New zoning codes make it easier — and faster — for businesses to open in Berkeley
For many, an over-the-counter zoning certificate may be all that's needed now, rather than going through public hearings and paying thousands of dollars.
Frances Dinkelspiel (co-founder) is a journalist and author. Her first book, Towers of Gold: How One Jewish Immigrant Named Isaias Hellman Created California, published in November 2008, was a San Francisco Chronicle bestseller. Her second book, Tangled Vines: Greed, Murder, Obsession and an Arsonist in the Vineyards of California was published in October 2015 and was both a New York Times and San Francisco Chronicle bestseller. Frances is a former staff reporter for the Syracuse Newspapers and the San Jose Mercury News. Her freelance work has appeared in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, People Magazine, Daily Beast, the San Francisco Chronicle, and elsewhere.
Husband of former Councilwoman Linda Maio drowns in Mexico
Rob Browning was swimming in a rough ocean in Baja. He and Maio were on a three-week long vacation/business trip.
After 40 years, the Jones family is selling its 8.7-acre West Berkeley property
The parcel is being marketed as the Berkeley Innovation & Technology Park. It is one of three large parcels in West Berkeley that are currently for sale.
A vision for Berkeley’s old Pacific Steel Casting site: A hub for industrial innovation
Dozens gathered to discuss what should be done with the 8.3-acre site near Second Street. Most said it must be preserved for manufacturing uses to keep Berkeley a diverse place in which to live.
Pacific Steel Casting Company finances revealed during bankruptcy hearing
The equity firm that bought the company in 2014 only put $2.5 million of its own funds into the business, but took out $11.25 million in distributions, according to Pacific Steel Casting's vice-president of finance.
UC Berkeley says it is not biased against conservative students and the right is distorting its actions
UC Berkeley went on the offensive this weekend to say the recent assault involving two non-students is not a free speech issue. Moreover, Cal goes out of its way to protect conservative speech.
23-year-old man who set up email accounts for ISIS sent to prison for 15+years
The federal judge rejected the defense argument that Amer Alhaggagi was an Internet troll who had been joking around when he talked about setting off bombs and killing 10K people.
Retailer seeks to open third cannabis store in 6-block stretch of Telegraph Avenue
The Apothecarium said it took 18 months to find this new site. The owners of Hi-Fidelity, another cannabis retailer two blocks away, expressed concern it would lose business if it opened there.
UC Berkeley’s student enrollment projected to reach 44,735 in next 3 years
While there are more people than ever on the Cal campus, water and fuel consumption have declined because of programs designed to save energy.
Accusations of elder abuse and lies swirl around landmarking process for Save the Bay founder’s home
The Landmarks Preservation Commission will hold a hearing tonight on whether to designate 1450 and 1440 Hawthorne city landmarks. In the meantime, the owners have filed a lawsuit against one another.
Pacific Steel Casting files for bankruptcy. Top executives get paid, but workers don’t get severance
The 84-year old company said as early as 2017 that it had to shut down because of financial issues. It repaid the equity firm that bought it $3.8M in 2018, but none of the workers got severance pay.
Berkeley postal carrier alleged to have threatened resident says report is false
The Berkeley postal carrier who was arrested Saturday after he allegedly yelled threatening comments at a local resident says the accusations are false and that he is a victim of “delivering while black.”
