Recent News
Saturday, February 27, 2021
Portola Valley schools project fosters creativity, gratitude
Students honored everyday heroes with unique awards as part of a recent project.
Saturday, 8:08 AM | 1 commentFriday, February 26, 2021
San Mateo County hazard pay ordinance for grocery store workers is postponed for equity review
A proposal to temporarily require large grocery and drug stores to offer hazard pay to frontline workers in unincorporated county areas is on hold while it is reviewed to ensure that its outcomes will be equitable.
Friday, 5:57 PM | 1 comment12 months into the pandemic, 'One year in' series seeks readers' perspectives
To mark the anniversary of the first stay-at-home order, The Almanac is preparing to publish a two-part series that captures how the pandemic and the shutdown have affected local residents.
Friday, 11:39 AM | No comments yetAttempted strong-armed robbery at Atherton home
Police have arrested one of two men who allegedly attempted to rob a man in front of his Atherton home last weekend and injured the man's wife after shooting a gun in her direction.
Friday, 11:33 AM | 3 commentsAfter eight months, Portola Valley's weekly BLM demonstrators stay committed
BLM protesters in Portola Valley have been gathering for eight months.
Friday, 10:09 AM | 2 commentsThursday, February 25, 2021
Sequoia high school district classrooms set to reopen April 5
After nearly a year of distance learning, Sequoia Union High School District students will have the option to return to classrooms on April 5, pending ratification of an agreement with the teachers union.
Thursday, 4:52 PM | 4 commentsDaly City COVID-19 vaccine clinic open to all San Mateo County residents 65 and up on Friday and Saturday
This Friday and Saturday, Feb. 26 and 27, San Mateo County residents 65 years and older can receive the COVID-19 vaccine at Jefferson High School in Daly City.
Thursday, 4:08 PM | 2 commentsIn controversial vote, council picks new firm for Menlo Park's legal services
In a tense 3-2 vote, the Menlo Park City Council opted to end its decadeslong ties with the Menlo Park-based law firm Jorgenson, Siegel, McClure and Flegel in favor of a new legal services contract with Burke, Williams and Sorensen.
Thursday, 2:56 PM | 5 commentsStanford, optimistic about COVID-19 trends, to allow juniors and seniors back on campus
Stanford University will allow juniors and seniors to come back to campus in late March, signaling administrators' optimism about local public health conditions and the university's ability to control the spread of COVID-19.
Thursday, 1:26 PM | No comments yetHigh school families rally for students to return to classrooms
On Tuesday, after nearly a year of distance learning, about 125 students, parents and teachers rallied for the Sequoia Union High School District to reopen its classrooms when San Mateo County improves to the COVID-19 red tier.
Thursday, 10:44 AM | 2 commentsEarly morning fire sends 2 people to the hospital, displaces family of 7
A residential fire has injured three people, two of whom were sent to the hospital, and displaced a family of seven in East Palo Alto early Thursday, according to the Menlo Park Fire Protection District.
Thursday, 9:22 AM | No comments yetWednesday, February 24, 2021
$47M in rental relief coming to San Mateo County renters and landlords
Between state and federal funds, almost $47 million in rental assistance will be available to provide San Mateo County renters and landlords impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic much-needed relief in the coming months.
Wednesday, 6:54 PM |
1 comment
Between state and federal funds, almost $47 million in rental assistance will be available to provide San Mateo County renters and landlords impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic much-needed relief in the coming months.
Wednesday, 6:54 PM |
1 comment
Woodside woman found dead in Grand Canyon
Lillian Meyn, a 31-year-old Woodside resident, was found dead in the Grand Canyon Tuesday morning after a family member reported her missing, park officials said.
Wednesday, 2:16 PM | 1 commentSanta Cruz Avenue closures to remain in effect through end of next January
Three downtown street segments in Menlo Park will remain closed to encourage outdoor dining until the end of January 2022, following a unanimous vote by the City Council Tuesday night.
Wednesday, 11:57 AM | 3 commentsTeen arrested for alleged carjacking possibly linked to robbery
A 16-year-old boy arrested Saturday after an armed carjacking and a high-speed chase is believed to have also committed a strong-armed robbery in downtown Palo Alto the night before, police said.
