Recent News
Tuesday, September 21, 2021
Palo Alto advances redevelopment plan for Ventura. Property owners have other ideas.
After more than two years of planning for change in the Ventura neighborhood, Palo Alto officials coalesced on Monday around a shared vision -- one that diverges sharply with the wishes of the area's two largest property owners.
Tuesday, 12:55 AM | 1 commentMonday, September 20, 2021
Bicyclist steers clear of attempted robber on bridge
Palo Alto police are investigating a Saturday morning robbery attempt after a man reportedly tried to take a bicycle from another man.
Monday, 2:09 PM | 1 commentStanford welcomes largest-ever incoming class as university reopens
Thousands of Stanford students have returned to campus for face-to-face classes for the fall quarter, which begins today. This marks the first time since the pandemic hit that in-person instruction is the norm.
Monday, 9:41 AM | 1 commentSunday, September 19, 2021
And the winner in the California recall is? None of the above
While Larry Elder clearly led all replacement candidates in the recall election, he finished far behind none of the above. Millions left that question blank -- exactly what Newsom and Democrats wanted.
Sunday, 8:55 AM | No comments yetSaturday, September 18, 2021
Community reunites at Moonlight Run & Walk
The annual Moonlight Run & Walk, a beloved Palo Alto tradition held under the full harvest moon, resumed in person at the Baylands on Friday night for the first time in two years.
Saturday, 9:42 AM | 1 commentTeen pilot on trip around the world swings by Palo Alto
Could Zara Rutherford make the history books as the youngest person to fly around the world? The 19-year-old Belgian, who recently visited Palo Alto, is in the midst of the trip that could make her a household name.
Saturday, 8:26 AM | No comments yetFriday, September 17, 2021
Theranos employees were 'sleeping in their cars' in effort to address quality control issues
The examination of former lab associate Erika Cheung wrapped up on Friday in the trial against Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes.
Friday, 4:57 PM | No comments yetReport points to sheriff's 'abject failure' to protect inmate in mental crisis
The Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office's handling of a mentally ill inmate who suffered brain damage during transport in 2018 was a colossal failure, according to a report issued to county supervisors.
Friday, 4:45 PM | No comments yetNewsom signs housing bills that reform single-family zoning
Having survived the recall attempt, the governor has signed two bold housing bills, including one that would reform zoning by allowing up to four dwellings on parcels currently designated for a single home.
Friday, 9:49 AM | 27 commentsPolice investigate vandalism at downtown parking garage as a hate crime
Palo Alto police are investigating a vandalism incident discovered on Wednesday night at a parking garage as a hate crime, the fourth that has occurred in a public city space so far this year.
Friday, 8:35 AM | 2 commentsPeople paid a premium to build their home gyms. Will fitness clubs lure them back?
Many locals who have the resources took lockdown life as an opportunity to create their personal fitness bubbles and routines. Some are unsure if they would return to their gyms, given the effectiveness of at-home workouts.
Friday, 6:52 AM | 5 commentsJudy Kleinberg, former mayor and community leader, to receive Athena Award from Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce
Judy Kleinberg, who has served the city, local schools and nonprofits for almost 40 years, is being given the Athena Award for leadership by the Chamber of Commerce for her outstanding contributions.
Friday, 6:52 AM | 4 commentsOpinion: What most environmentalists don't know can hurt us
Global warming is a serious issue and environmentalists are trying their best to be helpful. But good intentions do not automatically translate into good policies.
Friday, 6:52 AM | 16 commentsConvicted murderer John Getreu's own words pointed to his guilt
Convicted murderer John Arthur Getreu revealed multiple times during a law enforcement interview that he had knowledge of the murders of two women found on Stanford land in the 1970s.
Friday, 6:51 AM | 1 commentPUBLIC AGENDA: North Ventura Coordinated Area Plan; ambulance subscription program
A preview of Palo Alto government meetings for the week of Sept. 20.
Friday, 6:51 AM | No comments yetThursday, September 16, 2021
California recall: The 2022 campaign starts now
Gov. Gavin Newsom's robust defeat of the recall gives him a head start in the 2022 gubernatorial election.
Thursday, 11:39 AM | 1 commentMental health experts bolster Palo Alto's police reform efforts
When Palo Alto launched an ambitious police reform initiative last year, one of its goals was to shift some types of emergency responses away from armed officers. That effort is about to bear fruit thanks to two new county programs.
Thursday, 9:46 AM | 5 commentsFormer employee says Theranos cherry-picked results from faulty machines
A former lab associate continued her testimony Wednesday in the federal criminal trial against Elizabeth Holmes, founder and CEO of the blood testing company Theranos.
Thursday, 9:02 AM | 1 commentWednesday, September 15, 2021
Prosecution, defense spar over Theranos' finances at Holmes trial
The examination of the corporate controller for the blood testing company Theranos continued Tuesday in the federal criminal trial against the company's founder and CEO Elizabeth Holmes.
