What can and should be done when someone is openly using drugs at the entrance to a major transit hub or on Mission Street? Day 85 at the 16th St. Plaza: ‘…they will come back’

A closer look at budget documents reveals that the true number of consequential eliminated positions is much lower: some 470 positions. Mayor Lurie wants to cut 1,400 positions. Only 1/3 will save S.F. money.

‘He really wanted to change East Oakland’: Death of Castlemont teacher leaves school community reeling A Southerner with a style all his own, Marvin Boomer devoted himself to Oakland and its young people.

Berkeley police say Alex Foster fired a gun through his ceiling into his neighbor's apartment at Gilman and Curtis. No one was hurt.

When cops chase: A recent history of pursuits in Oakland The recent death of Castlemont teacher Marvin Boomer has refocused attention on police pursuit policy.

Rent from the DoubleTree by Hilton makes up more than half of Berkeley’s waterfront lease revenue. Without it, the city is putting off important repairs.

The fire department for East Bay parks closes at night. Firefighters are concerned They have a proposal for a pilot program with 24/7 staffing, but the district has told them to sit tight for now.

This week in Oakland: East Oakland Futures Fest and the Summer Open Studios in Jingletown Other events include the 2025 Oakland Youth Poet Laureate announcement, the LGBTQ Center East Oakland’s site grand opening, and Mayor Barbara Lee's inauguration at Jack London Square.

Sophomore Aradshar Chaddar was active in multiple on-campus groups, including the Stanford Pre-Law Society.

If a big disaster strikes and 911 can’t help, a neighbor could save your life Richmond's Community Emergency Response Team program trains residents how to respond in scenarios including fires, earthquakes or tsunamis.

Gov. Newsom pushed for more police chases in Oakland. After bystander death, critics say he should ‘own it’ The governor and some city leaders have fiercely pushed for looser pursuit rules in Oakland. Critics say last week’s deadly crash demonstrates the danger to innocent bystanders.

A running list of restaurants that have recently opened in Berkeley, Oakland, Richmond and beyond.

Shawlay Burger opens in Oakland, and a Mission seafood spot expands to Castro Valley A running list of restaurants that have recently opened in Berkeley, Oakland, Richmond and beyond.

Shawlay Burger opens in Oakland, and a Mission seafood spot expands to Castro Valley A running list of restaurants that have recently opened in Berkeley, Oakland, Richmond and beyond.

Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee’s inaugural fund committee is raising big bucks The “Oakland Inaugural Fund Committee” is asking for major contributions to support the new mayor’s inauguration.

Some retail and service updates in and around Emeryville since our last report back in November, 2024. This cadence in reporting might be reflective of the modest activity in business openings and closures thus far in 2025. Oakland-Emeryville Target Self-Checkout Eliminated Self-checkout at the Oakland-Emeryville Target is officially a thing of the past as the kiosks have been converted to traditional registers. While initially unclear if the closures were permanent, the kiosks have been complet [more]

Joanna Sokol shares sometimes poignant, sometimes absurd, and always very human stories in her new memoir, A Real Emergency. Q&A: Secrets from San Francisco EMT Joanna Sokol, who’s seen it all

In these first-hand stories, three UC Berkeley students share how political and legal battles have shaped their identities and hopes for the future.

We’re looking to publish first-person stories that help convey how you are being directly impacted by events at both the local and federal level.

City mulls budget that leaves jobs unfilled, projects unfunded, federal impacts unknown Richmond City Council will consider setting aside some of its Chevron settlement money as an emergency fund.

At Taqueria El Buen Sabor. Photo by Angel Mayorga. Las salsas

He was a decorated WWII veteran who helped liberate a concentration camp, a rocket scientist, a leading authority in game theory and the University of California's first ombudsman, in the 1960s.

