Recent News
Wednesday, December 1, 2021
Castilleja School returns to spotlight with revised plan to rebuild campus
Castilleja School's polarizing bid to rebuild its Bryant Street campus and construct an underground garage will return to the spotlight this week, when the city's two main land-use bodies start reviewing the school's plans.
Wednesday, 3:03 PM | No comments yetAlleged carjacker caught red-handed by vehicle's owner
Palo Alto police arrested a man in connection with a carjacking incident at a downtown parking lot on Friday evening, police said.
Wednesday, 9:18 AM | 1 commentHolmes, Balwani hoped to 'build the true American empire' at Theranos, text messages show
Text messages between former Theranos executives Elizabeth Holmes and Sunny Balwani that were read out loud during Holmes' criminal fraud trial on Tuesday revealed a more complicated story.
Wednesday, 9:15 AM | No comments yetTuesday, November 30, 2021
Should sexually violent convict, deemed 'no longer a threat' by the state, be housed in East Palo Alto?
The release from prison of a man with a history as a "sexually violent predator" and his proposed placement by the state in an East Palo Alto neighborhood are stirring up opposition.
Tuesday, 6:50 PM | No comments yetAs City Council advances renter protection laws, landlords demand a voice
Seeking to protect low-income renters from displacement, a divided Palo Alto City Council moved on Monday to craft new laws that would restrict evictions and prevent sharp rent increases.
Tuesday, 1:04 PM | 9 commentsStanford administrators uncertain if possible nooses found on campus were deliberate
Possible nooses were reported along the Lake Lagunita walking trail at Stanford University on Monday, university administrators announced in an email to the campus community.
Tuesday, 9:53 AM | 1 commentHolmes testifies that Balwani ordered her to 'become a new Elizabeth' or risk failure
On her fourth day on the witness stand on Monday, Elizabeth Holmes described a yearslong abusive relationship with her business partner and alleged co-conspirator, Sunny Balwani.
Tuesday, 9:09 AM | No comments yetDespite uncertainties, City Council backs underpass plan at Churchill train tracks
Palo Alto hit a key milestone in its convoluted journey to redesign the Churchill Avenue rail crossing on Monday, when the council endorsed the idea of building an underpass for cars at the tracks.
Tuesday, 12:45 AM | 27 commentsMonday, November 29, 2021
Burglars break into Palo Alto house but flee after realizing residents are home
Burglars smashed a glass door to get into a Crescent Park house early Saturday morning but left empty-handed after discovering the residents were at home, according to police.
Monday, 5:17 PM | 2 commentsSanta Clara County chips in funding to keep safe parking lots open through June 2022
Safe parking sites in Mountain View and Palo Alto, designed to help a growing number of homeless residents living in cars and RVs, will remain open through June, thanks to new funding from the county.
Monday, 3:25 PM | 2 commentsSunday, November 28, 2021
Air quality expected to be moderate all week
The region's air quality is expected to be moderate through Thursday, according to the Bay Area Air Quality Management District.
Sunday, 4:17 PM | No comments yetParks commission pitches new project: A city gym
Eager to give Palo Alto residents a new space to compete, exercise and socialize, the parks commission is leading the charge on a public gym, which is expected to cost about $25 million.
Sunday, 8:06 AM | 22 commentsSaturday, November 27, 2021
Stanford pediatrician pleads no contest for sending sexual messages to girl
A Stanford doctor pleaded no contest to a charge for sending sexual messages to a 16-year-old, prosecutors said.
Saturday, 9:48 AM | No comments yetAround Town: Palo Alto lights up the holidays with decoration contest
In the latest column, news about the city of Palo Alto's holiday decoration contest, the effort to restore Stanford Memorial Church's stained glass windows and an award for Mollie Stone's Markets.
Saturday, 8:44 AM | No comments yetFriday, November 26, 2021
Two injured in crash following illegal sideshow
Two people are hospitalized with major injuries after they fled from an illegal sideshow, sideswiped a police patrol car and crashed into a tree near the Palo Alto Baylands early Friday morning, police said.
