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Soren Hemmila

soren at grandviewindependent dot com

Soren Hemmila's Work 350 Articles
News   -   Jun 15, 2024 On the agenda: Point Molate legal settlement, homelessness, and a new tax proposal
On the agenda: Point Molate legal settlement, homelessness, and a new tax proposal

Plans to purchase the old Civic Center Motel, a $1.2 million settlement with the Point Molate Alliance and North Coast Rivers Alliance, Consideration of an Oil Refining Business License Tax Ballot, and several initiatives for unsheltered residents are on the Richmond City Council agenda for June 18, 2024. Details

by Soren Hemmila
News   -   Jun 13, 2024 It's snake season in the East Bay, but there's more than one kind of snake in the grass
It's snake season in the East Bay, but there's more than one kind of snake in the grass

Last month, the East Bay Regional Park District released a rattlesnake advisory warning the only venomous snake in northern California was out and about looking for food and mates. The northern Pacific rattlesnake is not the only snake you might encounter in local parks. Flora Csontos, Acting Public Information Specialist

by Soren Hemmila
News   -   Jun 12, 2024 Mandatory overtime returns for Richmond Police still struggling with low staffing levels
Mandatory overtime returns for Richmond Police still struggling with low staffing levels

Despite ongoing recruitment efforts, the Richmond Police Department continues to grapple with significant staffing shortages, leading to the reimplementation of mandatory overtime shifts. Last year, Richmond hired 20 officers. However, officers continue to leave for other agencies, Chief Bisa French said at the June 5, 2024, Community Police Review Commission.

by Soren Hemmila
News   -   Jun 10, 2024 SOS highlights flaws in county homeless count
SOS highlights flaws in county homeless count

Richmond’s homeless population decreased by 20 percent, according to new information from the 2024 Contra Costa Health Services Point-in-Time Count. Homeless services provider Safe Organized Spaces says the actual numbers are considerably higher. The annual survey documents people experiencing homelessness and provides a one-day snapshot of homelessness in Contra

by Soren Hemmila
News   -   Jun 08, 2024 Richmond holds first National Gun Violence Community Remembrance Day
Richmond holds first National Gun Violence Community Remembrance Day

Richmond held its first National Gun Violence Community Remembrance Day Friday evening to recognize the lives lost to gun violence and work together to end gun violence in the city. The event held in the Richmond Civic Center highlighted the contributions of several key community partners addressing gun violence in

by Soren Hemmila
News   -   Jun 07, 2024 Richmond Planning Commission continues debate on 37th Street emergency homeless shelter
Richmond Planning Commission continues debate on 37th Street emergency homeless shelter

After a testy hearing Thursday night, the Richmond Planning Commission continued a discussion on a proposed emergency homeless shelter on the corner of 37th Street and Bissell Avenue. The applicant, Gregory VanMechelen, was at the planning commission to request a conditional use permit to convert an existing office building into

by Soren Hemmila
News   -   Jun 06, 2024 Restored Booker T. Anderson Community Center reopens
Booker T. Anderson

Community members celebrated the reopening of Booker T. Anderson Community Center Thursday evening, showcasing the extensive repairs and upgrades made after a fire shuttered the center nearly four years ago. Deputy City Manager of Community Services LaShonda White said residents had waited a very long time for the center’s

by Soren Hemmila
Election   -   Jun 05, 2024 Councilmember Gayle McLaughlin won’t seek re-election; RPA’s Sue Wilson to run for District 5 seat
Councilmember Gayle McLaughlin won’t seek re-election; RPA’s Sue Wilson to run for District 5 seat

Councilmember Gayle McLaughlin announced this morning she will not seek re-election to the Richmond City Council this year and is “passing the torch” to Richmond Progressive Alliance member Sue Wilson. McLaughlin was first elected to the Richmond City Council in 2004. Two years later, she was elected as mayor, making

by Soren Hemmila
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