• Charles BurressPatch Staff Verified Patch Staff Badge

  • Berkeley, CA

Email: (See my email address at the bottom of the Albany Patch or Berkeley Patch homepage.)

Phone: 510-435-4127

Now in my fourth year with Patch.com, I'm the editor of and Albany Patch and Berkeley Patch.

I worked many years as a staff writer and editor at the San Francisco Chronicle until April of 2009, when I switched to freelancing. I then wrote for the Los Angeles Times and other publications, and I also took on editing assignments for UC Berkeley and the United Nations.

Being an East Bay reporter for Patch brings my career full circle in the East Bay. My first bylines appeared in the East Bay Review of the Performing Arts. I next worked as a reporter and editor at the Daily Californian while studying at UC Berkeley, where I obtained a master's in journalism. I was a reporter at the Contra Costa Independent, Berkeley Gazette and San Francisco Examiner before moving to the Chronicle, where I worked several years in the Berkeley bureau and in the main East Bay bureau in Oakland.

Posting Activity

El Cerrito, CA|News|

Windrush Sale Still in Limbo

The pending sale of the former Windrush School in El Cerrito to Educational Ventures, LLC is now set to close early next month, a representative for the buyer said. Still no word on the buyer's intentions for the 4-acre property.

Windrush Sale Still in Limbo
El Cerrito, CA|News|

Gauchos 'Home' Games at DeAnza for Football Playoffs

The division champion El Cerrito High football team will play its "home" playoff opener Saturday at DeAnza High in Richmond. Team coaches believe DeAnza's turf field is better for the team's fast runners, the ECHS principal said.

Gauchos 'Home' Games at DeAnza for Football Playoffs
Pinole-Hercules, CA|News|

Measure G Won All Across the School District

The Measure G parcel tax for West Contra Costa County schools, unlike most of the past parcel taxes on the ballot in the school district, passed easily on Tuesday, winning support in all seven of the main West County communities.

Measure G Won All Across the School District
El Cerrito, CA|News|

Measure G Won All Across the School District

The Measure G parcel tax for West Contra Costa County schools, unlike most of the past parcel taxes on the ballot in the school district, passed easily on Tuesday, winning support in all seven of the main West County communities.

Measure G Won All Across the School District
El Cerrito, CA|News|

Was Your Polling Place Crowded?

We're getting mixed reports about the turn-out at the polls for today's voting in El Cerrito and Kensington. Some voters report lines, while others saw sparse attendance. What did you see?

Was Your Polling Place Crowded?
El Cerrito, CA|News|

Water Main Bursts – Some Home Flooding in El Cerrito

A water main burst just before noon today, Tuesday, on Eureka Avenue at Clayton Avenue, sending a torrent of water down Clayton into at least one garage and possibly an in-law unit. If you have photos or video, please add them to the article.

Water Main Bursts – Some Home Flooding in El Cerrito
El Cerrito, CA|News|

Where's My Polling Place?

Don't know where to vote today? We've got the official answer if you live in El Cerrito, Kensington or anywhere else in Contra Costa County. (Warning: some election mailers contain wrong polling place locations.)

Where's My Polling Place?
El Cerrito, CA|News|

View: The Kensington Election – Does It Matter?

In this guest column, Kensington resident Jan Behrsin says the community has changed under a climate of fear and autocratic leadership by Chuck Toombs, president of Kensington's governing board, who is seeking re-election on Nov. 6.

View: The Kensington Election – Does It Matter?
El Cerrito, CA|News|

Patch Election Guide for El Cerrito & Kensington

El Cerrito Patch offers this election guide for important decisions faced by El Cerrito and Kensington voters on the Nov. 6 ballot, including the school board race, measures for school funding, Kensington's governing board and state propositions.

Patch Election Guide for El Cerrito & Kensington
El Cerrito, CA|News|

Kensington Election Clash over Crimes 'Solved'

One hotly disputed issue in the election for Kensington's governing board is the assertion by incumbent candidate Cathy Kosel that no crimes were solved in 2011. Police Chief Greg Harman called it a "malicious lie." Patch investigated.

Kensington Election Clash over Crimes 'Solved'