yearly) *subscription plans.* *Copyright © 2025* Grandview Independent*, all rights reserved.* ### End of an era: Burnt Ramen site sold months after fire URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/end-of-an-era-burnt-ramen-site-sold-months-after-fire/ Last updated: 2026-08-10T17:34:29.000Z Richmond's long-troubled Burnt Ramen property has been sold. According to property records, Ma Wei Zhong and Ma Wanlan purchased the site, a 1905 converted warehouse that sits at the corner of Espee and Chancellor Avenues. A former punk rock music venue, the property has been the subject of debate between owner Michael Malin, known to many as Mykee Ramen, and city officials who moved to shut down the club after failed safety inspections sparked fear in the wake of Oakland's Ghost Ship fire in 2016\. In January, a fire tore through the structure, ending any possibility of Malin rehabilitating the aging building due to both the expense and continued strife with city officials over abatement issues. [Former “Burnt Ramen” punk club goes up in smokeRichmond firefighters responded to the 100 block of Espee Avenue around 2:30 a.m. Sunday for a commercial structure fire at the former Burnt Ramen punk rock music club.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/Untitled-design--15--1.png)Grandview IndependentLinda Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/IMG_9083-1-1.jpg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/former-burnt-ramen-punk-club-goes-up-in-smoke/) Following the fire, Malin launched a GoFundMe to raise money for the much-needed repairs. But the campaign fell short, and the damage from the blaze turned out to be the last chapter in the long saga for the former underground music hot spot. In a video posted to his GoFundMe, Malin expressed heartbreak over the fire and his uncertain future. “My house went up in flames. I need help avoiding homelessness and rebuilding my life,” Malin said, detailing the ongoing battle between himself and the city. Malin said the city had already demanded repairs he couldn’t afford. He also claimed that prior to the fire, officials had blocked him from selling the property, which served as both his residence and a punk rock venue for nearly two decades. “It never ends. There was a deal to sell the property, but the city shot it down. Now a fire,” Malin said in frustration. However, Director of Community Development Lina Velasco said that while the building was red-tagged due to unsafe conditions, the city had not restricted its sale. “We support a sale to a buyer willing to bring the property into compliance,” Velasco said. “Currently, the city’s outside legal counsel is working closely with the owner and his real estate agents to work out these compliance issues and get a sale facilitated.” ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/01/Screenshot-2025-01-27-at-11.19.57-AM.png) In 2018, the City of Richmond launched a receivership program to rehabilitate abandoned, substandard, and nuisance properties that pose health and safety hazards to the community. According to a recent staff report, the City of Richmond has reached a compliance agreement for a commercial property that officials say posed extreme fire hazards similar to those found at Oakland’s Ghost Ship warehouse before the deadly 2016 fire. The report did not name Burnt Ramen but indicated the property has been sold to a "buyer committed to addressing the hazards and bringing the site into full compliance with fire and safety codes." The agreement also ensures that the City will be reimbursed approximately $15,000 for nuisance abatement costs. --- Malin’s message on GoFundMe offers a deeper look into the personal toll the last several years have taken on him: *"I’m devastated and asking for support. This last weekend, my house went up in flames. I need help avoiding homelessness and rebuilding my life.* *My warehouse,*, *Burnt Ramen Studios (Richmond, CA) started hosting punk shows in 1998\. It was a mainstay of San Francisco Bay Area music and culture and arguably the longest-running underground DIY venue in the USA.* *In 2016, a fire at an Oakland warehouse, the "Ghost Ship," resulted in 36 deaths. Some were friends of ours. While still reeling from the loss, twelve Richmond City employees were sent in with marching orders to throw the book at us. My friends and I were instantly kicked to the streets. A huge effort was made to comply with the city’s demands. In the end, it proved to be too much. I wish to express my gratitude to those who supported us, and it saddens me that we couldn’t bring it back.* *Last year, I made the difficult decision to sell Burnt Ramen. I had an offer from a buyer, but the city effectively killed the deal.* *Then last Sunday, 1/13/2025, a fire started on the Espee St sidewalk. It spread through a boarded window into the house and caused massive damage.* *The city won’t let me fix the property and won’t let me sell it either. Demolition could cost as much as $100K. I am broken and numbed by this experience. I need to start over. I learned so much from my time running Burnt Ramen. I wish to again be of service to a vibrant, creative community. Help me with whatever you feel is reasonable. With your support, I can rebuild better, more resilient, and with a higher vibration.* *Thank you for your time. May your lives be filled with friends, music and laughter."* --- Now that the $338,000 sale of the property has been finalized, the future of the 120-year-old warehouse-style building is in the hands of the new owners. What becomes of the iconic battered structure remains to be seen. But for many, Burnt Ramen's legacy symbolizes Richmond’s artistic DIY spirit and the tenuous balance between creativity, code enforcement, and safety." *Grandview reached out to Michael Malin, but has not yet received a reply.* --- ## Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. *If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting local journalism with a* Grandview Independent *subscription. Click to see our* [*monthly*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *and* [*annual*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/yearly) *subscription plans.* *Copyright © 2025* Grandview Independent*, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond's Community Police Review Commission pushes stronger watchdog role URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmonds-community-police-review-commission-pushes-for-stronger-watchdog-role/ Last updated: 2025-04-09T14:35:40.000Z Richmond's Community Police Review Commission is seeking to redefine its mission, recommending amendments to its founding ordinance that commissioners say would sharpen the group's focus on independent oversight of the city's police department. In a vote, the commission proposed changes to Chapter 3.54 of the municipal code. The changes aim to shift away from what some members called an outdated emphasis on promoting "positive relations" between police and the community. Instead, the revised language would be centered on transparency and accountability as the commission's core purpose. If adopted, the updated ordinance would represent a significant shift in the commission's identity — from a liaison fostering goodwill to a watchdog agency tasked with ensuring public trust through independent scrutiny. Some members said the commission's current stated purpose — to "[promote positive relations](https://library.municode.com/ca/richmond/codes/code%5Fof%5Fordinances?nodeId=ARTIIIBOCO%5FCH3.54COPORECO%5F3.54.010CRPU&ref=grandviewindependent.com)" between the public and police and to advise city leadership on department matters — does not fully reflect the breadth of the commission's responsibilities. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/04/Richmond-Community-Police-Review-Commission.png) "The reason why we were working on the stated purpose," said Chair Carmin Martinez at last week's meeting, "is because the current language does not include our evolving responsibilities and functions. We honestly think that it should guide our commission's current roles and responsibilities — to clearly highlight the functions of oversight, transparency, and accountability." The revised mission statement includes explicit mention of the commission's responsibility to conduct "independent, impartial, and fair investigations of complaints," language that Martinez said was essential to public trust. "A lot of people automatically would assume that we are here to work for the police, and that's not the case. We collaborate with them, but our role is essentially to investigate all complaints made against officers that fall within the criteria." Benjamin Therriault, president of the Richmond Police Officers Association, spoke during the meeting, accusing several commissioners of harboring anti-police bias and using the commission to push a political agenda. "I'm glad that some people finally just came out and said how they really feel — that they just hate the police, and they hate this part of the ordinance because it's not aligned with their narrow political agenda," Therriault said. Therriault criticized efforts to change the commission's stated purpose related to police oversight. "Obviously, it's already encoded, written in there for transparency and for investigations of things that occur with police officers in the city of Richmond, and it just goes to show that you are finally coming out and it's about time," Therriault said. "Instead of hiding behind the ball and actually saying, You know what, we don't really like police. That's clear. That's been clear since Jerry (Threet) left." Former Investigative and Appeals Officer Jerry Threet, who resigned last year, accused commissioners in his resignation letter of disregarding evidence, making biased decisions, and failing to thoroughly review investigative materials before reaching conclusions. [Resigning investigator criticizes police commission’s ability to review complaints against officersThreet said he no longer believes the commission can be relied upon to reach a valid finding on allegations of officer misconduct based on an objective, unbiased view of the evidence.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/Untitled-design--15-.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/jerry-threet-richmond-police-1-2.