The racetrack first opened in 1941. The owner group announced it was consolidating operations and moving horses to Southern California.
Alex N. Gecan
Alex N. Gecan joined Berkeleyside in 2023 as a senior reporter covering public safety. He has covered criminal justice, courts and breaking and local news for The Middletown Press, Stamford Advocate and Connecticut Post in Connecticut, Asbury Park Press on the Jersey Shore and the Marin Independent Journal.
Posted inCity
Berkeley says ‘yes’ to psychedelics — with limits
The city will stop enforcing federal and state bans on psilocybin and other entheogenic fungi and plants with an eye toward public health benefits — but selling or giving psychedelics away is still forbidden in Berkeley.
Posted inPolice
Pair caught with ghost gun, luxury cars linked to stolen ID scam are sentenced
Police said the two were in possession of personal identifying information of nearly 300 potential victims. Each got a two-year sentence: prison for one, probation for the other.
Posted inCrime & Safety
Berkeley staffing crisis slows services, burns out workers, audit finds
Approximately 19% of city positions were vacant as of October 2022, according to the report. The city can’t offer as many services, employees are burning out and HR can’t keep up with turnover.
Posted inCity
Berkeley closes roads for July 4th fire safety, reminds of fireworks ban
Officials asked residents to help prevent injuries and forest fires by foregoing fireworks entirely, particularly in the Berkeley Hills, where fires can spread especially quickly.
Posted inBusiness
Berkeley seeks tax relief for struggling cannabis dispensaries
A municipal sales tax relief program for cannabis dispensaries would take effect retroactively to January. The City Council is close to a final vote on the program.
Posted inCity
Berkeley’s $729M budget puts a pause on police reform programs
Advocates say they fear Berkeley is abandoning its vision for public safety. Officials say they still want to create departments of community safety and transportation, among other reforms, once the citywide staffing crisis abates.
Posted inCity
Most Berkeley residents will see trash pickup fees riseÂ
Berkeley trash customers with the smallest containers will see the highest percent increase over the next five fiscal years. Officials say their hands were tied by a decades-old ballot measure.
Posted inCrime & Safety
BPD hopes new plate readers will combat auto theft, other crimes
One nearby city saw a 33% decrease in auto theft and a 35% increase in arrests related to auto thefts after putting their readers into use, police said.
Posted inCity
Toxic fireballs: E-bike, scooter batteries spark series of blazes in Berkeley
In March and April, the Berkeley Fire Department responded to six fires sparked by electric scooter, bike and skateboard batteries.
Posted inCity
Caltrans crew shot at working on I-80 in Berkeley
The 14-person crew was working near the University Avenue off-ramp.
Posted inCity
Berkeley Council OK’s new surveillance camera policy
City police and officials have said the upgrade will help them crack down on a number of crimes that have spiked in recent years such as shootings and catalytic converter thefts.
