Your trusted source for local Oakland, CA news, updated daily with the most important stories from your community.
Longtime dahlia growers Chris Dix and Curtis Maxwell prepare for a competition show at The Gardens at Lake Merritt on August 30-31. They cultivate vibrant dahlias, which they cross-pollinate to create unique varieties, and manage the garden with no city funding. The event is free to attend, with parking available for $5.
Four youth leaders from Youth Alive presented a workshop on violence prevention to community members in Oakland, emphasizing the connection between violence and socioeconomic factors. The interactive session highlighted the importance of empowering young people to break the cycle of violence through education and advocacy.
Twelve-year-old Roger Thomas discovered dismembered body parts in San Francisco Bay's tule reeds on August 23, 1925, leading to the infamous “Tule Marsh Murder” investigation. Police found golden hair and a severed ear, suggesting a young woman had been brutally killed. Despite extensive investigations, the case was never solved, reflecting societal issues of the time, including women's reproductive rights and the rise of white supremacist groups.
Tteokguk, a traditional Korean rice cake soup, is typically enjoyed on New Year’s Day but is available year-round in Oakland. The dish is praised for its rich, restorative qualities, making it a local favorite.
Teachers at United For Success Academy in Oakland raised over $2,300 for aluminum water bottles due to ongoing unsafe drinking water issues in the district. Despite the Oakland Unified School District's claims of providing water dispensing machines, many students are still without adequate access to safe drinking water. Assistant Principal Cass Chen and teacher Maura McMichael expressed concerns about the impact of lead contamination on children's health.
JPMorgan Chase will host a financial education event for parents and nonprofits on Sept. 26 in Oakland, aimed at fostering financial literacy among children. This initiative encourages parents to engage their kids in discussions about money management, budgeting, and saving habits. The event is open to all, and registration is recommended.
BRAVE Bay Area announced its permanent closure at the end of September, marking a significant loss for sexual assault survivors in Oakland. Founded in 1971, BRAVE was the first rape crisis center in the U.S., providing essential support services. The organization faced closure due to alleged financial mismanagement, leaving survivors with fewer resources.
The city of Oakland allowed Auto Plus Towing to operate on a contaminated site previously occupied by the AB&I metal foundry, raising concerns among residents about environmental safety. Despite a history of toxic emissions and a remediation process, abandoned and burned vehicles began arriving at the site, prompting outrage from community advocates. Alameda County confirmed that the towing company's activities violated deed restrictions intended to protect the environment.
A historic building overlooking Oakland's Lake Merritt has been relisted for sale after failed plans to develop it into a hub for a San Francisco private club. Originally opened in 1929 as the Women's Athletic Club, the Bellevue was purchased for $9.9 million in 2021 but struggled financially, leading to its closure during the pandemic. The new owners did not disclose detailed plans for the property before deciding to sell.
Oakland Unified School District's Highway to Work program trains high school graduates for careers in healthcare, offering internships in emergency medical roles. The program, which recently added 30 graduates, provides hands-on experience and certification opportunities, enabling students like Victor Chan and Maricarmen Diaz Montoya to pursue nursing degrees while gaining vital skills.