Recent News
Thursday, July 29, 2021
PUBLIC AGENDA: No City Council meeting this week
A preview of Palo Alto government meetings for the week of Aug. 2.
Thursday, 4:25 PM | No comments yetFree school meals for all here to stay in California
With 1 in every 6 children facing hunger in the U.S., California is the first state to promise every public school student -- all 6 million of them -- free school meals.
Thursday, 9:33 AM | 2 commentsWhy are key California affordable housing bills bottled up?
Affordable housing advocates are asking why bills supported by Senate leader Toni Atkins are stuck in the Assembly. One answer appears to be a provision pushed by the State Building and Construction Trades Council.
Thursday, 9:23 AM | 3 commentsPalo Alto Unified looks to outsource distance learning for students uncomfortable returning to class
Palo Alto Unified students who don't feel comfortable returning to the classroom this fall will be allowed to learn remotely, but they won't be taught by any teachers from the school district.
Thursday, 9:10 AM | 3 commentsWednesday, July 28, 2021
'Is something around the corner?' Small businesses reopen to find new challenges
California's economy is no longer at its nadir. But small businesses are still working to get back to normal, and are struggling with hiring, child care for their workers and uncertainty of future outbreaks.
Wednesday, 9:49 AM | 1 commentNew state law prohibits law enforcement from posting mugshots on social media
Police departments across California will no longer be able to splash mugshots over social media following a big arrest under a new state law signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom last week.
Wednesday, 9:36 AM | 10 commentsCalifornia under flex alert Wednesday, residents urged to conserve energy
California residents are being asked to conserve energy Wednesday by the state's power grid operator because of tight power supplies and excessive heat.
Wednesday, 9:24 AM | No comments yetNew CDC advice: Most vaccinated Californians should wear masks indoors
Under the CDC's new mask recommendations, vaccinated people in 45 California counties -- all of its most populous areas -- are advised to wear masks in public indoor places.
Wednesday, 8:47 AM | 13 commentsTuesday, July 27, 2021
Federal funds aid city's bid to replace aged fire station
Palo Alto's effort to rebuild Fire Station 4 next to Mitchell Park just received a big boost, with U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla including $6 million in funding for the project in his allocation request.
Tuesday, 9:43 AM | 1 commentForever chemicals: California unveils health goals for contaminated drinking water
California has taken the first big step toward regulating "forever chemicals." Its proposed goals, which aim to make cancer risk negligible, are lower than federal guidelines for drinking water.
Tuesday, 8:49 AM | 1 commentMonday, July 26, 2021
State employees, health care workers must show proof of vaccination
Amid climbing numbers of hospitalizations and a test positivity rate of 80% for the COVID-19 delta variant, state employees and health care workers must show proof of vaccination, state officials announced Monday.
Monday, 11:56 AM | 13 commentsSunday, July 25, 2021
Bullet train budget battle: Should California spend more on urban transit, not high-speed rail?
Gov. Gavin Newsom wants $4.2 billion to finish the Central Valley link for the bullet train, but legislators aren't sold.
Sunday, 10:03 AM | 10 commentsSaturday, July 24, 2021
Around Town: Palo Alto Utilities cautions customers about phone scams
In the latest Around Town column, news about a phone scam that demands Palo Alto Utilities customers pay a purportedly overdue bill and former Menlo Park Mayor Mickie Winkler, who's no longer running for governor.
Saturday, 9:59 AM | No comments yetFriday, July 23, 2021
Matadero Creek diesel spill, still under observation, appears to be waning
The May 6 diesel spill that contaminated Matadero Creek in Palo Alto continues to show signs that it is abating, according to a joint update published Monday by the city and VA.
Friday, 9:48 AM | No comments yetSeven new 'breakthrough' COVID-19 cases reported at Stanford in a week
Seven vaccinated students at Stanford University have tested positive for COVID-19 this week, university leaders said in an announcement to students and staff on Thursday.
Friday, 9:44 AM | 5 commentsHigh school students challenge own political beliefs through domestic exchange program
This week, 11 students arrived in Palo Alto as part of the American Exchange Project, a program in which U.S. teens can confront political polarization head-on and discover they have more in common.
Friday, 9:17 AM | 13 commentsOpinion: California reopened, and it's time to return to health
While all of us need to remain vigilant regarding COVID-19, especially as new variants enter our communities, we also need to be vigilant when it comes to taking care of our health.
Friday, 6:56 AM | No comments yetPUBLIC AGENDA: No City Council meeting this week
A preview of Palo Alto government meetings for the week of July 26.
Friday, 6:56 AM | No comments yetThursday, July 22, 2021
San Mateo County to start requiring face masks at county facilities on Monday
Face coverings will be required at San Mateo County facilities regardless of vaccination status "out of an abundance of caution" due to rising COVID-19 case rates.
Thursday, 3:52 PM | 1 commentSanta Clara among 3 Bay Area counties urging employers to implement vaccination policy
As the Bay Area experiences an increased rate of COVID-19 cases, particularly among the unvaccinated population, three county health officers urged employers on Thursday to consider implementing a vaccination mandate in the workplace.
Thursday, 2:12 PM | 9 commentsTo create more equitable communities, Chan Zuckerberg Initiative updates Community Fund program
Now in its fifth year, the program is taking applications for grants that will benefit local organizations addressing socioeconomic gaps.