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/resigning-investigator-criticizes-police-commissions-ability-to-review-complaints-against-officers-2/) "Several of you can't even have an AR-15 pistol, which is commonly called an assault rifle, in someone's hands. You can't even find an officer exonerated for that," Therriault said. Therriault said the current direction of the commission aligns with a predictable pattern. "It's pretty on par with what you guys are doing. I'm not surprised," he said. "I expect you to be the anti-police commission. That's pretty much the path that you guys have been on." Not all commissioners agreed on the exact wording. Commissioner Carol Hegstrom raised concerns about clarity, suggesting the new language should more specifically state that the commission's role is to "build public confidence in the police department." "I just thought that the wording leaves it somewhat ambiguous," Hegstrom said. "If we're going to build public confidence, we should be specific about what we're building public confidence in — and that's by holding the police department accountable." Others pushed back on centering the police in the statement at all. Commissioner Marisol Cantú countered, "This is the commission's purpose, not the police's. We are independent of the police. And so if we forefront the police, I actually think we become very biased automatically." Commissioner dialogue also reflected deeper philosophical divisions over the nature of oversight itself. Commissioner Andre Jackson expressed a desire for more balance. "I want to be fair to the police department. I want to be fair to the community as much as I can," Jackson said. "It seemed like we're just anti-police." Ultimately, the commission voted to forward the amended language as a recommendation to the Richmond City Council, which will review and potentially revise the language further. --- ### Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. *If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting local journalism with a* Grandview Independent *subscription. Click to see our* [*monthly*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *and* [*annual*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/yearly) *subscription plans.* *Copyright © 2025* Grandview Independent*, all rights reserved.* ### On the Richmond Pizza Trail: a slice of Mountain Mike’s Pizza URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-richmond-pizza-trail-a-slice-of-mountain-mikes-pizza/ Last updated: 2025-04-08T17:56:42.000Z Some pizzas aspire to be statements. Others show up, clock in, and do the job — day in, day out, slice after slice. Mountain Mike’s falls squarely into the latter category, and frankly, there’s a kind of poetry in that. Because sometimes what you want isn’t wood-fired fig fantasy with a balsamic drizzle — it’s a circle of chewy crust and melted cheese that tastes exactly how you remembered it last time. Predictable. Familiar. Unfussy. Reliable. Mountain Mike’s Pizza delivers that flavor of dependability with a confidence born of repetition. No matter the topping — be it a cupping pepperoni that rises into little meat chalices slicked with orange oil or the veggie pile-up that feels like an entire garden haul — you know what you’re getting. It’s Pizza the Way It Ought to Be,™ at least according to the deeply democratic consensus of the *Grandview* Family. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/04/Richmond-Pizza-Trail-slice-Mountain-Mikes-Pizza5.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/04/Richmond-Pizza-Trail-slice-Mountain-Mikes-Pizza1.webp) A close look at Mountain Mike’s Pizza Canadian Bacon and Pineapple Pizza, and a Pepperoni Pie. It gives you exactly what you think pizza should taste like. It’s not culinary. It’s not elevated. It’s just pizza. And that’s why it works.” If social media is to be believed, in Italy, you have to sign a waiver promising never to put pineapple on pizza. Here at *Grandview* Headquarters, sometimes, we like a little sweetness with our slice. There’s crispness on the bottom of a Hawaiian slice, a stiff crust that’s neither pillow-soft nor cracker-thin. Somewhere in the realm of “nice,” which we are sure isn’t a technical term, but when your crust isn’t up for debate, maybe it’s already doing enough. Mountain Mike's Pizza also offers a gluten-free crust. It was chewy, like most gluten-free crusts, but not super greasy, like other restaurants make them to elevate the crispy factor. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/04/Richmond-Pizza-Trail-slice-Mountain-Mikes-Pizza2-1.webp) Mountain Mike's Pizza also offers a gluten-free crust we topped with peppers and onions. And there’s the sauce: not watery, shy, or sweet. A thick red spread, applied in appropriate proportion, that says, “I’m here, and I matter.” Even the cheese blend invites a quiet nod — part mozzarella, part probably something else — maybe a hint of cheddar, orange enough to suggest mystery but not enough to distract. It’s not a cheese that insists on being artisan. It just melts. Mountain Mike’s pepperoni pizza, which is kind of like the Carne Asada Super Burrito of the pizza world, is the default setting. Mountain Mike’s pepperoni is unlike others. It is small and spicy. It cooks into little crispy cups, creating a drop or two of porky spicy chili oil. And the sizes? Ah, yes — the infamous “Mountain” pizza. Twenty inches large, dominating the table, out-measuring two 14-inch larges. Two large pizzas are *not* the equivalent of one Mountain pizza. We did the math. We *used* pi on our pies. You get more ingredients per inch and fewer crusty edges with the Mountain — fewer unadorned end zones, more central coverage, and about two percent larger. In an age of sourdough ferments and wood-fired crusts, Mountain Mike’s is the pizza your inner teenager still trusts. It’s the post-soccer party pie. It’s the birthday slice. It’s the free pizza in the office breakroom that no one complains about. There is a Mountain Mike’s on Meeker Avenue in Richmond, one on the San Pablo Dam Road at the Raley’s Shopping Center, and one more on San Pablo Avenue in El Cerrito. It may not change your life. But it will show up on time, with warm cheese, and let you eat in peace. As the Richmond Pizza Trail continues, we’re eager to discover more standout pies across the city. Let us know where to eat next, and check back next week for another stop on the trail as *Grandview Independent* attempts to find the best pizza in Richmond. --- ### Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. *If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting local journalism with a* Grandview Independent *subscription. Click to see our* [*monthly*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *and* [*annual*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/yearly) *subscription plans.* *Copyright © 2025* Grandview Independent*, all rights reserved.* ### Gunfire damages homes, vehicles on South 19th Street; no injuries reported URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/gunfire-damages-homes-vehicles-on-south-19th-street-no-injuries-reported/ Last updated: 2025-04-08T04:41:36.000Z Richmond police are investigating a shooting that left multiple homes and vehicles damaged Saturday afternoon, though no injuries were reported. Officers responded around 4:45 p.m. on Saturday, April 5, to a ShotSpotter activation near South 19th Street and Potrero Avenue, according to Lt. Donald Patchin, Chief of Staff for the Richmond Police Department. “They located a shooting scene (bullet casings), and several vehicles and homes were struck by gunfire. It appears the vehicles and homes that were struck were not the intended targets. Luckily, no one was struck by the gunfire,” Patchin said. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/04/south-19th-street-richmond-shooting.png) Officers responded to a ShotSpotter activation in the 500 block of South 19th Street on Saturday, April 5, 2025. According to police radio traffic, the city's gunshot detection system recorded approximately 35 gunshots. Officers recovered multiple shell casings of varying calibers at the scene, and three vehicles were reportedly connected to the shooters. --- ## Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. *If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting local journalism with a* Grandview Independent *subscription. Click to see our* [*monthly*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *and* [*annual*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/yearly) *subscription plans.* *Copyright © 2025* Grandview Independent*, all rights reserved.* ### El Sobrante joins nationwide ‘Hands Off!’ protests targeting Trump-Musk agenda URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/el-sobrante-joins-nationwide-hands-off-protests-targeting-trump-musk-agenda/ Last updated: 2025-04-05T23:36:28.000Z El Sobrante joined more than 1,300 cities in a coordinated nationwide protest on Saturday demanding an end to overreach by Donald Trump and Elon Musk. The event, part of the Hands Off! Day of Action saw millions gather across all 50 states, U.S. territories, and internationally, which organizers called the largest day of collective action since Trump’s inauguration. Organizers of the [pro-democracy movement](https://handsoff2025.com/millions-turn-out?ref=grandviewindependent.com) said Saturday’s protests marked the largest day of collective action since Trump’s inauguration, with everyday people turning out in record numbers to defend their healthcare, wages, education, civil rights, and democracy. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/04/hands-off-el-sobrante-protest7.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/04/hands-off-el-sobrante-protest3.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/04/hands-off-el-sobrante-protest4.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/04/hands-off-el-sobrante-protest5.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/04/hands-off-el-sobrante-protest2.webp) “What we witnessed today was nothing short of extraordinary,” said Rahna Epting, Executive Director, MoveOn. “Across the country and around the world, people came together to say: we will not be silent while our rights, our futures, and our democracy are under attack. This peaceful movement is powered by everyday people—nurses, teachers, students, parents—who are rising up to protect what matters most. We are united, we are relentless, and we are just getting started.” Locally, protestors gathered on San Pablo Dam Road, waving signs, chanting, and playing music while a steady stream of cars flew by, mostly honking in support. One of the local organizers, longtime activist Judy Weatherly, spoke about the urgency of the moment. “I’ve been an activist for my whole life since my nephew was killed in Vietnam when I was 17, and we’ve been organizing against Trump since the first administration,” Weatherly said. “We thought there’d be 20-25 people. Look at this,” she added, gesturing to the large crowd on both sides of the road. “It’s wonderful to be here with all these people... to see so many people ready to stand up.” The El Sobrante event was one of many that called attention to a growing movement opposing what organizers describe as a corporate-authoritarian alliance between Trump and Musk. From cuts to essential services to rising prices and rollbacks on civil rights, participants voiced outrage at policies they say are designed to concentrate power and wealth while leaving working people behind. “They bought up all those houses. Now they’re just gonna buy up all the stocks. They’ll own everything,” Weatherly said. The local turnout reflected broader energy nationwide, with significant crowds reported in cities as diverse as Columbus, Boston, Asheville, Chicago, and London. For more information or a list of events and partners, visit[ handsoff2025.com](https://handsoff2025.com/?ref=grandviewindependent.com). --- ## Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. *If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting local journalism with a* Grandview Independent *subscription. Click to see our* [*monthly*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *and* [*annual*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/yearly) *subscription plans.