Also: A Berkeley woman's family has been devastated by Venezuela's earthquakes.

Rebecca Alcalá-Veraflor, a top San Francisco Public Library official, was appointed Berkeley’s new director of library services.

The Unicorns bring world class cricket to Oakland Coliseum Some of cricket’s global superstars will be competing in the Major League Cricket championship at the Coliseum in July. Fans from the South Asian diaspora will be turning out.

Foreclosure tax will appear on Oakland’s November ballot Big banks and other lenders would have to pay up when they seize homes and buildings.

$30 minimum wage headed to November election ballot, coalition says Living Wage For All says a higher wage is needed. Past wage measures have faced opposition from business groups.

The burglars, who wore masks, "were aware of the woman's presence" and walked past her during the break-in, police said.

Thursday and Sunday nights at 51 & Tel in Temescal went from slow to slammed with the launch of watch parties for the popular Peacock show.

Forget the World Cup, ‘Love Island USA’ is the television event packing this Oakland bar Thursday and Sunday nights at 51 & Tel in Temescal went from slow to slammed with the launch of watch parties for the popular Peacock show.

Amy Edmonds is considered an at-risk individual.

Wowed by my first visit, I had to return for a second time. Review: Cantoo Latin Asian Rotisserie offers tasty fusion

James Beere is Oakland’s new permanent police chief A nearly 30-year veteran officer, Beere has made progress on OPD’s federal reforms and led during a time of declining crime.

In a rare move, the board will appoint a replacement for director Ana Vasudeo. Applications are due July 29 and a new director will be selected in August.

5 things to do in Richmond this week Highlights include: North Richmond celebrates the grand reopening of Shields-Reid Park; Little Shop of Horrors opens at Masquers Playhouse; Point Richmond Music Festival returns.

California scientists explain.

At 24th and Bartlett. Photo by Angel Mayorga. Beloved world cup fever

Other events include a presentation on the future of Golden Gate Fields, a Women's History Month celebration and a Latin American music jam.

4 things to know — free summer meals and bus rides; transit sales tax on fall ballot Sales tax increase in five counties would help fund transportation agencies around Bay Area.

A UC Berkeley graduate treasured for her caring nature, empathetic listening and generosity, she ended her career at Farmers Insurance as an associate trial attorney.

Changes to state and local laws have made housing projects easier to move from conception to construction, bypassing the commission entirely Things are getting boring at the Planning Commission. Is it state law? Or just no money to build?

Accusations against top Oakland officials flowed in as city picked new administrator Transportation Director Josh Rowan has filed several complaints about new City Administrator Betsy Lake and other officials, with allegations from social media threats to whistleblower retaliation.

A tech startup's pirate themed party offered the public a rare, free look inside one of San Francisco's painted ladies. How to launch an AI meeting app in San Francisco? Rent a pirate and a Painted Lady.

The 39-year-old was sentenced to one year of home confinement, officials said.

Manny Yekutiel is running for District 8 supervisor amid a report of sexual assault.

Richmond City Council keeps running out of time to get things done Discussions about police military equipment and a proposed ballot measure to create an ethics watchdog commission are among a series of postponed council topics.

Albany is considering a protected eastbound bike lane on Solano Avenue from the BART tracks to the Berkeley border.

A thriving Oakland pipeline to jobs in the trades The Cypress Mandela Training Center was founded after the Loma Prieta Earthquake to help rebuild the collapsed Cypress Freeway. Now it’s a competitive training program for plumbers, electricians, and more.

"What goes up must come down," Capt. Justin Sylvia told SFGATE.

To deter sex trafficking, Oakland will close streets along International Boulevard The city will close side streets where officials say soliciting happens. Some advocates worry the problem will simply move elsewhere.

The 49-year-old drowned while swimming to a group of youths at Lake Shasta.

The hearing resulted from a year of tenant meetings with Mahmood over dangerous housing conditions, violence, and more, he said. Supervisor Bilal Mahmood calls hearing on problem-ridden Western Addition housing projects

In September 2017, an angler discovered the body of Emelina Quintero-Ramos.

