• 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|

Big Police Search Tied to Gold Heist

The big police search in El Cerrito Tuesday morning that saw about 18-20 officers, including the Siskiyou County Sheriff, was apparently tied to the theft of a historic gold display worth more than $1.25 million from the Siskiyou County Courthouse.

Big Police Search Tied to Gold Heist
Albany, CA|News|

AT&T Cell Phone Antennas Approved

The Albany Planning & Zoning Commission voted unanimously Thursday night to approve AT&T cell phone antennas on a San Pablo Avenue office building. The company has been seeking approval of the antennas since 2008.

AT&T Cell Phone Antennas Approved
El Cerrito, CA|News|

3 Apply for Empty Kensington Board Seat

Three people signed up by the Thursday deadline to apply for the vacant seat on Kensington's governing board. The board will decide whom to pick. The seat was vacated Dec. 13 when board member Mari Metcalf suddenly resigned.

3 Apply for Empty Kensington Board Seat
El Cerrito, CA|News|

Cops Swarm to El Cerrito Home for Search Warrant

About 18-20 law enforcement officers, including the sheriff of Siskiyou County, converged on a home in El Cerrito Tuesday morning to serve a search warrant. So far, they're keeping mum, saying they don't want to endanger their investigation.

Cops Swarm to El Cerrito Home for Search Warrant
Albany, CA|News|

Later Daily Start Time for Albany High Proposed

Albany High School is seriously considering a later daily start time, changing from the current 7:40 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Principal Ted Barone says studies indicate a later start time could give teens more sleep and improved academic performance.

Later Daily Start Time for Albany High Proposed
Alameda, CA|News|

Alameda Representatives Praise Obama Gun Control Plans

Legislative representatives of Alameda – U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee, state Senator Loni Hancock and Assemblyman Rob Bonta – joined other East Bay legislators in voicing support for President Obama's proposals Wednesday.

Alameda Representatives Praise Obama Gun Control Plans
Berkeley|News|

Berkeley Representatives Praise Obama Gun Control Plans

Berkeley's legislative representatives – U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee, state Senator Loni Hancock and Assemblywoman Nancy Skinner – joined other East Bay legislators in voicing support for President Obama's proposals Wednesday.

Berkeley Representatives Praise Obama Gun Control Plans
Berkeley|News|

Cal's Alum of the Year, 92, Biochem Pioneer

With two colleagues, Frank Davis developed a breakthrough biological method for delivering drugs into the body that has helped millions of people. Davis, now 92 and a resident of El Cerrito, has been named UC Berkeley's Alumnus of the Year.

Cal's Alum of the Year, 92, Biochem Pioneer
El Cerrito, CA|News|

El Cerrito Scientist, 92, Named Cal Alum of the Year

With two colleagues, Frank Davis developed a breakthrough biological method for delivering drugs into the body that has helped millions of people. Davis, now 92 and a resident of El Cerrito, has been named UC Berkeley's Alumnus of the Year.

El Cerrito Scientist, 92, Named Cal Alum of the Year
Berkeley|News|

1,000-Year-Old Queen Springs to Life in East Bay

A little-known but profoundly influential woman from a thousand years ago is about to become better known, thanks to East Bay author Patricia Bracewell, who delved into UC archives for some of the extensive research for her first published novel.

1,000-Year-Old Queen Springs to Life in East Bay
El Cerrito, CA|News|

Crosswalk Flags Installed Around Colusa Circle

Following a 10-year-old Kensington girl being hit in a Colusa Avenue crosswalk near Colusa Circle in October, the Kensington Hilltop Elementary School PTA installed crosswalk flags at several locations around the circle Sunday.

Crosswalk Flags Installed Around Colusa Circle
Albany, CA|News|

Albany Fire Dept. Rushes to Fire (in a Fireplace)

An Albany fire engine and fire truck, accompanied by two police cars that closed off the street, rushed to a house on Stannage Avenue Friday, only to find that the smoke pouring from a house was coming from the chimney and a robust fire in the home

Albany Fire Dept. Rushes to Fire (in a Fireplace)
Albany, CA|News|

Albany High Students Protest Guantanamo

Members of the Albany High School Amnesty International Club wore orange prisoner suits and black hoods in a Friday afternoon protest on busy Solano Avenue. They called for the closure of the U.S. prisoner-of-war camp at Guantanamo Bay.

Albany High Students Protest Guantanamo
El Cerrito, CA|News|

Teen, 19, Gets 27 Years for Richmond High Gang Rape

Abdullah Morales, 19 of San Pablo, was sentenced to 27 years in prison Friday for his role at age 16 in the brutal gang rape of 16-year-old girl. Morales, who pled guilty, is the second of six defendants in to be sentenced.

Teen, 19, Gets 27 Years for Richmond High Gang Rape
El Cerrito, CA|News|

City, State React to End of Legal Showdown

The City of El Cerrito and the state Department of Finance, which faced off in court over El Cerrito's refusal to pay a $1.76 million state-mandated bill, offered responses Wednesday to the court settlement that ended the dispute in the city's

City, State React to End of Legal Showdown