Recent News
Friday, June 18, 2021
PUBLIC AGENDA: City budget vote; discussion on school attendance report
A preview of Palo Alto government meetings for the week of June 21.
Friday, 10:11 AM | No comments yetNew Cal/OSHA rules allow fully vaccinated workers to forego masks
Fully vaccinated workers will no longer be required to wear a mask regardless of whether their co-workers are unvaccinated following new guidance from the state's workplace safety agency.
Friday, 9:05 AM | No comments yetSpare the Air alert issued for Friday, Saturday as heat wave lingers
A Spare the Air alert will be in effect on Friday and Saturday due to excessive heat and low winds that will combine with vehicle exhaust to create unhealthy levels of smog.
Friday, 8:55 AM | No comments yetMan who allegedly profited off sex trafficking more than 100 women faces 10 felonies
David Davies led a quiet life in his Palo Alto home for more than 20 years, but an investigative report alleges he and his current wife trafficked women in Santa Clara County for over six years as part of a national operation.
Friday, 6:58 AM | 4 commentsThursday, June 17, 2021
Palo Alto selects new city clerk
Palo Alto has concluded its search for a new city clerk, with the City Council preparing to name Lesley Milton on Monday as the successor to outgoing clerk Beth Minor.
Thursday, 3:58 PM | 1 commentLocal communities plan to celebrate Juneteenth with sunshine, talks and great food. Here's what's planned.
Throughout the Peninsula, this Juneteenth will be celebrated in a variety of ways, with a barbecue, scholarships, performances, talks, a cooking demonstration and festivities in parks and fairgrounds on tap. Here's where to go.
Thursday, 3:31 PM | No comments yetToll collection for U.S. Highway 101 express lanes in San Mateo County to start at year's end
Drivers will need a FasTrak toll tag to use the new U.S. Highway 101 express lanes scheduled to open in San Mateo County at the end of this year.
Thursday, 12:16 PM | No comments yetShifting politics boost Palo Alto's quest for a history museum
Palo Alto is preparing to advance next week a project that local leaders have been debating for the past two decades: the rehabilitation of the Roth Building so that it can serve as the city's new history museum.
Thursday, 11:28 AM | 4 commentsIn hard push to herd immunity, Mountain View clinic offers drop-in vaccinations
Nearly 80% of Santa Clara County residents 12 and older have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine but to get that final segment of the community immunized, Mountain View's clinic is giving out shots on a drop-in basis.
Thursday, 8:44 AM | 1 commentWednesday, June 16, 2021
Following a frantic year, Pets In Need gradually reopens to Palo Alto's animal lovers
After transforming itself from a full-fledged animal shelter to a network that links would-be pet owners with their new companions, Pets In Need is preparing to once again welcome residents.
Wednesday, 11:46 AM | 2 commentsGrateful to return to normalcy, small businesses are hopeful — and still keeping masks on
While the state on Tuesday lifted capacity limits, physical distancing rules and mask restrictions for vaccinated individuals, the rules on the ground didn't look a whole lot different.
Wednesday, 9:41 AM | 2 commentsFederal complaint by Jewish employees alleges antisemitism at Stanford racial-sensitivity program
Two Jewish employees at Stanford University have filed a complaint against the university for allegedly allowing persistent anti-Jewish harassment related to a racial-sensitivity program.
Wednesday, 9:28 AM | 9 commentsTuesday, June 15, 2021
Palo Alto back on track for a 2022 business tax
After dropping its plan for a business tax last spring, the city resuscitated it on Tuesday as it seeks new revenues to fund transportation, affordable housing and other key community priorities.
Tuesday, 10:44 PM | 8 commentsPalo Alto Courthouse remains closed indefinitely despite state's reopening
Dwindling budget revenue from the state continues to impact staffing and it could be months before service is restored at the north county location, a court spokesperson confirmed Monday.
Tuesday, 1:35 PM | 2 commentsCoroner: Woman found dead outside Mountain View's ICON movie theater died by suicide
A woman found dead outside Mountain View's ICON theater last week has been identified, and is believed to have died by suicide, the Santa Clara County Medical Examiner-Coroner's Office said.
