Local News and Opinion from The Berkeley Daily Planet

News Updates

READER REPORT Demonstrators At U.C. Graduation Call Yoo War Criminal

By Henry Norr

Sunday, May 18

Mary Ervin of Oakland, one of those who demonstrated against John Yoo at U.C. graduation ceremonies, carried a cardboard replica of an M-16 rifle.

If Professor John Yoo, the Boalt Hall community, and UC Berkeley administration didn't know it before, they surely do after today's graduation ceremonies: there's a large and growing movement demanding that Yoo be held accountable for providing pseudo-legal rationalizations for the Bush administration's torture policy. -more-

Flash: B-Tech Senior was Shooter, Says Principal

By Riya Bhattacharjee

Friday, May 16

The 17-year-old student from Berkeley Technology Academy (B-Tech) who was shot Thursday a few blocks from school underwent surgery and his injuries appear to be non life-threatening, authorities said Friday. -more-

Freeman Arraigned on Murder Charges in Durant Avenue Murder, Tensions Spill Over into Court

By Bay City News

Friday, May 16

Tensions were high as Nathaniel Freeman was arraigned on murder charges today (Friday) for the shooting death of Oakland Parks and Recreation employee Maceo Smith one block south of the University of California, Berkeley campus Tuesday afternoon. -more-

Berkeley Families Celebrate Court Decision on Same-Sex Marriage

By Riya Bhattacharjee

Friday, May 16

As news of the California Supreme Court’s 4-3 decision affirming same-sex marriage broke Thursday, gay and lesbian couples in Berkeley declared victory. -more-

Barbara Lee Asks USDA to Oppose LBAM Spray

By Judith Scherr

Friday, May 16

Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Berkeley-Oakland, has added her voice to those calling for a halt to plans to spray for the Light Brown Apple Moth [LBAM] until health and environmental studies are done. -more-

Council Considers Ballot Measures; Public to Speak On Fee Increases

By Judith Scherr

Friday, May 16

The City Council will consider on Tuesday which tax measures to place before voters on the November ballot. -more-

B-Tech Student Shot in Berkeley

By Riya Bhattacharjee

Thursday, May 15

A Berkeley Technology Academy (B-Tech) student was shot near Martin Luther King Jr. and Dwight Way around 3 p.m. today (Thursday), according to authorities. -more-

Update: Suspect Arrested in Durant Avenue Killing

By Riya Bhattacharjee

Thursday, May 15

Berkeley police arrested 19-year-old Berkeley resident Nathaniel Curtis Freeman Wednesday afternoon and charged him with the murder of Maceo Anthony Smith, who was shot to death on Durant Avenue Tuesday. -more-

Vandalism Hits Oakland City Council Race, Tempers Flare

By J. Douglas Allen-Taylor

Thursday, May 15

In a campaign that has grown increasingly heated as it moves towards the June 3 election day showdown, vandals struck at the Fruitvale-area campaign headquarters of 5th District Council candidate Mario Juarez last Friday night, smashing windows and window doors and causing an estimated $15,000 in damage. -more-

News

Berkeley Man Killed in Durant Avenue Shooting

By Riya Bhattacharjee

Thursday, May 15

Police are searching for a suspect connected with the murder of Maceo Smith, 33, found shot to death in broad daylight at the Douglas Parking Lot at 2542 Durant Ave. Tuesday, a block from UC Berkeley. -more-

Bates Privatizes State of the City Address

By Judith Scherr

Thursday, May 15

Breaking with tradition, Mayor Tom Bates made his “state-of-the-city” address Tuesday night, not at a public gathering in City Council Chambers, but at a semi-private event held in a privately owned West Berkeley auditorium. -more-

City Council to UC Regents: Proposed Labs Endanger Wildlife, Humans

By Judith Scherr

Thursday, May 15

More than two dozen people spoke to the City Council with one voice at a special meeting Monday night: placing two buildings proposed by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in the environmentally sensitive, landslide, wildfire and earthquake-prone area of Strawberry and Blackberry canyons is the wrong thing to do, they said. -more-

Neighbors Fear College Avenue Safeway Expansion Plans

By Riya Bhattacharjee

Thursday, May 15

Walk into La Farine on Oakland’s bustling College Avenue for coffee and croissants and it’s easy to spot several pamphlets floating around on a big round table—the only one in the store—drawing attention to the proposed expansion at Safeway, across the street from the petite French bakery. -more-

S. Berkeley Crime Meeting Reflects Neighborhood Concerns

By Richard Brenneman

Thursday, May 15

The safest place to be in Berkeley on Wednesday night last week was likely the community center at San Pablo Park. -more-

Even with Salaries, City Budget Looks Balanced—For Now

By Judith Scherr

Thursday, May 15

Props. 98 and 99 Battle over Eminent Domain

By J. Douglas Allen-Taylor

Thursday, May 15

EBMUD Declares Water Shortage

By Riya Bhattacharjee

Thursday, May 15

Court Date Set for UC Murder Case

By Riya Bhattacharjee

Thursday, May 15

U-Haul Takes City to Court Again Over San Pablo Site

By Judith Scherr

Thursday, May 15

Suspects Arrested In Bank Robbery

By Bay City News

Thursday, May 15

News Briefs

By Judith Scherr

Thursday, May 15

Airsoft Gun from BHS Robbery Found in Old Gym

By Riya Bhattacharjee

Thursday, May 15

Man Threatens Students With Knife

By Riya Bhattacharjee

Thursday, May 15

Architect Chosen For Iceland Project

By Riya Bhattacharjee

Thursday, May 15

Berkeley, Richmond Council Target Lab Projects

By Richard Brenneman

Thursday, May 15

UC Captures $20 Million Stem Cell Grant

By Richard Brenneman

Thursday, May 15

Riya Bhattacharjee

Rita McIntyre (left), mother of Maceo Smith, talks to a police detective right after her son was shot to death near the Douglas Parking Lot in broad daylight Tuesday.