This week in Oakland: Temescal Street Fair and the ‘Wood Street’ documentary screening at Grand Lake Theater Other events include Pete Escovedo’s art exhibit, a “House of the Dragon” watch party, a walk of the historic F. M. “Borax” Smith Estate, and test your U.S History trivia at the library.

The oversubscribed program now requires a $4 copay and caps how much the city will cover per ride. Some seniors say the new system is hard to navigate.

Local doomers say “Colossus: The Forbin Project,” filmed at the Lawrence Hall of Science, is a newly urgent warning about the danger of unchecked AI.

North Richmond blues festival returns for 15th year at renovated park The free July 11 festival at Shields-Reid Park doubles as a tribute to the neighborhood's blues legacy and the debut of a $7 million park makeover.

Taishanese has been a dominant language here since the Gold Rush. Now, you can learn it at City College. Taishanese has been in San Francisco since the 1860s. Now, there’s a class for it.

At Golden Gate Park. Photo by Walter Mackins. To catch the wind

Emily Courchesne's family is still searching for answers.

For three years, the brothers spent every day together. Then the court appearance for one was moved and things changed forever. Two brothers spent every day together in the Mission for 3 years. Then one was suddenly deported.

The ballot measure will create the governance structure for a public bank if voters pass it in November. San Francisco supervisors put public-bank measure on ballot

Betsy Lake confirmed as Oakland’s interim city administrator Officials approved Mayor Lee’s pick to lead the city in the wake of Jestin Johnson’s resignation over text messages.

The U.S. Air Force used its largest aircraft to help the DEA transport the drugs.

Several people reported seeing an armed man near the Haas School of Business around 3 p.m. but officers did not locate any suspects, according to school officials. Police gave the all-clear shortly after 4 p.m.

It’s ‘a war zone’: Oakland residents file hundreds of complaints each year about illegal fireworks We mapped which zip codes get the most complaints and tracked them by month.

Tuesday's incident began with a report about a man near Haas with "a weapon on his hip," UCPD told The Scanner.

The vehicle stopped and called the police on two children violating its policies.

Bay Area residents mobilize aid for Venezuela quake victims 1,500 boxes of donated goods will be shipped to Venezuela in the aftermath of June’s deadly earthquake.

The disease was found in an asymptomatic blood donor during a routine screening.

The family of a UC Berkeley professor slain in 2025 is facing a tricky legal battle.

Can Oakland’s stolen museum artifacts still be recovered? A former FBI art crime sleuth says yes Nine months after the OMCA burglary, investigators have released few new details. An art crimes expert says a reward might help.

Smoke Soul Kitchen's Vanessa Lee will open the bookstore by the end of this year, the first since the relocation of Marcus Books. Chapter 3, new Black-owned bookstore, to replace shuttered Bayview storefront

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

Sandwich surge: New banh mi, sub, burger and tea room options hit the East Bay A running list of restaurants that have recently opened in Berkeley, Oakland, Richmond, and beyond.

Sandwich surge: New banh mi, sub, burger and tea room options hit the East Bay A running list of restaurants that have recently opened in Berkeley, Oakland, Richmond, and beyond.

When your name matches your job: 6 Oaklanders with aptronyms There’s hair stylist Sheila Head. Joel Parrot was a zoo director. And Henry Levy levies taxes.

Over 100 people incarcerated by the county when they were underage claim they were subjected to rape, strip searches, and other violations.

The firm is undaunted by the old wiring in Berkeley's historic homes, and helps owners bring houses up to code.

I overcame years of addiction. Now I help my Richmond neighbors make healthier choices Iron Triangle resident Wanette Foreman got her life back on track with support from her church community and assistance from county programs. Today she’s giving back as an organizer with Richmond Rising.

Grant and Pacific. Photo by Steven Collari. Firecracker

New camera and roadkill data tells the tale.

Once again, random angry boors have been used to portray San Francisco as a hotbed of organized, political antisemitism San Francisco doesn’t have an antisemitism problem. It has a self-righteous loudmouth problem.

Volunteers gathered 15,626 signatures for a measure that would reopen the Great Highway on weekdays and leave the park open on weekends. Great Highway measure to reopen coastal road set to qualify for November ballot

Alameda County accused of pattern of sex abuse in juvenile facilities Over 100 people incarcerated by the county when they were underage claim they were subjected to rape, strip searches, and other violations.