Wednesday, 11:56 AM | No comments yetObituaries: Anders Klaseen Prokop, Ruth Fredkin Seiler
This week in obituaries, read about the lives of Anders Klaseen Prokop, 30, and Ruth Fredkin Seiler, 91.
Wednesday, 11:25 AM | No comments yetCOVID relief grant application window now open for restaurants, breweries and wineries
Qualifying restaurants, wineries and breweries in San Mateo County can now apply for COVID-19 relief grants of up to $10,000.
Wednesday, 11:11 AM | No comments yetTuesday, February 23, 2021
State Sen. Josh Becker calls for schools to reopen once San Mateo County enters red tier
State Sen. Josh Becker wants all San Mateo County schools to reopen for in-person learning once the county enters the less restrictive red tier -- which is set to happen on Wednesday -- saying the social and emotional toll is too high.
Tuesday, 4:57 PM | 3 commentsSan Mateo County improves to red tier for COVID-19, allowing for indoor dining and worship services
California public health officials approved San Mateo County's move from the most restrictive purple tier COVID-19 designation to the less-restrictive red tier on Feb. 23. More businesses and activities in the county will be allowed.
Tuesday, 3:24 PM | No comments yetPalo Alto plans to sell annual passes for Foothills Nature Preserve entry
After moving to dramatically curtail access to Foothills Park last month, Palo Alto officially agreed on Monday to further revise entry rules and allow free entry to local students, veterans and visitors with disabilities.
Tuesday, 11:43 AM | No comments yetCOVID vaccinations begin for law enforcement, farmworkers and educators in San Mateo County
Vaccinations for law enforcement, educators and farmworkers are underway in San Mateo County and community partners say the process has been going well so far.
Tuesday, 11:15 AM | No comments yetMonday, February 22, 2021
Ex-Stanford researcher allegedly tied to Chinese military faces more charges
Chen Song, a former Stanford visiting researcher who was arrested for visa fraud last summer, faces additional charges in a case tying her to the Chinese military, federal prosecutors said Thursday.
Monday, 4:43 PM | 1 commentMenlo Park council to consider new law firm for city attorney services
After decades of work with the law firm Jorgenson, Siegel, McClure & Flegel, LLP, the Menlo Park City Council on Tuesday is set to consider hiring a different law firm: Burke Williams Sorenson, LLP, and a new city attorney.
Monday, 11:22 AM | 2 commentsIt's not landlords versus tenants — everyone's losing
Local commercial real estate is in its worst crisis since the dot-com bust and the 2008 recession. It's an 11-months-old disaster that has yet to see a clear end date or an elegant solution.
Monday, 9:23 AM | No comments yetSaturday, February 20, 2021
Guest opinion: Help the Menlo Park City School District create a new financial plan
In an op-ed, Menlo Park City School District school board president Sherwin Chen writes about upcoming community engagement sessions to help the district craft its new financial plan as it faces potential budget cuts.
Saturday, 8:39 AM | No comments yetFriday, February 19, 2021
Local boys lacrosse teams will have shorter seasons
A controversial decision by the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League Board of Managers to create a three-season scheduling structure for prep sports this spring will remain in place.
Friday, 4:55 PM | No comments yetCounty to hold COVID-19 vaccination events for educators
Some local teachers are reporting that they have already begun to receive their first COVID-19 vaccine doses after San Mateo County recently announced that teachers and other frontline workers can be vaccinated starting Monday.
Friday, 3:23 PM | No comments yetCommunity briefs: Longtime Atherton officer retires; Sequoia district superintendent applications due soon; Menlo Park to hold community meetings on finances
In this week's community briefs, Sequoia district superintendent application is due next week, Menlo Park district to hold community meetings on finances and a longtime Atherton officer retires.
Friday, 11:54 AM | No comments yetCounty civil grand jury report identifies obstacles to building and permitting second units
There is potential for many thousands of new secondary housing units in single-family areas throughout San Mateo County, and more should be done to make these units easier to build, argued a Civil Grand Jury Report released last year.
Friday, 11:44 AM | No comments yetGuest opinion: Parents urge Sequoia district to reopen in red tier
In a guest opinion, a group of Sequoia Union High School District parents calls on the district to prioritize the safe reopening of campuses for the remainder of the school year.
Friday, 11:35 AM | 11 commentsTask force on homelessness helps unhoused near Bay in pandemic
The number of people living in encampments near the Bay in Menlo Park has dropped to around 10 from a high of around 60 people in the summer, thanks to efforts by a number of agencies to connect unhoused people with services.