Tuesday, 12:44 PM | 2 commentsHot weather leads to heat advisory, Spare the Air alert in Bay Area
Sweltering temperatures have placed the Bay Area under a heat advisory and Spare the Air alert. A flex alert has also been issued to encourage state residents to conserve energy Thursday from 5-10 p.m.
Tuesday, 12:36 PM | No comments yetPolice auditor to vet cases in which Palo Alto officers point guns
Palo Alto moved Monday to further expand the purview of its independent police auditor when the City Council directed the firm to review each instance in which officers aim their guns at individuals.
Tuesday, 9:41 AM | 2 commentsState introduces expenses-paid vacation packages as latest COVID-19 vaccine incentive
State officials introduced another COVID-19 vaccine incentive program Monday, offering six expenses-paid vacations throughout the state, including in San Francisco.
Tuesday, 9:25 AM | 2 commentsAs California reopens, 6 things you need to know about COVID-19
Around 1,000 Californians are still newly infected every day, hospitalizations have hit a new low, people of color remain at high risk and almost half of eligible people aren't fully vaccinated.
Tuesday, 9:15 AM | 6 commentsStanford prepares to reopen outdoor campus spaces to the public
After nine and a half months of tightly controlled access to its campus, Stanford University on Wednesday, June 16, will again allow the general public to enjoy its outdoor spaces.
Tuesday, 8:55 AM | No comments yetFacing division over Ventura plan, Palo Alto delays action
With Palo Alto's plans for the Ventura neighborhood mired in uncertainty and facing heavy community opposition, the City Council agreed Monday to hit the pause button on the multiyear planning effort.
Tuesday, 1:35 AM | 19 commentsMonday, June 14, 2021
Khan Lab School sets sights on Palo Alto space for K-8 students
Khan Lab School in Mountain View is looking to bring its K-8 students to Palo Alto, a proposal that will be discussed at a virtual community meeting on Tuesday at 7 p.m.
Monday, 9:46 AM | 6 commentsJune 15 won't be a 'light switch' for businesses, but instead another step towards normalcy
The state's plans to fully reopen the economy on Tuesday will set off small but significant shifts for customers and businesses, which can get closer to serving a true full house.
Monday, 9:44 AM | 8 commentsSunday, June 13, 2021
Federal program that helps farmers during the pandemic is changing the local food landscape
The Farmers to Families program met critical community needs but also experienced significant problems with its implementation, particularly in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties.
Sunday, 8:37 AM | No comments yetSaturday, June 12, 2021
Around Town: Parents band together to throw proms for Paly, Gunn seniors
In the latest Around Town column, news about parents organizing proms for Paly and Gunn graduates, local National Merit Scholarship winners and Palo Alto's recognition as a bike friendly city.
Saturday, 8:35 AM | No comments yetFriday, June 11, 2021
As COVID restrictions lift, Palo Alto plans to reopen facilities
While many pandemic health restrictions are set to expire this Tuesday when the state fully reopens, Palo Alto's emergence from the emergency is expected to unfold incrementally.
Friday, 5:34 PM | 13 comments2021 Peninsula Photo Contest sheds light on normal and surreal times
In a year like no other, many of the photographs taken after March 2020 in this year's Peninsula Photo Contest have given voice to everyday moments during these not-so-usual times.
Friday, 4:45 PM | No comments yetPUBLIC AGENDA: Discussions on Ventura vision alternatives, student mental health support services
A preview of Palo Alto government meetings for the week of June 14.
Friday, 12:07 PM | No comments yetVTA investigation of gunman's personnel history reveals no indication of violent behavior
VTA staff and local leaders are investigating Sam Cassidy's personnel history as a VTA employee after the May 26 shooting in which he killed nine of his co-workers before turning the gun on himself.
Friday, 9:43 AM | No comments yet101 closure back on again this weekend to install new bridge
The new bridge over U.S. Highway 101 in Palo Alto is scheduled to go up this weekend, which will require a segment of the freeway to gradually close down from Saturday night through Sunday morning.