Friday, 9:54 AM | 10 commentsHoliday Fund: Where learning English is 'medicine for the people'
The Rosalie Rendu Center empowers Latino mothers and families to break the cycle of poverty through English as a second language, life skills and acculturation classes.
Friday, 8:32 AM | No comments yetThursday, November 25, 2021
Help local nonprofits spread cheer this holiday season
We've compiled a list of Midpeninsula nonprofits that are accepting donations to help make the holidays brighter for those in need.
Thursday, 9:26 AM | 1 commentWednesday, November 24, 2021
Police thwart 30 to 40 people in smash-and-grab attempt downtown
A large group that tried to smash the door of The RealReal store ran off in 20 cars after police responded to the scene on Sunday. Two people who allegedly traveled with the caravan were later arrested.
Wednesday, 6:34 PM | 5 commentsPUBLIC AGENDA: Church Avenue rail crossing; Castilleja's reconstruction project revisions
A preview of Palo Alto government meetings for the week of Nov. 29.
Wednesday, 4:27 PM | No comments yetCHP to patrol Stanford Shopping Center, other malls amid smash-and-grab crime wave
Local malls will have a greater force of armed protection this holiday season. Gov. Gavin Newsom has ordered the California Highway Patrol to increase their presence around malls throughout the state.
Wednesday, 4:10 PM | 4 commentsBay Area to receive $4.5B over five years in federal infrastructure package
The region will receive $4.5 billion over the next five years from the recently passed federal infrastructure funding package, a group of congressional members said Tuesday.
Wednesday, 11:33 AM | No comments yetAnother COVID holiday: Is California in a better place this year?
The answer is no in many parts of California: Eighteen counties, mostly rural ones, have more hospitalized COVID-19 patients today than a year ago. But urban counties are faring better.
Wednesday, 9:30 AM | 2 commentsHousing near Caltrain? Stanford's proposal nets mixed reaction
For decades, the downtown transit center has served as a focal point in Palo Alto's ambitious plans for commercial growth and railway improvement. Now, some see it as the perfect place to address the city's housing crisis.
Wednesday, 9:15 AM | 24 commentsBay Area district attorneys form alliance against organized retail theft
In response to recent organized theft schemes seen across the Bay Area this week, seven Bay Area district attorneys created an alliance to ensure suspects face proper accountability.
Wednesday, 9:14 AM | 2 commentsTuesday, November 23, 2021
After 80 mph, wrong-way flight on Embarcadero, man crashes stolen Mini Cooper into tree
A man attempted a harrowing escape from police on Monday and was arrested after he fled at high speed on Embarcadero Road, driving recklessly in the oncoming lane, a police spokesperson said.
Tuesday, 2:30 PM | 2 commentsCity services limited during Thanksgiving weekend
Most city services will be closed as usual for Thanksgiving Day on Thursday and the following Friday. Garbage pickup and transportation services plan to operate on modified schedules.
Tuesday, 12:25 PM | No comments yetPalo Alto looks to industrial sites to address housing shortage
Few Palo Alto neighborhoods reflect the city's shifting housing politics like East Meadow Circle, a historically industrial area that is now increasingly viewed as a prime location for residences.
Tuesday, 9:37 AM | 8 commentsMonday, November 22, 2021
Burlingame City Council member enters race to succeed Jackie Speier
Burlingame City Council member Emily Beach announced Monday that she will run for Congress, joining the race to fill a seat currently occupied by Rep. Jackie Speier.
Monday, 4:43 PM | No comments yetSunday, November 21, 2021
Understanding the debate behind California's new math framework
In the push to help more students thrive in STEM, California is working to change the way its schools teach math. But the suggested new framework has sparked widespread criticism.
Sunday, 1:31 PM | 3 commentsSaturday, November 20, 2021
A 'mythical bridge' no more: Palo Alto's new bike overpass is now open
A new overpass in Palo Alto that will provide year-round access to the Baylands, the new Adobe Reach trail and other outdoor amenities opened Saturday to a crowd of pedestrians and cyclists.
