Customs quarantined, charter teachers get contracts, and an effort is underway to start school later
Ballot Initiative
The Alameda Renters Coalition filed a ballot initiative to cap rent increases and put an end to no-cause evictions. The group needs 6,461 signatures by April 23 to get on the November ballot.
Unexplained Illness
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection office at Mariner Square was quarantined when an agricultural inspector fell ill and was hospitalized after opening a suspicious envelope. Two other of the 16 employees also felt sick, but crews found no hazardous materials.Ratified Contract
Teachers, counselors, and staff at Nea Community Learning Center and Alameda Community Learning Center ratified their first bargaining agreement. The employees unionized under the California Teachers Association in 2013.
Westward Development
Dannan Development hopes to turn a vacant commercial lot at 1435 Webster St. into a three-story mixed-use building with housing, commercial space, and parking.
Petition Started
Parents Karie Frasch and Ann Rogers want to change the starting times of Alameda schools so teens can get more sleep. They want middle and high schools to start no earlier than 8:30 a.m. and suggest a 9 a.m. start for high schools and plan to present a petition to the school district this spring.
Still Missing
The founder of John Beck Amazing Profits remains missing. The Alameda resident touted a get-rich-quick real estate investment scheme that got him sideways with the FTC. He disappeared in February instead of showing up for a bankruptcy hearing.
Green Ribbon
Bay Farm School was awarded a California Green Ribbon Schools Award and named a Green Achiever. The award recognizes schools for excellence in resource efficiency, health and wellness, and environmental and sustainability education.
Polarion Sold
Polarion Software Inc. was sold to Siemens, which intends to integrate Polarion’s application lifecycle management expertise into its offerings.
New Businesses
The Downtown Alameda Business Association reports these newcomers to the business district: Home Skillet, Pretty in Ink, The Body Center, and Vietnam House. And these are in the works: Boyd’s Barbecue, Causewear, i-Tea, and Town Tavern.
