• 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|

Doors Open Again – Happy Produce on Solano

The Happy Produce market on Solano Avenue in Albany is back in business, having reopened Friday under new ownership after being closed for 14 months. Owner Maria Valencia said she's been heeding customer requests for items to stock.

Doors Open Again – Happy Produce on Solano
Albany, CA|News|

30% of Cal Freshmen from Out of State

The percent of Cal students from out of state, who pay a substantially higher tuition, continues to grow, with incoming non-resident freshmen this year totaling about 30 percent, matching last year's infusion, a UC official said.

30% of Cal Freshmen from Out of State
Berkeley|News|

30% of Cal Freshmen from Out of State

The percent of Cal students from out of state, who pay a substantially higher tuition, continues to grow, with incoming non-resident freshmen this year totaling about 30 percent, matching last year's infusion, a UC official said.

30% of Cal Freshmen from Out of State
Albany, CA|News|

Suspect Arrested in Albany Rape Attempt

A 20-year-old Albany man was arrested early this morning, Tuesday, on suspicion of attempted rape after allegedly assaulting a woman on the sidewalk on Talbot Avenue, according to Albany police.

Suspect Arrested in Albany Rape Attempt
Berkeley|News|

Mayor's Appeal on Berkeley Post Office Rejected – for Now

Berkeley Mayor Tom Bates's appeal to block the sale of the city's historic Post Office was dismissed today, Tuesday, by the Postal Regulatory Commission. The commission chair nevertheless criticized the Postal Service's handling of the issue.

Mayor's Appeal on Berkeley Post Office Rejected – for Now
Berkeley|News|

Berkeley Officials Not Optimistic About Tuolumne Camp After Fire

Berkeley officials said they still don't know the full extent of the destruction to the city's 91-year Tuolumne Camp that burned Sunday in the huge "Rim Fire," but acknowledged that it could be extensive and not easily rebuilt anytime soon.

Berkeley Officials Not Optimistic About Tuolumne Camp After Fire
Albany, CA|News|

New Cal Chancellor Says No to 'P-Word' (Privatization)

At a news conference today, Monday, the new chancellor at UC Berkeley, Nicholas Dirks, abjured the possibility of privatization for the public university, despite the long-term reduction of state support and increasing reliance on private funding.

New Cal Chancellor Says No to 'P-Word' (Privatization)
Berkeley|News|

New Cal Chancellor Says No to 'P-Word'

At a news conference Monday, the new chancellor at UC Berkeley, Nicholas Dirks, abjured the possibility of privatization for the public university, despite the long-term reduction of state support and increasing reliance on private funding.

New Cal Chancellor Says No to 'P-Word'
Berkeley|News|

Berkeley's Tuolumne Camp Burns in Sierras Wildfire

Berkeley's 91-year-old Tuolumne Family Camp in the Sierras burned today, Sunday, in the enormous "Rim Fire" that continues to consume tens of thousands of acres, the U.S. Forest Service said tonight.

Berkeley's Tuolumne Camp Burns in Sierras Wildfire
Albany, CA|News|

Remember – Bay Bridge Closes Wednesday Night

If you want to go across San Francisco Bay anytime between this Wednesday night, Aug. 28, and the following Tuesday morning, Sept. 3, you'll have to find some other way besides the Bay Bridge. It'll be closed.

Remember – Bay Bridge Closes Wednesday Night
Berkeley|News|

Remember – Bay Bridge Closes Wednesday Night

If you want to go across San Francisco Bay anytime between this Wednesday night, Aug. 28, and the following Tuesday morning, Sept. 3, you'll have to find some other way besides the Bay Bridge. It'll be closed.

Remember – Bay Bridge Closes Wednesday Night
Albany, CA|News|

New Albany High Start Time – 8 A.M.

Albany High School's start time is moving to 8 a.m., 20 minutes later than before, for a one-year experiment. It may decide to start even later in the future, in line with research showing later start times better match teen sleep cycles.

New Albany High Start Time – 8 A.M.
Berkeley|News|

Another Armed Robbery in Berkeley

Berkeley police say a pedestrian was the victim of an armed robbery shortly before 8 p.m. last night, Saturday, in south Berkeley.

Another Armed Robbery in Berkeley