Recent News
Saturday, January 16, 2021
Santa Clara County unveils COVID-19 vaccine dashboard
Santa Clara County launched a new online dashboard on Friday that tracks the number of COVID-19 vaccine doses received and administered by the county's health care sector to inform the public of how the vaccines are being distributed.
Saturday, 9:12 AM | No comments yetAround Town: Work begins on Palo Alto's newest affordable housing project
In the latest Around Town column, news about an affordable housing project breaking ground, local residents and organizations awarded for their service during the pandemic and Midpeninsula celebrations honoring Martin Luther King Jr.
Saturday, 8:23 AM | 1 commentResignation creates another opening on Palo Alto's planning commission
The Palo Alto City Council will have a chance to fill three seats on the Planning and Transportation Commission in the coming weeks after Commissioner William Riggs announced his resignation this week.
Saturday, 8:23 AM | No comments yetFriday, January 15, 2021
Santa Clara County ramps up COVID-19 vaccinations amid chaotic federal allocations
Santa Clara County leaders are concerned they won't have enough COVID-19 doses to continue building up their vaccination program after learning that federal officials allegedly lied about having a stockpile of second doses.
Friday, 2:07 PM | 1 commentPalo Alto middle, high schools unlikely to reopen this school year
It's unlikely that Palo Alto Unified middle and high schools will reopen for hybrid instruction this academic year, Superintendent Don Austin said, meaning hundreds of students might go without in-classroom instruction for over a year.
Friday, 1:48 PM | 5 commentsPrime for housing? New apartment plan targets 'moderate' earners
A residential block in the College Terrace neighborhood could become the site of a 24-unit apartment building under a proposal that the Palo Alto City Council will weigh in the coming months.
Friday, 1:32 PM | 1 commentSanta Clara County works to clear hurdles to vaccinations
One month after the first doses of a COVID-19 vaccine arrived in Santa Clara County, county leaders are hurrying to fix shortcomings in the rollout system.
Friday, 7:01 AM | 4 commentsSan Mateo County COVID-19 vaccine rollout continues via clinic, partnerships
In San Mateo County, about one-third of the health care workers and long-term care residents eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine have received it so far, county health officials said Tuesday.
Friday, 7:01 AM | No comments yetRelief, gratitude among seniors receiving COVID-19 vaccines
Residents at Channing House, a senior independent living and long-term care center, say COVID-19 vaccines are the first step in bringing back a sense of normalcy.
Friday, 7:00 AM | No comments yetPUBLIC AGENDA: Proposed changes to Foothills Park access; discussion on PAUSD's dyslexia program
A preview of Palo Alto government meetings for the week of Jan. 18.
Friday, 7:00 AM | No comments yetOpinion: Contradictions of COVID-19
While city councils up and down the Peninsula contemplate severe housing shortages in the decades ahead, we are also witnessing probably the largest exodus from the Bay Area in many years.
Friday, 6:59 AM | 2 commentsAn Alternative View: Drastic decision keeps police information from the public
The encryption of police radio transmissions was made without any public input and without the mayor or City Council knowing about it.
Friday, 6:59 AM | 1 commentThursday, January 14, 2021
Under assault: Data shows Santa Clara County hospital workers routinely attacked on the job
Each year, hundreds of health care workers in Santa Clara County hospitals are punched, kicked, spat on, slapped or worse, and it's a problem that has nurses worried someone is going to get killed.
Thursday, 1:15 PM | 5 commentsWednesday, January 13, 2021
Santa Clara County opens up COVID-19 vaccines to all residents age 75 and older
All Santa Clara County residents age 75 and older are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine effective immediately, vastly expanding the number of people eligible for immunization against the virus.
Wednesday, 5:00 PM | 4 comments'I will vote to impeach this traitor': Rep. Anna Eshoo supports removing Trump from office
Granted only 30 seconds to speak on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives, Rep. Anna Eshoo did not mince words regarding President Donald Trump during Wednesday's impeachment hearing.
