Lauren Callahan

Oakland residents react to Mehserle verdict, urge peace

After hearing that former BART police officer Johannes Mehserle was convicted of involuntary manslaughter Thursday afternoon for the 2009 killing of Oakland resident Oscar Grant, Bay Area residents at the Rockridge BART station said they hoped the Oakland community would react to the verdict peacefully.

Council approves development plan for Alta Bates Summit

In a short meeting Tuesday night, the Oakland city council upheld a recommendation from the Community and Economic Development Agency (CEDA) to approve a development project for the Alta Bates Summit Medical Center facility, located at the intersection of Hawthorne Avenue and Webster Street near the 580 freeway.

Waiting for a Prop. 8 ruling, one couple reflects on two years of same-sex marriage

Oakland residents Joel Preston and Kevin Harrigan were among the 18,000 same-sex couples who got married in California during the six months in 2008 when gay marriage was legal. Now, as the state waits for a ruling in on the Proposition 8 trial that may overturn California’s current ban on same-sex marriage, the couple reflects on what two years of legal marriage have meant to them, and what the right may mean to others.

Pressed for details, Dellums offers new budget plan, defends role in process

With the Oakland City Council set to start deliberating its fiscal year 2010-11 budget during a special meeting Thursday night, Mayor Ron Dellums called a press conference Tuesday morning to introduce his latest version of the budget for the council to consider. But instead of focusing all his time on the budget, thanks to a story that ran on a local television station Monday night, Dellums spent a good portion of the conference defending his record as mayor and his involvement in the budget process.

Oakland City Council weighs budget cuts, police officer layoffs

In a preview of what is likely to be a contentious budget meeting June 24, the Oakland City Council Tuesday night heard residents’ complaints about potentially laying off up to 200 police officers and staff in an attempt to balance the city’s fiscal year 2010 – 11 budget, which starts July 1.

At Lip Service West, everything you hear is true

There are only two requirements to read at Lip Service West: Your story must be true, and can’t be longer than 1,500 words. In this new public reading series sponsored by the San Pablo Arts District Fund, local writers swap tales and bring some nightlife to the Golden Gate neighborhood.

Oakland residents react to Mehserle jury selection

Many North Oakland residents said they were in disbelief after learning Tuesday afternoon that the jury in the Johannes Mehserle trial won’t include any African Americans. “It’s a slap to the face of people with color,” said Oakland resident Audra Robinson at the MacArthur BART station Wednesday.

Usually in demand, new nurses now looking for work

Nurses usually have no trouble finding work. But nearly 40 percent of the graduating class of 2009 are without hospital jobs due to the recent economic downturn. We follow one recent nursing graduate from North Oakland’s Samuel Merritt College who is looking for work.

11.26.09 Happy Thanksgiving

Good morning Oakland North, We hope you are enjoying a day off, full of food and family and friends. If you have a chance, check out our Wednesday morning, 9 a.m. package. We had a lot of fun producing it. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours– The Staff of Oakland North

MacArthur BART Station

The Fremont-bound train shudders to a stop above my head as I race up the escalator of my local BART at fifteen of nine this morning. The doors stay open for far less time than they normally do—I am rushing, yes, but still must manage to slip in the cavernous opening as the red lights blink furiously at me. Doors closing. Off we go. Turns out the Fremont train is running behind schedule. Our conductor admonishes us at each stop—stay…

11.23.09: The break is nearly upon us.

Good morning North Oakland, Happy Thanksgiving week to all of you! As we all prepare for a shorter week, here are a few newsworthy items that caught our attention this morning. Oakland city offices will be open November 23, 24, and 25 (Monday – Wednesday) but closed on Thursday and Friday for the Thanksgiving holidays. The city’s annual Thanksgiving dinner is tomorrow, November 24, from 11 am to 2 pm at the Mariott. A PDF with more information is online…