After hearing concerns about toxic cleanup, rail safety, and nearby neighborhoods, and excitement about jobs and baseball, members voted 6-2 to approve a critical survey.
Author Archives: David DeBolt
David DeBolt reported on City Hall and policing for The Oaklandside. He spent 12 years working for daily newspapers in the Bay Area, including on the Peninsula and Solano County. He joined the Bay Area News Group in 2012 where he covered a variety of beats, most recently as a senior breaking news reporter. During his time at BANG, DeBolt covered Oakland City Hall, the Raiders stadium saga and the A’s search for a new ballpark, as well as the Oakland Police Department and police reform efforts. He was part of the East Bay Times staff honored with the Pulitzer Prize in Breaking News for coverage of the Ghost Ship warehouse fire.
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
Key vote on A’s Howard Terminal ballpark plan happening today
The City Council is scheduled to vote on the project’s environmental impact report—a crucial step in the decision process.
Posted inHealth & Environment
State Attorney General sues East Oakland metal foundry over release of cancer-causing toxins
AG Rob Bonta says AB&I Foundry broke state law by not notifying neighbors of potential dangers.
Posted inArts & Community
Oakland says goodbye to Raiders legend John Madden
A public memorial at the Oakland Coliseum on Monday drew hundreds of fans for one last Raider Nation gathering in Oakland.
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
City Council this week: Plans to turn police headquarters into new housing, preserve major library funding
And the council wants the governor to dig into the state budget to prevent Oakland school closures.
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
Judge places Santa Rita Jail under external oversight, ending mental health abuse lawsuit
Alameda County’s jail and sheriff’s office will be reformed under the supervision of a law firm, court-appointed mental health experts, and the U.S. Department of Justice.
Posted inArts & Community
‘It brings a sense of pride’: East Bay’s 510 area code turns 30
The nickel and dime officially split from 415 in 1992. You can’t even get a 510 number these days.
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
Who’s given money to candidates for Oakland mayor, City Council, and other local races
A look at campaign finance records for 2021. Oakland’s election day is Nov. 8, while the county holds a June primary for district attorney, sheriff races.
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
City Council this week: ‘Oscar Grant Day’ coming to Oakland
Councilmembers will also hear a report on the state of firehouses, and vote to accept grants to reduce a backlog of OPD cases.
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
Starting tomorrow, you’ll need to show proof of vaccination to enter Oakland bars, restaurants, gyms
The new city ordinance also applies to senior centers, yoga studios, entertainment venues and large indoor events.
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
At long last, Oakland’s Redistricting Commission has decided on a new map
If it’s approved next month, the Coliseum will move to District 6, there won’t be a mega hills district after all, and Lake Merritt will stay the same.
Posted inHealth & Environment
Planned facility at Port of Oakland raises concerns among West Oakland environmental activists
Port commissioners on Thursday could approve a plan to ship and store sand and gravel at a new terminal on the Outer Harbor.
Posted inHealth & Environment
28,000 PG&E customers lost power in Oakland over the weekend
Some residents, businesses reported being without electricity for more than 24 hours.
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
A’s waterfront ballpark plan passes first environment review vote
The Oakland Planning Commission on Wednesday voted unanimously to recommend the City Council certify the Howard Terminal project’s 3,500-page environmental impact report.
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
City Council this week: New cameras to stop illegal dumping and a ‘ghost gun’ ban
Councilmembers will also hear a report on whether the city can open more vaccination sites.
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
What did recent CHP patrols accomplish in Oakland?
In September, Mayor Libby Schaaf announced California Highway Patrol officers were coming to Oakland for traffic safety. Here’s what CHP reported doing.
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
Oakland’s cannabis industry reeling from car caravan burglaries — again
The most recent wave of thefts in November caused an estimated $5 million in damages and lost inventory for one of Oakland’s most important industries.
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
Federal judge: OPD Instagram case ‘spotlighted a number of troubling problems’
Despite progress, the Oakland Police Department remains short of full compliance with reform tasks.
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
The year Oakland tried to reimagine public safety and policing
In 2021, a fierce debate about the role of the police, and OPD’s budget, guided City Council meetings while homicides and shootings skyrocketed.
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
2021 is Oakland’s deadliest year since 2006
As of today, police have investigated 133 killings while residents and city leaders mourn.