Wednesday, 4:58 PM | 19 commentsDebate over Foothills Park access continues as Palo Alto weighs new restrictions
Nearly a month after Palo Alto opened the once-exclusive Foothills Park to the broader public, city leaders are preparing to adopt new restrictions on Tuesday to curb the sudden onrush of visitors.
Wednesday, 4:44 PM | 14 commentsCalifornia's new goal: Vaccinate a million people in 10 days
Acknowledging that vaccinations have been too slow, state officials aim to ramp up the pace. But many questions remain about expanding to the next groups of Californians.
Wednesday, 1:41 PM | 1 commentNew numbers, same concerns as Palo Alto challenges housing mandate
A recent adjustment by regional planners could lower the number of housing units the city is required to plan for between 2023 and 2031. It has done little, however, to quell the City Council's anxieties about the allocation process.
Wednesday, 9:45 AM | 6 commentsNew California law requires insurance companies to cover more mental health treatment
A landmark mental health care law took effect in California this month, finally giving some teeth to mental health parity laws that have been ineffectual for years.
Wednesday, 8:42 AM | No comments yetTuesday, January 12, 2021
Paly, Gunn student-athletes can again train outdoors in person starting next week
High school athletes aren't allowed to compete in games yet, but they can train outdoors while keeping 6 feet apart and staying within stable cohorts beginning next week at Paly and Gunn.
Tuesday, 5:38 PM | 9 commentsSheriff's Office forms task force to investigate right-wing extremists
The Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office has formed a special task force to combat right-wing extremists due to the recent Capitol attacks and heightened security ahead of the presidential inauguration.
Tuesday, 5:24 PM | 19 commentsNewsom's school reopening plan puts tight deadlines on districts, legislature
Schools would have to offer in-person learning for primary students starting Feb. 16 in order to get the full funds under the governor's budget. Lawmakers face early deadlines in February and March.
Tuesday, 2:27 PM | No comments yetVTA plans to run more buses on seven lines, so fewer riders are left behind
The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority is going to run some bus lines more frequently so fewer passengers get left behind, including routes that serve Mountain View and Palo Alto.
Tuesday, 1:50 PM | No comments yetFacebook's Willow Village now includes giant glass dome, 'High Line' path and more
On Friday, Facebook and Signature Development Group submitted updated plans for the proposed Willow Village development. Among the new features: a giant collaboration dome and senior housing.
Tuesday, 1:27 PM | No comments yetAfter political tussle, Vice Mayor Pat Burt on track to join the VTA board
When elected leaders from four north Santa Clara County cities meet later this month to pick their representative for the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority board, Pat Burt will find himself in the driver's seat.
Tuesday, 1:31 AM | 14 commentsMonday, January 11, 2021
Downtown Streets Team issues apology, retraction after board chair's 'inaccurate' comments
The Downtown Streets Team has issued an apology and retracted the false comments made by its board chair, who claimed that the Weekly "got it wrong" when it reported on allegations of sexual harassment against the nonprofit's leaders.
Monday, 11:40 PM | 14 commentsSupervisors to consider requiring health care systems to provide vaccination plans
Seeking to know how many vaccines are being given out, Santa Clara County supervisors will consider requiring large health care systems to produce a written plan and timeline for administering the doses.
Monday, 9:01 PM | 4 commentsStanford Shopping Center was a hot spot of violations when public health inspectors came calling
Eighteen stores in the Stanford Shopping Center were fined for violating Santa Clara County COVID-19 health orders over the Black Friday weekend, according to county documents obtained by the Weekly.
Monday, 9:39 AM | 9 commentsStruggling small businesses could get boost from Newsom's proposed $227B budget
On Friday, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a $575 million grant program for small businesses and nonprofits as part of his $227 billion budget proposal to the state legislature.
