First in a three-part series about Oakland agencies preparing for major federal funding cuts. Oakland is bracing for nearly $25 million in federal funding cuts — a blow to the cash-strapped city that has been grappling with budget deficits. The cuts represent a 34% decrease in federal funding from the previous year, according to an Oct. 1 memo from the city administrator. The city expects to receive about $49million in federal funds in the current fiscal year, which ends June…
Nearly 60 students walked out of Oakland high schools Friday to march to City Hall as part of a statewide action in support of a California bill that would mitigate the impacts of fossil fuel pollution. Students rallied in support of the “Polluters Pay Climate Superfund” bill, which was introduced in February and is in committee until January, when legislators are scheduled to debate it. The bill would require oil and gas companies who did business in California between 1990…
Barry Stenger sweated under a warm sun Saturday as he weeded, mulched and collected trash among native live oaks and cottonwood trees at Barry Place, a small nature preserve along Sausal Creek in Oakland. At 75 years old, he is the fourth generation of his family to live by the creek. Years of clean-up efforts have made people more aware of the creek and its rainbow trout, he said. But a history of illegal dumping and pollution from trash and runoff…