* *Copyright © 2025* Grandview Independent*, all rights reserved.* ### Chevron cuts 600 jobs at former San Ramon headquarters URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/chevron-cuts-600-jobs-at-former-san-ramon-headquarters/ Last updated: 2026-04-22T22:35:48.000Z Chevron filed a WARN notice with the state of California last week, announcing plans to lay off approximately 600 employees at its former headquarters in San Ramon. Chevron said the layoffs are part of efforts to streamline its organizational structure, improve efficiency, and enhance the company's long-term competitiveness. "This means we will have fewer positions and, unfortunately, fewer people," Henry Perea, Manager of State Government Affairs at Chevron, wrote in the notice. "In accordance with the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Act, this letter is to advise that we expect a reduction at our Chevron Lakeside location of approximately 600 employees. The first layoffs subject to WARN will begin June 1, 2025," Perea said. In February, Chevron announced plans to lay off up to 20 percent of its company-wide workforce over the next year, possibly including those employed at Richmond's 123-year-old refinery. [Chevron to cut up to 20 percent of workforce by 2026In an effort to reduce expenses, Chevron announced Wednesday that it will lay off up to 20 percent of its company-wide workforce, potentially including employees at Richmond’s 123-year-old refinery.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/GISticker-177.png)Grandview IndependentLinda Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/DSC_4737--1--1-1-1.jpg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/chevron-to-cut-up-to-20-percent-of-workforce-by-2026/) Last fall, the company said that it planned to relocate its headquarters from San Ramon, where it has been based for the last twenty-three years, to Houston, Texas, as part of a planned migration of its corporate team out of California. When asked if the planned layoffs would directly impact employees at the Richmond Refinery, a Chevron spokesperson told *Grandview*, "We expect fewer positions across the entire company." [Chevron to relocate headquarters from California to TexasChevron to relocate headquarters from California to Texas Chevron announced Friday morning it will relocate its headquarters from San Ramon, where it has been based for the last twenty-three years, to Houston, Texas, as part of a planned migration of its corporate team out of California.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/GISticker-176.png)Grandview IndependentLinda Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/DSC_4742-1-1.jpg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/chevron-announces-headquarter-move-leadership-changes/) The company said that responsible leadership requires taking these steps to improve the company's long-term competitiveness for its people, shareholders, and communities. --- ### Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. *If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting local journalism with a* Grandview Independent *subscription. Click to see our* [*monthly*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *and* [*annual*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/yearly) *subscription plans.* *Copyright © 2025* Grandview Independent*, all rights reserved.*regard ### Underage sales, hidden stashes: Richmond extends tobacco moratorium URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/underage-sales-hidden-stashes-richmond-extends-tobacco-moratorium/ Last updated: 2025-08-05T02:31:37.000Z The Richmond City Council voted Tuesday to extend its moratorium on new tobacco retailers for an additional 12 months, citing growing concerns over illegal sales, youth access to tobacco, and non-compliance with licensing regulations. The original moratorium, enacted in April 2024, was set for 45 days and extended for nearly a year. The latest extension, which will last until April 2026, allows city officials more time to develop a comprehensive regulatory framework while cracking down on illicit activity. ### Unlicensed retailers and illegal sales Director of Community Development Lina Velasco presented findings from ongoing inspections, revealing that at least 51 retailers are selling tobacco products without a city-issued license. In addition, 32 licensed retailers continue to operate under previous regulations. City staff have discovered businesses selling flavored tobacco, which Richmond has banned since 2018 and has been banned statewide since January 1, 2025, and the employment of minors to sell tobacco products. [Richmond Bans Flavored Tobacco and Menthol Cigarettes | The Contra Costa PulseLeer en Español By Abené Clayton The Richmond city council unanimously voted to ban the sale of menthol cigarettes and flavored tobacco products in the city. The decision follows months of research conducted by student activists and meetings between local business owners, their representatives and city officials. Once final wording for the ban is approved![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/heartbeat-2.png)The Contra Costa Pulse | Community news and youth voices for Contra Costa CountyRPadmin![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/20180716_tobacco_04.jpg)](https://ccpulse.org/2018/07/16/richmond-bans-flavored-tobacco-and-menthol-cigarettes/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) “The issues are broader than we expected. It’s not just an issue of not obtaining the license; we’re also finding that tobacco retailers are employing underage attendants who are selling this product. So these are people under the age of 18,” Velasco said. “We also have found retailers are selling unlawful cannabis, psychedelic mushrooms, drug paraphernalia, and some of this material, we have found concealed and hidden doors and hidden drawers.” ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/04/richmond-smokeshops-1.webp) Inspections have revealed unlawful cannabis, hidden doors and drawers and tobbaco products from Georgia and other states that may have fewer taxes. Photos/City of Richmond Velasco said the tobacco products are also being marketed to minors, with packaging resembling candy or soda, like Arizona iced tea or gummy bears. ### State law and local enforcement challenges New state laws — Assembly Bill 1328 and Senate Bill 1230 — aim to strengthen California’s flavored tobacco ban, but enforcement remains a challenge. The California Department of Justice and the California Department of Public Health are still refining procedures for confiscating illegal products. During the discussion, several council members expressed frustration over the city’s inability to immediately shut down illegal tobacco retailers. Vice Mayor Cesar Zepeda questioned why businesses openly violating laws can continue operating. [Up in smoke: Richmond tobacco retailers busted for selling marijuana and mushroomsOver the past three weeks, Richmond Police Department detectives, in partnership with Code Enforcement Officers, conducted a series of unannounced inspections of local tobacco retailers, resulting in a substantial drug seizure. Out of the 13 businesses inspected, four were found to be selling illegal drugs, including marijuana and psychedelic mushrooms, packaged and ready for sale.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/GISticker-174.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Richmond-tobacco-retailers-busted-for-selling-marijuana-psychedelic-drugs--1-2.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/up-in-smoke-richmond-tobacco-retailers-busted-for-selling-marijuana-and-psychedelic-drugs/) “They don’t have a business license, they’re selling illegal stuff,” Zepeda said. “What resources can we provide to you and your departments to immediately shut them down because they’re a danger to our community?” Councilmember Doria Robinson also questioned why the city couldn’t shut down businesses selling illegal items. “I still don’t understand it,” Robinson said. Do we have any existing ordinances or rules that, if somebody is using a retail location to sell illegal things, we can close that retail location? Is there an existing ordinance that we could use to have more immediate enforcement?” City Attorney Dave Aleshire said he didn’t know of any ordinance allowing the city to close the business for an illegal sale. “You would cite persons, and if they didn’t correct their behavior, you could get to that point,” Aleshire responded. “But we have to build a record with regard to the businesses so you can start a nuisance abatement type of process. You abate the nuisance by correcting the behavior.” ### Mapping tobacco retailers and community impact The city has mapped tobacco retailers, both legal and illegal, revealing a high concentration in central Richmond neighborhoods, including the Iron Triangle, Santa Fe, Coronado, North & East, Belding Woods, and parts of Pullman. While Hilltop and Pacific East Mall also have retailers, city officials emphasized that the most pressing concerns are in areas with greater youth exposure. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/04/Mapping-richmond-tobacco-retailers.webp) City of Richmond map of tobacco retailers. Monica Marquez, a Senior Health Education Specialist with Contra Costa’s Community Health and Safety Tobacco Prevention Program, said Richmond’s retailers are purposefully and disproportionately located in communities with a greater number of racial and ethnic minorities and low-income populations. “Their proliferation and proximity to communities can exacerbate disparities and make it harder for people who use tobacco products to quit, they can also make it more likely that youth will initiate tobacco use,” Marquez said. