• 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

Albany, CA|News|

Albany Property Crime Rose 12.8% in 2012

The latest FBI yearly crime report shows a rise in serious property crimes in Albany. The report also shows data for police staffing. In the map below, click on any East Bay community to see its number and ratio of police officers.

Albany Property Crime Rose 12.8% in 2012
Berkeley|News|

FBI Crime Data Reflects Berkeley Crime Increase

The latest FBI yearly crime report for U.S. communities shows a rise in serious crime in Berkeley. The report also shows data for police staffing. In the map below, click on any East Bay community to see its number and ratio of police officers.

FBI Crime Data Reflects Berkeley Crime Increase
Berkeley|News|

Cal Grad Injured in Deadly Terrorist Attack in Kenya

A UC Berkeley graduate, Elaine Dang of San Diego, was among the many injured in the deadly terrorist attack on a shopping mall in Nairobi, Kenya, this past weekend. She posted on Twitter from her hospital bed that she is "OK" and "recovering."

Cal Grad Injured in Deadly Terrorist Attack in Kenya
Berkeley|News|

Berkeley Lab Scientist Wins MacArthur 'Genius' Fellowship

Carl Haber, a physicist at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory responsible for groundbreaking work in restoring some of the earliest known sound recordings, is one of 24 winners of the 2013 MacArthur Fellowships.

Berkeley Lab Scientist Wins MacArthur 'Genius' Fellowship
Berkeley|News|

Critical Fire Weather Warning for East Bay Hills

Despite the rain last Saturday, the National Weather Service warns that several days of "critical fire danger" loom ahead for the East Bay hills because of strong winds, low humidity and dry conditions.

Critical Fire Weather Warning for East Bay Hills
Albany, CA|News|

Critical Fire Weather Warning for East Bay Hills

Despite the rain last Saturday, the National Weather Service warns that several days of "critical fire danger" loom ahead for the East Bay hills because of strong winds, low humidity and dry conditions.

Critical Fire Weather Warning for East Bay Hills
Berkeley|News|

Which Fast-Food Chain Made this Viral Video? And Why?

This company takes an unusual approach to video advertising to gain customers and encourage discussion without using its name until the very end. It has two outlets in Berkeley – at Bancroft and Telegraph and at Gilman and San Pablo.

Which Fast-Food Chain Made this Viral Video? And Why?
Albany, CA|News|

Mystery Photo: Seeing Red in Albany

Recognize this? A sunbathing pool ball perhaps? (Hint: it's not Mars.) If you're first to tell us in the comments what this object is and where it can be found in Albany, you'll win a prize.

Mystery Photo: Seeing Red in Albany
Berkeley|News|

'Like' Berkeley Patch on Facebook for News, Connections

When you "like" Berkeley Patch on Facebook, you expand your radar for picking up news and information about Berkeley and increase your opportunities for connecting with other members of the community.

'Like' Berkeley Patch on Facebook for News, Connections
Berkeley|News|

8 National Merit Semifinalists at Berkeley High Schools

Six Berkeley High students and one each from Maybeck High and Saint Mary's College High are in the approximately one percent of high school seniors named as National Merit Scholarship semifinalists this year.

8 National Merit Semifinalists at Berkeley High Schools
Albany, CA|News|

Which Fast-Food Chain Made this Viral Video? And Why?

This company takes an unusual approach to video advertising to gain customers and encourage discussion without using its name until the very end. Here's a hint: it has an outlet two blocks north of Albany and another two blocks south.

Which Fast-Food Chain Made this Viral Video? And Why?
Berkeley|News|

Armed Robbery of People Waiting at Casual Carpool in Rockridge Area

Several people were robbed at gunpoint while waiting at a carpool pickup point on Hudson Street near Claremont Avenue shortly after 9 a.m. this morning, Monday, police said. Three suspects were in custody this afternoon.

Armed Robbery of People Waiting at Casual Carpool in Rockridge Area
Berkeley|News|

New Mirrors on Campanile Redefine Cal Motto, 'Fiat Lux'

The UC Berkeley motto "Fiat Lux" – or "Let there be light" – has taken on new meaning with a precision-rotated mirror array on the campus' landmark Campanile. You can schedule a personally aimed beam of reflected sunlight online.

New Mirrors on Campanile Redefine Cal Motto, 'Fiat Lux'
Albany, CA|News|

BART Contract Talks to Resume – 2 Sides Still Far Apart

The clock is ticking down to the Oct. 10 deadline, when a 60-day cooling off period in the BART contract talks ends and another strike could occur. The two sides remain far apart as they prepare to return to the bargaining table today, Monday.

BART Contract Talks to Resume – 2 Sides Still Far Apart