Mayor Lurie planned a surprise visit to Alice Griffith, a public housing complex in Bayview. But tenants say management had been tipped off, and had time to clean up. Mayor Lurie makes ‘surprise’ visit to troubled Bayview housing complex

Jerry Tonelli, owner of the Excelsior mainstay, will retire in July. No more insurance headaches. "Going out, I have no regrets," he said. Farewell, Central Drug Store: Excelsior independent pharmacy to close after nearly 60 years

'We saw people returning to the street and using on Mission Street in particular.' That has shifted the city's focus at 16th and Mission. Day 84 at the 16th St. Plaza: Drug use on Mission Street rises

Meals, hotels, office supplies: City leaders want to be able to raise more money for ‘officeholder’ expenses The City Council is considering raising the limit from $25,000 to $75,000 for councilmembers.

The number of shoppers and sellers at the South Berkeley institution has been declining for years. Now officials say they’ll close the market at Ashby BART by the end of June.

Parts of Gilman and Curtis streets in Westbrae were shut down for about an hour and a half Monday. BPD said there is no threat to the public.

Someone with a pellet gun shot a transgender woman in the back as she walked in downtown Berkeley on Friday. City officials are speaking out.

Ripple founder and billionaire Chris Larsen continues prolific donations for police surveillance technology. Crypto billionaire’s company, nonprofit to give over $9M to S.F. police for surveillance unit

The Oakland History Center has a new contest for crafty news aficionados Create a diorama based off an Oakland news article for a chance to win prizes and be part of an art exhibit at the main library.

"This marks the end of a terrible and tragic mystery."

"It makes you realize how lucky you are to be alive," the surfer said.

When officers initially searched for the suspected shooter, he wasn't home. He was arrested and found with a gun Monday afternoon, BPD said.

Living on the streets is tough. Health officials say moving indoors comes with unique risks A new West Oakland shelter will offer clean needles and test strips to homeless residents. They see greater opportunities to combine housing and health care.

As of June 2, Berkeley has had seven shootings in 2025, including one by police. Last year there were 15 shootings in the same period.

New Alameda County DA changes course on historic death penalty resentencing Ursula Jones Dickson is pulling back from a review of death penalty sentences obtained through prosecutorial misconduct.

On 16th Street. Photo by Angel Mayorga. Los zapatos

The Berkeley-born drag queen provides high camp, art and emotion for 2 weeks, June 4-15.

Hands-on learning is the heart of this immersive documentary project, which culminated in a sold-out film festival at Berkeley’s Rialto Cinemas Elmwood.

Sweet on Richmond: Coffee cake recipe reveals stories of city and Peres family Family spins tales of city’s history while baking a cake once enjoyed by Richmond Hospital patients. The recipe was included in the library's first community cookbook, published last year.

California's craft beer innovation continues.

Plans to redevelop the long-empty Redlands Mall include around 700 units of housing.

Downtown, which is largely abandoned, features large and secure trash cans. Maybe a few could be spared for 16th and Mission streets.  Day 83 at the 16th St. Plaza: Eight pipes, foil, and ‘I gotta eat.’

The driver fled the scene but was later taken into custody, police said.

What's showing at San Francisco's museums in June. Galleries too. Plus loads of free public events to attend. Updated every week. What’s on now at San Francisco museums, June 2025

The man worked as a community activist and life coach, prosecutors said.

On Hoff Street. Photo by Zachary Smith. Bulletin bored

The stained glass windows in the Mission Dolores Basilica depict the 21 Spanish missions in Alta California Photos: Mission Dolores Basilica’s stained glass windows

A nook of the northeast 16th Street BART Plaza has essentially become an encampment without tents; glass pipes abound on Mission Street. Day 82 at the 16th St. Plaza: Pipes, vending, and overt drug use

Some Food & Drink updates in and around Emeryville since our most recent April update. These include a new gourmet cookie spot, the loss of a Public Market stall and some updates on other spots that are of interest to Emeryville residents, employees and those of other nearby communities. Choc’Late Mama Cookie Co. to The Emery Apts. Last month, we reported on the likely closure of Cookie Plug, one of two specialty cookie stores that opened up in 2023 (Google still lists the closing as “Temporary” [more]

Residents, organizers and the mayor came to celebrate Bayview Hunters Point Walk The Block SF in Bayview: ‘I’m around my people, I love the Bayview’

Flaring at Chevron’s Richmond refinery sends up plume of black smoke Chevron said there was "no emergency response" or community action required.

