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
by Soren Hemmila
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” including antisemitism training. The censure resolution, sponsored by Vice
by Soren Hemmila
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
by Soren Hemmila
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.
by Soren Hemmila
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-
by Soren Hemmila
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,
by Soren Hemmila
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
by Soren Hemmila
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
by Soren Hemmila
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
by Soren Hemmila
The Bay Area Air District has fined Gold Bond Building Products for 13 violations related to dust at its wallboard manufacturing plant at 1040 Canal Boulevard. Along with the $188,500 fine, the Air District is also requiring Gold Bond to take additional physical and operational steps to reduce dust
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
by Soren Hemmila
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” including antisemitism training. The censure resolution, sponsored by Vice
by Soren Hemmila
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
by Soren Hemmila
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.
by Soren Hemmila
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-
by Soren Hemmila
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,
by Soren Hemmila
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
by Soren Hemmila
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
by Soren Hemmila