Recent News
Tuesday, July 7, 2020
Nonprofit Youth Community Service announces new executive director
Youth Community Service, which provides volunteer opportunities to Midpeninsula students in Palo Alto, East Palo Alto and Menlo Park, named Mora Oommen as its new executive director on July 1.
Tuesday, 8:33 AM | No comments yetMonday, July 6, 2020
State denies Santa Clara County's plan to reopen economy, prompts confusion over outdoor dining
Santa Clara County suffered a stinging setback over the weekend in its strategy to reopen the economy, when the state rejected its plan to allow more businesses, including gyms and hair salons, to reopen later this month.
Monday, 1:24 PM | 12 commentsSunday, July 5, 2020
Opinion: Non-elected regional bodies are threatening Palo Alto's neighborhoods
July 10 will be the last chance to appeal dramatic changes by two non-elected regional bodies that will threaten the city's character. I urge everyone to ask the City Council now to stop the process.
Sunday, 9:41 AM | 67 commentsSaturday, July 4, 2020
Around Town: 91-year-old woman fulfills lifelong dream of completing bachelor's degree
In the latest Around Town column, news about a Palo Alto woman who recently finished her bachelor's degree, the Stanford Dish reopening July 6 and posters calling attention to police brutality.
Saturday, 9:21 AM | 2 commentsFriday, July 3, 2020
School board endorses plan for new academic year
In Palo Alto, the school board unanimously OK'd the district's plan Friday for reopening schools with some tweaks, including providing more in-person time for sixth-graders and consideration of later start times for secondary schools.
Friday, 12:59 PM | 77 commentsPUBLIC AGENDA: Forum on police reform, discussion on Plan Bay Area 2050
A preview of Palo Alto government meetings for the week of July 6.
Friday, 8:42 AM | No comments yetPalo Alto will open University Avenue daily to foot traffic only, but will the benefits outweigh the potential risks?
As businesses welcome back customers, health leaders continue to warn that increased movement will lead to more COVID-19 cases.
Friday, 6:59 AM | 8 commentsBlack in Palo Alto: Longtime residents describe painful toll of everyday racism
Five African Americans, all longtime Palo Altans who have endured painful incidents of racial discrimination, are cautiously hopeful that the Black Lives Matter movement could bring welcome change.
Friday, 6:58 AM | 32 commentsNot all neighborhoods were created equal in Palo Alto
Housing restrictions have existed in neighborhoods throughout Palo Alto for decades until the U.S. Supreme Court voided racial restrictions in 1948. Despite the high court's ruling, many restrictions lingered in deeds and bylaws.
Friday, 6:58 AM | 13 commentsGuest Opinion: Council reduced the size of the Human Relations Commission because of me
Members of the community have asked why the Palo Alto City Council reduced the size of its Human Relations Commission from seven to five seats last Tuesday without saying a word.
Friday, 6:58 AM | 39 commentsYour guide to local services available in Palo Alto this Fourth of July
As the coronavirus remains at large, city offices are closed and most firework shows in the county are canceled on July 4. We've compiled a list of which services will be available this weekend.
Friday, 6:58 AM | No comments yetThursday, July 2, 2020
Santa Clara County to allow hair salons, gyms to reopen — provided they meet new social-distancing rules
Hair salons and gyms in Santa Canta County may be allowed to reopen in mid-July under a new county order, which creates a strict set of rules that every business must follow to ensure safe operations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Thursday, 4:39 PM | 22 commentsWhat California's budget deal means for K-12 schools
California's new budget provides enough funding for schools to pivot to hybrid learning when they reopen this fall. But school officials fear delayed cuts could throw districts into the fiscal abyss later.
Thursday, 9:24 AM | 1 commentWind-driven grass fire threatens homes
A rapidly spreading vegetation fire caused the evacuation of homes in an East Palo Alto neighborhood on Wednesday afternoon after breaking out in a homeless encampment.
Thursday, 7:25 AM | 4 commentsWednesday, July 1, 2020
One message told 16 ways: Artists behind Black Lives Matter mural in Palo Alto ask what more will be done beyond street art
Right now, the public can visit Hamilton Avenue in front of City Hall to see a nearly 245-foot-long and 17-foot-tall vibrant street mural reflecting the global Black Lives Matter movement as seen through the eyes of 16 artists.
Wednesday, 5:31 PM | 24 commentsEffort to lower voting age in Palo Alto faces its biggest obstacle: A City Council on vacation
Proponents of lowering the voting age in Palo Alto argue that it would improve turnout, strengthen democracy and enhance civic engagement.
Wednesday, 9:55 AM | 22 commentsTuesday, June 30, 2020
Under Palo Alto Unified's proposed reopening plan, here's what schools will look like this fall
Palo Alto Unified's plan for reopening schools this fall proposes having elementary school students returning to campuses in person while middle and high schoolers will likely be primarily learning remotely.
Tuesday, 9:38 PM | 135 commentsPalo Alto launches educational series on police operations, use-of-force policies
The Police Department is kicking off a series of online briefings Wednesday to discuss issues such as use-of-force policies and Taser deployments.
Tuesday, 9:29 PM | 9 comments'In-person instruction is essential.' Santa Clara County issues guidance for reopening schools
County guidelines for reopening schools released on Tuesday work to balance in-person classes and the potential health risks of offering it.
