While much of the country is baking, Berkeley is bundling up
Brisk breezes, foggy mornings and below-average temps have made this a sweater season in the East Bay.
Downtown fountain project called off due to clash between Berkeley and Indigenous artists
The 34-year-old Turtle Island Monument project unraveled over issues related to the prior involvement of a non-Native artist. The Indigenous artists say they want respect. The city says their demands are “insurmountable” but more negotiations are possible.
City
Berkeley apologizes for screw-up that led to surprise parking tickets
A vendor failed to send out renewal notices for Berkeley’s resident parking permit program. The city is now offering refunds and has extended the renewal deadline.
Alameda County says it cut ties with ICE. This program says otherwise.
A widespread data-sharing program highlights financial ties between local police and immigration enforcement — and how even sanctuary jurisdictions still feed “the deportation machine.”
BART chooses developer team for 618-unit housing project at Ashby station
Some BART directors said they had reservations about the developer group picked to put up five buildings at the South Berkeley station.
Evacuating the Berkeley Hills during a wildfire could take over 4 hours, study says
Evacuating for a tsunami could take over 2 hours. Neither is enough time for people to get out of danger zones in a worst-case scenario.
Crime & safety
Ricardo Ruiz, shot by Berkeley police in armed standoff, declared competent to stand trial
Ruiz is facing 17 felony charges from that incident and another misdemeanor case from a March 22 incident when he drew a stun gun on protesters at an anti-Elon Musk rally on Berkeley’s Fourth Street.
schools
UC Berkeley chancellor tells Congress ‘more work’ is needed to fight antisemitism while defending free speech
Grilled by Republicans on Capitol Hill Tuesday over his campus’ handling of antisemitism, Rich Lyons said Cal is working to support Jewish students but does not forbid the expression of pro-Palestinian beliefs.
Housing & Development
Developer pulls plug on California Theatre project in downtown Berkeley
Plans for an 18-story apartment and 24,000 square feet of live performance space have been scrapped.
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ARTS
Around Berkeley: Poetry Flash, Summerfest, jazz at the Starry Plough
Other events include a one-woman show celebrating neurodivergence at The Marsh and a new glassblowing exhibit at ACCI.
Business
Berkeley Mills furniture store is closing Friday after 37 years
It’s closing due to “high costs and low margins.” Around 30 employees will be out of a job, a company partner said.
Community
How to track down a loved one in ICE custody
Amid tensions at Bay Area immigration courts, here’s how to find someone detained by ICE and access immigration resources.
Nature
Lake Anza is open for swimming with toxic algae abated for now
The Tilden lake’s swim season ended abruptly in mid-June last year. Park officials say they’ve made progress mitigating some of the underlying factors behind harmful algae blooms, but more work remains.
Wire: Berkeley Hills neighborhood is fastest aging in Bay Area; Homeless Response Team audited
Also: Students and faculty from Cal’s School of Social Welfare are protesting the layoffs of two practicum consultants.
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Opinion
Opinion: Proposed parking fees at the Berkeley Marina won’t reduce deficit
People will go to nearby free lots, and enforcement will be expensive. The city should instead raise fees on big boats to shore up the Marina Fund.
Opinion: Berkeley should save the historic UA Theater
A developer plans to demolish almost the entire 93-year-old United Artists theater. Do we, as a community, want to let this happen?
Berkeley Law faculty: The rule of law is under threat
Over 90 faculty members at UC Berkeley Law signed an open letter condemning efforts to undermine basic legal norms.
Opinion: Construction compromises safe access to Longfellow Middle School
The students and staff at Longfellow have adjusted to a new site after the old one was deemed unsafe. Now, their safety is again at risk due to construction that will create hazards for those who walk and bike to school.
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