Latest News in Oakland, CA

Alameda County says it cut ties with ICE. This program says otherwise.

Alameda County officials claim to have severed ties with ICE, yet they received over $1 million from a federal program that requires sharing sensitive information about undocumented immigrants. Despite a public commitment to a “zero contact policy” with ICE, local leaders defend their participation in the program, which some jurisdictions have abandoned to protect immigrant rights. Advocates argue that funding from immigration enforcement can compromise local policing practices.

Parole agent fatally shot in Oakland, suspect taken into custody after massive search

Parole agent Joshua Byrd, 40, was fatally shot in East Oakland on Thursday, prompting authorities to arrest 48-year-old Bryan Keith Hall. Governor Gavin Newsom ordered flags at half-staff to honor Byrd, who leaves behind a wife and three children. This incident marks the first line-of-duty death for California's Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation since 2018.

Crews battle 2-alarm fire at unoccupied building in Oakland's Chinatown

Firefighters extinguished a 2-alarm fire at a vacant apartment building in Oakland's Chinatown on Wednesday night. The blaze, reported around 10 p.m., involved 35 firefighters who contained it by 11 p.m. The cause remains under investigation.

Proposal to swap housing for green space at Estuary Park roils community

Signature Development Group seeks to convert a designated public park space into housing in Oakland's Brooklyn Basin neighborhood, sparking community opposition. The proposed change affects Parcel N of the Estuary Park expansion, which had recently received city council approval. Community members argue that the housing development would obstruct public access to vital green space.

Emeryvilles Baby Cafe and Walnut Creeks SanDai shutter in June

Baby Cafe and Rotten City Pizza closed in Emeryville, while The Rendez Vous in Oakland and SanDai in Walnut Creek also shut their doors. SanDai's coffee and pastry business will continue, but the restaurant faced challenges with foot traffic and high rent.

Family and friends mourn East Oakland caretaker after fatal hit-and-run

Rose Banks, a 59-year-old nursing assistant, died in a hit-and-run while crossing at 82nd and Bancroft avenues in Oakland on July 7. Family members seek justice and answers, expressing their devastation over her death and the lack of timely communication from authorities about her whereabouts. The Oakland Police Department is investigating the incident, with concerns raised about the dangerous nature of the intersection.

21 tons of illegally dumped garbage cleared by dozens of volunteers in Oakland

Fifty-one volunteers removed 21 tons of illegally dumped debris from Wood Street in Oakland, California. The Urban Compassion Project organized the cleanup, highlighting ongoing challenges with illegal dumping and homelessness in the area. City officials noted enforcement difficulties and the high costs of legal disposal.

Bishop pleads guilty to defrauding Oakland AME Zion church of 2 million

Staccato Powell, a former bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, pleaded guilty to defrauding California congregations out of $14 million through fraudulent loans. He and an associate misled pastors to transfer church property deeds to their private company, using the properties as collateral for high-interest loans. Powell faces up to 20 years in prison at his sentencing hearing scheduled for September 23.

Ticketing stolen cars is a problem in Oakland, grand jury report says

Oakland residents face challenges with stolen vehicles receiving parking tickets, as highlighted by an Alameda County grand jury report. The city's parking control lacks technology to identify stolen cars, leading to financial burdens for victims. Oakland plans to update its parking citation system to address this issue.

California Waste Solutions key player in Oakland FBI case loses land deal at former Army Base

Oakland officials terminated a lease with California Waste Solutions (CWS) for a recycling facility at the former Army Base, citing overdue documentation and unpaid fees. CWS executives had requested multiple extensions but failed to meet the city's requirements, prompting the termination announcement. Local residents had long sought the project's relocation to address air quality concerns in nearby neighborhoods.