Tuesday, 5:40 PM | 33 commentsTri-city fireworks summit examines enforcement, culture change
Loud explosions on East Palo Alto's city streets formed a backdrop for a public meeting on Monday night as leaders from three cities met to discuss the growing problem of fireworks.
Tuesday, 9:51 AM | 19 commentsSanta Clara County previews new COVID-19 reopening plan
The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors and Public Health Department held a joint meeting Monday with the San Jose City Council to preview the county's new reopening plan that will be released later this week.
Tuesday, 9:15 AM | 7 commentsMonday, June 29, 2020
The cost of COVID-19 drug remdesivir: $2,340 to $3,120 per patient
Gilead Sciences, the manufacturer of an experimental antiviral drug used to shorten COVID-19's effects, announced on Monday costs for remdesivir, which it claims is far below how drugs are usually priced.
Monday, 5:21 PM | 5 commentsStanford plans to bring half of its undergraduates back to campus this fall, but they'll still mostly learn online
Stanford University will alternate bringing half of its undergraduate students to campus for different quarters, with most courses still happening online -- even for students who are living there in person.
Monday, 5:14 PM | 16 commentsFederal lawsuit alleges Palo Alto police engaged in pattern of abuse
An attorney for the man who suffered a facial injury during an arrest in front of Happy Donuts is alleging in a federal suit that the violent incident is part of a broader trend of deception by Palo Alto police.
Monday, 4:48 PM | 18 commentsWoman dies in Highway 280 crash near Portola Valley
A 23-year-old San Jose resident died in a car crash Monday afternoon on southbound Interstate Highway 280 near Portola Valley, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Monday, 4:23 PM | No comments yetMan sentenced to over 95 years for fatal 2015 shooting in East Palo Alto
A man has been sentenced to more than 95 years in prison for a fatal shooting in East Palo Alto in 2015 as well as a non-fatal shooting months earlier, San Mateo County prosecutors said.
Monday, 10:57 AM | No comments yetCaltrain, SamTrans launch COVID-19 customer surveys
Caltrain and SamTrans launched customer surveys to try to find out rider preferences and priorities amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Monday, 8:46 AM | 1 commentSunday, June 28, 2020
Un-forgetting the segregationist history of Palo Alto (and Daly City, and San Francisco, and…)
In a Q&A, author Richard Rothstein expands upon how the makeup of today's Bay Area communities are tied to segregationist housing policies explored in his book "The Color of Law."
Sunday, 7:36 AM | 31 commentsSaturday, June 27, 2020
Around Town: Student's argument for universal vote-by-mail recognized by The New York Times
In the latest Around Town column, news about a Paly student's editorial recently published by The New York Times, a nonprofit debuting a new name and a student club's lessons on entrepreneurship.
Saturday, 7:44 AM | 4 commentsFriday, June 26, 2020
PUBLIC AGENDA: Report on Zero Waste Program; discussion on programs promoting electric cars
A preview of Palo Alto government meetings for the week of June 29.
Friday, 1:35 PM | No comments yetPolice chiefs, community leaders tackle systemic racism as calls for change get louder
On Thursday, a panel of community leaders discussed use-of-force policies and ways to reform policing to improve accountability.
Friday, 9:49 AM | 27 commentsUnprecedented fireworks explosions frazzle residents
Local police departments say they are responding in force to a growing number of fireworks complaints in Palo Alto, East Palo Alto and Menlo Park ahead of the Fourth of July.
Friday, 6:55 AM | 42 commentsThursday, June 25, 2020
Commissioner resigns after council declines to consider opening Foothills Park to non-residents
Parks and Recreation Commissioner, Ryan McCauley, who has led the effort to open Foothills Park to non-residents, resigned Tuesday after the council decided not to take up the politically charged topic.
Thursday, 10:45 AM | 60 commentsWednesday, June 24, 2020
Virtual, contactless era forces Avenidas to dismantle programs for seniors
Senior services nonprofit Avenidas announced that it is halting several programs as the organization pivots to a new service model as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Wednesday, 4:45 PM | No comments yetHungry for more outdoor dining, Palo Alto to close University Avenue to traffic
Emboldened by its recent success on California Avenue, the Palo Alto City Council moved Tuesday night to dramatically expand opportunities for outdoor dining elsewhere in the city, including on University Avenue.
Wednesday, 12:28 PM | 14 commentsThe school year starts in 49 days. Board members urge staff to prepare for 'robust' distance learning.
Board members voiced support Tuesday for preparing for the chance that secondary schools will have to practice remote learning this fall.
Wednesday, 9:11 AM | 123 commentsCounty on state 'watchlist' after COVID-19 case uptick
Santa Clara County had its highest number of COVID-19 cases ever recorded for a single day on Tuesday, raising concerns about the trajectory of the virus.
Wednesday, 8:55 AM | 20 comments
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The Nut House is back -- with a self-taught chef and Palo Alto native in the kitchen
By Elena Kadvany | 18 comments | 7,313 views
Public statues: Up or down? But does the historical importance of the individuals represented matter?
By Diana Diamond | 41 comments | 4,166 views
Bay Area and Palo Alto RHNA
By Steve Levy | 16 comments | 2,405 views
Stay Together or End the Relationship? Independence or Interdependence?
By Chandrama Anderson | 1 comment | 1,985 views
Expanding the birthday celebration
By Cheryl Bac | 0 comments | 667 views
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