A memorial near the live/work space known as the Ghost Ship, taken in December, 2016, shortly after the fire as rescue crews continued to search the building. Photo by Brian Krans

The jury considering allegations against two men connected with the 2016 Ghost Ship fire reached a verdict on Thursday afternoon, acquitting Max Harris, a former tenant and creative director of the Ghost Ship, of 36 counts of involuntary manslaughter. But after the jury deadlocked, Judge Trina Thompson declared a mistrial regarding identical charges against Derick Almena,…

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Winston Goertz-Giffen, co-founder of the Oakland Family Fund, which helps those affected by the Ghost Ship fire, poses with his wares. The art sale was set up to assist those affected by the fire, as well as the Oakland Warehouse Coalition and the nonprofit organization Land Action. Photo by Abner Hauge.

After weeks of rain, light from a clear blue sky filtered into the windows of the second-story ballroom at the Starline Social Club in Oakland on Sunday. Artists, musicians and community members walked slowly across the wooden dance floor, eyes fixed on the displays: bright watercolor and acrylic paintings, cassettes of albums by local musicians,…

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City of Oakland Economic Development Manager Aliza Gallo explains the Small Business Administration's emergency loan program to John McLeod of Acme Fire Extinguishers Company. Photograph by Abner Hauge

The city and the Federal Small Business Administration (SBA) are offering low-interest loans and technical assistance to business owners, nonprofits, homeowners and tenants in the vicinity of the fire. According to Economic Development Manager Aliza Gallo, anyone can apply but must show proof that the fire negatively impacted them physically or economically.

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