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/04/richmond-smoking-cdc-map.webp) Smoking prevalence map indicate higher smoking rates, with parts of Richmond exceeding the national average of 16.6 percent and reaching more than 21 percent in some area. Image/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. . [https://www.cdc.gov/places](https://www.cdc.gov/places/index.html?ref=grandviewindependent.com) Councilmembers sought to address about a dozen previously licensed tobacco retailers caught without a license when the moratorium was enacted in 2024\. Councilmember Doria Robinson proposed a motion to extend the moratorium with conditions allowing legacy retailers with tobacco licenses between 2018-2024 to renew them, provided they had valid business licenses and weren’t engaged in illegal activities. “It does concern me when I’m hearing about the kind of legacy retailers who have maybe fallen down on getting their licenses, and it’s a main part of their business model,” Robinson said. “I would like to see an extension to include any outlet that had a license at some point in time to get another opportunity to renew that license and not be included in the moratorium, especially if it’s a handful, so that we can keep our focus on the kind of problematic new ventures.” A public commenter, Aslam, stated that although the primary focus of this moratorium was the illegal stores on 23rd Street without a tobacco license, two of his family’s locations were also negatively affected and could lose their franchise. “Some businesses didn’t get the information to update their license, while others did receive the bill to renew. That’s very unfair,” he said. “If this moratorium is extended, we’ve already been told we’ll lose our franchise and have to leave. We really cannot survive here in Richmond any longer, whether we want to or not,” he said. ### Next steps for the city As part of the moratorium extension, the city has hired Good City Company to assist in regulatory updates and community engagement. A recent February workshop gathered residents’ input, and another meeting is planned for April 9. [City seeks stricter tobacco retail regulations after issuing 50 cease-and-desist noticesRichmond city officials are considering changes to the city’s tobacco retail regulations to crack down on unlicensed sellers and prevent youth access to tobacco products.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/GISticker-173.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/luck-smoke-shop-1-1-1-1-1-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/city-seeks-stricter-tobacco-retail-regulations-after-issuing-50-cease-and-desist-notices/) In the coming months, city staff will finalize licensing, enforcement, and penalties recommendations. While officials hope to present new regulations by the summer, they sought a full 12-month extension to provide flexibility if more time is needed. “Our goal is not to take the full year, but we only have one more extension available,” Velasco explained. “This is an opportunity to get it right and create a sustainable regulatory framework.” In the meantime, Richmond officials will continue inspections and enforcement efforts, targeting retailers that violate the moratorium and existing tobacco laws. With increasing scrutiny on youth access and illegal sales, the city aims to establish clearer rules to protect public health while ensuring responsible business practices. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/04/Document.png) --- ### Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. *If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting local journalism with a* Grandview Independent *subscription. Click to see our* [*monthly*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *and* [*annual*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/yearly) *subscription plans.* *Copyright © 2025* Grandview Independent*, all rights reserved.*regard ### On the Richmond Pizza Trail: 23rd Street's Navarro’s Italian Deli URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-richmond-pizza-trail-23rd-streets-navarros-italian-deli/ Last updated: 2025-04-01T18:54:55.000Z *Welcome to Grandview Independent's pizza quest, Richmond Pizza Trail. The GI staff has turned our sights on pizza while the Richmond Burrito Trail observes a 40-day hiatus.* Navarro’s Italian Deli may be best known for its sandwiches, but its pizza holds its own with a mix of satisfying flavors. The cheese is rich and creamy — almost decadently so — while the crust offers a pleasant crunch. Toppings are fresh and well-portioned, and while the deli’s early closing time limits dinner plans, it’s a great option for a hearty lunch or an early bite. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/04/richmond-pizza-trail-Navarros-Italian-Deli3.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/04/richmond-pizza-trail-Navarros-Italian-Deli4-2.webp) **Recently, Grandview Independent* sampled Navarro’s Italian Deli combination pizza and a super cheese pepperoni pizza. One standout feature of the pie is the cheese. Described on Yelp as some of the “creamiest” cheese around, it melts beautifully, though some reviewers found it to be a bit much. The cheese tastes like mozzarella, with maybe some provolone, but it is also ooey, gooey, and creamy like baked brie. Daniel Navarro, owner of the deli, told [Richmond Standard ](https://richmondstandard.com/richmond/2024/01/16/at-navarros-italian-deli-food-must-be-beautiful/?ref=grandviewindependent.com)last year that he had been using a pizza recipe from a famous chef in France. So…maybe? The crust at Navarro’s is another strong point. It’s not a fancy crust but delivers a satisfying bite with a nice crunch and a pleasant texture. Unlike some pizzas that drown in herbs, the seasoning here is balanced, though there’s a noticeable kick of herbiness as you eat your way out of the center, where the cheese thins a bit near the crust. The combination pizza comes loaded with classic toppings — pepperoni, olives, peppers, mushrooms, onions, and sausage — all in good proportion. The vegetables tasted fresh, and the sausage had a solid, savory bite. The sauce was well-executed, complementing the cheese and toppings without overpowering them. The combination pizza tends to get soggy toward the center, so the next time we order, we will probably ask for a classic bell pepper-onion mushroom pie. The pepperoni pizza was loaded with cheese and just the right amount of pepperoni slices. The right amount of pepperoni is somewhere between not enough and too much. A good start is when there are multiple slices of pepperoni on each slice. It is OK if they kind of overlap. We especially appreciate it when they get all crispy, and that fat-soluble pepper flavors start permeating the rest of the pie. The only real letdown is the early closing time. The deli closes at 6 p.m., which limits its appeal as a traditional dinner option. That said, if you’re looking for a solid, affordable lunch or an early dinner, Navarro’s pizza is an excellent choice. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/04/richmond-pizza-trail-Navarros-Italian-Deli-sandwich.webp) Navarro’s Italian Deli makes a mean turket sandwich as well. Final verdict? Navarro’s delivers a high-quality, well-balanced pizza at a reasonable price. It stands out in Richmond’s pizza landscape and is worth a try, especially if you’re already a fan of their well-regarded sandwiches. Our tab for two large pizzas was only $43, and we loaded up the toppings, increasing the combo pizza’s overall price. Would we eat here again? Absolutely. As the Richmond Pizza Trail continues, we’re eager to discover more standout pies across the city. Let us know where to eat next, and check back next week for another stop on the trail as *Grandview Independent* attempts to find the best pizza in Richmond. --- ### Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. *If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting local journalism with a* Grandview Independent *subscription. Click to see our* [*monthly*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *and* [*annual*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/yearly) *subscription plans.* *Copyright © 2025* Grandview Independent*, all rights reserved.* ### On the agenda: tobacco and sewer moratoriums, street sweeping, and healthy retail URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-agenda-tobacco-and-sewer-moratoriums-street-sweeping-and-healthy-retail/ Last updated: 2025-03-31T15:39:06.000Z The Richmond City Council will hold two public hearings at [Tuesday’s meeting](https://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/4157/City-of-Richmond-Council-Meetings?ref=grandviewindependent.com): extending the city’s moratorium on new tobacco retailers for another year and prohibiting new sewer connections to the aging Keller Beach Sanitary Sewer for nearly two more years. The council will also consider allocating over $560,000 for street sweeping sign installation, advancing a healthy retail ordinance, and integrating tree well expansion into sidewalk projects. ### [Richmond to extend moratorium on tobacco retailers](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=56981&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The Richmond City Council is set to extend its moratorium on new tobacco retailers for another year, citing concerns over unlicensed sales, underage employees, and illegal products. The urgency ordinance, first enacted in April 2024, was initially extended until April 15, 2025\. City officials now propose pushing the moratorium to April 15, 2026, to allow further study and regulation development. [City seeks stricter tobacco retail regulations after issuing 50 cease-and-desist noticesRichmond city officials are considering changes to the city’s tobacco retail regulations to crack down on unlicensed sellers and prevent youth access to tobacco products.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/GISticker-168.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/luck-smoke-shop-1-1-1-1-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/city-seeks-stricter-tobacco-retail-regulations-after-issuing-50-cease-and-desist-notices/) City inspections revealed that of Richmond’s 83 known tobacco retailers, 51 operate without a license. Officials also discovered illegal cannabis sales, flavored tobacco violations, and underage employees at several locations. The extension will provide time for stronger licensing enforcement and compliance with new state laws banning flavored tobacco products. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/03/tobacco-retailers-richmond-2.png) The council will hold a public hearing before voting on the ordinance. If approved, existing tobacco retailers can continue operations, but no new licenses will be issued until stricter regulations are in place. --- ### [Extending Keller Beach sewer ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=56993&ref=grandviewindependent.com)[moratorium](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=56993&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The council will hold a public hearing to extend the moratorium on new sewer connections to the Keller Beach Sanitary Sewer (KBSS) for 22 months and 15 days. The decision follows concerns over the aging pipeline’s risk of failure, which could result in sewage spills into the San Francisco Bay. [Richmond City Council approves 45-day moratorium on Keller Beach Sewer connectionsThe Richmond City Council unanimously approved a 45-day moratorium on new sewer connections to the aging Keller Beach Sanitary Sewer system Tuesday night, extending restrictions that have stalled home construction for three years.