News

Council Approves Loan For Brower Center By RICHARD BRENNEMAN

Friday January 27, 2006

Berkeley city councilmembers voted Tuesday to pledge $4 million in federal funds to pay for community services and affordable housing as collateral for a federal loan to help fund the David Brower Center and Oxford Plaza. -more-


Boom Ends For South Asian Shops Competition Heats Up in Berkeley’s ‘Little India’ By Riya Bhattacharjee Special to the Planet

Friday January 27, 2006

Sitting in his curio shop on University Avenue, Tsewang Khangsar recalls the onerous journey that he had made almost 45 years ago across the Himalayas from Tibet. -more-


Focus on West Berkeley Getting the Job Done By MARTA YAMAMOTO Special to the Planet

Friday January 27, 2006

There’s no denying that Berkeley has a worldwide reputation, not always positive. From humble beginnings in the 1850s, through the turbulent 1960s and up to today, Berkeley’s citizens are seldom shy about voicing their passions. -more-


Density Bonus Committee Explores Retail, In-Lieu Fees By RICHARD BRENNEMAN

Friday January 27, 2006

Members of the joint commission formed to look into the city’s density bonus are moving closer to formulating suggestions for a new ordinance. -more-


Report: Oakland May Be Closer to a Teacher Strike By J. DOUGLAS ALLEN-TAYLOR

Friday January 27, 2006

A report on negotiations between the Oakland Unified School District and the Oakland Education Association has brought the city closer to a teacher strike or closer to a settlement. -more-


Planners Ponder Creeks, Car Dealers, Transportation Fees By RICHARD BRENNEMAN

Friday January 27, 2006

Planning Commissioners tackled creeks, cars dealerships and a proposed transportation services fee Wednesday—long-term issues that will eventually result in new city ordinances. -more-


Captain Yee: The Truth About Guantanamo By Pacific News Service

Friday January 27, 2006

In September 2003, two days after receiving an excellent evaluation, Chaplain James Yee was arrested, charged with espionage and thrown into solitary confinement for 76 days. When he left the Army in 2005 after all charges were dropped, he received a medal. He recounts his journey from Muslim American poster boy to “enemy of the state” in his memoir, For God and Country. Yee was interviewed by Sandip Roy, host of “UpFront,” New America Media's radio program. -more-


The Paper Ceiling By NICK GUROFF Pacific News Service

Friday January 27, 2006

Brenda ran Los Angeles’ citywide marathon representing John Adams Middle School. After finishing at the top of her age group, she felt “on top of the world.” -more-


Fire Department Log By RICHARD BRENNEMAN

Friday January 27, 2006

Two-alarm blaze -more-


Police Blotter By RICHARD BRENNEMAN

Friday January 27, 2006

Burglar nailed -more-


Berkeley Mourns Slain Teenager By RIO BAUCE Special to the Planet

Tuesday January 24, 2006

Hundreds of people gathered at St. Joseph the Worker Church on Friday to mourn the death of 15-year-old Berkeley High School sophomore Alberto Salvador Villareal-Morales. -more-


Legal Setback for Marin Ave. Change By RICHARD BRENNEMAN

Tuesday January 24, 2006

A Hayward judge has handed down a mixed victory for Raymond Chamberlin’s lawsuit challenging the reduction of traffic lanes on Marin Avenue. -more-


KPFA Chief Steps Down After Troubled Reign By SUZANNE LA BARRE Special to the Planet

Tuesday January 24, 2006

Amid a flurry of controversy, KPFA-FM General Manager Roy Campanella II has stepped down. -more-


Lake Merritt Tree Supporters Unmoved By Public Works Tour By J. DOUGLAS ALLEN-TAYLOR

Tuesday January 24, 2006

If an Oakland Public Works Agency guided walk around the south end of Lake Merritt was designed to dampen criticism of the city’s plan to remove more than 200 trees, it didn’t exactly work. -more-


AC Transit Plan to Delete Stops Draws Riders’ Ire By DANIEL DeBOLT Special to the Planet

Tuesday January 24, 2006

AC transit’s plan to “delete” 44 bus stops in Berkeley, Alameda and Oakland next week to provide faster and more reliable service has angered many riders who depend on those stops. -more-


Peralta District Officials Delay Release of Report By J. DOUGLAS ALLEN-TAYLOR

Tuesday January 24, 2006

A much-anticipated Board of Trustees presentation on the Peralta Community College District International and Global Education Department has been postponed. -more-


Attorney General Signs Off on Point Molate Settlement By RICHARD BRENNEMAN

Tuesday January 24, 2006

With the approval of state Attorney General Bill Lockyer, the lawsuit filed by environmentalists over the sale of Richmond’s Point Molate is history. -more-


Liquor Store Appeal, Brower Plaza Lead City Council Agenda By RICHARD BRENNEMAN

Tuesday January 24, 2006

Berkeley city councilmembers will hear an appeal Tuesday by the owner of Dwight Way Liquor, who wants to overturn a Zoning Adjustments Board (ZAB) decision declaring the store a public nuisance. -more-


Density Bonuses, Creeks and Liquor Store on Land Use Meeting Agendas By RICHARD BRENNEMAN

Tuesday January 24, 2006

Density bonuses, West Berkeley zoning changes and creeks are among the land use issues city officials will be considering this week. -more-


Golden Gate Fields Mall Opponents Hold Rally By RICHARD BRENNEMAN

Tuesday January 24, 2006

Opponents of a plan to build a shopping mall in a Golden Gate Fields parking lot are holding a rally Thursday in the form of an old-fashioned ice cream social. -more-


Immigration Agents Hunt for 500,000 Absconders From the Filipino Reporter

Tuesday January 24, 2006

In an unprecedented crackdown on more than 500,000 absconders—illegal immigrants who have not followed deportation orders—U.S. authorities this year are nearly tripling the number of federal officers assigned to round up such fugitives. -more-


Police Blotter By RICHARD BRENNEMAN

Tuesday January 24, 2006

Brandisher boogies -more-


News Analysis: Evo Morales and the Roots of Revolution By ROGER BURBACH Pacific News Service

Tuesday January 24, 2006

COCHABAMBA, Bolivia—The inauguration of Evo Morales as the first president of Bolivia of indigenous origins marks a watershed in the history of the Americas. The “caras,” whites and mestizos who have dominated Bolivia for centuries, are being replaced by an Indian who represents the country’s true majority. -more-