Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O’Malley (center) with office spokeswoman Teresa Drenick (right) and Chief Assistant District Attorney Kevin Dunleavy on June 25, 2015 when they announced they were launching a criminal investigation into the June 16 Berkeley balcony collapse. Photo: Emilie Raguso Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O’Malley (center) with office spokeswoman Teresa Drenick […]
balcony collapse
Posted inCommunity
Berkeley first responders join parade in Dublin, Ireland
Berkeley first responders, inluding, far right, BPD Officer Jitendra Singh, and second from right, BPD Officer Stephanie Polizziani, march in the St. Patrick Day’s Parade in Dublin, Ireland, on March 17, 2016. Photo: courtesy Berkeley Deputy Fire Chief Donna McCracken Berkeley first responders, inluding, far right, BPD Officer Jitendra Singh, and second from right, BPD […]
Posted inCity
402 Berkeley buildings found to need fixes after launch of inspection program spurred by balcony collapse
Last year’s deadly balcony collapse at Library Gardens prompted the creation of a new building inspection program. Photo: David Yee Last year’s deadly balcony collapse at Library Gardens prompted the creation of a new building inspection program. Photo: David Yee Inspections performed in Berkeley since last year’s deadly balcony collapse at Library Gardens found more […]
Posted inOpinion
Op-ed: Library Gardens before and after the tragedy
Mold at Library Gardens. Photo, taken on March 4, 2015 after a Feb. 27 pipe failure, by Devisadaria Duchine-Khauli In 2009, moving to Library Gardens seemed like a dream come true. It’s within walking distance to transportation, restaurants, movie theatres, schools, colleges, workout facilities, the library and city offices, not to mention its scenic downtown […]
Posted inNosh
Café Clem revamps to cope with labor, food costs
When the popular downtown Berkeley French-style café abruptly shut its doors, its loyal patrons were worried. But it’s back, albeit in a slightly different form.
Posted inCommunity
Berkeley balcony collapse: Contractor used inferior wood and owner ignored signs of rot, including mushrooms sprouting from the surface, lawsuits allege
The balcony at Library Gardens that collapsed June 16, killing six and injuring seven. Lawsuits were filed against the owners, managers, contractors, subcontractors and others Thursday. Photo: Emily Dugdale The contractor for Library Gardens used inferior wood to construct the balcony that collapsed June 16, and allowed it to be saturated by rain before enclosing […]
Posted inCommunity, Crime & Safety
Irish president visits Berkeley to give thanks
Irish President Michael Higgins visited Berkeley to thank the community for its response to the deadly balcony collapse in June. Photo: Emilie Raguso Irish President Michael Higgins visited Berkeley on Wednesday to thank first responders for their compassionate response to the tragic balcony collapse in June that killed six and injured seven young students, most of […]
Posted inCommunity
Irish president to visit Berkeley, honor first responders
Irish President Michael Higgins (courtesy) Irish President Michael Higgins will visit Berkeley next week to speak with students, honor first responders and community members who helped after June’s fatal balcony collapse, and plant trees with Berkeley Mayor Tom Bates. Monday, Oct. 26, Higgins is set to talk to UC Berkeley students in the Chevron Auditorium […]
Posted inCrime & Safety, Housing & Development
DA hopes to find cause of water intrusion that led to Berkeley balcony collapse
A balcony at Library Gardens in downtown Berkeley collapsed in June, killing six. Photo: Emily Dugdale The Alameda County district attorney’s office is hoping to determine the source of water intrusion that led a fifth-floor balcony to collapse in Berkeley in June, killing six and injuring seven. The tragedy at Library Gardens was an international story, […]
Posted inCrime & Safety, Housing & Development, Opinion
To City Council: A response to Berkeley balcony collapse
Once you own a hammer every problem looks like a nail. Over the past 20 years the City of Berkeley has had a number of deaths which have occurred in its rental housing stock. After each incident the response was the same: mandate inspections and charge the landlord. This rarely addresses the real problem but it […]
Posted inCrime & Safety, Housing & Development, Opinion
Op-ed: Berkeley should revisit its balcony code changes
There are a lot of questions swirling around regarding the City of Berkeley’s handling of its investigation into the Library Gardens balcony collapse. The recent new safety regulations passed by the City Council and believed by Berkeley Mayor Bates to be the toughest in the state, while welcomed, add much fuel to the controversy. Two […]
Posted inCommunity, Crime & Safety
Families of four balcony victims say ‘Thanks’
Hundreds gathered in Civic Center Park Sunday July 19 for a “Month’s Mind” to honor and remember those killed in the June 16 balcony collapse. Photo: Ted Friedman Hundreds gathered in Civic Center Park Sunday July 19 for a “Month’s Mind” to honor and remember those killed in the June 16 balcony collapse. Photo: Ted […]