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/GISticker-169.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/keller-beach-richmond-california-summer-water-1-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-city-council-approves-45-day-moratorium-on-keller-beach-sewer-connections/) The KBSS, built in 1959, has deteriorated significantly, with corrosion, sagging, and limited access for repairs. Environmental group Baykeeper, which reached a 2005 settlement with the city over sewer issues, has pushed for urgent action. Upgrading the KBSS is expected to take at least seven years. The moratorium prevents new developments from connecting to the system while the city designs interim solutions. Officials warn that failing to act could lead to major environmental damage and steep regulatory fines. --- ### [$564,131 for street sweeping sign installation, data collection](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=56934&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The Public Works Department is asking the council to approve a resolution allocating $564,131 for citywide street sweeping sign installation and data collection on streetlight and traffic signal poles. On March 19, 2020, the council directed staff to temporarily cease enforcing street sweeping parking restrictions during the early days of the pandemic. Last year, the council directed staff to enforce street sweeping parking restrictions in an equitable manner throughout all neighborhoods in the city. The first step was to install street sweeping signs in fifteen areas that did not have signage. [Richmond residents push back against street sweeping enforcement expansionSome Richmond residents are opposing the city’s decision to expand street sweeping enforcement to additional neighborhoods, citing concerns over lack of necessity, parking constraints, and financial burdens.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/GISticker-171.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-street-sweeping-2-1-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-residents-push-back-against-street-sweeping-enforcement-expansion-2/) These include Bristlecone, Canyon Oaks, Carriage Hills South, Country Club, Greenridge, Hasford Heights, Hilltop Bayview, Hilltop Green, Lenora, Marina Bay, Metro Richmore Village, Panhandle Annex, Quail Hill, Richmond Annex and Via Verdi. The Richmond Police Department began issuing “mock” parking tickets in March 2025\. According to the report, parking enforcement will start on April 15, 2025. [Richmond to resume street sweeping enforcement in AprilMany Richmond residents found a small leaflet warning of a parking violation on their cars this morning as the Richmond Police Department prepares to resume street sweeping enforcement next month.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/GISticker-170.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-street-sweeping-1-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-to-resume-street-sweeping-enforcement-in-april-2/) Staff also recommends gathering additional data on the 500 miles of city sidewalks and other assets maintained by the city, beginning with a comprehensive inventory and condition assessment of all roadway signs, streetlights, and traffic signal poles within the city. This assessment would then be used to create a budget for replacing deteriorated, faded, or non-compliant roadway signs, as well as streetlight and traffic signal poles. Finally, a replacement schedule for all roadway signs, streetlights, and traffic signal poles would be developed and incorporated into the annual Capital Improvement Plan budget. --- ### Healthy options at point-of-sale ordinance The Richmond City Council will review a proposed ordinance that would make it slightly less convenient to buy a candy bar at a large store. The ordinance would require large retailers to offer healthier food options at checkout aisles, a move aimed at curbing the prevalence of junk food in low-income communities. Known as the Healthy Options at Point-of-Sale (HOPS) [Richmond is considering requiring healthy checkout optionsThe Richmond City Council will review a proposed ordinance that would make buying a candy bar at a large store slightly less convenient. The ordinance would require large retailers to offer healthier food options at checkout aisles – a move aimed at curbing the prevalence of junk food in low-income communities.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/GISticker-172.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-target-checkout-1-1-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-is-considering-requiring-healthy-checkout-options/) --- ### [Tree well expansion for sidewalk projects](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=56998&ref=grandviewindependent.com) In a push to expand urban tree canopies, the council directed staff to incorporate tree wells in all upcoming Capital Improvement Program (CIP) sidewalk projects where feasible. A sidewalk tree well is a cutout or recessed area in a sidewalk designed to provide space for a tree to grow while allowing pedestrian access.The motion also calls for partnerships with nonprofits and residents to plant and maintain trees, aligning with the city’s sustainability goals. ## On the consent calendar *All items placed under the Consent Calendar are considered to be routine and noncontroversial.* In **Community Development**, the city is considering a [$650,000 contract amendment with Civica Law Group, APC, ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=56938&ref=grandviewindependent.com)to extend legal services for code enforcement through 2027\. The city is also looking to expand its partnership with Contra Costa County Health, increasing funding by $2.87 million to enhance services for the [Encampment Resolution Funding program](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=56941&ref=grandviewindependent.com) through mid-2026. The contract amendment with Contra Costa County's Health, Housing, and Human Services Department will increase the total contract value to $4.3 million, drawing from an $8.6 million state grant for encampment resolution and housing stabilization. The additional funding would support enhanced services, including dedicated project management, an expanded outreach team, prioritized shelter access, and financial assistance programs aimed at securing permanent housing solutions. This proposal follows the unexpected termination of the city's previous contract with nonprofit Way2Love, which had been managing key homelessness initiatives. With Richmond facing persistent challenges around affordable housing availability and economic barriers for unhoused residents, the county partnership is seen as a way to strengthen service delivery and resource coordination. --- The **City Attorney’s Office** seeks approval of two legal services agreements. One agreement with [Boucher Law P.C. for up to $125,000](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=56969&ref=grandviewindependent.com) through 2025 will support confidential personnel investigations. Another amendment will add [$110,000 to an existing contract](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=56928&ref=grandviewindependent.com) with Burke, Williams & Sorensen, LLP, extending legal representation for municipal law matters through 2026. --- The **Library and Community Services Department** seeks to submit applications for the [Richmond Workforce Development Board ](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=56959&ref=grandviewindependent.com)to be designated as a service provider for adult and dislocated workers and to secure [recertification for 2025-2027.](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=56963&ref=grandviewindependent.com) --- The **Mayor’s Office** is recommending the [reappointment of Tomasa Espinoza](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=56987&ref=grandviewindependent.com) to the Richmond Rent Board and Elena Velazquez to the [Richmond Youth Council](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=56989&ref=grandviewindependent.com). Additionally, an ordinance amendment is proposed to require the [Arts and Culture Division Manager](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=56991&ref=grandviewindependent.com) to deliver biannual reports to the City Council. The mayor is also set to declare [April 2025 as Alcohol Awareness Month.](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=56985&ref=grandviewindependent.com) --- The **Public Works Department** is requesting approval to accept[ $1.67 million in grant funding](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=56918&ref=grandviewindependent.com) for the Bayview to BART Improvement Project, alongside a $565,116 contract with Kimley-Horn and Associates for engineering design. Funds from Measure J would be allocated to develop a [blue curb parking policy](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=56967&ref=grandviewindependent.com), and an annual engineer’s report for Marina Bay’s [landscape and lighting maintenance](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=56956&ref=grandviewindependent.com) is also on the agenda. --- ### [AB 481 military equipment report postponed again](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=56951&ref=grandviewindependent.com) The 2024 Annual Military Equipment Report, which assesses the Police Department’s compliance with state law and local policy has been postponed again. The report, initially deferred from the March 25 meeting, will now be revisited on April 22, 2025. --- ### Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. *If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting local journalism with a* Grandview Independent *subscription. Click to see our* [*monthly*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *and* [*annual*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/yearly) *subscription plans.* *Copyright © 2025* Grandview Independent*, all rights reserved.* ### Caltrans withdraws plan to convert Richmond Bridge Trail into breakdown lane URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/caltrans-drops-plan-to-restrict-richmond-san-rafael-bridge-trail-access-2/ Last updated: 2025-06-26T20:18:28.000Z *This story has been updated to include additional information.* California Department of Transportation has withdrawn its proposal to limit pedestrian and bicyclist access to the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge following public outcry and organized advocacy efforts. The agency had proposed converting the bridge's multi-use path into a vehicle breakdown shoulder from Monday through Thursday, reducing access to weekends only. The plan drew swift opposition from cycling and pedestrian groups, including Bike East Bay, which helped mobilize thousands of supporters to speak against the restriction. [Transit officials present plans to close Richmond Bridge bike laneTransit officials briefed the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission on plans for weekday closures of the multi-use trail on the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge during a meeting Thursday afternoon. The pathway opened in November 2019 as part of a four-year pilot project to provide bicycle and pedestrian access on![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/GISticker-165.