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For senior Diaz, one last night on the field

Jorge Diaz was the last of the Richmond Oilers to step onto the football field Friday night, for what would be the last time he’d ever make that walk as a player. To no one in particular Diaz belted out his favorite phrase: “They might not like it, they might not love it, but they’re going to learn to live with it.” He was quiet for a moment, and then with little fanfare he weaved onto the field through a…

Oilers take back the Richmond Cup on senior night

The Richmond Oilers capped off the season with their second win, taking home the Richmond Cup in a 14-6 home victory over the De Anza Dons. For senior Devonte Anderson, the win fulfilled a goal he set in last year’s dispiriting loss to De Anza. “I wasn’t going to forget that moment,” Anderson said.  He said he promised himself he would win the cup back for the Oilers. “I kept my word,” he said. “I kept my promise. That’s my…

Protests mar Walmart Supercenter’s re-opening in Richmond

As managers at Richmond’s Walmart Supercenter prepared to launch a grand re-opening this morning, a handful of workers who have spent the last four months renovating the store walked out to protest what they said were ongoing cases of mistreatment by management. Shoppers were greeted by placard-wielding protesters, carrying signs reading “Stand Up, Live Better, Stop Retaliation” and “Stop Trying to Silence Us.” The protesters were a combination of Walmart associates and members of the United Food and Commercial Workers…

Prop 34 may affect double homicide trial in Martinez

When California citizens vote next week on Proposition 34, they could be holding the life of accused murderer Nathaniel Burris in their hands. Prosecutors have said they will seek the death penalty against Burris, whose high-profile trial for a 2009 double-homicide at the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge started in Martinez this week. Prop 34, which would abolish capital punishment in California, would remove that option. If Prop 34 passes, the 725 people on California’s death row – the largest in the…

RPD sting brings in prostitutes off 23rd street

Officer Amit Nath and Officer Gary Lewis of the Richmond Police Department stand in wait near their squad cars in a nearly empty parking lot on the corner of Barrett and 25th Street. It’s around 8 p.m. on a Wednesday evening, and the street lights are on, but they’re so dull they barely cast shadows of Nath as he walks away from the open door of his Crown Victoria, to better hear the radio feed through his ear piece. Lewis…

Celebrating wins, not losses is the new standard for Kennedy soccer program

Soccer is gearing up at Kennedy High. With 14 boys running two miles, three times a week around the football field, no one notices but the guys in shoulder pads. And because the gridiron crew still has full control of the Astroturf, the fútbol players have to take their yellow and orange cones to the netless tennis courts to practice their drills. Barcelona they’re not. But aspiring soccer players shouldn’t have to act like Roger Federer either. Tryouts don’t even…