Union City Mayor Carol Dutra-Vernaci and the City Council kicked off a intensive outreach effort last month to stop the spread of the coronavirus by encouraging residents to wear masks and follow social distancing guidelines. But Dutra-Vernaci, who is facing… Read More ›
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ALCO Dems denied endorsements to candidates taking police money, the plan appears to have worked
In July, Alameda County Democrats approved a resolution barring any prospective candidate in the November election from receiving the local party’s endorsement if they had or intend to accept campaign contributions from police unions. The resolution, backed by Oakland civil… Read More ›
Hayward police chief apologizes for saying city council is ignorant
Hayward Police Chief Toney Chaplin apologized last week for saying Hayward City Council members were ignorant of the department’s day-to-day activities. Chaplin, a former San Francisco interim police chief, who was tapped to lead the Hayward Police Department in July… Read More ›
Biden chooses Harris, a former Alameda County prosecutor, as his running mate
Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden chose Sen. Kamala Harris, an East Bay native, as his running mate. “I have the great honor to announce that I’ve picked Kamala Harris — a fearless fighter for the little guy, and one… Read More ›
Alameda County supervisors end summer session by approving a flurry of covid-19 relief programs
Alameda County supervisors wrapped up business prior to their month-long August recess with a number of items intended to help residents cope with the coronavirus, including a pilot program to offer a stipend to those recuperating from the virus, and… Read More ›
Khanna, Sanders, propose medical masks for all
With the number of coronavirus cases surging in many parts of the country, including California, and locally, in Alameda County, Rep. Ro Khanna, along with Sen. Bernie Sanders introduced a bill on Tuesday to mail a medical mask to all… Read More ›
Hayward: Task force to study lowering annual rent increase cap, but not before odd exchange involving mayor
During a somewhat routine update to Hayward’s rent stabilization ordinance last week in which certain tweaks and language intended to align the ordinance with changes in state law were offered by city staff, Hayward Councilmember Aisha Wahab sought a significant… Read More ›
Supervisors approve half-cent sales tax measure for the November ballot
The Alameda County Board of Supervisors will ask residents already struggling during a pandemic and economic downturn to give more to fund essential services after voting Tuesday to place a countywide half-cent sales tax measure on the November ballot. The… Read More ›
San Quentin inmates are being hospitalized in Alameda County; State eyes Glenn Dyer Jail to house inmates
Up to 16 inmates from San Quentin State Prison have been hospitalized in Alameda County hospitals, Health Care Services Agency Director Coleen Chawla said on Tuesday. As of Monday, there were 8-9 of those who remain hospitalized following a major… Read More ›
Alameda County Dems call on candidates to pledge they will not accept money from the sheriff, related police unions
A call from the statewide Democratic Party to rid itself of political contributions from police unions is filtering down to the local level. The Alameda County Democratic Party Central Committee approved a resolution on Wednesday that calls on elected officials… Read More ›
Alameda County health official asks state for clarity on reopening Oakland Zoo
A plea last week by Oakland Zoo officials to allow it to reopen soon or risk imminent closure due to the loss of revenue caused by the coronavirus has ignited great interest from the public and stoked financial efforts to… Read More ›
Rise in hospitalizations leads Alameda County to postpone next phase of reopening
The increase in new coronavirus cases and a recent rise in hospitalizations is leading public health officials in Alameda County to pull back efforts to allow additional businesses and activities to reopen. Similar to other counties in the Bay Area,… Read More ›
Gail Steele, long-time Alameda County supervisor, advocate for children, dies
Gail Steele, one of the legends of Alameda County politics, died on Friday morning. Steele represented the Hayward and parts of Tri-Cities on the Alameda County Board of Supervisors from 1992-2010. She also served eight years on the Hayward City… Read More ›
Alameda police chief moved to vastly reduce calls for service rules without input from city officials
While Alameda largely avoided the type of civil unrest seen in neighboring cities earlier this month, an incident involving the arrest of Mali Watkins, an Alameda resident who is black, for dancing and exercising in the street on May 23,… Read More ›
Alameda County declares countywide curfew, Berkeley mayor pushes back
