TBS Today, Oct. 27

Today's court story is the latest on the Butch Ford misdemeanor case filed in July by DA Pamela Price.

Price claims Ford broke the law by helping a defendant while he worked for her.

Ford says he's done nothing wrong and that Price is going after him because he's a whistleblower.

Here's the latest, hot off the presses.

Price critic facing misdemeanor demands speedy trial

Price says Ford helped a defendant while he was an Alameda County prosecutor. Ford says Price is going after him because he’s a whistleblower.

The Berkeley ScannerEmilie Raguso

We also reported (briefly) on last night's armed robbery at the Smokehouse on Telegraph Avenue.

Masked men with gun rob the Smokehouse in Berkeley

Robberies in Berkeley are up 24% over this time last year, with about 310 robberies in 2023, according to BPD data.

The Berkeley ScannerEmilie Raguso

Our friends at @ScanBerkeley tweeted that there is a "protest/demonstration planned for 1pm on Sproul Plaza. Security and UCPD will be present." He plans to tweet updates.

If you see helicopters in Berkeley, that may well be why.

We're hoping to spend the rest of the day catching up on stories, emails and other work — if breaking news doesn't intervene.

Saturday: aPAWcalypse adoption event at Berkeley Humane (fee waived!)

Berkeley Humane is hosting its first Halloween adoption event "where the tricks look a lot like 'sit, stay, and bark' and the treats all taste like bacon."

aPAWcalypse, a fee-waived adoption event, takes place at 2700 Ninth St. on Saturday, Oct. 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

"More than 40 Franken-kittens, puppy gremlins, voodoo dogs, and mystical cats will all be ready to go home to your haunted mansions," Berkeley Humane says.

The adoption package includes a temporary leash or carrier, $250 worth of medical care with VCA Animal Hospitals, a certificate for a free examination at a local vet, 30 days of free pet insurance and a 30% discount on dog training classes through Train the Bay.

Learn more on the Berkeley Humane aPAWcalypse event page.

Also Saturday (reminder): Halloween Kidical Mass

Scanner families: Mark your calendar for what looks to be a great event next weekend: A Halloween Kidical Mass bike ride in Berkeley capped off with an ice cream truck party, Saturday, Oct. 28, at 1 p.m.

Kids, caregivers and anyone who wants to support kids biking are welcome. See the full event listing and route map on Eventbrite.

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