Government
In 2007, eight high-ranking African American police officers sued the city of Richmond, accusing police Chief Chris Magnus and former Deputy Chief Lori Ritter of racial discrimination. The civil trial is now in its third week in Contra Costa Superior Court in Martinez. The plaintiffs—one of whom has since retired from the department and dropped his name from the suit—sued in March 2007, just over a year after Magnus was hired from Fargo, North Dakota. The suit alleges that Magnus…
University of California leaders announced this morning that Lawrence Berkeley National Labs has selected the Richmond Field Station as the location of its second site.
If you knew George Livingston, you knew how much he valued a tight, efficient schedule. For years, he was clear and direct to his loved ones and his pastor about how he wanted his send-off to go. “Dad wanted us to keep it short,” said his daughter, Grace Livingston-Nunley. “So we respect that.” More than 500 family, friends, residents, friends and many of the city and region’s biggest civic luminaries descended on St. John Missionary Baptist Church Tuesday for the…
Inspired by the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr, more than 400 Richmond residents volunteered their time and skills at the 5th Annual Martin Luther King Day of Service at the Richmond Greenway. The event, which had a festival atmosphere, offered musical entertainment, food, and booths with information on everything from habitat gardens to food systems and climate change. A group of local organizations led by the city, Urban Tilth and Friends of Richmond Greenway worked to maintain and beautify…
George Livingston looked dapper as usual as he lay in repose for a public viewing Monday night. Having devoted much of his 78 years on Earth to public service, it was only fitting that a City of Richmond pin was fastened to the left lapel of his brown suit. “George introduced me to politics” said Councilman Nat Bates, as he offered a few impromptu remarks at a service that allowed friends, family and the public to share their thoughts on…
The residents who marched in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Saturday morning looked to emphasize a particular aspect of his teachings: Unity. “We are moving in the direction of breaking down the barriers that separate us,” said Otheree Christian, president of the Iron Triangle Neighborhood Association, “barriers that contribute to unnecessary violence.” About 200 residents participated marches that began at Nevin Community Center in central Richmond and in Parchester Village. The groups converged at Shields-Reid Park in North Richmond,…
Students and teachers from five local schools joined parents and city leaders Friday in a march and celebration in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Students assembled at 3:30 p.m. at the corner of Harbour Way and Florida Avenue and walked while chanting peace hymns and toting signs and other crafts made in classrooms. The destination was the city park on Cutting Boulevard that bears the slain civil rights leader’s name. Billed as the “March for Peace,” the event was…
When Juan Lores delivered pizzas in the late 1980s, the area around Pennsylvania Avenue and Sixth Street was so dangerous his manager wouldn’t let his drivers deliver there after dark. A lot has changed in the last 20 years. Lores in 2009 moved his family into the neighborhood he used to steer clear of. And on a sunny Thursday this week, he looked on as shiny new solar panels were installed on his home’s roof – at no cost to…
Congressman George Miller (D-Martinez) lobbed a lot of questions Thursday afternoon. But he only got one unanimous answer. “How many of you plan to go to college?” Miller asked about 20 Richmond High School students. Every hand shot up. Miller smiled wide. It was part of a more than one-hour after-school conversation between the longtime congressman and teen members of the Bay Area Peacekeepers Inc., a violence prevention and education program that targets youth in Richmond and San Pablo. The…