How has life in the Bay Area changed over the last 20 years? These stories straight from our Bay City News archives capture news of the day from 5, 10, and 20 years ago – as originally published at the time. Explore these history snapshots and ponder how today’s news compares to that of years past.
MAY 6, 2021
The state suspended burn permits in six Northern California counties, signaling concern about fire conditions before the season fully developed. The action connects to current wildfire preparation across the Bay Area, including air quality, insurance, utilities, and land-use planning.
Bay City News Reported:
“California Suspends Burn Permits In Six Northern Counties“
Cal Fire has suspended burn permits in six Northern California counties — Napa, Solano, Sonoma, Colusa, Lake and Yolo. The state fire agency on Wednesday announced the permit suspensions, citing continuing drought and a fire season starting earlier each year as a factor in the decision.
The suspension takes effect Monday, and bans all residential outdoor burning of landscape debris, such as branches and leaves, in all areas within the state’s responsibility in the six counties. The suspension of burn permits for residential landscape debris does not apply to campfires, either within organized campgrounds or on private property. Campfires may be permitted if the campfire is maintained in such a manner as to prevent its spread to the wildland. A campfire permit can be obtained at local fire stations or online at PreventWildfireCA.org.
Cal Fire may issue restricted temporary burning permits if there is an essential reason due to public health and safety. Agriculture, land management, fire training and other industrial-type burning may proceed if a Cal Fire official inspects the burn site and issues a special permit.
Cal Fire Chief Thom Porter said the public needs to be prepared for another dry season, noting that in 2021 firefighters around the state have already responded to 1,788 wildfires. “Last year, California experienced its most destructive fire season in the state’s known history,” he said. “Together, we must continue to adapt and evolve to be able to withstand the intensity of these fires, keeping in mind, that the only way to minimize the damage they cause is through education, prevention and mitigation efforts.”
MAY 6, 2016
Members of the Frisco Five hunger strike were hospitalized as supporters rallied at City Hall, escalating a protest focused on policing and reform. The episode connects to continuing regional debates over public accountability, community pressure, and institutional response after police controversies.
Bay City News reported:
“Frisco Five Hunger Strikers Are Hospitalized As Protest Deepens“
Five hunger strikers have been hospitalized after fasting for 16 days to try and force San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee to fire police Chief Greg Suhr.
“Due to their deteriorating health, all five of the hunger strikers have been hospitalized. At this time we are not able to release any additional information due to privacy concerns,” hunger strike organizers wrote on Facebook today.
Meanwhile, about 40 of their supporters have gathered inside City Hall on the steps in the main lobby, chanting “fire Chief Suhr,” cheering, singing and creating deafening echoes in the cavernous building. The hunger strikers, dubbed the #Frisco5, are calling for Suhr’s job in the wake of police shootings like of Mario Woods, Alex Nieto, Amilcar Perez-Lopez and Luis Gongora.
In wheelchairs with hundreds of supporters, they marched to City Hall on Tuesday demanding to speak with the mayor, but found he was not in his office. As they rallied at City Hall, Lee posted photos on Twitter of himself at events elsewhere in the city. On Thursday, the hunger strikers said they spoke to Lee by phone. He stood by Suhr, and said the chief was working on making reforms to the department. But the hunger strikers vowed to continue their protest, saying they would not stop until Suhr gets fired or steps down.
MAY 6, 2006
San Francisco prepared to launch its 2006 cruise ship season, highlighting the city’s role as both a visitor gateway and a working waterfront. The season connects to continuing debates over tourism, waterfront operations, and the economic recovery of downtown and port-adjacent districts.
Bay City News reported:
“San Francisco Opens A New Cruise Ship Season“
The Port of San Francisco anticipates smooth sailing for city residents, business owners and passengers aboard the more than 20 cruise ships that will dock at the city by the bay during the start of the 2006 cruise season. More than 50,000 cruise ship passengers will arrive in San Francisco within a two week period that begins Monday and ends May 23, according to the port. The port predicts their arrival will kick off the biggest cruise season in the city’s history.
“We’re extremely pleased that the port’s cruise business has grown so effectively over the past two years,” port Executive Director Monique Moyer said in a written statement. “We expect the 2006 cruise season to generate $60 million in economic benefit to the city.”
In addition to revenue, the port also expects the influx of passengers will generate traffic at cruise terminal areas. “As always, using public transportation is the recommended and most efficient method of travel along the Embarcadero,” the port reported.
The port plans to place police officers and portable electronic traffic information signs at strategic locations along the Embarcadero to direct traffic. It is also recommended that passengers and guests contact the cruise line directly to confirm the location of the ship and avoid confusion.
Editor’s Note: All the reporting, writing, and editing of this content was done by human journalists at the time of initial publication. AI tools were used to surface these stories from our internal Bay City News archives and provide the introductory context.