Monday, 9:19 AM | No comments yetSunday, January 10, 2021
Opinion: California's plan to bring many students back to school for in-person learning in careful stages
A Stanford professor who serves as president of the state Board of Education writes about why she supports the safe reopening of schools.
Sunday, 8:28 AM | 7 commentsBest Of Palo Alto: Renovated hotel looks to target locals with its daytime amenities
At a time when most business and leisure travel have been put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Nobu Hotel Palo Alto has moved forward with a multimillion-dollar renovation.
Sunday, 8:26 AM | No comments yetSaturday, January 9, 2021
Pro-Trump business owner documented at Capitol rally faces backlash
Some people are threatening a boycott of a Menlo Park business after it came to light that its owner attended a pro-Trump rally on Jan. 6 after which a mob violently invaded the U.S. Capitol.
Saturday, 10:31 PM | 40 commentsWith COVID-19 surge, Stanford frosh-soph students can't return to campus after all
Stanford University announced Saturday that freshman and sophomore students would not be allowed to return to campus for winter quarter, citing a surge in coronavirus cases.
Saturday, 9:41 PM | 1 commentAround Town: Meet Jalen, the first baby born in 2021 at Stanford
Stanford Children's Health welcomed seven babies on Jan. 1 -- the first being Jalen Ramos, who entered the world at 1:53 a.m. The healthy infant arrived at 5 pounds and 2 ounces.
Saturday, 9:00 AM | No comments yetFriday, January 8, 2021
Here's who'll be eligible for the next phases of COVID-19 vaccine distribution
The first phase of the COVID-19 vaccine distribution program is well underway in Santa Clara County, which could move to the second phase as soon as the end of January, health leaders say.
Friday, 4:17 PM | 7 commentsAs visitors flock to Foothills Park, city plans to restrict access
Concerned about the recent surge of visitors to Foothills Park, city leaders are planning to restrict access to the preserve by temporarily closing the entrance gates when the open space reaches maximum capacity.
Friday, 9:42 AM | 55 commentsNewsom wants extra $600 stimulus for low-wage Californians
Gov. Gavin Newsom has proposed a $600 stimulus for low-income Californians. He also wants to extend the state's eviction moratorium, which is currently set to expire Jan. 31.
Friday, 8:40 AM | 4 commentsNext COVID-19 vaccine phase rollout could come in weeks
California's Community Vaccine Advisory Committee is preparing to outline who will receive COVID-19 vaccine doses in the next phase of distribution and how to make sure they are administered equitably.
Friday, 6:59 AM | 4 commentsEditorial: Poor decision to encrypt police radio transmissions should be reconsidered
Following a year of unrest and protests urging police accountability, blanket encryption is the wrong move to make.
Friday, 6:59 AM | 10 commentsAmericans are living 30 years longer on average — and that's a big plus for businesses
A recent Stanford conference looked at everything from business innovations to caregiving to new ways for Americans to work and thrive throughout the increasingly long lives they're now living.
Friday, 6:58 AM | 3 commentsThursday, January 7, 2021
PUBLIC AGENDA: City Council considers VTA board seat nomination; selection of commission leaders
A preview of Palo Alto government meetings for the week of Jan. 11.
Thursday, 3:52 PM | No comments yetJanuary could be the pandemic's worst month following holiday season, health officials say
There were zero ICU beds available in the county as of Wednesday, which is impacting the region's 911 system too, county leaders said.
Thursday, 9:28 AM | No comments yetFresh off reelection to City Council, Greg Tanaka sets sights on Congress
After winning a second term on the Palo Alto City Council, Greg Tanaka is eying a new venture: a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives that has long been occupied by Anna Eshoo.
Thursday, 8:55 AM | 17 commentsWednesday, January 6, 2021
Politics cast a cloud over Palo Alto's representation on the VTA
As Palo Alto prepares to win representation on the VTA board, City Council members find themselves facing a question that they had seemingly answered months ago: Whom to choose for the position?
