County superior court judge rejects attempt to halt new Richmond rent control law

    RICHMOND - Contra Costa County Superior Court Judge Judith Craddick Wednesday upheld Richmond's rent control law, approved by voters in November, the East Bay Times reports.

    The law, approved by 65 percent of voters in the general election, rolls back rents to where they were July 21, 2015.

   The request to strike down the law came from the California Apartment Association, an industry lobbying group. It had gone to court to get an injunction to halt implementation of the law.

   The association is also trying to block rent control in Alameda, San Jose, San Mateo and Santa Rosa.

   For the full East Bay Times story, click this link: RENT CONTROL UPHELD

Solar farm opens off Richmond Parkway

   RICHMOND - A new two-megawatt solar farm off Richmond Parkway was unveiled Tuesday by Marin Clean Energy, the East Bay Times reported.
     The power generated is enough for 600 homes per year.
     MCE partners with local entrepreneurs who use their properties to generate solar energy, selling it back to MCE.
     The land owners also quality for federal tax incentives.
     "There is an unprecedented opportunity to provide power generation right in the places were people use it and employ people who live there," Richmond Mayor Tom Butt says in the Times.

Here is the link to the full story in the East Bay Times: New Solar Farm

East Bay Times photo

County finds new code violations at Richmond vehicle wrecking yard

   RICHMOND - The vehicle wrecking yard that was the site of a big early morning fire Dec. 16 has more hazardous waste violations than previously thought.
    Contra Costa County officials announced Friday that Deal Auto Wrecking yard on West Gertrude Avenue has 30 days to clear up the problems, the East Bay Times reported Friday night.
    In the December fire as many as 200 vehicles burned putting up a huge plume of toxic black smoke.
    The fire prompted officials to order a 'shelter in place' for people living near the yard.
 

   To read the full story in the Times, follow this link: More violations at wrecking yard.

Black Panther Party co-founder Bobby Seale to speak Feb. 24 in Richmond

Bobby Seale - East Bay Times

   RICHMOND - Black Panther Party co-founder Bobby Seale will be speaking Friday, Feb. 24 at the Craneway Pavilion, 1414 Harbor Way South.

     The event is "Breakfast with Bobby Seale" part of the celebration of Black History Month, the East Bay Times reported today. It is being hosted by the non-profit community group For Richmond.

     The 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. event is open to the public, but an online RSVP is required. Here is RSVP link: Breakfast with Bobby Seale.

     For the full East Bay Times story, click HERE.

Richmond police and fire units retrieve overturned car off Crest Road

   POINT RICHMOND - Police and firefighters this morning retrieved an overturned car on the hillside east of Crest Road, near Belvedere.
     The car was about 40 feet off the road and had been reported to police this morning by neighbors.
     No one was found inside the vehicle.
 
    Richmond Police contacted the owner of the vehicle who said he had driven off the road about 11:30 p.m. Sunday night.
    The rolled-over car's descent was stopped by shrubs growing on the hillside.
    It could have tumbled the rest of the way down the hill, police said, likely resulting in serious injuries for the driver.
    A tow truck retrieved the vehicle by about 9 a.m.
    The name of the driver was not immediately available.

 Story and photos by Laura Paull

Downtown Richmond post office for sale

   RICHMOND - The East Bay Times reported this morning that the U.S. Postal Service plans to shut the historic downtown Richmond Post office and sell the building, constructed in 1938.
     The announcement came Wednesday and has already drawn criticism from city officials and advocates for downtown Richmond.
    The Times reported that the group Richmond Main Street has a campaign in progress called Save the Downtown Post Office.
     All postal operations currently in the building will be moved to a postal facility about a mile away.
     To read the full story in the East Bay Times, click on this link: USPS Announces plans

'Today’s Anne Frank Is a Syrian Girl'

  RICHMOND - A discussion of New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof's "Today's Anne Frank is a Syrian Girl" - and the continuing plight of refugees in Greece - will highlight the Sunday, Feb. 12 Morning Bagel Brunch at Temple Beth Hillel, 801 Park Center (Hilltop exit I-80 east).
   The speaker at the event will be Dr. Carla Cassler, associate director of Acupuncturists Without Borders.
   The bagel brunch is open to the public and runs from 10:15 a.m. until noon.
   A $5 donation is requested.
   Cassler will be talking about at her experiences in coordinating an acupuncture program for refugees from the Middle East and Africa who have fled to Greece.
   Cassler is the wife of Temple Beth Hillel's Rabbi, Dean Kertesz.