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/cyclist-richmond-bridge-1.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/transit-officials-present-plans-to-close-richmond-bridge-bike-lane/) "We did it! Caltrans has withdrawn its proposal to deny 24/7 access for people biking and walking on the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge," Bike East Bay Advocacy Manager Dani Lanis wrote in an email to supporters. "Their proposal would have converted the trail into a car breakdown shoulder every Monday through Thursday, limiting access to only Friday-Sunday for those who walk, bike, or roll across. Along with our allies, we mobilized thousands to speak out against this, and our voices couldn't be ignored!" Originally, the Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC) had been scheduled to vote on the proposal on April 3\. However, Caltrans withdrew the plan before the vote. [MTC contemplates return of Richmond Bridge breakdown laneIf everything goes to plan, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, the folks in charge of the Bay Area’s eight state-owned bridges, will open a dedicated lane for Richmond Bridge drivers to break down or chat after a fender bender. Bike East Bay Advocacy Manager Dani Lanis said MTC’s executive director told![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/GISticker-166.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/break-down-lane-richmond-bridge-1-1.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-bridge-path-closure/) Over the past year, Bike East Bay and its partners secured resolutions from multiple agencies, including the cities of Richmond, Albany, and Berkeley, in support of maintaining full-time access to the trail. The group also gathered more than 4,500 petition signatures and organized over 75 community organizations to voice their opposition to the restrictions. "Make no mistake - our voices made the difference here," Lanis wrote. "Without our mobilization, the proposal likely would have moved forward." Despite the win for bicycle and pedestrian access, advocates warn that the issue is not fully settled. "This is a huge victory, but we can't let our guard down – as this proposal may return," Lanis cautioned. According to Bike East Bay, Caltrans has now requested an indefinite postponement of the BCDC's scheduled public hearing and vote on the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge permit application. The agency plans to submit an amended application, acknowledging that the current application will be permanently withdrawn if no action is taken by July 12, 2025. The Bay Area Council, a regional business association advocating for the pathway’s removal, launched a campaign under the name [Commonsense Transportation Coalition](https://www.commonsensetransportation.com/?ref=grandviewindependent.com). The group said the vote was postponed as discussions between the Metropolitan Transportation Commission and the Bay Conservation and Development Commission continue. “Ongoing conversations between MTC and BCDC have sparked new considerations, leading to additional amendments to the permit application,” a representative of the Common Sense Transportation Coalition said in an email to supporters. “Delays are frustrating, but your commitment is why a common-sense solution remains within reach.” --- ### Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. *If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting local journalism with a* Grandview Independent *subscription. Click to see our* [*monthly*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *and* [*annual*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/yearly) *subscription plans.* *Copyright © 2025* Grandview Independent*, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond is considering requiring healthy checkout options URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-is-considering-requiring-healthy-checkout-options/ Last updated: 2025-03-28T19:38:38.000Z The Richmond City Council will review a proposed ordinance that would make buying a candy bar at a large store slightly less convenient. The ordinance would require large retailers to offer healthier food options at checkout aisles – a move aimed at curbing the prevalence of junk food in low-income communities. Known as the Healthy Options at Point-of-Sale (HOPS) ordinance, the measure was first introduced in 2022 but has faced delays in coming to fruition. Modeled after similar policies in Berkeley, the ordinance would apply to stores larger than 2,500 square feet, limiting the display of high-sugar and high-sodium products at checkout lanes. Supporters argue the policy is necessary to promote public health, particularly in communities where diet-related illnesses are common. However, enforcement remains a challenge, as Richmond lacks a dedicated public health department and may need to contract oversight to county agencies or contractors. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/01/Support-local-journalism-richmond.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal) Ashley Trousdell, a Community Campaign Coordinator with [Bay Area Community Resources](https://www.bacr.org/?ref=grandviewindependent.com), an El Cerrito-based nonprofit that had $84.8 million in revenue in 2023, has worked alongside the high school students on the healthy retail initiative. "Looking into the census data from 2022 revealed that three out of six, so half of Richmond districts have a higher prevalence of diabetes than the state average," Trousdell said. "This makes this issue extremely pressing. Type two diabetes was the eighth leading cause of death in the United States in 2021 and clearly remains a significant issue here in Richmond." Trousdell explained to the council in March that for many, type two diabetes is a preventable progressive condition that likely begins with habits formed at an early age. "Nearly 30 years ago, after the CDC declared diabetes an epidemic, it still remains a critical public health challenge, but it doesn't have to be that way. We can change this narrative by supporting initiatives like healthy retail," Trousdell said. Data shows disparities in diabetes rates across Richmond's six districts, with the highest prevalence (15.8 percent) in District 3 and District 5 with the lowest rate (8.8 percent). ### Comparing diabetes rates across Richmond districts ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/03/Comparing-Diabetes-Rates-Across-Richmond.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/03/Diabetes-Rates-Across-Richmond.png) A chart comparing diabetes rates across Richmond voting districts from the [Healthy Options at Point-of-Sale (HOPS) Youth Advocates Presentation](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=56979&ref=grandviewindependent.com) Ileana Miranda-Uch, a Pinole High School student and a Bay Area Community Resources intern, shared information from the [Othering & Belonging Institute.](https://belonging.berkeley.edu/food-justice-community-health-richmond?ref=grandviewindependent.com) "About 34 percent of Richmond, or 32,000 people, some in this room, reside in critical food access areas, or areas considered underserved," Miranda-Uch said at the March 4 Richmond City Council Meeting. "On average, Richmond residents must travel almost a mile to reach a full-service grocer." Miranda-Uch said that 10 percent of Richmond households don't have cars, and the distance to food retailers greatly impacts access to healthy food. "A recent study found that for every one supermarket or farmers market located in Richmond, there are at least six fast food restaurants and convenience stores," Miranda-Uch said. "These food challenges and resulting health complications disproportionately impact Richmond low-income residents and communities of color." Under Richmond's [draft Healthy Retail Ordinance](https://pub-richmond.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=56980&ref=grandviewindependent.com), stores that fail to stock checkout aisles with healthier food and drink options could face citations and penalties. The proposed enforcement measures include routine inspections — likely conducted by Contra Costa County's Environmental Health division — to ensure compliance with rules banning sugary beverages and high-sodium snacks near registers. Retailers may also be required to provide documentation proving they meet the standards. Violations would trigger penalties under the city's municipal code, though enforcement would not begin until at least six months after the law takes effect, giving businesses time to adjust. The ordinance does not specify fine amounts but allows the city to recover investigation costs. --- ### Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. *If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting local journalism with a* Grandview Independent *subscription. Click to see our* [*monthly*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *and* [*annual*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/yearly) *subscription plans.* *Copyright © 2025* Grandview Independent*, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond officials weigh using Chevron settlement to pay down $392 million pension debt URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-officials-weigh-using-chevron-settlement-to-pay-down-392-million-pension-debt/ Last updated: 2025-06-23T00:52:15.000Z Richmond city officials will explore a plan to accelerate repayment of the city's $392 million in unfunded pension liabilities using funds from its $550 million Chevron tax settlement, a move supporters say could save taxpayers $117 million in interest while freeing up $33 million annually for city services. Mayor Eduardo Martinez expressed concern over the framing of a proposal to use Chevron settlement money to pay off pension debt at Tuesday night's Richmond City Council meeting, suggesting the funds should be viewed as part of the city's general fund. "I hear people talking about Chevron funds. What do we mean by Chevron funds?" Martinez said. "Chevron funds come from the utility tax, property tax, and the settlement. But these funds aren't special funds — they are part of the general fund, and that's how we need to be speaking about them." [City announces $550 million settlement with Chevron, withdrawal of oil refinery tax ballot measureUpdated: Tuesday, August 13, 2024 at 2:15 p.m. According to the proposed settlement, Chevron, the City Attorney, and a City Council ad hoc committee have negotiated an agreement that will end the current lawsuit and the threat of new ones. Chevron initially offered the city $300 million or![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/GISticker-163.