Recent News
Sunday, November 18, 2018
Citizen firefighters
A small number of men and women residing in San Mateo County live in daily readiness to take on dangerous and often life-saving assignments in the interest of public safety in their community. They're the first responders of the Kings Mountain Volunteer Fire Brigade.
Sunday, 11:28 AM | No comments yetSaturday, November 17, 2018
Bay Area air quality expected to worsen Sunday
Smoke from the Camp Fire in Butte County, which has cast a pall over the entire Bay Area for more than a week, isn't expected to dissipate significantly until at least Wednesday, according to the Bay Area Air Quality Management District.
Saturday, 8:18 PM | No comments yetMenlo Park: Funding to build affordable housing available
The city of Menlo Park has released a "notice of funding availability," a call for agencies to apply for funding, for affordable housing projects. The city currently has about $11.5 million in funds available.
Saturday, 3:07 PM | No comments yetFriday, November 16, 2018
Former Menlo Park residents lose home in Camp Fire
A GoFundMe page has been started to help a longtime Menlo Park family who lost their home as a result of the Camp Fire in Butte County.
Friday, 7:44 PM | No comments yetFriday update: Fluet's lead grows in Woodside council seat race
The latest vote count for Ned Fluet continues to advance his lead over his opponent, Frank Rosenblum, in the race for Woodside's District 7 Town Council seat. Fluet now leads with 55 percent of the vote, an increase of one percentage point.
Friday, 7:26 PM | No comments yetFriday update: Leads hold in election for fire board seats
The three candidates who have held lead positions in the Menlo Park Fire Protection District race since election night continue to do so with the county's latest vote count update on Friday, Nov. 16.
Friday, 7:21 PM | No comments yetFriday update: Taylor, Combs, Nash likely Menlo Park council race winners
The latest round of election results, released 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 16, show that Cecilia Taylor, Drew Combs and Betsy Nash remain the top vote recipients in their races for the Menlo Park City Council seats for districts 1, 2 and 4, respectively.
Friday, 5:39 PM | 1 commentWinter Spare the Air alert extended through Tuesday
Winter Spare the Air alerts will continue through Tuesday as a result of smoky conditions caused by the Camp Fire in Butte County, according to regional air quality officials.
Friday, 5:32 PM | No comments yetUpdate: Schools planning to reopen Monday
Following the closure of most schools in San Mateo County on Friday due to poor air quality, local district officials are indicating they plan to keep campuses open Monday (Nov. 19).
Friday, 5:32 PM |
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Following the closure of most schools in San Mateo County on Friday due to poor air quality, local district officials are indicating they plan to keep campuses open Monday (Nov. 19).
Friday, 5:32 PM |
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Friday update: PV school bond measure maintains lead
Unofficial results updated by the county this afternoon (Nov. 16) show the original margin of support for Measure Z, a $49.5 million bond to pay for repairs, renovations and new buildings on the Portola Valley School District's two campuses, holding steady.
Friday, 4:57 PM | No comments yetWoodside planning staff recognized for achievements
The Woodside Town Council recently recognized three Planning Department employees who passed exams that confer upon them an official capacities for environmental planning, and one who is now a certified planner.
Friday, 11:55 AM | No comments yetSupervisors OK resolution seeking to expand emergency alert system
The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors unanimously passed a resolution on Tuesday, Nov. 13, encouraging the county's Office of Emergency Services to expand its current emergency alert notification system to a greater number of residents.
Friday, 8:53 AM | No comments yetThursday, November 15, 2018
Woodside's historic Fleishhacker estate could set a sales record in California
One of Woodside's oldest estates, the 75-acre Fleishhacker property known as Green Gables, is for sale.
Thursday, 9:41 PM | 2 commentsSmoke from Camp Fire forces school closures
Spare the Air alerts will continue through Tuesday as a result of smoky conditions caused by the Camp Fire in Butte County. The poor air quality prompted officials at schools around the Bay Area to cancel classes Thursday and Friday.
Thursday, 2:54 PM | No comments yetPV schools superintendent announces resignation
Portola Valley School District Superintendent Eric Hartwig announced that he will be leaving his post at the end of the school year at a board meeting Wednesday night (Nov. 14).
Thursday, 12:44 PM | 3 commentsNew Facebook bus stop approved
The Menlo Park City Council voted 4-0 on Tuesday, Nov. 13, to approve a new bus stop and bus circulation configuration proposed by Facebook at 180 to 200 and 220 Jefferson Drive.