Thursday, 9:53 AM | No comments yetInspired by the pandemic, Menlo Park women create phone buddy program for isolated seniors
As the threat of the pandemic has dropped for those who are vaccinated, the acute loneliness crisis faced by seniors in lockdown may also wane, but the overall issue of loneliness isn't going anywhere.
Thursday, 8:40 AM | No comments yetWednesday, July 21, 2021
As housing bills advance in Sacramento, critics and advocates amplify the debate
After a series of crushing defeats in the 2020 legislative session, housing advocates in Sacramento are hoping for better luck next month, when lawmakers return from their summer recess and take on dozens of pending housing bills.
Wednesday, 11:15 AM | 10 commentsState launches $40M grant program to encourage COVID-19 vaccines in doctors' offices
The CalVaxGrant program will make $40 million in grants available to help doctors' offices and small practices safely store and administer more COVID-19 vaccines.
Wednesday, 9:24 AM | No comments yetSan Mateo County supervisors approve millions in relief for small businesses
To support small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, San Mateo County supervisors on Tuesday approved small business relief funds and passed a law that would allow home food sales.
Wednesday, 9:16 AM | No comments yetSchool district fires contractor after trapped ground squirrels die
Palo Alto Unified terminated its contract with a pest control company on July 14 after ground squirrels that it trapped were recently found languishing in so-called live or humane traps.
Wednesday, 8:58 AM | 20 commentsPalo Alto looks to revamp review process for housing projects
Palo Alto is preparing to overhaul its process for approving new housing developments by leaning on "objective standards" -- clear rules that, if followed, will allow housing projects to win approval under a streamlined process.
Wednesday, 8:36 AM | 11 commentsTuesday, July 20, 2021
How to stay safe and prepare for looming threats of unhealthy air quality
With hotter, drier temperatures and an anticipated increase in wildfires, the Bay Area is bound to have some unhealthy air quality this summer. So, what are the best ways to keep yourself safe?
Tuesday, 9:28 AM | 1 commentDeveloper drops housing plan near California Avenue
Smith Development, which was preparing to build 75 apartments near the California Avenue Caltrain station, has dropped the proposal and is now looking to construct an office complex at the site.
Tuesday, 9:27 AM | 30 commentsNewsom signs $12B funding package to support housing for homeless residents
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a $12 billion funding package for housing and homelessness on Monday, the largest such investment in sheltering and supporting homeless residents in the state's history.
Tuesday, 8:45 AM | 4 commentsMonday, July 19, 2021
Only 60% of Palo Alto police report being vaccinated
Despite getting early access to COVID-19 vaccines, inoculation rates among local law enforcement agencies fall below the Santa Clara County average, with only 60% of Palo Alto Police Department personnel reporting they're vaccinated.
Monday, 3:37 PM | 116 commentsFederal funds to help Palo Alto build museum, respond to mental health emergencies
Palo Alto's plans to build a history museum and launch a program for mental health emergencies has received a boost from the federal government, with Rep. Anna Eshoo announcing that she was able to secure funding for both efforts.
Monday, 9:46 AM | 9 commentsSaturday, July 17, 2021
National Weather Service cancels red flag warning for Bay Area
The National Weather Service has canceled a red flag warning as thunderstorms anticipated in the Bay Area are now unlikely to show up at all.
Saturday, 9:30 AM | No comments yetAround Town: Free soccer class offers community space to kick it
In the latest Around Town column, news about a third grader sharing his love for soccer with the community and Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm's virtual visit to the SLAC laboratory.
Saturday, 9:20 AM | No comments yetFriday, July 16, 2021
Health officers encourage masking indoors regardless of vaccination, stop short of new mandate
On Friday, a coalition of Bay Area health officials urged residents to resume wearing a mask indoors following an uptick in COVID-19 cases.
Friday, 12:26 PM | 54 commentsUniversal basic income? California moves to be first state to fund pilot efforts
Once the bill is signed, cities and counties can apply for funding from a $35 million pool to support current or new initiatives.
Friday, 9:07 AM | 41 commentsThunderstorms may come to Bay Area on Sunday, with chances of dry lightning
Thunderstorms with chances of dry lightning might make their way to the Bay Area on Sunday and Monday, according to the National Weather Service.
Friday, 8:11 AM | No comments yetHow diverse are cities' water supplies — and are they enough?
The deepening drought and recent calls for Californians to voluntarily reduce their water use by 15% have residents starting to wonder: Just how resilient are local water systems in the event of a long-term drought or an emergency?
Friday, 6:56 AM | 8 commentsStay informed.
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Michelin-starred chefs bring Korean & Taiwanese fare to State Street Market in Los Altos
By The Peninsula Foodist | 1 comment | 5,951 views
Premarital and Couples: I look like THAT??!!
By Chandrama Anderson | 0 comments | 4,443 views
I am a covid coward – and also angry at anti-vaxxers
By Diana Diamond | 30 comments | 3,385 views
Meet the Winners
To show appreciation for the local business community, readers voted for their favorite places to eat, shop, work out or spend time with family and friends. The Palo Alto Weekly is proud to unveil this year's Best Of recipients and Hall of Fame honorees.