Anatolian Table calls itself a Turkish and Aegean kitchen. We found it homi, elegant, and well stocked with wine and beer. Review: Anatolian Table brings Aegean flavors to the Mission

A new SF Documentary Festival film calls on SFMTA to forgive cab driver debt in a post-Uber world. SFDocFest highlights struggling taxi drivers in ‘Taken For A Ride’

A group of artists descends on the walls of an old abandoned theater on 18th and Mission Street in San Francisco. Muralists descend on San Francisco’s 18th and Mission streets

Nikolas Larson has been creating intricate chalk artworks on his sidewalk "outdoor studio" for two decades. People We Meet: Chalking for 20 years

Community mourns Marvin Boomer, bystander killed after Oakland CHP chase "He was so supportive to all his students. He had the biggest heart ever," one student said about the Castlemont teacher.

At times, we all wonder why we are doing these daily posts, but I think there is something to be learned from getting to know 16th Street. Day 81 of the 16th St. Plaza crackdown: A lesson in gratitude

Also: How a punch thrown on the Cal campus in 2019 set off Trump's war on American universities.

The girl had been missing since May 5.

What you need to know about police chases in Oakland This week’s tragedy comes at a time of fierce debate over the city’s pursuit policy.

OUSD board picks an interim superintendent: a former principal, administrator, and union head The announcement comes one day after Superintendent Kyla Johnson-Trammell said she and the board weren’t aligned on financial sustainability.

Marvin Boomer, who worked at Castlemont High School, was fatally struck Wednesday.

Tenants met Thursday evening to strategize how to draw attention to living conditions they have described as “atrocious” and deplorable. Thomas Paine tenants find getting church-landlord’s attention takes more than a hope and a prayer

Jason L. Hoopes, 49, admitted to repeatedly meeting the student, who was underage, for "sexual activity," police said. He has been fired from the private school.

San Franciscans may soon be paying more for their trash pickup, under a city proposal presented Friday at a Refuse Rate Board meeting. The city’s refuse rates administrator, a position within the city controller’s office, proposed a rate hike of almost 28 percent over the next three years, starting in October. S.F. to Recology: The rates are too damn high

"It's one of the most contagious diseases we know about."

Rogue bus stop benches to be legalized in Richmond Nonprofit that helps Bay Area volunteers covertly build and install bus stop benches persuaded Richmond city officials to create a permit process.

Tacos El Último Baile departing Oakland for SF Ikea food hall Dominic Prado is taking his popular smoked meat tacos to Saluhall on Market Street and blames the city of Oakland for failing small businesses.

Two gunshots were heard near Adair and Capp streets this morning as kids arrived at school around the corner. Gunshots heard near Marshall Elementary before purported target ran inside

Mayor Daniel Lurie's $15.9B budget proposal preserves funding for public safety and streets, but eliminates around 100 city workers. Mayor Lurie unveils new S.F. budget proposal tackling massive deficit

District 12 Congresswoman Lateefah Simon made a stop in Emeryville last night for her ongoing town hall tour. Simon’s district includes all of Emeryville as well as Berkeley, Alameda, Albany, Piedmont, and most of Oakland and San Leandro. The event drew a crowd of Emeryville residents and advocacy groups, reflecting both local pride and growing national concern. Also in attendance was State Assemblymember Mia Bonta, all five Emeryville City Councilmembers and several members of city staff. Simon [more]

District Attorney Ursula Jones Dickson said she has strengthened her office and reversed many of her predecessor’s policies and practices.

Union members called the move "a pivot away from journalism toward greed."

Alameda County’s recently appointed DA is focused on ‘lifting up victims of crime’ District Attorney Ursula Jones Dickson said she has strengthened her office and reversed many of her predecessor’s policies and practices.

‘Excited, eager, optimistic:’ Local high school seniors celebrate scholarships Richmond Promise's support gives students confidence. Some are eyeing double majors and medical degrees.