Thursday, 11:44 AM | 2 commentsFormer Menlo Park mayor Dee Tolles dies at 79
Former Menlo Park mayor Raymond "Dee" Tolles died Monday, Nov. 12, at age 79, leaving behind a legacy of civic involvement as remembered by a number of Menlo Park's leaders over the years.
Thursday, 10:45 AM | 6 commentsLocal schools struggle with substitute teacher shortage
Midpeninsula schools are having trouble filling substitute teaching positions, making it hard for teachers to take time off when needed.
Thursday, 9:04 AM | No comments yetWednesday, November 14, 2018
Supervisor Pine touts county's affordable housing, transit efforts
San Mateo County has the lowest unemployment rate, claims the highest per-capita income among counties in the state and touts a budget nearly $3 billion. It also has more than 100,000 people who receive MediCal, and one in three kids in public schools qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch, an indicator of poverty.
Wednesday, 7:57 PM | No comments yetMenlo Park: Bike lanes on Oak Grove Avenue to stay
A little over a year ago, temporary bike lanes were installed on segments of Oak Grove Avenue, Crane Street and University Drive as part of a pilot project to see if they would improve the safety of those cycling east to west through downtown Menlo Park and draw more cyclists out of cars and off of other car-heavy roads.
Wednesday, 3:26 PM | 5 commentsTonight: District considers resolution to ‘mitigate impact' of development on M-A
Sequoia Union High School District officials have not been shy in voicing their concern that student enrollment could increase at Menlo-Atherton High School if a proposed Facebook development that includes 1,500 units of housing comes to Menlo Park.
Wednesday, 11:37 AM | 2 commentsTonight: PV school board reviews first steps for Measure Z projects
With a $49.5 million bond to pay for repairs, renovations and new buildings on the Portola Valley School District's two campuses, inching toward approval as votes are counted in the Nov. 6 election, district officials have begun the process of hiring staff to manage the project.
Wednesday, 8:27 AM | No comments yetTuesday, November 13, 2018
Tuesday update: Fire board candidates hold leads in latest vote count
More votes have been counted, but the margins of lead have not changed in the race for three seats on the governing board of the Menlo Park Fire Protection District.
Tuesday, 5:27 PM | No comments yetTuesday update: Fluet increases lead in Woodside's District 7 council race
The latest tally from the county Elections Office, released this afternoon (Nov. 13) shows Ned Fluet slightly improving his lead over his opponent, Frank Rosenblum, in the race for Woodside's District 7 Town Council seat.
Tuesday, 5:10 PM | No comments yetTonight: Portola Valley council reviews new antenna regulations
Cities and towns have long tussled with wireless telecommunications providers over use permits, the placement of cellphone antennas, and how intrusive they can be. New rules from the federal government appear to have made it easier for wireless companies to deploy their antennas.
Tuesday, 3:17 PM | No comments yetMenlo Park: Pensions discussions on council agenda
The Menlo Park City Council is scheduled to discuss what it should do about its pension obligations at its meeting scheduled for tonight, Tuesday, Nov. 13.
Tuesday, 8:55 AM | 3 commentsMonday, November 12, 2018
The amazing life story of a natural ham
Move over Miss Piggy. There's a new superstar hogging the limelight: Pickles the pig, who lives in the loving care of Portola Valley native Maddie Johnson.
Monday, 9:32 PM | 2 commentsTuesday: Menlo Park City School District board discussing philosophy for paying teachers
As the Menlo Park City School District comes up with a philosophy for how to pay its teachers, there is concern that introducing teacher evaluations into a document about teacher pay could make instructors anxious, while other district employees feel left out of the conversation.
Monday, 5:05 PM | No comments yetMenlo Park Police Department names new commander
The Menlo Park Police Department has hired a new police commander, Rich Struckman, who was scheduled to start Tuesday, Nov. 13. He will be expected to oversee the Patrol Division, according to a city announcement.
Monday, 3:44 PM | 3 commentsWinter Spare the Air alert extended through Friday
As heavy smoke from the Camp Fire in Butte County continues to choke Bay Area skies, a Winter Spare the Air alert has been extended through Friday, Nov. 16.