Saturday, 7:57 PM | 13 commentsSan Mateo County Board of Supervisors president running for U.S. Rep. Jackie Speier's seat
San Mateo County Board of Supervisors President David Canepa on Saturday announced his bid for the 14th Congressional District seat held by Rep. Jackie Speier, who is not seeking reelection.
Saturday, 9:05 AM | No comments yetAround Town: Local mother and daughter make top 3 of 'Top Chef Family Style'
In the latest column, news about a Palo Alto duo in a national cooking competition, two good Samaritans who were honored by the City Council and two men who saved a woman from falling.
Saturday, 8:52 AM | No comments yetFriday, November 19, 2021
Burglars strike jewelry store, take $50K in gold, silver
Three people took an estimated $50,000 in gold and silver from a downtown Palo Alto jewelry store in a brazen smash-and-grab burglary early Thursday morning, police Lt. Con Maloney said.
Friday, 4:26 PM | 10 commentsRavenswood teachers get 10% raise, bringing salaries on par with neighboring school districts
The pay bump comes with a new process that will allow teachers to "move more quickly up the salary scale based on their performance."
Friday, 3:40 PM | No comments yetElizabeth Holmes trial: Final prosecution witnesses describe misleading statements
An Arizona dentist about to leave the country for two years of missionary work in 2015 had to be tested four times for prostate cancer after his doctor directed that he have his blood drawn at a Theranos site in a Walgreens store.
Friday, 11:01 AM | No comments yetPUBLIC AGENDA: City Council interviews candidates for commissions
A preview of Palo Alto government meetings for the week of Nov. 22.
Friday, 10:06 AM | No comments yetReports: Puppies likely died from heat stroke, asphyxia
Seven puppies that died in the care of Palo Alto animal services operator Pets in Need on Aug. 2 likely succumbed from heat stroke and/or asphyxiation, three necropsy reports on the animals concluded.
Friday, 6:51 AM | 5 commentsPandemic-induced enrollment plunge persists for second year at local public schools
Enrollment is down, but not as significantly as during the 2020-21 school year, data shows.
Friday, 6:51 AM | 8 commentsHoliday Fund: Friends for Youth is in the business of making human connections
Every year, Friends for Youth matches 30 to 50 mentors with mentees. They commit to spending time together for at least six months and more than 85% of them do. Some continue on for years.
Friday, 6:50 AM | 1 commentOpinion: Survey of Palo Alto faith leaders points to new affordable housing possibilities
Palo Alto is too expensive. Gone are the days when you could expect your child's teachers to live in the neighborhood or when hardworking families could scrimp to buy a starter home.
Friday, 6:50 AM | 15 commentsThursday, November 18, 2021
Pets in Need Executive Director Al Mollica to resign
Al Mollica, the executive director of beleaguered animal advocacy organization Pets in Need, will step down. The decision comes on the heels of the nonprofit's announcement to end its partnership with city of Palo Alto.
Thursday, 1:53 PM | 9 commentsSanta Clara County supervisors pick new boundaries for future elections
The board agreed to move forward with new boundaries for Santa Clara County's five supervisorial districts, shifting the balance of power and significantly altering representation in north county.
Thursday, 12:29 PM | 1 commentElizabeth Holmes trial: Defense tries to bolster story of investor who did homework, gave money anyway
The defense tried to counter the fraud allegations against their client by showing the extent to which one investor understood the risks.
Thursday, 9:37 AM | No comments yetPalo Alto's new bike bridge is almost ready to debut
After a decade of debate and two years of construction, Palo Alto's new bike bridge over U.S. Highway 101 will officially open to the public on Saturday morning.
Thursday, 9:24 AM | 12 commentsWitness intervenes in car burglary, faces knife-wielding man
A man who tried to stop two car burglars in a downtown parking garage last week became the victim of a violent crime after one of two men brandished a knife and threatened to stab him, police said.
Thursday, 9:05 AM | 3 commentsStay informed.
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Is California engaging in wishful thinking or rigorous planning?
By Sherry Listgarten | 10 comments | 4,818 views
Curry and reubens: Local Kitchens opens "micro food halls" on the Peninsula
By The Peninsula Foodist | 0 comments | 4,532 views