Wednesday, 3:10 PM | No comments yetSanta Clara County readies for surge of refugees following U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan
The county is expecting an increase in refugees following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, with nonprofits estimating that more than 500 people will need to be resettled over the next 12 months.
Wednesday, 2:48 PM | 13 commentsWest Nile virus-positive mosquitoes found in Palo Alto, Mountain View
The Santa Clara County Vector Control District will be treating parts of Palo Alto and Mountain View with insecticide after recently detecting West Nile virus-positive mosquitoes in limited areas.
Wednesday, 1:55 PM | 6 commentsLawmakers target reforms to California's recall process
After beating back an effort to oust Gov. Gavin Newsom, Democratic lawmakers began to set the stage Wednesday for reforming what they see as a deeply flawed recall process, with the goal of bringing a measure to voters in 2022.
Wednesday, 12:32 PM | 5 commentsSobrato threatens lawsuit over city's plans for Fry's site
Concerned about Palo Alto's plans to phase out some of the commercial uses at the former Fry's site, the owner of the property is now threatening to sue unless the city reconsiders its approach.
Wednesday, 9:55 AM | 1 commentLarge fire hits home in Old Palo Alto neighborhood
Firefighters battled a large fire at a home in the Old Palo Alto neighborhood on Tuesday night, which led to evacuations.
Wednesday, 9:46 AM | 45 commentsTuesday, September 14, 2021
Newsom overwhelmingly defeats California recall attempt
The governor declared that in saying "no" to the recall, Californians were really saying "yes" to vaccines, science, inclusion and pluralism.
Tuesday, 9:00 PM | 26 commentsCalifornia recall election results 2021: Live updates
Get up-to-date results -- by county and statewide -- on California's recall election.
Tuesday, 8:23 PM | 1 commentGuilty: Jury convicts John Getreu in 1974 Stanford murder
After a two-week jury trial, John Getreu has been convicted of murdering 21-year-old Janet Ann Taylor on Stanford University property nearly 50 years ago.
Tuesday, 5:07 PM | No comments yetSwift verdict in John Getreu trial: Guilty of first-degree murder
After a two-week jury trial, John Getreu has been convicted of murdering 21-year-old Janet Ann Taylor on Stanford University property nearly 50 years ago.
Tuesday, 5:05 PM | 2 commentsGovernor appoints Santa Clara County Supervisor Cindy Chavez to state corrections board
Santa Clara County Supervisor Cindy Chavez has been appointed to the Board of State and Community Corrections, Gov. Gavin Newsom's office announced on Monday evening.
Tuesday, 12:15 PM | No comments yetPolice auditor sees its caseload swell as Palo Alto calls for more oversight
Armed with a broader scope, Palo Alto's police auditor is preparing to release its reviews of 16 different incidents involving complaints against local officers, including four that involved force.
Tuesday, 11:49 AM | 1 commentDecision time: Three ways the California recall election could go
The recall election could end up with three very different results for the future of Gov. Gavin Newsom and of politics in California. Here's how the scenarios could play out.
Tuesday, 9:18 AM | 3 commentsDiners to give way to drivers on University Avenue
Palo Alto's bold experiment with car-free downtown promenades will start to wind down next month, after the City Council agreed late Monday to reopen University Avenue to vehicle traffic on Oct. 15.
Tuesday, 1:31 AM | 27 commentsMonday, September 13, 2021
Neighbors outraged over melee outside Woman's Club
A fight among partygoers outside the Woman's Club of Palo Alto on Friday night that allegedly involved one person being threatened with a gun has neighborhood residents furious.
Monday, 5:10 PM | 6 commentsPlane crashes while trying to return to Palo Alto Airport, strikes power lines before going down in Baylands
The pilot of a plane that reportedly experienced mechanical failure after taking off from the airport Monday tried to return to the facility, only to crash into marshland three minutes later.
Monday, 2:41 PM | 20 commentsPublic asked to weigh in on community college board redistricting effort
The Foothill-De Anza Community College District is asking the public for input on how to draw boundary lines dividing the district into areas from which its board of trustees will be elected.
Monday, 9:50 AM | No comments yetPolling error: How one survey changed the Newsom recall campaign
The early August survey suggested Gov. Gavin Newsom would get ousted -- and scared Democrats and progressives into ramping up their efforts. Republican Larry Elder's rise only fueled those fears.
Monday, 9:20 AM | No comments yetSunday, September 12, 2021
Around Town: Future of City Council meetings uncertain due to pandemic safety concerns
In the latest Around Town column, news about the uncertain future of in-person City Council meetings, vibrant murals recently added to the California Avenue business district and a grant to support a wildfire smoke study at Stanford.
Sunday, 8:40 AM | No comments yetSaturday, September 11, 2021
'Sadly, we are still divided,' organizer says at 9/11 multifaith vigil
On the 20th anniversary of 9/11, people broke bread and prayed together in front of Palo Alto City Hall during an annual peace picnic and vigil.
