Berkeley's Week: Chez Panisse Reopening, Same-Sex Marriage Allowed in California, Possible BART Strike And More

Skinner to Focus on Schools, Housing, Infrastructure as Assembly Budget Committee Chair: Assemblywoman Nancy Skinner is going to finish out her career in the state Assembly near the top of the heap. Skinner said one of her prime goals is to make sure the state budget is approved by the June 30th deadline in 2014. 

Chez Panisse: Berkeley Landmark Restaurant Back in Business: Chez Panisse celebrated its reopening on Monday, three months after a fire destroyed the porch and dining area.

Family of Man Shot and Killed Near South Berkeley Offer Reward: The family of a 22-year-old shot by two suspects after a traffic accident earlier this month in Oakland announced Tuesday they are offering a $35,000 reward for information leading to the capture of two suspects. 

The Highest Paid Employees at Berkeley City Hall: The 10 most highly compensated employees at City Hall in Berkeley received between $336,000 and $383,000 each in salaries and benefits in 2012. All 10 of the top employees worked in either the police or fire department. 

US Supreme Court Allows Same-Sex Marriage in California, Overturns DOMA: The Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday morning that the backers of California's same-sex marriage ban couldn't appeal a lower court decision allowing gay marriage in the state. The Supreme Court also ruled that the Defense of Marriage Act violated the Fifth Amendment and was unconstitutional. 

What Will You Do If BART Workers Go on Strike? On Tuesday, 99 percent of BART employees voted to authorize their unions to call a strike. BART officials made a new offer to union negotiators as labor talks continued on Thursday. 

Berkeley Police Searching for Burglary and Battery Suspect: Berkeley police released a photograph Thursday of a 33-year-old Berkeley man wanted on suspicion of sexual battery.