By Lisette Mejia, Mission Local It could be a while longer before Dolores Park visitors get the renovated park they’ve been dreaming about. The Dolores Park Rehabilitation Project, which includes plans for new bathrooms, pathways and a multi-use building, is behind schedule and may not even go forward as agreed upon by the community. Delays […]
Yearly Archives: 2012
Posted inNews
Were California counties prepared for flood of inmates under realignment?
By Michael Montgomery, KQED’s California Report Last October, California embarked on an unprecedented overhaul of its criminal justice system, known as realignment. Under court order to ease prison overcrowding, the state shifted responsibility for thousands of felons to local counties. The state also gave money to the counties and broad discretion over how to spend […]
Posted inNews
Under new management: China Camp volunteers take charge
By Christine Sculati, Bay Nature After six months of fundraising, the nonprofit Friends of China Camp raised $250,000, enough money to take over operations of the cultural and historical landmark along the northwest shores of the San Francisco Bay. Just one day after assuming the state’s responsibilities, the news broke that the California Department of […]
Posted inEducation
Immigrants, a foster kid and a displaced worker rise to leadership at City College
After a harsh accreditation review detailing financial and administrative failures last month, City College of San Francisco has been given a year to prove itself worthy of accreditation or face the risk of closure. In the struggle to keep the school’s doors open, the possible loss of accreditation would affect more than 120,000 City College students, faculty and staff. Here, in their own words, are some of their stories.
Posted inNews
S.F. archdiocese denies crackdown on drag queens at church events
By Laird Harrison, KQED News Fix When Salvatore Cordileone took over as the Catholic archbishop of San Francisco, academics I interviewed said he might pressure churches that welcome lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender people. They noted that he has campaigned actively against same-sex marriage. That was July 27. Now, reports are surfacing that Most Holy […]
Posted inMuni, Transportation
Muni’s all-door boarding plan sees modest improvements in waiting times
Muni’s all-door boarding policy that went into effect July 1 appears to be working – although riders on at least one line are complaining about everyone not lining up at the front. A transit agency report found that passengers spent less time waiting at bus stops for riders to board while use of the back door became more frequent.
Posted inCity Hall, Muni, Transportation
Muni train switchbacks insult San Francisco riders, says watchdog panel
Hate it when you’re late to work because the Muni driver tells you to get off the train? You’re not the only one. San Francisco’s civil grand jury — a kind of officially sanctioned panel of city residents who report on what doesn’t work in county government — recommended on Thursday that Muni officials do away with the practice of switchbacks. That’s when riders are forced off a Muni train before it makes its usual final stop, and heads in the opposite direction to make up for lost time elsewhere. Muni downplayed the report. “We recognize that anytime you do a switchback, it has an inconvenience to the riders,” Haley said. “So we do everything we can to minimize that,” said John Haley, Muni’s director of operations.
Posted inEducation, Social Justice
Community college chancellor’s advice for City College met with lukewarm reception
The chancellor of the California community college system came to town to offer some advice on tackling City College of San Francisco’s problems, but found few takers for his counsel.
Posted inBay Area, Environment
Poll: Air pollution takes heaviest toll on black, Latino communities
Monday night’s large crude-oil fire at the Chevron oil refinery in Richmond, which produced a towering column of acrid black smoke and aroused widespread panic in the area, served as a dramatic backdrop to new research showing that minorities and low-income people believe they bear the brunt of health problems related to air pollution.
Posted inNews
California may choose ‘trust’ over Secure Communities program
By Mariel Waloff, Crosscurrents from KALW News It’s been a busy season for immigration issues. In June, President Obama announced that he would halt the deportations of undocumented immigrants who came to the United States as minors. A week and a half later, the Supreme Court struck down most of Arizona’s controversial immigration law, SB […]