At Church and 24 Streets. Photo by David Chalk. Looking down Church

Neighbors say illegal fencing is still an issue at the 24th Street BART plazas. Vendors know the hours law enforcement is not present. Don’t forget us, say businesses and residents near 24th St. BART

‘Nightmares like you’ve never seen’: Anger, grief, and petitions at site where Oakland teacher was killed A suspect fleeing the California Highway Patrol crashed and ended Marvin Boomer’s life on an East Oakland pastor’s doorstep.

With vindictive feds aiming to claw back FEMA millions on top of a massive deficit, the city's inability to hire people had a silver lining Can San Francisco patch its deficit by cutting more than 1,000 vacant jobs?

Readers have commented that visiting the 16th and Mission once a day fails to convey the full story of whether conditions are improving. Day 80 of the 16th St. Plaza crackdown: Expectations, trashed

Bystander killed after Oakland CHP chase was beloved Castlemont teacher Marvin Boomer, who led the school’s Linked Learning program, was described by friends and colleagues as “loving and kind.”

On the last day of school, outgoing Oakland superintendent won’t talk about her early departure One thing Kyla Johnson-Trammell would say in her final scheduled press conference: School closures are a necessity.

A principal who learned of "a series of explicit communications" between Jason Hoopes and an underage student reported it to police, BPD said.

At Berkeley bakery staffed by Ukrainian refugees, news alerts chime as much as oven timers Outbaking, which exclusively makes rugelach, began in 2023 as a way to support those fleeing the war with Russia.

Under the Trump administration, nonprofits are scrambling for support. Foundations, however, say they can only "stop the bleeding." Amid Trump cuts, can foundations fill the hole? ‘Never,’ funders say.

Human remains were found in a remote part of Shasta County.

Multiple calls for rescue have come in from hikers stuck at high elevations.

San Francisco has a $15.9 billion budget. The mayor only controls a fraction of that. What does the mayor directly control in S.F.’s budget?

The petition to recall Joel Engardio has qualified for the ballot. A special District 4 election is slated to take place on Sept. 16. S.F. elections dept. certifies Engardio recall: 95.8% of signatures deemed valid

Experts are urging boaters of all sizes to be "whale aware" and slow down in the San Francisco Bay due to a "massive spike" in whale sightings.

9 things to do in Richmond and nearby this week In this week's What's Up column: WCCUSD budget hearing, Pride party, Parchester Village mural celebration.

An East Bay high school hit a major milestone this academic year.

Berkeley police said they found methamphetamine as well as replica firearms and a BB gun when they arrested Alejandro Padilla.

The new wolf packs bring the state's total to 10.

During the break-in, the apartment was occupied by two children, ages 4 and 6, their parents and their grandparents.

Richmond’s interim police misconduct investigator faces backlog of 26 cases City council on Tuesday approved hiring a retired El Segundo police chief known for “unbiased policing." His predecessor accused Richmond's police commission of bias.

An Emeryville resident has been identified as the victim of a collision that occurred Monday evening shortly before 10:50 p.m. The tragedy, first reported by The East Bay Times, occurred following a solo vehicle crash near the Powell Street off-ramp. According to the Oakland CHP Division, a BMW sedan collided with a concrete wall on the westbound shoulder of I-80. After exiting the vehicle, the occupant began walking on the freeway and was struck by “multiple passing vehicles.” A transcription o [more]

Contra Costa refinery closures bring labor unions and green activists together An unlikely alliance of labor and environmental-justice groups is working to ensure the region is prepared for a future without big oil.

People on both sides say they are considering legal action.

El Mono expands to Berkeley, hotly anticipated Oken opens in Oakland A running list of restaurants that have recently opened in Berkeley, Oakland, Richmond and beyond.

Stege school supporters want their lead exposure questions answered Two months after learning that Cal/OSHA fined WCCUSD for not warning school construction workers about lead, community leaders will host lead workshop.

Oakland was founded on a platform a few meters high made of ice-age sand dunes, a level plain covered with oak trees. Today the trees have been replaced with buildings but the old city, both downtown and West Oakland, is still flatter than Florida. Parks within that area have to build mounds to relieve the […]

San Francisco Bay fish are contaminated with ‘forever chemicals’ that could be harmful California has no health standards for these chemicals in fish, so activists are urging action. Found in people and animals worldwide, they are linked to cancer and other health effects.

