Author Archives: Emilie Raguso
Lawsuit to stop grocery store tentatively denied
After a preliminary ruling issued this week tentatively denied a lawsuit to block the development of a grocery store and senior housing project planned in Albany by the University of California, attorneys for both sides argued the matter further before a Superior Court judge in downtown Oakland on Thursday.
The lawsuit — which questions the environmental review process undertaken when local officials approved the project — was filed last summer by supporters of Occupy the Farm. Some of the urban farming activists have said they want to see existing open space — several pieces of land owned by the university that include two vacant weedy lots slated for development, and an agricultural research field — protected and turned into public community farm space in perpetuity. … Continue reading »
License plate photo leads to arrest after robbery attempt
Berkeley Police detectives were able to track down a parolee who police say tried to rob a woman at knife-point earlier this week after a witness took a photograph of the man’s license plate when he fled the scene, authorities said Friday.
Tuesday afternoon at 2, a woman was on Fifth Street south of Hearst Avenue loading items into her car, said Capt. Andrew Greenwood of the Berkeley Police Department.
A man with a knife came up to her and tried to rob her. She screamed and he ran to a parked vehicle and drove off. … Continue reading »
Police recognize retirement, celebrate promotions
More than 100 people crowded into the Maudelle Shirek building in downtown Berkeley on Thursday morning to celebrate three promotions and recognize the retirement of a longtime officer from the Berkeley Police Department.
Opening these ceremonies to the public is a relatively new move by the department to give the community a chance to learn about how officers approach their work, said Police Chief Michael Meehan.
“It’s something I changed when I got hired,” said Meehan. “We’re proud of who we are and what we’re doing in this city, and we want people to know who their officers are.” … Continue reading »
Berkeley crime analysis: Robberies up 25% in 2013
Friday just after midnight, three people walking south of the UC Berkeley campus were accosted by three young men with guns who robbed them of their wallets, phones and sunglasses. The men fled, but police say officers caught up with them early Sunday during a traffic stop. All three were arrested on suspicion of robbery.
If it seems like this story, or at least the first part of it, has become all too common this year, that’s because robberies are up a whopping 25% when compared to the same period last year, police said Wednesday. … Continue reading »
Berkeley Police nab 3 after robbery south of Cal campus
A traffic stop by Berkeley Police officers early Sunday morning led to the arrest of three young men police say are responsible for an armed robbery south of campus late last week.
Friday at 12:37 a.m., police received a call about a robbery at Carleton and Dana streets, said officer Jennifer Coats, Berkeley Police spokeswoman, on Wednesday. … Continue reading »
Berkeley Police: Gunshots on Harmon and more
Earlier this year, the Berkeley Police Department relaunched its monthly newsletter to let community members know about notable arrests and incidents, as well as crime prevention tips and safety resources. Along with beat maps and police contacts for each neighborhood, the newsletter highlights arrests and open cases in Berkeley from the prior month. The fifth edition of the newsletter came out in May. Scroll down for highlights. … Continue reading »
Contest: Name that nosh 05.15.13
Think you know food in the East Bay? Prove it by naming the restaurant and dish in the comments section. Continue reading »
Police release suspect info from Grizzly Peak homicide
Police have released a description of the man believed to be responsible for a shooting early Sunday morning that left a Fremont student dead outside a car on Grizzly Peak Boulevard.
This week, the University of California Police Department identified 21-year-old Alverto Santana-Silva of Fremont as the victim. Police believe Santana-Silva was shot after he tried to break up an argument or disturbance between two groups of strangers. … Continue reading »
Occupy the Farm: ‘We’ll keep coming back’
Despite four arrests Monday and the destruction by UC Berkeley of seedlings they had planted in rows over the weekend, Occupy the Farm activists returned to a plot of land in Albany that’s slated for development and began their work again Monday night.
“We’re not leaving this land,” said an Occupy the Farm spokeswoman, Lesley Haddock. “We’re going to continue to contest this space. We’re not going away.” … Continue reading »
Berkeleyside Police Blotter: Crime in Berkeley, May 2-8
This is a partial list of recent crimes in Berkeley, compiled by Berkeleyside, and based on reports to the Berkeley Police Department unless otherwise noted. See past crime blotters here. (Note to readers: We always appreciate tips, about breaking news or neighborhood safety issues, via email at tips@berkeleyside.com.)
The following items represent just a sampling of calls, and times may be approximate. From May 2-8, there were 14 burglary reports, 32 auto break-in or theft from a vehicle reports, and six stolen vehicle reports to the Berkeley Police Department, according to CrimeMapping.com. Thirteen robberies and six assaults, domestic violence incidents or batteries were reported.
These numbers are subject to change. Click the previous links for the most current information. In addition, several items released this week by the Berkeley Police Department, from May 9-11, are included below. … Continue reading »
Mad Monk Center to rise on Telegraph
The iconic Telegraph Avenue building that formerly housed Cody’s Bookstore could have a new identity before year’s end due to an ambitious project underway by local property owner Ken Sarachan.
Sarachan — who also owns Rasputin Music and Blondie’s Pizza, as well as the vacant lot north of Amoeba Music — describes his “Mad Monk Center for Anachronistic Media” as a two-story complex with a full-service restaurant, performance space, small flower kiosk, take-out coffee counter and analogue media shop that will bring together “the best assembly of records anywhere in California.” … Continue reading »
South Berkeley fire displaces Deakin Street residents
Berkeley Fire crews responded to two fires on Sunday afternoon, which caused more than $200,000 in damage to homes in North and South Berkeley and displaced two people, authorities said Monday. The causes of both fires remain under investigation.
At 3 p.m. Sunday, officials received word of a structure fire in the 800 block of Shattuck Avenue in North Berkeley, said Avery Webb, acting deputy fire chief. … Continue reading »
4 arrests, as Cal ends brief Albany occupation
Update, 3 p.m. A group of Albany residents has announced its plans to hold a counter-protest at 5:30 p.m. Monday in opposition to Occupy the Farm activities in Albany. The group plans to meet at the City Hall corner at Buchanan Street, “then walk or ride down to Monroe and show the news media that ALBANY SAYS NO TO OCCUPY.”
Update, 1:42 p.m. A UC Berkeley spokeswoman said four people were arrested Monday as the university resumed control of land in Albany’s University Village that had been taken over by activists who said they want to turn the land into an urban farm. Claire Holmes, a UC Berkeley associate vice chancellor who handles communications and public affairs, said one person was arrested early in the morning; two were arrested while interfering with the plow; and the fourth was reported to be interfering with police activities. Holmes identified the four as Erik Eisenberg, Ian Saxton, David Grefrath and Brooke Marino. All four were listed as in-custody at the Berkeley Jail by the Alameda County sheriff’s department, and scheduled for arraignment Tuesday at 2 p.m. at the Wiley W. Manuel Courthouse in downtown Oakland. … Continue reading »
