Approaching the November's elections, I have been thinking more and more about Richmond's future, not just after this year's votes are cast, but in the years and generations to come. When I look at Richmond's government today, one thing is clear: this city has a lot of older statesman. Richmond's current city leaders need to look to the future and begin to think about the next generation of elected officials. Continue reading

RICHMOND, Calif. — A 24-year-old man is the first to be killed by Richmond police in seven years. Continue reading

Every week, Radio Free Richmond provides an offering of events in the city. Here is what's happening from September 12th through the 18th. Continue reading

Botto Bistro is a restaurant of contradictions. The interior is of the Italian restaurant has a chic, contemporary decór with Italian classics flowing through the speakers, but a gigantic flat-screen TV showing American football is the focal point of the room. Botto is arguably the most upscale place in the area, but they demand negative reviews from all of their customers. And while the restaurant's demeanor ranges from antagonistic to hostile, the owners are sincere almost to the point of being nice. One meal at Botto will leave you scratching your head about what the owners are thinking -- and you'll be wondering why you hadn't gone sooner. Continue reading

Right on the water, about half a mile south of Point Pinole, plumes of gun powder drift through the air and crashing loud bangs tear through the campus of the Richmond Rod & Gun Club. The source of this ruckus are the club members and guests of the facility. Since opening in the 1950's, the organization has become a place for hobbyists and a destination for serious marksmanship training in the Bay Area. Continue reading

Candidates for mayor and city council in Richmond gathered at Miracle Temple Church on Saturday for a town hall-style debate. Each candidate presented their campaign platform and spoke on issues that they care about. There was also a section for community questions where the public had the opportunity to raise their voices and ask the candidates about matters that affect their community on a daily basis. During the debate, audience members gave questions to the moderators who presented them to the candidates. Depending on the question, typically only three candidates were allowed to reply to each prompt. To help keep readers informed, Radio Free Richmond is providing a summary of the community questions and responses below. Continue reading

When you're raising a family, it's so important to talk about where you find your identity. I tell my kids that they're not from this street, they're from this family. It's about nurturing kids so that they can be of a family, and then go beyond this street, and it's about making a stronger family identity than a street identity. If things start right within the home, and a child isn't set up to think that they are from "this side" of town, then they won't be confined to that side of town. It's about the kind of mentality that they grow up with. Continue reading

This past weekend, Richmond Chief of Police Chris Magnus sent an update on the city's year to date crime statistics. Here is a repost of his report: Continue reading

In response to requests from our readers, Radio Free Richmond is recapping public information about the status of the residents in the Hacienda housing complex and any steps taken by the City to address these issues since the breaking story by the Center for Investigative Reporting.  It has been 198 days since that story broke. Continue reading

Walking into Portumex, it is clear that this is a family restaurant. Diners look at ease over heaping plates of beans, rice, and tortillas. There are many regulars who walk straight to the staff and begin chatting away. This restaurant has been around for a while, and in its time a large and devoted following has developed -- and for good reason. Continue reading