TBS Today, Feb. 4

Three stories for you today: First, an ATM robbery attempt over the weekend.

Pair tries to rob woman at Berkeley ATM

Berkeley has had about a dozen robberies this year — a steep drop from historic, pre-pandemic averages of about one robbery a day.

The Berkeley ScannerEmilie Raguso

Also: A proposal from Berkeley's new mayor went down in defeat in recent weeks, revealing a fractured City Council getting off to a rocky start.

Dissent on the dais as motion from new Berkeley mayor fails

Cecilia Lunaparra criticized some of her council colleagues for using the “Trumpist tactic of silencing dissent.” Terry Taplin pushed back hard.

The Berkeley ScannerEmilie Raguso

More recently: Mayor Adena Ishii spoke candidly to community members Monday night about her first months on the job and what Berkeley can expect from her.

The Berkeley Democratic Club organized the event, which took place on Zoom.

Participants said they found Ishii smart, straightforward, introspective and refreshing — and also look forward to seeing how she grows as a leader.

Here are some of the highlights.

Berkeley Mayor Adena Ishii on her first month in office

Ishii offered insights on her plans to get critical work done and build unity across divisive issues.

The Berkeley ScannerEmilie Raguso

As a reminder, we're heading on vacation this coming Thursday so coverage will be limited in the next week (although we will continue publishing).

In other news

Several updates to share about recent stories.

No new details were available today about the person who died or the person who sustained critical injuries in Monday's house fire. We'll keep asking.

We're sad to report that the family pet, a small dog BFD rescued, also died after the fire despite life-saving efforts.

UPDATE: 1 dead, 1 critical after Berkeley house fire

Firefighters broke a window to get inside, performing a tactic known as a “vent, enter, search” to complete the first rescue, BFD said.

The Berkeley ScannerEmilie Raguso

Regarding the sex crime we reported just off the Cal campus Sunday night: The Scanner learned after publication that the victim was a UC Berkeley student. The story has been updated.

UC Berkeley police investigate sexual battery near campus

The Scanner learned after publication that the victim was a student. This story has been updated.

The Berkeley ScannerEmilie Raguso

As of this week, BPD said there are no updates about the Cal student who was critically injured when he fell off his electric skateboard last week. He remains in critical condition.

UC Berkeley student, 19, in critical after skateboard crash

The teenager, who was not wearing a helmet, was riding an electric skateboard when he fell, police said. This story has been updated.

The Berkeley ScannerEmilie Raguso

BPD also confirmed that they have had no reports of a gun or ammunition being stolen from the department — counter to recent Citizen alerts.

From what we've been able to gather, this was an error on the part of the Citizen app.

In case you missed it

Berkeley police arrest teens in stolen car after foot chase

Passers-by who saw the pair running through the neighborhood frantically alerted police about where they were heading.

The Berkeley ScannerEmilie Raguso

Berkeley woman, 77, struck by hit-and-run driver

The force of the crash left the woman face down in the street, according to preliminary reports. The investigation is ongoing.

The Berkeley ScannerEmilie Raguso

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