Blogs
Hello, Oakland. In the East Bay, the bad economy is ushering in a new wave of police recruits–college educated and career-shifting folks who don’t have the backing of specific agencies. East Bay cities are encouraging their citizens to respond to the census because of fears that a lower head count would mean the area could lose “economic and political clout. Good luck staying out of the rain.
That’s right, Sunday April 11, is the Paris-Roubaix race. It’s one of the oldest road races in the world, started in 1896, and is known for its treacherous terrain, like the dozens of kilometers of cobblestones. Known as “A Sunday in Hell” or “The Hell of the North,” this one-day race that is roughly 280 kilometers is always fun to watch. Riders get muddy and wreaked and make you marvel all the more at their athleticism. Steephill.tv has all the…
Morning, North Oakland. A former East Bay priest is at the center of the Vatican clergy abuse scandal. The AP has the text of a 1985 letter from Pope Benedict. Mayor Ron Dellums announced that a new state grant go towards helping two high schools cut down on gang violence and increase graduation rates. The idea of the grant is to help students at Freemont and Castlemont high schools become teachers and social workers. The U.S. Commerce department is doling…
Happy Friday, Oakland. San Jose is hoping that a pending $20 million land deal could help the city lure the Oakland A’s to the South Bay. Now, the city is just two parcels short of putting together a fourteen acre site between Diridon Station and the HP Pavilion. But it’s not a done deal. The owner of the A’s, Lew Wolff, has expressed interest in moving the team, but the move would first have to be cleared by Major League…
The former Oakland homicide detective who led the investigation into the Chauncey Bailey case filed suit against the city Wednesday, the Trib reports. Sgt. Derwin Longmire is claiming that the higher-ups at the police department slandered him. “I want to restore my good name,” Longmire said. Eighth graders at West Oakland’s St. Martin de Porres Catholic School are taking part in a three-year study at St. Mary’s college–“a study of students who dream of being the first in their families…
A few headlines that caught our attention today: The CoCo Times reports that the number of California Sea Otters has dropped for the third year in a row. Have you seen the Oakland Tribune’s special report by Katy Murphy on the city’s teenage homicide victims? The multimedia package includes a database of homicides from 2009 as well as an interactive map of locations. Last fall, Oakland North took a look at how teens at East Oakland’s Castlemont High School are working…
This weekend I did the East Bay Tweed Ride. I must admit, at first I was a little skeptical. There were a lot of people affecting English accents and saying things like, “Hello, dear sir!” and “Talk to your dashing neighbors.” But I got over it. Once a couple of my “dashing neighbors” pulled out a portable gin and tonic set, I knew it’d be fun. The outfits were hilarious and amazing — everything from big flowing skirts to tweed…
Several big breaking news items within the last 24 hours: KTVU reports that one of the BART police officers on the platform at the time of the Oscar Grant shooting has been fired and that Children’s Hospital Oakland is struggling with financial difficulties and facing budget cuts. The Chron reports that the number of serious crimes committed in Oakland has dropped for the last 15 months. Serious crimes — including murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault and auto theft — were…
What a week for sports in Oakland! First came the announcement that the Golden State Warriors are for sale. Today the Chron’s C.W. Nevius is reporting that some of the team’s potential buyers are scoping a spot near AT&T Park, a hint that the team could move to San Francisco. This weekend brings us the Oakland Running Festival, also known as the Oakland Marathon, the first the city will host in 25 years. Oakland North will be there to cover the…