Oakland
GOVERNMENT
Judge rules in favor of recall effort against Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao
A judge has tentatively ruled that the public ethics commission overstepped its bounds in a document request related to a recall effort against Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, and if the commission accepts the ruling, the hearing will be canceled.
Bay Point - Concord fire prompts 'leave immediately' evacuation order
CONCORD, Calif. - An immediate evacuation order was issued on Friday afternoon for a fast-moving vegetation fire between the cities of Concord and Bay Point. This is north of State Highway 4 off of Evora Road at Nichols Road. The fire was first reported before 3 p.m. The fire has...
Former Oakland Wood Street encampment dweller now housed
OAKLAND -- Former Oakland Wood Street encampment residents reacted to Gov. Newsom's order to state officials to begin dismantling homeless camps across the state.Wood Street was Oakland's largest encampment and it was removed in April of 2023. John Janosko lived there for 8 years."It still affects me to this day because it was my home," Janosko said as he looked around Wood Street. "It was heart-wrenching. It was one of the most dramatic things that has probably ever happened to me because it wasn't just an encampment. I don't like using that word. It was a community."On Thursday, Gov. Gavin...
Oakland announces 18 locations for automated speed cameras
OAKLAND – Officials in Oakland announced Tuesday that automated speed cameras will be installed in nearly 20 locations throughout the city, in an effort to reduce traffic fatalities and injuries.According to a city statement, the Oakland Department of Transportation (OakDOT) identified 18 locations for the cameras. "Speed is a killer on our roadways, and is especially dangerous for pedestrians, children, and our elders," Mayor Sheng Thao said. "I applaud and stand proudly behind OakDOT's efforts to use this proven and effective tool to prevent the tragic loss of life we see on Oakland streets today."OakDOT officials looked at speed data...
Kamala Harris will tap Gavin Newsom for Cabinet position, says Willie Brown
Former Mayor Willie Brown made his way to The San Francisco Standard’s office Thursday morning for an interview with senior political editor Annie Gaus and longtime reporter Carla Marinucci, formerly of Politico and the San Francisco Chronicle. Brown gave his full-throated support to Vice President Kamala Harris at the...
Alameda County grand jury probe leads to rare charges against an Oakland recycling business and its managers
A two-day toxic blaze that blanketed Oakland in smoke last summer has resulted in criminal indictments for Radius Recycling. “Under my leadership, this administration will not allow corporate criminals to poison our community recklessly, to create vulnerabilities for our community and for those who serve our community and just walk away having made a profit and get off with a slap on the wrist,” Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price said in a news conference on Tuesday.
San Francisco Enforces Law for Homeless Sweeps
The housing crisis in the Bay Area is a major concern for many residents. In particular, homelessness on the streets of San Francisco has long been on the road to improvement. Despite initiatives, the homeless population is increasing and those who refuse refuge still prevail on the city’s streets. San Francisco Mayor London Breed plans...
Commentary: Oakland Councilmember Bas Fails to Fix Estuary Channel Path
I was returning from a grocery run last month, when I came to the signalized crosswalk at 11th Street and Lake Merritt Boulevard on the way to my home in Jack London Square. That intersection is a ridiculous eight lanes wide, despite the fact that it's used by only a handful of motorists each light cycle. Like so many streets in Oakland, the excessive width encourages motorists to speed and run the light. I pushed the "beg" button and waited and waited through multiple cycles that allowed drivers to turn every which way. When I finally got the "go" signal, I started to walk my bike, and got past the first two lanes. I could see a white Honda moving really fast towards me—I wasn't sure if he was going to stop. He blew through the red light at at least 60 mph, inches from my body.
SFFD Chief Jeanine Nicholson to retire over "unforeseen medical issues"
San Francisco Fire Chief Jeanine Nicholson on Friday announced she will retire at the end of August due to "unforeseen medical issues."Nicholson, who has spent 30 years with the city's Fire Department, was its first openly LGBT chief when Mayor London Breed chose her in 2019 to take over after the retirement of her predecessor, former chief Joanne Hayes-White."I am proud of the San Francisco Fire Department and the people that work day and night to protect our city and citizens. It has been a great privilege and honor to serve as your Fire Chief for the past 5 years," Nicholson said in a statement.Breed said Nicholson "is retiring with a distinguished and decades-long record of public service" and "has shown extraordinary leadership and dedication to our great city and we are indebted to her for her service."More details about the chief's medical issues were not released, but she is a breast cancer survivor and has been a proponent of efforts to prevent cancer among firefighters. During her career, Nicholson also suffered second-degree burns from a 2009 arson fire that injured five other firefighters.
San Francisco weekend guide: Up Your Alley, SF Marathon and more
It's time to unwind. Here's what the city has in store for you this weekend.Thursday🎨 Kick off the summer at the Divisadero Art Walk.Divisadero from Haight to Ellis streets; 5-8pmFriday👩🏾🎤 Head over to The Lost Church for the night two of the Diva Extravaganza, featuring burlesque and drag performances inspired by nature, animals and fantastical realms.Tickets start at $34.23 (including fees)Saturday🧑🎨 Enjoy local music, art, food and more at artisan market TreasureFest.11am-5pm on Treasure Island; Tickets start at $15Sunday🏃🏾♀️➡️ It's not too late to sign up for the SF Marathon, but if that's too much for you, there's always the 5k on Saturday!🎉 Hit up the release party for "The Dreams I Dreamt: Letters to San Francisco," a new literary magazine.2pm in Jack Kerouac Alley; Free with RSVP🪢 Embrace kink at the annual Up Your Alley festival, featuring music, kink and bondage demos and more.11am-6pm; SoMa
East Bay animal shelter to open new state-of-the-art clinic made of shipping containers
An East Bay animal rescue is taking an innovative approach to help solve the pet overpopulation crisis.Friends of the Alameda Animal Shelter is sharing its plan to open a new, state-of-the-art spay and neuter clinic.But what makes this plan unique, is what its building will be made out of: shipping containers."We were originally going to build a brick and mortar medical center," said John Lipp, CEO of Friends of Alameda Animal Shelter. "The price tag was close to $10 million, and we were looking at fundraising and that's a lot of money to raise, and so we thought, what can...
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