Anasooya Thorakkattu

Oct 21, 2024 | richmondconfidential.org | Jessica Blough |Riley Ramirez |Anasooya Thorakkattu

A measure on the November ballot will ask San Pablo voters if they support a tax on marijuana businesses. If it passes, Measure M would prompt local lawmakers to begin the process of permitting cannabis businesses, which are currently illegal. Several neighboring cities, including Richmond and El Cerrito, have passed similar measures and adopted ordinances allowing cannabis businesses.

Oct 20, 2024 | richmondconfidential.org | Riley Ramirez |Anasooya Thorakkattu

Rafael Castro-Chavez was 13 years old when he heard a loud explosion in August 2012. He darted outside his North Richmond apartment and noticed his neighbors pointing toward the Chevron refinery, saying, “Hay un incendio!” As he turned to look, flames rose from the facility, and a large plume of black smoke advanced over his street. “They were telling us in the news that there is a lockdown and that it is not recommended for the community to go out,” Chavez said.

Oct 18, 2024 | oaklandnorth.net | Christine Schiavo |Anasooya Thorakkattu |Beck Klein

Oakland firefighters along with CalFire are battling a five-alarm blaze in the Oakland hills Friday afternoon, as gusty winds and dry conditions pose a serious threat of the fire spreading. Firefighters had stopped the blaze’s progress around 4 p.m., according to tweets from the Oakland Fire Department. But it had already burned 13 acres in the area of Mountain Boulevard an Maynard Avenue.

Oct 18, 2024 | richmondconfidential.org | Anasooya Thorakkattu |Riley Ramirez

The East Bay is in a red flag warning for wildfires until 5 p.m. Saturday because of dry conditions and winds of 25 to 30 mph that could spread wildfires. In its alert, the National Weather Service said prolonged offshore wind has dried grass, tree, leaves and other vegetation that fuels fires. In addition, the humidity has dropped into the single digits, bringing near perfect conditions for fires.

Sep 23, 2024 | richmondconfidential.org | William S. Woodhams |Renee Bartlett-Webber |Paul Ghusar |Anasooya Thorakkattu

“People of Richmond” is a regular series in which reporters pose a question to people in the community. Answers are presented verbatim, though sometimes edited for brevity. Q 1: Have you noticed a difference in BART’s service now that the fleet has all new trains? “They have certainly got more aesthetic appeal which I appreciate. In terms of service being better, worse or same, I’d say same. I’m always struck by how few riders there are, which just shocks me.