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/make-polluters-pay-3.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/city-announces-550-million-settlement-with-chevron-withdrawal-of-oil-refinery-tax-ballot-measure-2/) Martinez said referring to the money as "Chevron funds" was misleading and problematic. "I refuse to view it as Chevron funds, especially settlement funds," he said. "What matters is that it comes from the general fund. And I will say that over and over — general funds, general funds, general funds." Richmond's pension liabilities have been a growing concern, with current payment schedules stretching into 2044 at a total projected cost of $652 million, including $260 million in interest. Kristen Schumacher Nascimento, the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers' lead researcher, framed the proposal as an opportunity for Richmond to stabilize its finances while reducing reliance on Chevron, which currently accounts for about 15 percent of the city's revenue. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/03/Kristen-Schumacher-Nascimento-IFPTE.webp) Kristen Schumacher Nascimento, IFPTE's lead researcher, gave a presentation during the March 25, 2025 Richmond City Council meeting. "When you have short-term infusions of money, you can use that to pay down long-term debt," Nascimento said. "If you were to do this, you'd pay off the liabilities by 2035 and eliminate that expense from the city's payroll budget, creating permanent savings." Nascimento said Richmond is currently spending $33 million every year on pension payments. "By paying down the debt sooner, we can free up that money for services like public safety, road repairs, and staffing. That's money we can redirect to the things residents need without having to raise new revenue," Nascimento said. Depending on the year, the proposal would increase the city's annual payment to the California Public Employees Retirement System from $6 million to $22 million. ### Supplemental Pension Payments ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/03/Supplemental-Pension-Payments-1.webp) The green area shows the additional amount needed for a 10-year UAL payment schedule. The proposal, introduced by Councilmembers Claudia Jimenez, Doria Robinson, and Sue Wilson, would direct city staff to collaborate with IFPTE Local 21 to study using the settlement to expedite repayment of Richmond's $392 million in unfunded pension liabilities. If approved, the city could save an estimated $117 million in interest payments over two decades, freeing up $33 million annually for city services once the debt is eliminated, according to a presentation by IFPTE Local 21, a union representing city employees. Councilmember Wilson sought to clarify the mechanics of the proposal. "If we use that money to pay down the CalPERS debt over the next 10 years, we simultaneously free up $33 million annually that we are currently paying into the pension system," Wilson explained. "That means more funding for city services like infrastructure, public safety, and staffing—not just for the next decade, but for the next 20 years." Public comment revealed divided opinions on the proposal. Some speakers, including union representatives, supported the move as a prudent financial decision, while others argued that the funds should be directed toward immediate community needs. Councilmember Jamelia Brown argued that the settlement was originally promised for public services and infrastructure improvements, not financial restructuring. [Council puts oil refining business license tax on November ballotThe Richmond City Council Tuesday unanimously approved a resolution placing an oil refining business license tax on the November ballot. If passed by voters, the ordinance implements a business license tax dubbed the “Make Polluters Pay tax” on oil refining at the rate of $1 per barrel of feedstock refined within the City of Richmond.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/GISticker-164.png)Grandview IndependentLinda Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Council-oil-refining-business-license-tax-November-ballot-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/council-puts-oil-refining-business-license-tax-on-november-ballot/) "This settlement is the people's payday," Brown said. "It's not just about balancing the books — it's about prioritizing people now, not in 10 or 20 years. We told residents these funds would go to fixing roads, improving youth services, and increasing public safety. Now we're shifting the conversation to debt relief, and that's not what people expected." Emma Ishii, a Local Policy Coordinator with Asian Pacific Environmental Network, spoke in support of the proposal. She highlighted APEN's work with Asian immigrant and refugee Richmond residents on environmental justice campaigns, most recently the Polluters Pay campaign that led to the settlement between Chevron and the city. "Richmond residents deserve to see all of the options available to them and weigh in on how these are spent," Ishii said. "APEN will be advocating for the city to continue making decisions on settlement funds in an open and democratic manner that empowers Richmond residents as much as possible." Richmond Police Officers Association President Ben Therriault expressed general support for paying down liabilities but raised concerns about how the issue was presented on the agenda. "I think it should be a little bit more transparent, and all the unions should be a part of it," Therriault said. "Especially the unions if they're in negotiations currently, to make sure that the city upholds its end by bargaining in good faith." The council voted 6-0, with Councilmember Sohelia Bana absent, to direct staff to collaborate with IFPTE Local 21 and analyze potential strategies. --- ### Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. *If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting local journalism with a* Grandview Independent *subscription. Click to see our* [*monthly*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *and* [*annual*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/yearly) *subscription plans.* *Copyright © 2025* Grandview Independent*, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond musician wins award for work with at-risk youth URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-musician-wins-award-for-work-with-at-risk-youth/ Last updated: 2025-06-23T00:53:45.000Z Richmond musician Barbara Gorin has won the CBS News Bay Area Icon Award for her work with *Guitars Not Guns,* an organization that brings music into the lives of at-risk children. The CBS [Bay Area Icon Award](https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/barbara-gorin-east-bay-nonprofit-guitars-not-guns/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) honors local community heroes who provide outstanding service in their community. Gorin, president of the Contra Costa chapter of [Guitars not Guns](https://www.guitarsnotguns.org/?ref=grandviewindependent.com#home), provides music lessons and organizes fundraisers and events to ensure foster children and at-risk youth can learn to play an instrument. *Guitars Not Guns* is a non-profit organization that provides free guitars and lessons to foster children, at-risk youth, and others ages 8 to 18\. The organization operates programs in 12 states, with 19 chapters, and according to its website, has brought music education to 4,964 children over the last 12 years. Gorin splits her time between volunteering with the organization and performing for audiences up and down the state as part of the [Breedloves](https://the-breedloves.com/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) acoustic duo alongside her bandmate and partner Jay Kirkland. Gorin has volunteered with *Guitars Not Guns* for almost twenty years, inspiring Kirkland to join her. Together, they have worked to put guitars in the hands of kids who otherwise would not have been able to afford musical instruments and lessons. [Guitars Not Guns wants to rock you into action for a great causeThe Breedloves, will perform along with two-time Best of the Bay winner Danny Jones, veteran rockers The Inflatables, and many more.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/GISticker-159.png)Grandview IndependentLinda Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2024-11-17-at-6.52.16-PM-1-1.png)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/guitars-not-guns-wants-to-rock-you-into-action-for-a-great-cause/) "I’m very honored to be selected for this prestigious award; I’ve been volunteering since June 2006, 19 years!" Gorin said. "When I met Jay in 2010, he signed up to volunteer immediately and has been by my side for 15 years." According to Gorin, Kirkland, who grew up in Richmond, credits music with saving his life. "He knows firsthand what music has done for his life and how it saved him from destructive behaviors," Gorin said. "When we can provide the gift of music for free to children in our community, in addition to teaching them how to play the guitar, we also teach responsibility by taking care of the guitar, accountability by practicing, and reliability by coming to classes," Gorin said. --- ## Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. *If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting local journalism with a* Grandview Independent *subscription. Click to see our* [*monthly*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *and* [*annual*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/yearly) *subscription plans.* *Copyright © 2025* Grandview Independent*, all rights reserved.* ### Richmond residents push back against street sweeping enforcement expansion URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-residents-push-back-against-street-sweeping-enforcement-expansion-2/ Last updated: 2025-03-27T17:36:13.000Z Some Richmond residents are opposing the city's decision to expand street sweeping enforcement to additional neighborhoods, citing concerns over lack of necessity, parking constraints, and financial burdens. The policy, which critics say will affect approximately 41,000 residents, has drawn criticism from community members who argue that no environmental study was conducted to justify the expansion. A petition opposing the policy has gathered dozens of signatures, with organizers calling on the Richmond City Council to reconsider the decision at its March 25 meeting. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/01/Support-local-journalism-richmond.