Berkeley’s plastic bag ban could get a whole lot tougher
Plastic bags in the produce aisle and thicker bags for groceries and takeout would be banned under a proposal in its early stages.
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.
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Articles by Nico
Berkeley’s vaccination requirement goes into effect Friday
Proof of vaccination will be required at restaurants, bars, clubs, gyms, dance and yoga studios, and events with at least 1,000 attendees. Also: theaters where food or drinks are sold.
The debate that could change the future of housing in Berkeley: How do you define a shadow?
City leaders are launching a new effort to create “objective standards” that could determine how easy it is to build in Berkeley.
Berkeley to require proof of vaccination at indoor restaurants, bars, gyms and more
Workers at those businesses and several others will also be required either to get vaccinated or receive weekly COVID-19 tests.
Developer proposes 17-story apartment building across from UC Berkeley
If past attempts to raise tall apartment buildings in downtown Berkeley are any indication, the plans could prove contentious.
Echo Lake Camp: ‘No threat’ and no damage as defense from Caldor Fire winds down
One firefighter was injured during operations Tuesday but is recovering. Crews are planning to return to Berkeley soon.
Video: Echo Lake Camp buildings survive Caldor Fire
Berkeley fire crews are still working to protect the facility as the Caldor Fire burns nearby and sends spot fires onto the property, Scott Ferris said late Tuesday.
Update: Firefighters forced to retreat from Berkeley’s Echo Lake Camp as Caldor Fire advances
“The fire has crested over the hill and is coming down towards the camp,” the city’s parks director said Monday afternoon.
Air quality alert issued as wildfire smoke descends on Bay Area
Air quality is expected to be unhealthy for sensitive groups in much of the Bay Area, and unhealthy for everyone at higher elevations.
Gavin Newsom’s recall defense heats up in Berkeley
Democrats are ramping up their defense against the effort to recall Gov. Gavin Newsom with a barrage of text messages and campus canvassing.
Plans for new Willard Park clubhouse are in the works
No, there won’t be any “corporate-style office park,” as flyers posted in the neighborhood and on social media falsely claimed.
Energy secretary visits Berkeley, touting app to speed up solar permits
The Biden administration wants to get more Americans to install solar panels by making the permitting process faster and easier.
New developer eyes controversial site downtown for student housing
The project would rise on the downtown Berkeley block where another developer planned an 18-story building.
Berkeley moves toward COVID-19 vaccine mandate for city workers
The proposed policy would require city workers to get vaccinated against COVID-19 by Oct. 15. Exceptions to the mandate would be limited.
‘They can do more’: City pushes Bayer to boost $30M community benefits package
Bayer has proposed annual community benefits payments to Berkeley that would start at $720,000 and grow to $1.3 million by 2052.
Mayor calls for mandatory COVID-19 vaccines, or testing, for city workers
Berkeley mayor Jesse Arreguín said he wants the city to require its workers to receive COVID-19 vaccines, or be tested for the virus regularly.