Friday, 11:14 AM | 1 commentWeight loss surgeon from Menlo Park pens book on staying fit and healthy lifelong
Long-term fitness and weight loss have been a career focus in the work of Dr. Sanjoy Dutta, a Menlo Park resident and bariatric surgeon. The surgeon recently wrote a book called "Get Strong Lifelong" to share what he's learned.
Friday, 10:08 AM | No comments yetThursday, February 18, 2021
San Mateo County: Vaccination clinics underway, but short supplies limit rollout
Teachers and other frontline workers will be eligible for COVID-19 vaccinations in San Mateo County starting Monday but county officials said it may take some time for health care providers to reach those groups, due to limited supply.
Thursday, 1:40 PM | No comments yetSpring Down owner gifts equestrian center to Portola Valley
The Spring Down Equestrian Center will be gifted to the town of Portola Valley in the future. Owner Carol Goodstein says it's her way of showing gratitude for all the joy she's had living in the town.
Thursday, 11:37 AM | 1 commentNewsom, lawmakers agree to $600 stimulus checks plus boost for undocumented workers
California has worked out a plan to provide more cash for struggling residents, particularly undocumented families left out of federal aid.
Thursday, 10:05 AM | No comments yetWednesday, February 17, 2021
New name, new rules: Foothills Park is in for more changes
After opening Foothills Park to the broader public in December, the City Council is preparing to consider new visitor limits, annual passes for entry and a name that underscores the destination's status as a nature preserve.
Wednesday, 5:34 PM | No comments yetObituaries: Philip Edward Berghausen Jr., Darrell D. Dorfmeier, Remo Dominic Ferrari
This week in obituaries, read about the lives of Philip Edward Berghausen Jr., 74, Darrell D. Dorfmeier, 70, and Remo "Ray" Dominic Ferrari, 91.
Wednesday, 11:23 AM | No comments yetTeacher housing plan gains momentum as Palo Alto City Council voices support
A proposal to build 110 apartments for teachers and school district staff near California Avenue gained momentum last week. Some apartments may be offered to educators in Menlo Park, Los Altos and Mountain View.
Wednesday, 11:14 AM | No comments yetAtherton couple donates $80M to Stanford children's hospital, medical school
An Atherton couple has given $80 million to Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford and Stanford University's School of Medicine to improve services for Bay Area mothers and babies.
Wednesday, 9:40 AM | 1 commentTuesday, February 16, 2021
COVID-19 vaccine clinic at SFO opens to all San Mateo County residents 65+ for two days
A two-day vaccination clinic at San Francisco International Airport will provide drive-thru COVID-19 vaccinations for all San Mateo County residents 65 years and older, regardless of insurance.
Tuesday, 5:02 PM | 2 commentsNew CEO of LifeMoves poised to take on leadership at organization's 'inflection point'
The Menlo Park-based nonprofit LifeMoves, which is the largest network providing services, shelter and resources to unhoused people on the Peninsula, announced local nonprofit leader Aubrey Merriman as its new CEO on Feb. 9.
Tuesday, 4:38 PM | No comments yetCrimes and courts updates: Doctors split on alleged murderer's sanity, alleged bike thief nabbed and more
A cash drawer was stolen from Mitsunobu Restaurant, doctors came to split conclusions in high-profile murder case and an alleged bike thief was caught.
Tuesday, 10:00 AM | No comments yetMonday, February 15, 2021
Burglaries, break-in reported in Atherton
Atherton has experienced 16 burglaries since the fall.
Monday, 9:05 AM | No comments yetSunday, February 14, 2021
On Valentine's Day, one Menlo Park couple opens up about a relationship strengthened by doing good
Menlo Park couple Gail and Ben Brian have spent more than 20 years acting in quiet ways to do good. For Valentine's Day, they reflected on how their community service has affected their partnership.
Sunday, 8:52 AM | 1 comment
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Open up the schools now!
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Please Keep Your Dog Off of the Merry-go-round
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Calling all photographers!
Enter your best shots in the Peninsula Photo Contest. Open to anyone who lives, works or attends school within the 650 area code. There are both Adult and Youth divisions and six different categories to submit your digital images. Deadline for entries is March 22.
