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🌱 Patch AM: How a Berkeley fraternity party turned into a wrongful-death lawsuit

Spotted on the Berkeley calendar: (Dec 29 - Jan 2) Winter Math Camp for Kids ages 6-16

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Good morning Berkeley! We're back again in your inbox, keeping you updated with what's happening in and around town. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • How a Berkeley fraternity party turned into a wrongful-death lawsuit
  • How will Berkeley’s new 5-foot fire buffer change your yard?
  • How Cal’s late surge at Haas Pavilion sealed a hard-fought win

Also on today's calendar: (Dec 29 - Jan 2) Winter Math Camp for Kids ages 6-16 and 9 more events.

Find out what's happening in Berkeleyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: Jimmy, did you crash on your bike again? You’ve lost a tooth! 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Berkeleyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Sunday: Fog, then some sun, with a high of 53 and low of 41 degrees.
  • Monday: Clouds and sun, temps: high: 58, low: 48.
  • Tuesday: Low clouds, with a high of 63 and low of 54 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Family Of Berkeley Student Who Drowned At Party Sues Fraternity: Report (patch.com) — A UC Berkeley student’s family has filed a negligence lawsuit after he was found unresponsive in a pool at a crowded fraternity party on Prospect Street, later dying at a local hospital. The suit targets the fraternity, UC Berkeley, and national leadership, citing alleged safety failures and city permit violations, while Berkeley police continue handling related citations and a case sent to the district attorney.
   

2. As California delays ‘zone zero' wildfire protection rules, study finds clearing vegetation prevented home damage in LA fires (mercurynews.com) — Berkeley will start enforcing new 5-foot vegetation clearance rules next year for about 1,000 homes in the Berkeley Hills, aiming to reduce wildfire risk like January’s Los Angeles fires. The story explains how similar “zone zero” standards protected homes, why statewide rules are delayed, and what local residents and researchers say about costs and safety tradeoffs.
   

3. Men's college basketball: Late run lifts Cal past NSU (bossierpress.com) — Cal men’s basketball edged Northwestern State 79–70 at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley after a tight game that was tied at halftime. A late Golden Bears run, fueled by hot shooting from John Camden, overcame a strong performance by NSU’s Izzy Miles and gave Cal its 10th win in one of the nation’s tougher home environments.
   

4. This CEO went back to college at 52, but says successful Gen Zers ‘forge their own path' (fortune.com subscription) — A tech CEO with deep ties to UC Berkeley returned in her 50s to finally complete a long-delayed degree, after first leaving school when her Berkeley apartment burned down. Her story highlights how Berkeley studies reshaped her thinking on careers, risk-taking, and passion, and offers advice for Gen Z students about forging their own paths beyond traditional expectations.
   

5. Trump's DOJ pressured lawyers to ‘find' evidence that UCLA and UC Berkeley had illegally tolerated antisemitism (berkeleyside.org) — Federal civil rights probes have zeroed in on UC Berkeley, with at least seven investigations into alleged antisemitism as part of a broader Trump administration campaign against the UC system. While the most severe funding freezes have hit UCLA so far, UC leaders fear future retaliation that could affect Berkeley’s research money, academic freedom, and campus policies. Berkeley faculty and legal experts are already playing key roles in challenging the administration’s tactics in court.
   

📸 Around Berkeley

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Assistance League Thrift Shop’s Half-Off Women’s Holiday Attire and Home Decor Event Rules! —Betty Miller Read on Patch
  • Assistance League Thrift Shop Men’s Designer Shirts Event Begins 12/16/23 —Betty Miller Read on Patch
  • URGENT - Paco will be euthanized tomorrow because BACS is at capacity
    The shelter sent out a notification to volunteers this evening that due to limited space the shelter has made the difficult decision to humanely… (Nextdoor Spruce Hill)
  • Dogs in the street.
    We have recently read some tragic stories of dogs being seriously injured or even killed after running into the street. This is a horrible tragedy… (Nextdoor Poet's Corner)
  • University of California Berkeley posted a job opening for Assistant Director, Compliance - Intercollegiate Athletics (05173U) #70612 - 70612 in Berkeley. Apply here.
  • Panda Restaurant Group posted a job opening for Shift Leader (P1-1473956-1) in Berkeley. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Berkeley here.

Ok Berkeley! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I didn’t lose a tooth, Mom. It’s right here in my pocket.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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