Thousands of goats who help reduce wildfire risk in Berkeley, Oakland and beyond are having to chew through thicker vegetation this spring.

Author Archives: Nico Savidge
Nico Savidge joined Berkeleyside in 2021 as a senior reporter covering city hall. Born and raised in Berkeley, he got his start in journalism at Youth Radio as a high-schooler in the mid-2000s. Since then, he has covered transportation, law enforcement, education and college sports for the San Jose Mercury News, EdSource, the Wisconsin State Journal, The Janesville Gazette and The Daily Cardinal. A graduate of Berkeley High School and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, he now lives in Oakland with his wife and dog.
‘Street Spirit’ newspaper to cease publication after losing funding
The editor of the newspaper that has chronicled homeless issues since 1995 hopes to restart Street Spirit. Its June issue will be the last until a new funder is found.
Reservoirs serving Oakland, Berkeley are filling up after consistent rain
“We have been waiting for a wet season like this for years,” a water official said, but is it enough to end the drought?
Casual Carpool was a Bay Area tradition before COVID. Can it make a comeback?
Riders and drivers who want to revive casual carpool are finding it difficult to reestablish the famously organic tradition.
Lateefah Simon reinstated to BART board as residency dispute continues
The board’s only Black director, who represents parts of Berkeley and Oakland, was improperly removed from her seat, BART says.
BART director loses seat representing Oakland, Berkeley after moving out of district
Lateefah Simon, one of the BART board’s most vocal advocates for overhauling police, said she moved to a new home following threats related to that work.
San Pablo Avenue’s massive redesign is entering a new phase. Here’s where it stands
New bike and bus lanes in Oakland and Emeryville, and upgraded bus stops in Berkeley, are among the new features being planned for the thoroughfare in Alameda County.
Alameda County will join state in lifting mask mandate Feb. 16
Businesses can still require customers to mask up, and health officials cautioned that face coverings are “strongly recommended.”
Omicron is surging in the Bay Area. Experts say Oakland has the tools to stay safe
Doctors say Bay Area cases are rising quickly due to the omicron and delta variants, but this time, residents have added protection from vaccines and boosters, masks and social distancing.