The team conducted an extensive search of the remote wilderness near Pine Flat Lake.

Oakland High students wrote a book about medicine and culture. It’s being taught at Samuel Merritt University The latest volume of “Cross-Cultural Medicine” features essays by Oakland youth about how cultural histories shape healthcare.

Mayor Lurie's efforts to increase mayoral power got $500K from the Emerson Collective, Laurene Powell Jobs' group, among others. Mayor Lurie’s charter-reform effort gets $1.5M boost from tech execs, philanthropist

Firefighters had to get creative after heavy fog prevented a helicopter rescue.

Taste the latest in East Bay cuisine at Pop Nosh 2026 Join the Nosh team July 18 at Temescal Brewing for an afternoon of food, music, prizes and more.

Jury deadlocked on felony conspiracy charges for Golden Gate Bridge protesters The seven pro-Palestine activists were found guilty of lesser charges for their role in a 2024 Tax Day action to protest the war on Gaza.

Taste the latest in East Bay cuisine at Pop Nosh 2026 Join the Nosh team July 18 at Temescal Brewing for an afternoon of food, music, prizes and more.

The group threatened the victims and held them at gunpoint throughout the robbery, Berkeley police said.

Want some good news about Oakland? I asked our reporters to share a story of a recent win in Oakland. Read or hear what they picked.

A few weeks ago I managed to get on the list for a field trip with the Northern California Geological Society (where I serve as webmaster/social media chief). We visited four memorable spots on the Sonoma coast. The first one was Bodega Head, where I’d been once a long time ago. The second was Shell […]

OpenAI co-founder is among billionaires pouring money into a Berkeley-based firm KoBold Metals, which is prowling the world for critical minerals needed for artificial intelligence, is backed by the company that's opening a facility on Richmond's waterfront.

Larkin Street. Photo by Walter Mackins. Doing shots

Name a progressive cause in San Francisco in the last 50 years, and chances are good Giuliana Milanese has been involved. People We Meet: ‘All my aunts in Pavia were Communists’

Throngs of revelers drinking Modelos and filming street fireworks dominated select corners of the Mission District on Saturday night for what has long been a July 4 tradition. And, like […] Photos: Parties, pyrotechnics, and police took over the Mission District on July 4

9th Avenue between Irving and Judah. Photo by Neal Wong. Free-range Squab

For some, the U.S. has given what their home countries can't, for many, there have been better days. Regardless, residents are grateful. What does life feel like on the country’s 250th birthday?

San Francisco police officers routed July 4 crowds setting off street fireworks in the Mission District, as they do most years. San Francisco police disperse July 4 fireworks crowds in the Mission

In this edition of our Semi-Monthly newsletter covering the period from June 16- 30, we share five stories relevant to Emeryville that you may have missed, including: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Emeryville Living (@emeryville_living) Bay Street Juneteenth Event Draws Crowds Bay Street was the place to be in Emeryville for the annual June 19 Juneteenth celebration. With Black woman-owned Spoiled Boutique serving as the anchor, the Bay Area Black Fashion Expo held its third annual [more]

Ocean Avenue. Photo by Walter Mackins. When One Door Closes

Demetri Broxton opens at MoAD and closing soon People Make This Place at SFMOMA, plus a lot of cool events at the Letterform Archive What’s on now at San Francisco museums, July 2026

The city’s newest expansion of childcare and preschool subsidies has been good news for many parents, and bad news for some childcare cooperatives. The last days of Puddle Jumpers, one of the Mission’s rare co-op daycares

The San Francisco Rapid Response Network's hotline serves as the go-to for ICE sightings. It is losing city funding. San Francisco immigration hotline loses funding in mayor’s final budget

Give your soul a sonic submersion with a sound bath Central Stage launches monthly sessions where melodies made from quartz bowls promise to lull listeners into a deep meditative state.