Berkeley is working with multiple agencies, including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, to remove the animal carcass, the city said.

The Emeryville Planning Commission convened on May 22nd with two significant items in the agenda including the return of the Rivian Service Center and an amendment to the development agreement for the Marketplace project. The April meeting had been canceled. Newly appointed Commissioner Sam Gould was sworn in, expressing enthusiasm for Emeryville’s infrastructure goals: “We were so impressed by how quickly Emeryville was able to improve its active transportation infrastructure and housing stock, [more]

CHP units, including a law enforcement helicopter, followed the suspects into Berkeley on Friday.

The judge told Ruiz he was jeopardizing his case by demanding to move forward when his attorney wasn't ready.

WCCUSD picks new test to identify K-2 reading delays earlier Teachers who tried out new test said it helped them avoid putting pupils into special education classes.

The attack may have been a case of mistaken identity related to a feud between Hispanic gangs at Berkeley High, police wrote.

Berkeley's "continued inaction regarding the Ohlone Park encampment speaks volumes about where its priorities lie," today's authors argue.

Cal says goodbye to the Bear’s Lair, The Well shutters, and Pomella’s final days   A running list of restaurants that have recently closed in Berkeley, Oakland, Richmond and beyond.

7 things to do in Richmond this week Highlights of this week's What’s Up column: An update on the city’s fireworks problem, a community greenbelt cleanup, and an open water swim to commemorate Rosie the Riveter shipbuilders.

Money for an affordable housing program may be on the chopping block. A citywide hiring freeze is already in place.

WCCUSD will soon announce its new superintendent UPDATED: After a months-long national search, the school board interviewed three finalists and plans to name its next leader by June 4

Richmond won’t investigate alleged police commission bias  City council members say former investigator’s claims were “weak” but agreed commissioners need training as soon as possible.

Fire at BART’s San Leandro station causes service disruptions across the East Bay Richmond orange line route to Berryessa was offline Tuesday, marking the system’s second major service disruption this month.

New Burmese and Mexican joints take root in recently closed businesses, Ma’adi Selam opens on Telegraph   A running list of restaurants that have recently opened in Berkeley, Oakland, Richmond and beyond.

A showdown is looming between the City of Emeryville and a recent School Board candidate/political antagonist. A Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) was recently issued against well-known Emeryville blogger Brian Donahue with a Permanent request in the queue. Citing a “credible threat of violence or stalking,” a Petition for Workplace Violence Restraining Order and Temporary Restraining Order was filed on March 7, 2025, with the Alameda County Superior Court on behalf of City Attorney John Kennedy [more]

In this edition of our Semi-Monthly newsletter, we share five stories relevant to Emeryville that you may have missed, including: Video Game History Foundation Chooses Emeryville For New Home The Video Game History Foundation (VGHF) has planted roots in Emeryville. The ambition of the nonprofit is to build an online archive to provide the public access to their growing collection of video game development materials, out-of-print magazines, artwork, ephemera, and other materials related to the hi [more]

I was asked to lead a group of college students on an afternoon car tour of geologic Oakland. They were mostly non-geology majors taking their one required science course. The goals I set myself were that the field trip had to be simple and comfortable; it had to be memorable; and it had to bring […]

The City of Emeryville held a Special Study Session at the May 6 City Council meeting to review the city’s five-year general fund projections and kickoff adoption of the 2025–2027 biennial budget. The session provided a sobering look at Emeryville’s financial outlook with shrinking revenues and growing structural deficits. The most recent two-year budget, ending in June 2025, reflected these strains, with the 2024–2025 deficit increasing from a projected $2.7 million to $8.8 million. The city’s [more]

In this edition of our Semi-Monthly newsletter, we share five stories relevant to Emeryville that you may have missed, including: Urban Ore Workers Union Pauses Strike after 40 Days The Urban Ore Workers Union announced a “cooling off” period from their worker strike after 40 days on the picket line. The announcement was made on May 1 which is recognized as May Day, an alternative to Labor Day with ties to Socialism and Marxism (incidentally, the holiday has origins in Emeryville at an 1890 picn [more]

