TBS Today, Sept. 1

First, while I have your attention: If anyone knows an event coordinator looking for a very short-term gig, please hit me up with suggestions. Just reply to this email to share your tips.

Now onto the news.

We've just published a story about a Berkeley arrest this week — the one on Fresno involving the helicopter. It turns out to have a lot of layers.

Police say a Berkeley teenager who worked inside Mechanics Bank (but for a different company) followed two women home and violently robbed them in July.

He's also been charged with at least one other robbery and is facing allegations that he pistol-whipped his own sister and knocked her teeth out last year.

Police: Worker followed women from Berkeley bank, robbed them

Jordan Gaines “denied any involvement and did not express any sympathy when shown photos of the injuries sustained by the victims,” police wrote.

The Berkeley ScannerEmilie Raguso

We spent the morning in court to get the latest on the Phong Tran case. And it got a little chippy!

The judge raised serious questions about a key warrant in the case against Tran, the OPD homicide detective who is charged with perjury and bribery. He maintains his innocence.

Judge says he ‘was misled’ by DA in OPD perjury case

Attorneys for the case appeared in court Friday morning before Judge Scott Patton to discuss a search warrant related to Phong Tran’s cellphone.

The Berkeley ScannerEmilie Raguso

Remember: If you're on Twitter and would like timely alerts when we publish new stories, be sure to hit the bell icon on your Twitter app to turn on push notifications.

If you've been wondering about what's happening with Berkeley's new outdoor siren system, here's the city's statement about it. We'll be sharing more of the city's public safety announcements in the coming days.

Berkeley will now play ‘wailing siren tone’ in emergencies

Berkeley’s new outdoor warning system will advise about emergency action, which would differ depending on the disaster.

The Berkeley ScannerGuest contributor

We also updated our gunfire map this week, which we do after every shooting.

Berkeley gunfire map: Shootings and gunfire in 2023

As of Aug. 31, Berkeley has had 22 shootings in 2023, including one on the freeway. Five people had been wounded. None were fatal.

The Berkeley ScannerEmilie Raguso

And, speaking of updates, for website wonks and hardcore Scanner fans: Be sure to check out our newly designed footer, which includes lots of useful information and some of our projects: the Berkeley gunfire map, our data stories, our police data resource guide and our links to stories by neighborhood.

Wishing everyone a safe, relaxing weekend. We'll be catching up on emails, as always, but will also try hard to take a breather.

In case you missed it

Man set to serve 21 years after fatal Berkeley Hills shooting

Jessie McAllister, then 26, was charged with the murder of 39-year-old Alfred Charles Taylor Jr. at a home in the 1100 block of Glen Avenue.

The Berkeley ScannerEmilie Raguso

Gunfire on Bonar, police investigation underway

Arriving officers located rifle casings but have so far found no victims.

The Berkeley ScannerEmilie Raguso