Author Archives: Emilie Raguso
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, May 18, 6:20 p.m. Activists say no charges were ultimately filed against the people who were arrested Monday.
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 »
Police investigate homicide on Grizzly Peak Boulevard
Update, 6:10 p.m. Lt. Alex Yao of the University of California Police Department said Grizzly Peak Boulevard has been re-opened to traffic. The victim has been identified as an adult male who was not affiliated with UC Berkeley. The Alameda County coroner’s office said information about the victim’s identity would need to come from police. Further details were not available Sunday night.
Original post, 2:53 p.m. Police are investigating the death of one person who was reportedly shot early Sunday morning on Grizzly Peak Boulevard between Centennial Drive and South Park Drive.
Earlier Sunday, the road was closed to through traffic as police continued their investigation and, as of about 2:40 p.m. it remained closed, police said. … Continue reading »
Bites: What’s new in East Bay food, XXI
Openings, closings
NEW NEXT DOOR Next Door has now opened in the old Addie’s Pizza Pie location, at 3290 Adeline St. in Berkeley (as tipped by Nosh in March). Eater SF reports that the “menu has a little bit of everything,” from red curry tofu to fried chicken. See the full menu here. Chef Sharon Lorraine Anderson, formerly of The Purple Plum, is running the kitchen. Henry Alvarez, the controversial former head of San Francisco’s Housing Authority, and his wife Dionne Roberts, are the owners. Hours run from 5-10 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, as well as Sunday; and 5-11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. The restaurant is closed Mondays. A Mother’s Day brunch is available this weekend; generally, breakfast is available Saturdays and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Learn more at Next Door Berkeley.
BARKADA BAKERY After several weeks popping up on the sidewalk, Temescal’s new bakery, Barkada, at 4316 Telegraph Ave. in Oakland, is set to open Saturday. Get connected with all the latest Barkada news via the café’s Facebook page and blog. At the end of April, the owners posted a short round-up of what it’s taken to get the business going: “We are so happy to be joining the neighborhood! We have been planning, designing and constructing the space for the last five months and are pretty close to opening. We are in the homestretch and are going through our inspections this week.” … Continue reading »
Urban farmers plan ‘short-form’ Gill Tract occupation
Following a recent announcement by urban farming activists about plans to “occupy” an empty lot in Albany that’s slated for development, UC Berkeley officials have issued a statement urging local residents to prepare for “potential traffic obstructions” should “illegal activities proceed” this coming weekend.
“The university will not allow a permanent encampment on our property,” said George Breslauer, UC’s executive vice chancellor and provost, and John Wilton, UC’s vice chancellor of administration and finance, in the prepared statement. (Scroll down to see the full statement.)
The activists, who call themselves ‘Occupy the Farm,’ put out a call Wednesday to ask supporters to speak out against the planned development at a city meeting in Albany that night, and to come out at noon on Saturday to “launch an action that manifests the highest and best use of the Gill Tract farmland!” … Continue reading »
Berkeley Council to consider two city redistricting maps
Tuesday night, the Berkeley City Council held a public hearing to learn more about seven recently submitted maps that aim to adjust council district boundaries to correct for population and demographic changes across the city. The council voted to grant further consideration to two plans — the ASUC-endorsed student district map and a similar map designed by Eric Panzer — both of which would create a student-majority district with the aim of creating a new seat on the council for a student.
The council will hold a second public hearing July 2, and plans to vote on its final preference then. Community members can submit changes to the two maps up for consideration through May 17. (Scroll down to experience a “Storified” version of the council meeting.) … Continue reading »
Contest: Name that nosh 05.08.13
Think you know food in the East Bay? Prove it by naming the restaurant and dish in the comments section. Continue reading »
Berkeley community remembers teen slain in Oakland
[Editor's Note: Olajuwon Clayborn's funeral will be held Friday, May 17, at 11 a.m. at Missionary Church of God in Christ, 1125 Allston Way, in Berkeley.]
Students and teachers in one of Berkeley High’s small schools were left reeling this week after a former member of their cohort was shot and killed in East Oakland over the weekend.
Those who knew Olajuwon Clayborn, 17, described him as a sweet, quiet guy, a well-dressed ladies man who was passionate about basketball, and a dedicated student despite struggles in the classroom. Clayborn attended Berkeley schools from pre-school through 11th grade; he transfered to Castlemont High School in Oakland last fall for his senior year.
“If he loved you, he loved you to death,” said best friend Lonnie Brewer, 18, a Berkeley High senior in the school’s Communication Arts & Science (CAS) program. ”He had your back. If I had an argument on the court, he’d be right there.” … Continue reading »
Two robberies, one at gunpoint, occur near Cal
Two women were robbed, one at gunpoint, in separate incidents near the UC Berkeley campus Sunday. No one has been arrested, but police released suspect descriptions from both incidents on Monday.
At 1:58 a.m., a 20-year-old woman was walking in the 2500 block of Hillegass near Dwight Way when she heard footsteps behind her.
“She heard a voice say ‘Don’t move,’” said police in a written statement released by the University of California Police Department. “The victim turned around and suspect #1 grabbed her by the neck.” … Continue reading »