Friday, 9:38 AM | 4 commentsDeparture of Fry's Electronics leaves Palo Alto with a zoning dilemma
The City Council has a rare opportunity to exercise some power over the future of 340 Portage Ave. site for potential housing after 15 years of helplessly watching commercial uses occupy it and leave.
Friday, 6:59 AM | 7 commentsThursday, June 10, 2021
California's big reopening: What changes — and what doesn't — on June 15?
Gov. Gavin Newsom promised business as usual, but there could be exceptions to everyday life returning to normal. Here are questions and answers to clear up confusion.
Thursday, 3:50 PM | 3 commentsSix rescued, two arrested in human trafficking investigation that included Palo Alto brothel
A couple was arrested on suspicion of pimping and pandering in connection with brothels in Milpitas, Palo Alto and San Jose. The south bay brothels were part of a national network of commercial sex traffickers.
Thursday, 11:56 AM | 41 commentsHands-free technology helps Menlo firefighters find people 'twice as fast'
Firefighters with the Menlo Park Fire Protection District have new technology that helps them navigate through burning buildings and find people twice as fast, according to the fire chief.
Thursday, 9:30 AM | 1 commentWith no consensus in sight, Palo Alto's vision for Ventura gets murky
When Palo Alto considers on Monday a new vision for a section of the Ventura neighborhood, it will find itself choosing between alternatives that range from economically infeasible to politically unpopular.
Thursday, 9:24 AM | 34 commentsBody found outside Mountain View's ICON movie theater
A dead woman was found outside a movie theater in Mountain View early Wednesday morning, prompting a police investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death.
Thursday, 8:38 AM | 4 commentsWednesday, June 9, 2021
State to officially align with CDC masking guidance as part of June 15 reopening
One of California's top public health officials confirmed Wednesday that the state will align with federal face masking guidance when the state's tiered reopening system is lifted next week.
Wednesday, 4:43 PM | 3 commentsPalo Alto police seek suspects in Louis Vuitton bag heist
A group of 11 people took 36 handbags from the Louis Vuitton store at Stanford Shopping Center on Monday afternoon before fleeing in five awaiting vehicles, according to Palo Alto police.
Wednesday, 9:58 AM | 27 commentsHow Palo Alto Unified will treat nondiscriminatory bullying remains unclear
A new policy adopted Tuesday attempts to treat all bullying complaints through one procedure, removing a two-tiered process.
Wednesday, 9:42 AM | 4 commentsSan Mateo County creates $5.8M relief fund to cover annual permitting fees for local businesses
The Board of Supervisors approved a relief fund Tuesday for local businesses that lost sales because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Wednesday, 9:18 AM | No comments yetNew contract to expand police auditor's reach
Palo Alto's independent police auditor would have new powers to review instances involving violent arrests and internal disputes between police officers under a contract that the City Council is set to approve on Monday.
Wednesday, 9:06 AM | 4 commentsTuesday, June 8, 2021
City nixes plan for medical offices at Town & Country Village
After flirting with the idea of allowing medical businesses at the Town & Country Village shopping center, the Palo Alto City Council abruptly dropped the idea on Monday night.
Tuesday, 9:48 AM | 22 commentsKeeping an eye on drought, Palo Alto approves water management plan
As Palo Alto approved on Monday a plan for water management, some residents and City Council members suggested that the proposed drought measures might be too stringent and unrealistic.
Tuesday, 12:47 AM | 18 commentsMonday, June 7, 2021
When is the Newsom recall election? Maybe sooner than you think
The date of California's recall election still is not set, but voters may decide the governor's fate closer to Labor Day than November.
Monday, 3:10 PM | 23 commentsSunday, June 6, 2021
Around Town: Children's Health Council prepares to search for new leader
After more than 12 years of leading the Children's Health Council, Rosalie Whitlock plans to step down as CEO of the youth mental health nonprofit on June 30, 2022.
Sunday, 12:05 PM | No comments yetStay informed.
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