A man is in critical condition after an apparent suicide attempt from the Emeryville Amtrak pedestrian bridge. The tragic incident occurred on Sunday, May 4 at approximately 7:41 p.m. Emeryville Police Officers responded to the report of a male who had jumped from the bridge onto the railroad tracks near the station. A witness reported that the man had climbed the fence on the bridge prior to jumping from it. Amtrak and Union Pacific were immediately notified and halted all north and southbound [more]

Since 2018, Liam O’Donoghue, host of the East Bay Yesterday podcast, has been leading boat tours of the San Francisco Bay aboard the Pacific Pearl. While cruising along the shoreline, Liam narrates true stories related to the cultural and environmental history of various waterfront sites. Tickets are available through the Fish Emeryville website. If tickets … Continued The post Boat Tour FAQ appeared first on East Bay Yesterday.

FROM THE OAKLANDISH BLOG… Order: East Bay Yesterday “Flying Key” t-shirt / East Bay Yesterday “Flying Key” hat  We’re excited to announce another collaboration with East Bay Yesterday, a local history podcast and KPFA radio show based in Oakland. The podcast delves into Oakland’s past, aiming to learn from it and shape a better future. Liam … Continued The post Limited edition East Bay Yesterday shirts and hats now available appeared first on East Bay Yesterday.

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS Ever since I started hosting tours of the San Francisco Bay aboard the Pacific Pearl four years ago, the route has remained the same. After leaving the Emeryville Marina, we cruise up to the Berkeley pier, followed by Treasure Island, Yerba Buena Island and then the Port of Oakland. We … Continued The post Summer 2023 Boat Tours appeared first on East Bay Yesterday.

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS [UPDATE: Here is a link to news about my 2023 tours. Sign up here to get my monthly newsletter, where I announce new tour dates, share local history news and promote upcoming events. ] Ahoy! I’ve been leading historical boat tours of the Bay for the past four years and … Continued The post Summer 2022 Boat Tours are Here! appeared first on East Bay Yesterday.

UPDATE: Dates are now posted for boat tours through May 2023. Click here to purchase. You have two routes to choose from: the Oakland tour (which also includes brief swings through Berkeley and Yerba Buena Island) or the Richmond tour. Both of the family-friendly trips last about three hours and feature stories about everything from … Continued The post Boat tours are back! appeared first on East Bay Yesterday.

Note: This update was originally published via the East Bay Yesterday newsletter. I send about one email per month and it typically includes short essays, round-ups of local history news, links to upcoming events, and archival photos. The image above is from a postcard collection I was recently given that I plan to write more … Continued The post How the tech boom inspired East Bay Yesterday appeared first on East Bay Yesterday.

This is my first time posting a recipe on East Bay Yesterday, but if there’s one thing I’ve learned from reading food blogs, it’s that you always have to bury the recipe way down at the bottom, after a lengthy preamble. So if you’re just here for the turkey instructions, feel free to start scrolling. … Continued The post Have a West Oakland-inspired Thanksgiving with this vintage recipe appeared first on East Bay Yesterday.

By Liam O’Donoghue For the past week or so, it’s been hard to resist checking news constantly. From the minute I wake up, I crave the absolute latest updates: How fast is Coronavirus spreading? What’s happening to people who caught it? How long will this quarantine last? Sure, things are changing quickly and it’s important … Continued The post Quarantine reading list: Now is the perfect time to revisit the past appeared first on East Bay Yesterday.

A friend sent me a message this morning that made my stomach drop: “Thought of you the other day, the wind apparently blew down the Terry’s TV sign at RCA.” I immediately texted back: “NOOOOO!” Even before seeing the shattered plastic shards all over the trash-strewn sidewalk, I knew it was true. Just last week, … Continued The post A shattering loss appeared first on East Bay Yesterday.

I’m the type of person who keeps their forehead glued to airplane windows during takeoffs and landings. I love the conflicting feelings that seeing the world from several thousand feet up elicit. On one hand, capturing an entire city with a single glance feels almost god-like. On the other, knowing that my home is just … Continued The post Up in the clouds, back in time appeared first on East Bay Yesterday.