Serious Crime in Piedmont: A Mid-Year Report

Here's an advance look at some statistics from Interim Police Chief Scott Wyatt's report on serious crimes in Piedmont from January to June, 2012, with comparisons to 2011. The report will be presented to the City Council at its July 16 meeting.

Rec Commission Hearing on Beach Playfield

The Recreation Commission will revisit the question of use of the playfield by organized groups during the first of two public hearings on Wednesday, July 18. One option may be establishing two fields, with one reserved for children and families.

President Obama to Visit Piedmont July 23

Tickets for the fundraising dinner at a private home are $35,800 per person.

Alleys and Lanes: Should Setback Rules Apply?

Possible future changes to the rules governing building setbacks and fencing on the city's lanes, alleys and shared driveways are on the agenda for today's Planning Commission meeting.

City Parcel Tax Will Be on November Ballot

The Piedmont City Council on Monday evening also took action on cable TV franchising and a countywide clean water and urban runoff agreement.

Grading System for Alameda County Restaurants

Diners in Alameda County will now know more about the health and safety of the food being prepared in the restaurants they choose.

New California Laws Go into Effect July 1

From stricter hygiene standards for body piercing to help for children being bullied at school, there are a host of new state laws you should be aware of

Council to Decide on Parcel Tax Renewal Vote

The city's muncipal services tax will expire at the end of fiscal year 2012-2013 unless Piedmont voters approve its renewal.

Board of Education Approves PUSD Budget

Also: Roy Tolles' last meeting as board president and a registration day for students new to the district.

Piedmonters Air Views on Police Chief, Issues

Only a handful of residents turned out for Thursday night's town hall meeting on police issues and the selection of a new police chief, but they had some innovative ideas.

Town Hall Thursday on Picking Police Chief

Piedmont residents are also urged to air other comments and questions about the workings of the Piedmont Police Department.

County Probation Chief David Muhammad Resigns

An internal investigation found no evidence to support an employee's allegations of sexual assault and harassment, county officials said.

Police Continue to Monitor Lakeview Protest

Parents and teachers are protesting the closure of the Oakland elementary school on Grand Avenue, near the Grand Lake Theater.

Bay-Friendly Landscaping Ordinance Fizzles

The Piedmont City Council on Monday night declined to move forward with a controversial Bay-friendly landscaping ordinance.

Police Warn Lakeview School Protesters

Parents and teachers have staged a four-day sit-in to protest the closure of Lakeview Elementary School, 746 Grand Ave., by the Oakland Unified School District.

Alameda Soccer Fields an Option Again?

Could Piedmont soccer teams return to Alameda in the future?

BART to Try "Bike Fridays" – All Day OK for Bicycles

BART cooperated with bike coalitions in the East Bay and San Francisco on a plan to test "Bike Fridays" in August. The pilot program will allow bikes on board at any time on Friday, even during rush hours.

Oakland Fire Causes Major BART Disruptions

BART's Transbay Tube was shut down early this morning after a three-alarm fire near the West Oakland BART station. Limited BART service to San Francisco is expected to resume this afternoon.

Project Will Make Ramona-Ronada Crossing Safe

The Piedmont Beautification Foundation is raising funds to help pay for a new, landscaped median at the corner of Ramona and Ronada avenues.

Caltrans: Retract Story on Bay Bridge Flaws

Caltrans is calling for the Sacramento Bee to retract an article that questioned the structural integrity of the new east span.

Town Hall Meeting on Picking New Police Chief

Piedmont residents are encouraged to provide their ideas on the qualities they would like to see in the person chosen to replace retiring Police Chief John Hunt. They are also invited to comment on police issues.

Budget Committee: City Pay, Benefit Practices Are 'Unsustainable'

The Budget Advisory and Financial Planning Committee tackles a range of issues in its report to the Piedmont City Council

"Pre-morial" — An Accident Waiting to Happen?

Rose Avenue residents take unusual action to draw attention to speeding problems on their street.

Vinyl Seats Win Big in BART 'Tush Test'

It was no contest. BART surveyed random passengers on whether they like the new vinyl seats or the old wool fabric ones. Vinyl was favored by three-fourths; wool by only a tenth. So we'll see more vinyl seats, and requests for rider feedback.

Weekend Voting Hours for Primary Election

No time to vote on Tuesday? You can cast your ballot Saturday or Sunday at the County Courthouse in Oakland, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

BART Stations Take On Literary Air With New Posters

BART stations may not be art galleries, but they are adding posters of original artwork by an acclaimed artist representing famous books by writers connected to the Bay Area.

Bilingual Poll Workers Needed for June 5 Election

The Alameda County Registrar of Voters still needs poll workers fluent in Chinese, Spanish, Tagalog/Filipino or Vietnamese.

City's Top Staff 'Will Take Home Less Money'

The Piedmont City Council approves new employment conditions for for city department heads.

Bus Stops on Lake Park Temporarily Closed

Westbound stops at Lakeshore and at Wesley Way will be closed through July 10.

City Council: FOMC Lawsuit, New Police Chief

Also on tonight's agenda: a new benefits package for the city's management employees.

The Rite of Spring: City's Budget Workshop

Pizza, coffee, a one-pound municipal budget and a bunch of people spending a lovely spring day indoors.

City Budget: Piedmont in 'Modestly Good Shape'

A budget workshop Saturday is the first of three public airings of the city's proposed 2012-2013 municipal budget

Bay-Friendly Landscaping to Planning Board

Also on the Piedmont Planning Commission's Monday night agenda: more than a dozen variances, design reviews and second-unit items

Health Benefits on Budget Committee's Agenda

The committee will meet in the Emergency Operations Center on Tuesday

Middle School Sports on Rec Commission Agenda

The Piedmont Recreation Commission meets Wednesday evening

Traffic Amnesty Program for Old, Unpaid Fines

Fines may be cut in half for violators with overdue traffic tickets. The amnesty program ends June 30.

June Monach Receives Arthur Hecht Award

The education advocate and former school board member received the 2012 Arthur Hecht Volunteer of the Year award at Wednesday night's Piedmont Board of Education meeting

City Council Formally Drops Blair Park Plan

Council members did not take any action on the project's environmental impact report

Advisory Committee Looks at New City Budget

Piedmont's proposed municipal budget for fiscal year 2012-2013 will be available to the public on the city website today

June Primary Vote-by-Mail Period Opens

You may request a vote-by-mail ballot through May 29 at 5 p.m.