September 9, 2010 Race for Richmond Mayor Focuses on Jobs, Casino and Class By GERRY SHIH Nathaniel Bates, a 78-year-old retired parole officer, has run unsuccessfully for mayor of Richmond three times. He kicked off his fourth campaign one recent afternoon by...

Richmond prosecutes railroad for blocking intersections By Karl Fischer Contra Costa Times Posted: 09/10/2010 12:10:06 PM PDT Updated: 09/10/2010 05:05:48 PM PDT For all those who fume in silence behind their steering wheels, watching rail cars inch across city...

Today’s San Francisco Chronicle editorialzed against an apparent effort by Chevron to wipe out CEQA review for the refinery project. Environmental law being tested Thursday, September 9, 2010 Frustrated by environmental reviews, businesses are employing a new tactic...

Many people have asked what can be done about the decision to use penalty money from a Chevron water quality violation (Officials Move Penalty Money From Richmond to Sonoma County, September 4, 2010) to fund a wetlands restoration project in Sonoma County. One...

Only a couple of days after the Richmond City Council adopted the first reading of a new comprehensive pipeline franchise ordinance, we are reminded of how potentially dangerous these hidden underground rivers of hazardous and explosive materials are as an entire San...

Chevron may be seeking exemption from state environmental laws for its refinery rebuilding project By Paul Rogers progers@mercurynews.com Posted: 09/06/2010 07:00:00 PM PDT Refinery in Richmond Calif., Wednesday May 17,2006. (Bob Larson/Contra Costa Times/KRT) One of...

New nonprofit has big plans to transform Richmond Greenway By Katherine Tam Contra Costa Times Posted: 09/01/2010 12:00:00 AM PDT Groundwork Richmond member Will Osuna talks about the group on the Richmond Greenway in... The Richmond Greenway, once a set of abandoned...

The following story appeared in today’s Chronicle. What looks like good news for Richmond and the environment is actually the conclusion of a gigantic ripoff that has been in the works since at least 2007. (09-03) 19:03 PDT Richmond, Calif. (AP) -- Chevron has agreed...

Nat Bates for Mayor Campaign will kick off Saturday, September 4, 2010 at his Headquarters, 3101 MacDonald Avenue, Richmond. The event starts at 1:00 PM where supporters can pick up window and yard signs and volunteer for work in the campaign. The web site...

Friends of the Bay Trail, Bruce Beyaert, who is Chair of TRAC, Trails for Richmond Action Committee, is one of five finalists chosen by Trust for Public Land and KTVU Channel 2 for the 2010 Cox Conserves Heroes award. The winner to be chosen by online public voting...

Former councilman withdraws from Richmond race By Katherine Tam Contra Costa Times Posted: 08/30/2010 04:03:08 PM PDT Updated: 08/30/2010 04:03:08 PM PDT RICHMOND -- Former City Councilman Gary Bell is withdrawing from November's council race. In a statement at the...

The news yesterday was full of Katrina stories, with August 29 being the fifth anniversary of the landfall of Katrina in New Orleans (“5 Years After Katrina, a Revival Not Yet Complete” and “Memories of Chaos, Rebirth 5 Years After Katrina”) I was reminded of the time...

Help wanted: San Pablo Bay lighthouse keeper Kelly Zito, Chronicle Staff Writer Saturday, August 28, 2010 More... Two people on a tiny, isolated island, their only means of escape to the mainland a 20-minute boat ride through the mist. Plot of a horror movie? Nope....

I’m back from a week of camping, fishing and hiking in Plumas and Sierra Counties, mostly without email or cell phone. I have emails from several people inquiring about a mailer they received about the North Shoreline. Some examples: What's the story concerning this...

We are back from a week in the Feather River Country, mostly without cell phones and email. For a full narrative and more photos, click on Feather River Country. Below, top to bottom: (1) Haskell Peak, (2) Sardine Lake Campground and (3) sketch of Sierra Country Store...

I don’t know if two weeks in the solace of the mountains has re-sensitized me to train horns, or if it’s my imagination, but the night time horn blowing of BNSF trains passing through south Richmond seems to be getting worse, starting earlier and lasting longer....

Click here for last week’s Eastern Sierra adventures. Samples below.

The San Francisco Mime Troupe will be performing in Richmond this year for the first time. This historic theater group, celebrating its 51st season this summer, has such a long and wonderful history in the Bay Area—and we are finally going to have the opportunity to...

The City is offering free energy efficiency retrofits to up to 25 low to moderate income residents this fall and winter. We will be holding two information sessions next week to educate potential participants about the program. The trainings will be held at...

Friends of the Bay Trail in Richmond, The buzz of excitement is growing as elegant Ferry Point Loop Trail Guides begin appearing in western Contra Costa County mail boxes. Kudos to Richmond Sanitary Services owned by Republic Services for enclosing the trail guides...