Loi Almeron

City asks residents to weigh in on new South Richmond transportation plan

The City of Richmond is seeking public comment on the South Richmond Transportation Connectivity Plan (SRTCP) draft, which was released in early May. The plan is the city’s effort to improve transportation connectivity between South Richmond and surrounding key locations. Caltrans awarded a planning grant to the city in 2012. The California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, or Assembly Bill 32, requires the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions throughout the state. The goal of the plan is to adopt…

IRS warns taxpayers of scammers and identity theft

With the April 15 tax deadline looming, the Federal Trade Commission’s Tax Identity Theft Awareness program has a stark warning for taxpayers: “Protect personal information at home like you would cash or jewelry.” Tax identity theft is the largest category of identity theft cases in the country. Most common criminal activities include filing a fraudulent tax return using another person’s Social Security number, claiming someone else’s children as dependents, claiming a tax refund using a deceased taxpayer’s information, and earning…

Small efforts help library accessibility widen in Richmond

Sixth grader Clemon Brown loves reading books, but he has a hard time finding books outside of school. “Two weeks ago, I was sitting in my room [and] I want to read a book,” Brown said. He said he wanted to visit a library, but his mom’s car wasn’t working at the time. Brown lives in North Richmond, almost three miles away from the nearest Richmond public library. “That’s really the difficulty,” Richmond Public Library Director Katy Curl said. “[We’re]…

Richmond Confidential looks back on 2014, year for the ages

Long after the billboards come down, the campaign mailers rest in landfills and the New Year’s toasts come and go, 2014 may be remembered as Richmond’s big election year. We are honored to have been in Richmond’s streets and chambers, its homes and schools and everywhere else, helping write the first drafts of history in an important time and place. Chevron Corp. poured an unprecedented $3.1 million into the municipal races only to lose the open mayoral and city council seats to a progressive coalition on every…

Rapping O’Neill

A mix of beats, rapping and acting turned Eugene O’Neill’s drama masterpiece, Long Day’s Journey Into Night, into a bracing new blend of hip hop and theater.

Hundreds join first night of protests in Berkeley

Hundreds of protestors marched in downtown Berkeley Saturday night, protesting the recent non-indictments of the police officers involved in the deaths of the Eric Garner and Michael Brown. The protestors started from University Ave., caused North Berkeley BART Station to close, and marched towards UC Berkeley. Violence erupted at Telegraph Ave. while making their way to downtown Berkeley, chanting verses ranging from “I can’t breathe” to “Don’t shoot” to “the system is corrupt.”   University Ave.   Downtown Berkeley Telegraph Ave.

Halloween treats for Richmond families

Trick or treat? Halloween is here! Richmond Art Center is treating children to seasonal chills and thrills with its annual family art making event: Skeletonfest. This event was free and open to the public. Three girls drew scary skulls on paper plates with colorful sugar paint. One girl couldn’t help taste her art work. No surprise. “It tastes like sugar,” she said. Skeletonfest has been growing. Some 400 kids and adults came to the studio this year to take part…

Richmond residents and activists rally against Chevron’s campaign committee Moving Forward

About 30 sign-toting residents and activists assembled at City Hall Thursday to rail against what they say is a heavy handed attempt by Chevron Corp. to influence the Nov. 4 election. They also announced their own new political action committee backing progressive candidates. The residents raised banners and stood in front of a 10-foot sign stating, “Our Election is NOT FOR SALE,” while rallying against Chevron’s $3-million in campaign spending backing the oil company’s favored candidates for mayor and City…