Saturday, 11:44 PM | 9 commentsOut of time: California legislators won't extend eviction ban
The California eviction moratorium is scheduled to end after Sept. 30, but legislators aren't planning to extend the protections for renters.
Saturday, 8:55 AM | 1 commentFriday, September 10, 2021
The post-9/11 generation: Too young to remember, but not to reflect
Those who were alive on Sept. 11, 2001, carry vivid memories of that day. For a whole generation of young people, though, Sept. 11 isn't a memory at all. It's a part of history.
Friday, 10:02 PM | No comments yetHaven't voted in the recall yet? You still have more than one way to cast your ballot.
Voters have until Tuesday to postmark their ballots, drop them off at a designated ballot box or vote in person, but that doesn't mean they have to wait until the 11th hour on Election Day to participate.
Friday, 3:13 PM | 8 comments37th annual Palo Alto Weekly Moonlight Run & Walk is back in person — and virtually
The 37th annual Palo Alto Weekly Moonlight Run & Walk is moving back to its longtime home at the Baylands for in-person races on Sept. 17 following a one-year hiatus due to the pandemic.
Friday, 9:56 AM | 1 comment'Together Again': Palo Alto celebrates resilience with week of events
To celebrate community resilience during the pandemic, Palo Alto will kick off this Friday a week of more than 20 events -- including sports, arts, musical performances and a run through the Baylands.
Friday, 7:59 AM | 6 commentsSearching for their father's killer
Determined to find their father's killer, a son and a daughter set out to unearth what really happened in North Beach in the early morning hours of Jan. 22, 1972, and why San Francisco police have quietly closed the case.
Friday, 7:01 AM | 7 commentsWith most activities on hold in 2020, running experiences a resurgence
Running has experienced a resurgence during the COVID-19 pandemic, with an estimated 50 million Americans, or about 15% of the U.S. population, participating in some form of running.
Friday, 7:01 AM | No comments yetThursday, September 9, 2021
Shooting threat reported at Gunn High; police deem it a likely hoax
Palo Alto police officers responded to a report of a shooting threat at Gunn High School on Thursday that turned out to be a likely hoax.
Thursday, 6:41 PM | 1 commentPUBLIC AGENDA: Economic development strategies; masking requirements at schools
A preview of Palo Alto government meetings for the week of Sept. 13.
Thursday, 4:51 PM | No comments yetOpening statements in Holmes trial give competing versions of Theranos claims
Prosecutors gave a scathing opening statement Wednesday in the trial of Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes. The trial has been delayed due to a juror's potential exposure to COVID-19.
Thursday, 1:21 PM | 3 commentsPalo Alto to consider phasing out commercial tenants in Ventura
When Fry's Electronics officially closed its Palo Alto location in December 2019, it left behind both a giant vacancy and a thorny zoning dilemma that city leaders will try to resolve on Monday night.
Thursday, 12:55 PM | 3 commentsStevenson House drops appeal of church's safe parking program
A proposal by Unitarian Universalist Church to host a safe parking program for unhoused vehicle dwellers received a boost Wednesday, when Stevenson House dropped its appeal of the church's application.
Thursday, 9:47 AM | 6 commentsPalo Alto's big dilemma: Should cars return to University and California avenues?
If things go as planned, the experiment with closing University and California avenues to cars will conclude at the end of the month. Despite this, fans of the new normal have some reasons to feel hopeful.
Thursday, 9:26 AM | 34 commentsCoroner's office identifies skeletal remains found near Skylonda in April
Skeletal remains found near the Skylonda/Woodside area on April 12 have been identified as 42-year-old Jill Anderegg, according to an autopsy report by the San Mateo County Coroner's Office.
Thursday, 8:43 AM | 1 commentWednesday, September 8, 2021
Local events will commemorate Sept. 11's 20th anniversary
Palo Alto and Stanford organizations will mark 20th years since the Sept. 11 attacks on Friday and Saturday, hosting events to offer perspective, bring people together and help community members volunteer.
Wednesday, 9:15 PM | 3 commentsCity looks for help in fighting economic slump
With tax revenues plunging and businesses struggling to stay afloat, Palo Alto's elected leaders agree that they will need plenty of help to reverse the trend and restore prosperity.
Wednesday, 11:43 AM | 18 commentsGetreu trial: Brother of victim testifies alleged serial killer murdered his sister in 1963
Evan David Williams, a pastor, said that Getreu killed his sister on June 9, 1963, when his family and Getreu's parents were stationed at the U.S. Army base in Bad Kreuznach, Germany.
Wednesday, 9:55 AM | 1 commentAre there enough 'mad moms' in California to recall Gov. Newsom from office?
Recall supporters are counting on mothers angry over school closures, who helped fuel the petition drive, to also vote to remove Gavin Newsom from office.
Wednesday, 8:59 AM | 10 commentsStay informed.
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