Wednesday, 3:25 PM | 7 comments'A day from hell': After rioters overrun Capitol, lawmakers have harsh words for president
U.S. Rep. Anna Eshoo was among hundreds of legislators who fled the House floor on Wednesday as thousands of rioters supporting President Donald Trump stormed the Capitol.
Wednesday, 1:00 PM | 56 commentsAs Palo Alto police switch to encrypted radio, newsroom scanners go silent
In a sudden move that will severely limit the ability of journalists and citizen watchdogs to cover breaking news, the Palo Alto Police Department encrypted all of its police radio communications Tuesday afternoon.
Wednesday, 9:25 AM | 17 commentsJail-based unemployment fraud schemes prompt Santa Clara County crackdown
The loss of millions of dollars in unemployment benefits that allegedly went to jail inmates across the state has prompted Santa Clara County prosecutors to start clamping down on the problem.
Wednesday, 9:11 AM | 4 commentsTuesday, January 5, 2021
New East Palo Alto City Council member calls for more diverse leadership in Sequoia district
East Palo Alto City Council member Antonio Lopez is asking Sequoia Union High School District to improve its relationship with his city.
Tuesday, 4:52 PM | 2 commentsSanta Clara County throws lifeline to small businesses through new loan program
Santa Clara County small businesses have a new lifeline to ring in 2021 -- a low-interest loan program of up to $100,000 now available for qualifying establishments.
Tuesday, 12:27 PM | No comments yetMonday, January 4, 2021
DuBois and Burt tapped to lead Palo Alto as mayor, vice mayor
Tom DuBois, a steadfast member of the Palo Alto City Council's "residentialist" majority, and Pat Burt, a political veteran coming off an emphatic election win, will lead the council this year as mayor and vice mayor, respectively.
Monday, 8:50 PM | 20 commentsPolice: Man exposes himself to girl during her bike ride
A girl riding her bicycle found herself faced with a man who exposed himself from a car on Sunday afternoon in Palo Alto's Palo Verde neighborhood, police said.
Monday, 7:42 PM | No comments yetUpset with Google's leadership, tech employees launch a workforce union to fight back
A coalition of employees working for Google parent company Alphabet and its subsidiaries announced Monday that they have launched a union to push back against "unethical" company decisions.
Monday, 2:24 PM | 8 commentsEven more contagious? Here's what you need to know about the mutating virus now in California
The new coronavirus variant so far has been detected in six people in the Golden State, after its initial discovery in the U.S. in Colorado.
Monday, 2:12 PM | 4 commentsNine new California laws explained — each in 1 minute
Learn about nine new state laws that went into effect in 2021, including a ban on police officers from using certain neck restraints and a requirement for businesses to report COVID-19 outbreaks.
Monday, 1:52 PM | No comments yetSunday, January 3, 2021
Mixed reactions accompany South Bay minimum wage increases
Palo Alto is among the South Bay cities that saw their minimum wage rates increase in the new year, which has left some business owners in fear as they face lost revenue during the pandemic.
Sunday, 9:47 AM | 9 commentsBest Of Palo Alto: Iconic bookstore weathers pandemic without a single layoff
When the pandemic forced Kepler's Books & Magazines to close its doors to the public in March, the independent bookseller did what it's done many times over the past six decades: It adapted.
Sunday, 8:13 AM | 3 comments
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Craving B. Patisserie's perfect pastries? The San Francisco bakery is popping up in San Mateo next week
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Spend some quality time with your thermostat
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PA Police: Too drastic a decision on banning police information from public
By Diana Diamond | 6 comments | 2,606 views
Dry January Last Week? LOL
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Which Christmas Gifts are Lasting?
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Palo Alto Weekly Holiday Fund
For the last 26 years, the Palo Alto Weekly Holiday Fund has given away more than $7 million to local nonprofits serving children and families. When you make a donation, every dollar is automatically doubled, and 100% of the funds go directly to local programs. It’s a great way to ensure your charitable donations are working at home.
