Ray contracted polio as a child while living in Oakland, a disease that had no preventative vaccine nor definitive cure at the time. Due in large part to the tenacity of his parents following treatments prescribed by specialists, Ray survived this mostly debilitating and deadly disease. While confined to his bed, Ray waved to the engineers on the trains that passed by outside his window every day.
After an unsanctioned Juneteenth gathering by Oakland's Lake Merritt devolved into chaos and dozens of shots fired in 2024, there were many headlines calling this a mass shooting. 14 people sustained injuries, and many in the community were angry and saddened given that there had been another shooting on Juneeteenth three years earlier, which left one person dead.
Oakland's Community Police Review Agency - a civilian-run bureau that investigates allegations of police misconduct - has appointed a new executive director. Antonio Lawson, who most recently served as the agency's interim executive director, officially assumed the role on Feb. 17, Police Commission Chair Ricardo Garcia-Acosta announced in a press release Thursday. The Community Police Review Agency, widely known as CPRA (pronounced "sip-ruh"), is the investigative arm of the Police Commission, a civilian and volunteer body tasked with overseeing the Oakland Police Department.
In terms of the landscape and ground cover treatments, too, we've had a lot of discussions with city staff on what they have an easier time maintaining, what's more challenging, and what the regulatory requirements are that we have to implement as part of this project, along with municipal stormwater treatment requirements,
But the city only committed funding through the current 2025-2026 school year, and city leaders made it clear that this was a pilot program they would support for the first few years and then hand over to the district to build into its budget or seek outside funding. That funding cliff has arrived just as OUSD navigates a serious budget deficit and needs to trim $100 million from next year's budget.
Reid Soskin, who retired as the nation's oldest park ranger, died peacefully at at age 104 at her home in Richmond on Dec. 21, surrounded by her family. During World War II, Reid Soskin worked as a file clerk for the U.S. Air Force and, in 1945, she and her then-husband, Mel Reid, founded Reid's Records in Berkeley, a small black-owned business that specialized in Gospel music.
According to Oakland transportation department staff who spoke at a recent infrastructure committee meeting of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission, the city is expected to remove driving lanes in what's called a "road diet," and add crosswalks, buffered bikeways, and pedestrian islands. These changes are part of the 18th Street Complete Streets Paving Project, which has been in the planning stages for years - and has long been on the wish list of area residents.
Oakland couples share how they found love in real life - at protests, festivals, schools, and house parties. Plus, where to eat and what to order this Valentine's Day, whether you're single, coupled up, or celebrating with friends. Arts and community reporter Azucena Rasilla profiled couples whose relationships are deeply rooted in Oakland, and Nosh editor Tovin Lapan guides us through Valentine's desserts, singles spots, and dining recommendations for every relationship status.
There's no evidence that aligning parking under the finance department will increase revenue, but there is evidence that revenue has grown, and consistency of parking enforcement has improved under [transportation] leadership,
Some of these young people avoid hospitals or traditional medical centers due to discrimination from health care staff, feelings of shame, fears of retaliation from traffickers, and other barriers, according to a 2022 study published in the Journal of Pediatric Nursing. As a result, they lack equitable access to medical and reproductive health care. One Oakland nonprofit is working to tear down these barriers by bringing medical services directly to the streets.
County leaders approved a contract with Flock in June 2023 to cover unincorporated parts of the county with over 100 license plate readers. Last April, the board agreed to pay for Flock's pan-tilt-zoom cameras, which allow the sheriff's department to conduct surveillance on pedestrians, vehicles, and more. In July, the board signed a $600,000 year-long deal with Flock for the AeroDome system, which stations drones at sheriff's facilities where they can be deployed on a minute's notice.
02.06.26: Coffee Cultures on Park Street in Alameda closed Jan. 31. However, it still offers a mobile coffee cart for special events. Coffee Cultures used to have several locations in San Francisco, but Alameda was "home," where owner Jason Michael Paul was raised. Ones Cafe & Bakery, based in Castro Valley, will open a location in this spot; the opening date hasn't been announced yet. Coffee Cultures, 1926 Park St., Alameda.
The East Bay trio, made up of Billie Joe Armstrong, Mike Dirnt, and Tré Cool, is expected to perform some of their biggest hits as they celebrate 60 years of the NFL's MVP award. "We are super hyped to open Super Bowl 60 right in our backyard!" Armstrong said in an NFL press release. "We are honored to welcome the MVPs who've shaped the game and open the night for fans all over the world. Let's have fun! Let's get loud!"
