Richmond mother of police shooting victim Richard “Pedie” Perez died of cancer on Jan. 22. Services to be held Friday.
Author Archives: Joel Umanzor
Joel Umanzor Richmondside's city reporter.
What I cover: I report on what happens in local government, including attending City Council meetings, analyzing the issues that are debated, shedding light on the elected officials who represent Richmond residents, and examining how legislation that is passed will impact Richmonders.
My background: I joined Richmondside in May 2024 as a reporter covering city government and public safety. Before that I was a breaking-news and general-assignment reporter for The San Francisco Standard, The Houston Chronicle and The San Francisco Chronicle. I grew up in Richmond and live locally.
Contact: joel@richmondside.org
Posted inPublic Safety
Community rallies around Richmond food truck owner critically hurt in shooting
Nearly $15K raised for Hilario ‘Layo’ Martinez, owner of Mariscos El Layo, who was shot while working at his food truck in Vallejo.
Posted inCommunity
Remembering Phil Lawson, Richmond pastor and Civil Rights leader who marched with MLK Jr.
The longtime Bay Area activist championed social justice and spent decades advocating for racial equality, housing rights and the migrant community. He was 92.
Posted inCommunity
New SOS center to expand warmth, wellness and job help for the unhoused
The organization, which was previously working out of an RV under a freeway, now has a physical space downtown so it can expand services for homeless people.
Posted inCity
Richmond’s Boorman Park is getting $12M renovation
Groundbreaking ceremony is Thursday; project will add skate area, trail, basketball court and more.
Posted inCity
New Richmond City Council member who ousted RPA incumbent wants ‘a fair shot’
The political newcomer, who defeated two-time incumbent Melvin Willis, says she is ready to transition from campaigning to policy making.
Posted inCity
Three injured on Carlson Boulevard during Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office pursuit
The sheriff’s office told Richmondside Tuesday that the pursuit was terminated because of the speeds before the suspect vehicle collided with another car on Carlson Boulevard.
Posted inCity
Richmond City Council now has 1st female super majority
3 new council members are seated as longtime members Gayle McLaughlin and Melvin Willis depart.
Posted inCommunity
Reducing Richmond bridge bike lane access is Thursday meeting topic
You can listen in on a workshop where state officials will discuss a proposal to reduce cyclist and pedestrian access from 7 days a week to 3.
Posted inCommunity
A San Pablo police car seriously injured a woman in Richmond. We’re investigating
Local agencies have yet to say why a civilian jailer was driving the SPPD vehicle that plowed into three cars and a person, or whether charges will be filed.
Posted inCity
Richmond police rules for military gear reveal friction with city
Police say they don’t have time to fill out more reports; council members say they’d have more time if the union wasn’t blocking efforts to hire a crisis team for help with non-urgent calls.
Posted inCity
Richmond City Council members raise their own salaries
Mayor, council members defend salary increase, saying they work long hours and that higher pay might attract more people to public service.
Posted inCity
Richmond City Council considers 80% pay raise
The increase would make Richmond elected officials the highest paid in Contra Costa County and second highest paid in the Bay Area among similarly sized cities.
Posted inCity
Candidates already lining up for Richmond’s first primary election in 2026
Measure J means Richmond’s next city council and mayoral elections could be decided in a June 2026 primary. Some candidates are already saying they’re running.
Posted inCommunity
Building community with storytelling, birding, Tai Chi in the Richmond Annex
Meet Your Neighbor: Former U.S. Forest Service scientist Hao Tran explores being a Vietnamese immigrant in a short story collection.
Posted inCity
Richmond mayor’s ‘State of City’ says public safety approach will improve community
Meanwhile, council member had released letter Saturday by Police Chief Bisa French saying 2021 “defunding” of department left officers feeling “devalued” and is hampering recruiting efforts.
Posted inPublic Safety
Lawsuit alleges Richmond, San Pablo hotels ignored sex trafficking on their properties
Contra Costa County resident says hotel staff in Richmond, San Pablo, Oakland and Santa Rosa ignored her obvious exploitation for five years while profiting from criminal activity.
Posted inCity
Richmond makes progress completing projects to deter reckless drivers
City consultant says the city needs to spend about double its $7.7M street paving budget annually to improve street conditions, currently ranked as “at-risk.”
Posted inCity
Miembros de la comunidad indocumentada de Richmond se preparan para Trump 2.0
Mientras Trump amenaza con deportaciones masivas, los grupos locales de derechos de los inmigrantes están creando redes de apoyo legal y equipos de respuesta rápida.
Posted inCity
Richmond’s undocumented community members brace for Trump 2.0
As Trump threatens mass deportations, local immigrant rights groups are creating legal support networks and rapid response teams.
