Plans to rezone wealthy Berkeley neighborhoods for more housing are scaled back after uproar
The proposal to allow taller development on College, Solano and North Shattuck avenues has faced opposition from merchants and residents, who fear new development could push out small businesses.
Park district agrees to many Tilden steam train demands but dispute chugs on
The popular attraction’s future at the park is still uncertain, but the Redwood Valley Railway and East Bay Regional Park District may be getting closer to an agreement.
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City
Rogue Berkeley worker bought $285,000 ambulance without approval, audit says
The City Council quietly and retroactively approved the purchase in 2023, according to a report through the city auditor’s whistleblower program.
Alameda Health System layoffs deferred while county explores options
A plan to slash 188 health care jobs at the East Bay’s safety net hospital would heavily impact mental health programs. County leaders hope to avoid this.
Berkeley’s public works chief leaving for East Contra Costa County
Terrance Davis, praised for his “steady hand” after taking over an embattled department reeling from high-profile departures, will be deputy city manager in Brentwood.
Alameda County looks for $10M to stave off health care layoffs and program closures
Alameda Health System workers and union leaders said their units are already stretched too thin and criticized administrators.
Crime & safety
Person found at busy downtown Berkeley intersection dies, police investigating
The person was found at the intersection of Shattuck and University avenues Friday evening. Investigators have said little about the death four days later.
schools
Berkeley Unified won’t hold long-running Black history oratorical festival this year
The superintendent cited “staff capacity” in canceling the district-wide festival, held annually since 2018. Smaller events will go on at individual school sites.
Housing & Development
Berkeley City Council approves housing developments that sidestep labor standards
Construction unions had asked Berkeley leaders to shoot down developers’ attempts to exempt themselves from local labor regulations, but council members said they didn’t have that power.
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ARTS
Berkeley nonprofit merges Jewish study with artmaking and the creative life
The Jewish Studio Project, co-founded by a rabbi whose mother was an art therapist, celebrates its 10th anniversary next month.
Business
Shop Talk: Barnes & Noble College takes over Cal student stores; Free People opens on Fourth Street
The owners of Elements in Elmwood are retiring, Aiken returns to Fourth Street and Stella Carakasi Designer Outlet moves in the Gilman District.
Community
Bay Area lawmakers rebuke Trump over Iran strikes, war authority
U.S. Rep. Lateefah Simon said the attacks “demonstrate once again President Trump’s callous disregard for the rule of law.” Protesters gathered over the weekend in Oakland and San Francisco.
Nature
The Bay Area’s most-fined air polluters: Explore 10 years of environmental violations
We scoured Bay Area Air District records to find out who the worst violators are.
The Wire: UC Berkeley sees increase in freshman, transfer applicants
Also: Companies in Cal’s startup incubator Bakar Labs have raised $1 billion since it launched four years ago.
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Opinion
Many Berkeley teachers spend over $500 of their own money on student basics. That’s just wrong
Tissues, books, shoes, snacks and maxi pads. A BUSD teacher surveyed 42 colleagues and found half spend more than $500 a year on everything from basic hygiene supplies to prom tickets.
Berkeley is defying the will of voters to hold police accountable
The resignation last month of two members of the city’s civilian police oversight board should alarm everyone in Berkeley.
Opinion: Berkeley should rethink rule requiring 26-foot clearance for fire trucks on city streets
Selective enforcement of an optional state fire code rule has harmed street fairs and farmers markets. If applied uniformly, many streets would lose half their parking. A policy better tailored to Berkeley’s narrow roads is needed.
Opinion: Flock can’t be trusted not to share Berkeley’s surveillance camera data with Trump and ICE
Contracting with Flock is incredibly risky for the safety and security of Berkeley’s residents and completely goes against its commitments as a sanctuary city.
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