In the Conservatory of Flowers, Golden Gate Park. Photo by John Swanda. Exotic Iris

After a Richmond District cargo bike was stolen on Monday, one local bike enthusiast took matters into her own pedals. A monster stolen, a monster regained: Inside a San Francisco cargo-bike heist

In “Absolutely Science Fiction!” at Z Space through July 19, literary theatre troupe Word for Word performs short stories by Kurt Vonnegut and Ray Bradbury. In ‘Absolutely Science Fiction!’ at Z-Space, Bradbury and Vonnegut are together at last

Emeryville City officials and law enforcement agencies are preparing for a potentially large, unpermitted gathering at Bay Street on Friday after becoming aware of social media posts promoting a “Bay St. Takeover” event. An AI-generated image shows a “sideshow-style” gathering with crowds and street-performance vehicles promising “fireworks, music, cars, content, and Bay Area Vibes.” The Instagram account promoting the event was only recently created and has used two previous, anonymous username [more]

The Valkyries are looking good with Gabby Williams and other team leaders doing more than expected. The Valkyries are nearly halfway through the season and sit 3rd in the WNBA standings

Grizzly Peak Boulevard, Panoramic Way and Prospect Street will be mostly closed to non-residents from 4 a.m. July 4 until 5 a.m. July 5.

Authorities said this type of crime happens more often than people realize.

The seven who blocked the Golden Gate Bridge in 2024 were found guilty of several misdemeanors Thursday, but a mistrial was declared for felony charges. Golden Gate Bridge protesters convicted, face up to 5 years for pro-Palestine action

The venue is the vision of Naz Khorram, owner of Arcana. Hidden Frequency will have a listening room and will host experimental shows. Former Chase branch will reopen as Hidden Frequency, experimental music venue

Gwyneth Paltrow’s goop kitchen has landed in the East Bay. We tried it From gluten-free pizza to grain-free wontons, we sampled takeout dishes from Paltrow's latest wellness venture.

A new program, launched this Wednesday, is offering grants to new and existing storefronts located in the Inner Sunset. Sunset Buzz: A nonprofit launches pilot grant program for Inner Sunset small businesses

4 things to do in Richmond this week Highlights include: Two ways to celebrate Independence Day in west Contra Costa County; a new waterfront-inspired art exhibit at ar-ti-fact; and the return of Music on the Main in downtown Richmond.

5 things to know — July 4 bridge shutdown, AC fare hike, Red Oak seeks volunteers Kennedy High grad Cynt Marshall garners national STEM spotlight; Richmond-San Rafael Bridge may see more traffic July 4.

Sam’s Doghouse shutters after four decades, Yammy Sushi closes, and Zing Cafe goes dark A running list of restaurants that have recently closed in Berkeley, Oakland, Richmond, and beyond.

A remembrance of Japanese flower growers blooms in Richmond Years in the making, new historical signs are expected to be installed in the Miraflores Greenbelt this summer.

Hercules High teacher told Latino student she would support his deportation if he was ‘illegal’ Update: WCCUSD said Wednesday that it investigated complaints made against English teacher Michelle Gerst in February, put her on paid administrative leave and ultimately reinstated her.

Tuesday night's council agenda includes a request from police to solicit proposals for the new suite of tools, estimated to cost up to $2.4 million.

Our June Food & Drink recap brings mostly positive news for local foodies, including a Colombian food truck’s new brick-and-mortar home, progress on a new Public Market stall, and a delivery-focused “lifestyle brand” landing in the neighborhood—plus a look at a few local ownership changes. Como en Casa to Former Peruvian Space The former Peruvian spot at 4336 San Pablo Avenue has reopened as a Colombian restaurant. Como en Casa (which translates to “just like home”) took over the brick-and-morta [more]

Mile Limit evolves into wine bar, downtown Berkeley has a new açaí option, and a popular South Korean noodle chain lands in the East Bay A running list of restaurants that have recently opened in Berkeley, Oakland, Richmond, and beyond.

The street was closed at Marin Avenue and The Alameda and then south to Monterey Avenue during the large emergency response.

Cómo Reimagine Richmond se convirtió en un salvavidas para las comunidades inmigrantes de la ciudad A través de una línea de ayuda disponible las 24 horas, talleres Conozca sus derechos y visitas de puerta en puerta, esta organización dirigida por voluntarios ha creado una red proactiva de apoyo a los inmigrantes.