On a day when several East Bay cities announced nighttime curfews following a weekend of unrest, Alameda County declared a countywide curfew set to begin at 8 p.m. on Monday night. As opposed to some local curfews initiated on Monday… Read More ›
San Leandro woman distributed anti-Asian screed in Heron Bay neighborhood
A San Leandro woman was arrested by police on May 22 after posting anti-Asian literature on homes in the city’s Heron Bay neighborhood. Nancy Arechiga, 52, was taken into custoday and booked at Santa Rita Jail. She was later released… Read More ›
Oakland bishop will reopen churches ‘when it’s safe to do so,’ considers holding Mass outdoors
Oakland Catholic Diocese Bishop Michael Barber said on Wednesday that churches in the East Bay will reopen whenever it is safe and measures for maintaining social distancing during Mass are being created. Barber also suggested the possibility of holding Mass… Read More ›
Hayward: Wahab calls out mayor to place Asian anti-discrimination referral on the agenda
A proposed resolution in Hayward to call out documented increases of discrimination against Asian Americans is facing difficulty getting on the city council agenda. A referral by Hayward Councilmember Aisha Wahab asking the council to discuss the proposed resolution was… Read More ›
Alameda County sheriffs deputies union at the center of a consequential case for organized labor
Oral arguments in the California Supreme Court began last Tuesday in a case filed by the Deputy Sheriffs Association of Alameda County union that represents another battle in the war between public employee unions, their pensions, versus local municipalities. With… Read More ›
Elon Musk’s bid to reopen Fremont Tesla plant is rebuffed; sues Alameda County
Tesla founder Elon Musk has tussled with Alameda County officials in an effort to reopen its sprawling Fremont plant on several occasions since a shelter in place was ordered in March. A plan to resume work on Friday afternoon was… Read More ›
Alameda County Dems ask AG to investigate fatal shooting by San Leandro Police
Alameda County Democratic Party leaders approved a resolution to urge the state attorney general to investigate the April 18 fatal shooting of Steven Taylor by San Leandro Police. The resolution was conceived by Pamela Price, a member of the committee… Read More ›
Hayward to give $500 to residents ineligible for unemployment benefits
Hayward residents who are not able to access unemployment benefits can apply for a $500 grant from the city’s relief fund. The Hayward City Council approved the grants Tuesday night as part of a $400,000 total allocation to the Hayward… Read More ›
Covid-19 is hitting unincorporated Alameda County hard and local MACs haven’t met since pandemic started
Residents in the unincorporated areas of Alameda County often describe a sense of being an afterthought for county leaders. The resentment was furthered this month when some in unincorporated areas called for Alameda County health officials to provide detailed information… Read More ›
San Leandro approves Monarch Bay agreement, but officials voice displeasure with developer
After yet another series of setbacks, San Leandro’s long-anticipated development of its marina appears back on track. The San Leandro City Council approved a development agreement with Cal-Coast Companies, LLC on Monday night, but not without a number of councilmembers… Read More ›
Alameda: Oddie says plan to delay minimum wage is a ‘colossal f–k you’ to low-wage workers
Alameda Councilmember Jim Oddie is upset about a proposal to delay an increase in the city’s minimum wage to $15 an hour for up to one year because of the impacts of covid-19. The city council will discuss the proposal… Read More ›
10th resident to die from covid-19 at Hayward nursing home is Union City councilman’s grandmother
The grandmother of Union City Councilmember Jaime Patiño died from covid-19 on Monday night, he announced. “Grandma Emma Patiño’s journey on this Earth ended and she went to Heaven to be with the Lord. No more suffering. No more worries…. Read More ›
East Bay Insiders – Episode 19 – Covid-15 minimum wage delay
The shelter in place continues. Steve Tavares and Shawn Wilson, however, sort of like the new routine presented by the covid-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, they discuss the potential for delays in raising the minimum wage spreading across the East Bay. Happy… Read More ›
Alameda County supes will investigate Alameda Health System; propose new governance model
The Alameda County Board of Supervisors will investigate allegations made by hospital workers that Alameda Health System hospitals were unprepared for the pandemic and have failed to protect employees during the covid-19 crisis, they said this week. In addition, Alameda… Read More ›
East Bay Insiders – Episode 18 – Shelter in place
After a nearly month-long hiatus as Steve Tavares and Shawn Wilson help save Alameda County from the coronavirus, “We’re baaaaaaaack!” Shawn moved in with his better half right in the smack of the shelter in place. Meanwhile, our lives, like… Read More ›