For decades, the carcinogen was widely used in dry-cleaning and consumer products. Now the state is working to clean up at least 10 local sites where it’s been detected.
Author Archives: Kari Hulac
Kari Hulac is the Editor-in-Chief of Richmondside.
What I cover: As Editor-in-Chief, I oversee all Richmondside's journalism.
My background: A Bay Area resident for most of my life, and an East Bay reporter and editor for 13 years, I have worn many hats in a journalism career spanning more than 20 years. I held several editorial leadership positions at the Bay Area News Group between 1997 and 2010, including editor of The (Hayward) Daily Review and features editor of The Oakland Tribune. I was a senior editor based in the East Bay at local online news network Patch, and a fill-in breaking news editor at Bay City News.
Posted inCity
State is monitoring 6 dry cleaner chemical contamination cases in Richmond area
While the source of the PCE found at Kennedy High hasn’t been released, there are other locations citywide being monitored by the state.
Posted inCommunity
‘A life with no limits:’ Hugh Shurley joins 90 artists for Richmond Open Studios
Shurley, who works with natural materials and “abandoned memories,” will welcome the public into his studio for the first time.
Posted inPublic Safety
Contra Costa sheriff’s deputy arrested on charges of stealing from property and evidence unit
The suspect, a 62-year-old Martinez resident, is being charged with four felonies, according to the sheriff’s department.
Posted inNosh
Richmond Costco sold plants infested with insects that could devastate food crops, wine industry
Contra Costa County warns consumers to contact them immediately if they bought grapevines from a number of Costco locations after April 21.
Posted inCommunity
Update: 4 Californians exposed to cruise ship hantavirus risk; Contra Costa officials say risk locally is ‘low’
While state health officials are monitoring a “very small” number of people who may have been exposed, there are no reports of anyone in California who’s become sick.
Posted inCity
Richmond City Council election: Meet the D3 candidates Thursday; D4 forum is May 13
Richmondside’s next co-sponsored city council candidate forum is Thursday. Here’s how to RSVP.
Posted in2026 Election
Richmond election forums: Hear from your city council candidates
You’ll be able to quiz the District 3 and 4 candidates at Richmondside’s next two primary election forums.
Posted in2026 Election
Richmond mayoral election forum is Wednesday
Ask questions and hear from the candidates at Richmondside’s candidate forums. The first one, for the mayoral race, is April 22.
Posted in2026 Election
Richmond election forums: Meet June 2 primary candidates for mayor, city council
Ask questions and hear from the candidates at Richmondside’s candidate forums. The first one, for the mayoral race, is April 22.
Posted inCommunity
This 240-ton Richmond sculpture is the artist’s masterpiece. But you wouldn’t know it
A massive public artwork has loomed over Hilltop auto mall for four decades without a sign. Can it be saved from obscurity?
Posted inSchools
Want to know what’s happening at WCCUSD schools? Sign up for TEXTbook
Get your school news faster — and ask questions and share story ideas — with Richmondside’s free texting service.
Posted inPublic Safety
Fire extinguishers, bottles reportedly thrown from Richmond’s 6-story BART garage
One man says he was nearly hit on the head this week. The issue has apparently been going on since 2023, and residents and business owners are frustrated that BART hasn’t solved the potentially dangerous problem.
Posted inCommunity
Contra Costa County resident dies after eating wild mushrooms
Calif​ornia is experiencing an
“u​​nprecedented outbr​​eak” of severe illness and deaths associated with people accidentally eating death cap mushrooms.
Posted inEvents
Where to celebrate MLK Jr. day in Richmond and nearby
From community cleanups to political rallies, Richmond will be honoring the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. in many ways.
Posted inCommunity
Record number of birders join Richmond’s 5th annual Christmas Bird Count
Golden Gate Bird Alliance’s annual Christmas Bird Count, held for the fifth year on Saturday in Richmond, reveals multiple raptors and a duck that normally lives 1,800 miles to the east.
Posted inCommunity
Meet Your Neighbor: 9 Richmonders we introduced you to in 2025
Feeling disconnected from what’s going on in Richmond? In our Meet Your Neighbor series this year, we introduced you to nine local residents.
Posted inCommunity
Richmond bridge replacing toll plaza with a fast way to pay
Bay Area bridge tolls will go up starting Jan. 1, while the Richmond-San Rafael span will be the first to get new toll-collecting equipment.
Posted inCommunity
Dozens of elected officials ask Richmond mayor to ‘repair the harm’ or resign
Meanwhile, a San Pablo rabbi responds to Mayor Eduardo Martinez’s controversial comments, saying, “For light over darkness,” they’re establishing a new home in the heart of Richmond.
Posted inCommunity
Anyone missing an emu?
East Bay Regional Park District officers say they rescued an emu that was roaming around Wildcat Canyon Regional Park last week.