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal) "The City of Richmond is expanding street sweeping enforcement to 41,000 residents across 16 neighborhoods—without any proof that it's needed," said petition organizer David Wei. "This means more ticketing, more parking issues, and an unnecessary burden on our community." Street-sweeping opponents say Bristlecone, Canyon Oaks, Carriage Hills South, Country Club, Greenridge, Hasford Heights, Hilltop Bayview, Hilltop Green, Lenora, Marina Bay, Metro Richmore, Panhandle Annex, Point Richmond, Quail Hill, Richmond Annex, Via Verdi neighborhoods would be affected. ![David Wei ](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/03/David-Wei-Country-Club-Vista-resident.webp) Petition organizer David Wei spoke at the March 25, 2025 Richmond City Council meeting. Wei, a Country Club Vista resident, said he is not asking for special treatment, just a pause to reevaluate this policy, engage with the affected neighborhoods, and ensure the enforcement is based on actual need. “If enforcement continues, it won’t just be an inconvenience — it will be a generational burden,” Wei said. “Long after we’re gone, our children and grandchildren will still be dealing with it. Parents are running out mid-morning to move cars, elders are struggling to find legal spots, and people are being fined simply for living in neighborhoods without driveways.” Wei said while everyone wants clean neighborhoods and supports street sweeping, the current policy is not truly about cleanliness. Instead, it is focused on unnecessary enforcement. [Richmond to resume street sweeping enforcement in AprilMany Richmond residents found a small leaflet warning of a parking violation on their cars this morning as the Richmond Police Department prepares to resume street sweeping enforcement next month.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/GISticker-161.png)Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/richmond-street-sweeping-1.webp)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-to-resume-street-sweeping-enforcement-in-april-2/) “Instead of targeting areas with real issues, the city has chosen to ticket everyone equally, even in neighborhoods without parking problems,” Wei said. Richmond's street sweeping program began in 1999 in response to a mandate from the California Regional Water Quality Control Board, which required cities to adopt best management practices for reducing pollutants in stormwater runoff. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/03/richmond-storm-drain-garbage.webp) Garbage gathers on a storm drain in Richmond as residents question the value of the city's street sweep program. Photo/ Soren Hemmila The Clean Water Act also requires municipalities to prevent contaminants such as oil, heavy metals, and microplastics from reaching waterways. California's Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act enforces similar protections at the state level. Additionally, the San Francisco Bay Municipal Regional Stormwater Permit (MRP) obligates Richmond to implement "institutional controls" like street sweeping in areas with medium to high trash accumulation. To enforce parking restrictions for street sweeping, Richmond must comply with California Vehicle Code §22507.6, which allows cities to prohibit parking during designated sweeping times but requires proper signage before issuing citations. [Council approves new no-parking signs ahead of street sweep restartAt Tuesday night’s council meeting, the Richmond City Council voted to install new no-parking signs, signaling a restart of the street sweep program– which will eventually include parking fines for those failing to move their vehicles. Utilizing $550,000 from the General Fund, the council approved the installation of signs![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/GISticker-160.png)Grandview IndependentLinda Hemmila![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/IMG_4977-2-1-1-1.jpg)](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/richmond-streetsweeprestart/) Over the years, Richmond has struggled with balancing enforcement and public cooperation. In 2000, the city initiated a mandatory street sweeping program, installing signs and issuing citations after a grace period. However, neighborhoods like Richmond Annex and Panhandle Annex successfully lobbied against mandatory enforcement, citing parking shortages and lack of coordination with trash collection schedules. Despite periodic efforts to reinstate stricter enforcement, resistance has persisted. The city's latest move to expand enforcement aligns with regional mandates to reduce urban pollution, but critics argue that the targeted neighborhoods do not experience significant street litter or stormwater pollution, requiring stricter measures. Opponents of the expansion cite multiple issues, including Richmond's ongoing parking shortage, particularly in high-density residential areas with limited off-street parking. [The new pastor of Hillcrest Baptist Church](https://richmondstandard.com/richmond/2025/03/21/historic-richmond-church-installs-new-pastor/?ref=grandviewindependent.com), Dr. Curtis Flemming, said his constituents are very concerned about the street-sweeping issue and asked the council to revisit this policy and hold off on enforcement. “I’ve dealt with this before in Brooklyn, where finding parking across the street in the morning was nearly impossible,” Flemming said. “After driving around Richmond and speaking with members of my congregation, I can tell you they are very concerned.” --- ### Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. *If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting local journalism with a* Grandview Independent *subscription. Click to see our* [*monthly*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *and* [*annual*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/yearly) *subscription plans.* *Copyright © 2025* Grandview Independent*, all rights reserved.* ### On the Richmond Pizza Trail: Mr. Pizza Man URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-richmond-pizza-trail-mr-pizza-man/ Last updated: 2025-03-25T21:26:53.000Z *Welcome to Grandview Independent's pizza quest, Richmond Pizza Trail. The GI staff has turned our sights on pizza while the Richmond Burrito Trail observes a 40-day hiatus.* The Richmond Pizza Trail got off to a good start with the North & East favorites [Richmond Pizza House](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-richmond-pizza-trail-san-pablo-avenues-richmond-pizza-house/) and Point Richmond's [Raymond's Pizzeria](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/on-the-richmond-pizza-trail-the-points-raymonds-pizzeria/). This week, we visited Mr. Pizza Man on 24th Street and Nevin Avenue. The Mister has been serving up pies in Richmond since 1990, but even with its bright green and yellow exterior and a towering sign, finding the front door is a little tricky. (It is on the 24th Street side.) [Mr. Pizza Man - Richmond, CA - 353 24th St - Hours, Menu, OrderGet 5% off your pizza delivery order - View the menu, hours, address, and photos for Mr. Pizza Man in Richmond, CA. Order online for delivery or pickup on Slicelife.com![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/icon/favicon-180x180.png)Mr. Pizza Man Logo![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/thumbnail/url-preview-background.png)](https://www.mrpizzamanofrichmond.com/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) We noticed Mr. Pizza Man's website touting its thick-crusted Chicago-style pizza, so with visions of [Gino's East](https://www.ginoseast.com/?ref=grandviewindependent.com) in our heads, we ordered a spinach and mushroom pizza as well as a regular pepperoni pizza. "Twenty-twenty-five minutes," the pizza guy said after we placed our order. *Uh oh.* *There is just no way…* *You can't…* *It takes time to craft REAL Chicago pizza…* We arrived at Mr. Pizza Man, and within minutes, and our pizza was ready. We returned to *Grandview* Headquarters and flung open the pizza box lid in eager anticipation. Well, it was not a deep-dish pizza. ![Mr. Pizza Man](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/03/richmond-pizza-trail-mr-pizza-man4.webp) Mr. Pizza Man's Chicago Style Pizza Thick Crust pizza with spinach and mushrooms. Unlike the flaky, almost pastry-like crusts of traditional Chicago deep-dish, this one is more bready with a crisp, toasted bottom and a fluffy interior with extra pizza sauce and oregano on top. If you love a saucy pizza, you're in the right place. Mr. Pizza Man doesn't skimp on the sauce, layering it on in a way that complements the thick crust. It leans toward the herby and slightly sweet side, with a balance that isn't overly salty or acidic. The result is a pizza that feels rich but not overpowering, though garlic lovers might find it a bit subtle. The crust achieves a beautiful golden-brown toast without burning, giving it a satisfying crunch when you bite in. Despite the thick sauce application, the structure holds, and you avoid the dreaded Soggy Bottom. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/03/richmond-pizza-trail-mr-pizza-man3.webp) Mr. Pizza Man's regular crust pepperoni pizza The classic pepperoni pizza with a golden-brown crust dusted with cornmeal is hand-tossed style with a thick, airy edge. Without the extra sauce cheese is well-melted and has a slightly browned, bubbly surface. The wide-slice pepperoni is generously distributed, slightly curled at the edges, and glistening with oil. The result is a meaty, well-balanced bite with almost every bite. If you're looking for a solid late-night pizza option in Richmond, Mr. Pizza Man has you covered. They deliver until midnight on weekdays and 1 a.m. on weekends, making them one of the better options for those late-night cravings. For those dining in or picking up, the service is efficient, with orders often ready faster than expected. Mr. Pizza Man manages to strike a balance, delivering pizzas that feel thoughtfully prepared. The dough has clearly had time to develop, rising properly and holding up to the sauce and cheese without getting soggy. At around $46 for two pizzas, Mr. Pizza Man delivers strong value compared to some of the more expensive pizza spots in the area. The portions are generous, and the quality of ingredients feels fresh. We followed *The Trail* protocol, ordering and paying for our meals like regular diners to experience the restaurant as typical customers. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2025/03/richmond-pizza-trail-mr-pizza-man1.webp) Inside Mr. Pizza Man Whether you're craving a hearty slice at midnight or looking for an affordable yet high-quality option, Mr. Pizza Man delivers in more ways than one. As the Richmond Pizza Trail continues, we’re eager to discover more standout pies across the city. Let us know where to eat next, and check back next week for another stop on the trail as *Grandview Independent* attempts to find the best pizza in Richmond. --- ### Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. *If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting local journalism with a* Grandview Independent *subscription. Click to see our* [*monthly*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/monthly) *and* [*annual*](https://www.grandviewindependent.com/#/portal/signup/6387e9f831b2f10031d27adc/yearly) *subscription plans.* *Copyright © 2025* Grandview Independent*, all rights reserved.* _Includes the latest 500 public posts. Use `/sitemap.xml` for the complete archive of public content._