Where to watch Fourth of July fireworks The Golden Gate Bridge will be closed during its fireworks show, so the Richmond bridge will serve as a detour.

"Our family will carry the weight of what was done here long after the defendant has walked free," the victim's mother told the court.

Authorized Berkeley police staffing has been reduced from 181 to 164 officers, with mandatory overtime straining morale, the police union says.

Outgoing county assessor calls FBI raids ‘substantial but not substantive,’ saying they’ll meet July 1 deadline Outgoing Assessor Gus Kramer, whose office and home were recently raided by the FBI, says he expects the county will meet the deadline for its multi-billion-dollar annual property assessment.

In this edition of our newswire covering the period of May 16 to June 15, we share six stories relevant to Emeryville that you may have missed, including: Missing Shop Cat Found in Emeryville A beloved cat that disappeared from San Francisco’s Flower Market was found safe in Emeryville after a five-day search that captured the attention of the market’s tight-knit community. The gray tabby, known as “Number Five” has long served as an unofficial mascot, was allegedly taken from the market by thre [more]

Kuboba Spot closes, Townhouse shutters after a century and Line 51 announces final day A running list of restaurants that have recently closed in Berkeley, Oakland, Richmond, and beyond.

The Emeryville Planning Commission will hold its first Study Session on the proposed Sutter Health Emeryville Medical Center tonight at 6:30 p.m., kicking off what is expected to be one of the city’s most consequential land use discussions in decades. Commissioners will ultimately be tasked with weighing adherence to the General Plan while considering concerns over traffic, neighborhood compatibility, and bicycle and pedestrian safety. Sutter Health acquired the former BioMed Realty campus in ea [more]

" The last several months have been nothing short of heart-wrenching," said Berkeley City Councilman Igor Tregub.

The Emeryville City Council convened on Tuesday, June 16 for its bi-weekly meeting. The evening’s proceedings were highlighted by the reappointment of two Planning Commissioners, two cultural proclamations honoring Juneteenth and Haitian Flag Day, and a tense discussion regarding transparency and equity in the city’s advisory committee appointment process. Vice Mayor Matthew Solomon presided over the meeting with Mayor Sukhdeep Kaur absent. SPECIAL MEETING: Planning Commissioner Appointments [01 [more]

Ricardo Ruiz had been charged with 11 felonies stemming from an armed standoff with Berkeley police in April 2025.

Berkeley police say Flock license plate data and cellphone records linked suspect Zavier Alvarez to the crime.

Suspect Andrew Farago apologized to guests for his "tremendous lapse in judgement," authorities wrote.

I recently put up a new printable version of the US Geological Survey’s geologic map of the Oakland region. You can download it, and the separate page with the key to all the colors and symbols, from the map page. This is a small preview. Adapted from USGS MF-2342 I’ve always recommended this USGS map, […]

Berkeley's Fatal Accident Investigation Team has been called in.

Since our last Retail & Services Report in February, Emeryville has seen a steady stream of openings, closures, and business changes across its major shopping districts. Here’s a look at some of the more notable developments, including a new retailer, the loss of two fitness studios, and a limited-time warehouse sale. GRAND OPENING: Emeryville Boot Barn Boot Barn has officially opened its Emeryville store at the East Bay Shopping Center, with a grand opening held Tuesday, June 16. The California [more]

Jill Ellen Lessing died peacefully on May 4, 2026, at the age of 83, from complications of heart failure and pneumonia. A forty year Emeryville resident, Jill was a lesbian feminist, counselor, artist, writer, musician, and fierce disability justice advocate. She held deep roots in both Jewish and Quaker communities. She was known for her unwavering commitment to accessibility, belonging, and inclusion for disabled and LGBTQ+ people. Jill was born on October 26, 1942, in Los Angeles. She contrac [more]

An Emeryville institution in various forms for 100 years, The Townhouse Restaurant may sadly be facing its final days. “It is with deep regret and heavy hearts that we announce the closing of The Townhouse Restaurant,” owner Dan Seng shared in a recent press release. “We are profoundly grateful for your unwavering support and patronage over all these years. Thank you for making The Townhouse part of your lives.” A uniquely challenging post-pandemic hospitality landscape, combined with the struct [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. Subscribe to … 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.