Monday, 11:18 AM | No comments yetWoodside: Glens residents resist the 'nonconforming' label
For some people, being labeled a nonconformist is a badge of honor. Homeowners in the Glens in Woodside are tired of being labeled as not conforming to the town's spacious open-space requirements meant for much larger properties.
Monday, 9:31 AM | 3 commentsSunday, November 11, 2018
Arson charges for Menlo Park man rescued at Compadres fire
Palo Alto police arrested a man Saturday night, Nov. 10, on suspicion of starting two fires that afternoon within 50 minutes of each other along El Camino Real.
Sunday, 1:22 PM | 2 commentsSaturday, November 10, 2018
One World: The new way of business
Helping companies to develop and increase their social impact is the mission of "One World," a Palo Alto-based company founded in 2015 by Scott Saslow.
Saturday, 9:36 PM | No comments yetThe perils of plastic
Plastics: It's hard to imagine modern life without them. But the word describes a modern development that has become both a blessing and a curse.
Saturday, 9:22 PM | No comments yetUnhealthy air quality and fire risk trigger weekend closures of outdoor spaces
Due to poor air quality expected throughout much of the Bay Area and fire danger in some areas, several outdoor open spaces in the region will be closed Nov. 10 and 11.
Saturday, 10:39 AM | No comments yetFriday, November 9, 2018
Red flag warning issued for this weekend
The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning for the weekend that covers the western hills portion of the Woodside Fire Protection District.
Friday, 7:05 PM | No comments yetHistorical Association hosts celebration of Armistice Day centennial on Sunday
This Sunday, Nov. 11, will mark 100 years since the end of World War I, and 80 years of Fremont Park's existence in Menlo Park. To celebrate the centennial event, the Menlo Park Historical Association will host a celebration starting at 10:30 a.m. that day at Fremont Park.
Friday, 6:19 PM | 6 commentsButte County fire impacts local schools
A Menlo-Atherton High School football playoff game and other local school activities were postponed or canceled Friday due to poor air quality from the wildfire burning in Butte County.
Friday, 4:44 PM | No comments yetWinter Spare the Air alert extended through Monday due to wildfire smoke
In an unusual move, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District has issued a Winter Spare the Air alert from today (Friday, Nov. 9) all the way through Monday because of heavy smoke and particulates drifting into the Bay Area from the Camp Fire, which continues to rage in Butte County.
Friday, 3:02 PM | No comments yetPortola Valley: Residents protest appointment of acting attorney general
About 20 people protested President Donald Trump's recent appointment of Matthew Whitaker as acting attorney general in Portola Valley on Thursday evening (Nov. 8).
Friday, 1:36 PM | 3 commentsToday: Old La Honda Road closed to through traffic
Officials are asking anyone who does not live along Old La Honda Road to use another route for travel between Portola Road and Skyline Boulevard today (Nov. 9) due to emergency tree work that has closed the roadway.
Friday, 12:37 PM | No comments yetPortola Valley: Wife says missing man has contacted attorney
Portola Valley resident Marc Bajet, who was the subject of a search by the community and the Sheriff's Office last week when he was reported missing, has contacted his attorney and is "hiding out," his wife told The Almanac.
Friday, 11:53 AM | No comments yetUpdate: Local firefighters sent to Butte County wildfire
Local firefighters have been sent to fight the Butte County wildfire, which started on Thursday, Nov. 8.
Friday, 11:11 AM | No comments yetWinter Spare the Air alert issued due to Camp Fire
The Bay Area Quality Management District has issued a Winter Spare the Air alert for today (Nov. 9) due to heavy smoke blowing into the Bay Area from a fire in Butte County.
Friday, 8:43 AM | No comments yetThursday, November 8, 2018
New leader picked to head SVCF
The Silicon Valley Community Foundation announced Thursday it has chosen a new top executive following a monthslong search.
Thursday, 3:47 PM | No comments yetLong, slow lines frustrate San Mateo County voters
A cumbersome voting process and technical glitches resulting in long lines frustrated voters in East Palo Alto Tuesday and caused at least one City Council member to question why problems repeatedly plague San Mateo County elections.
Thursday, 2:26 PM | No comments yetAir quality advisory issued due to wildfire in Butte County
The Bay Area Air Quality Management District has issued an air quality advisory for Thursday and Friday because of a large wildfire in Butte County that is expected to send smoke into the region.
Thursday, 2:26 PM | No comments yetPortola Valley: Farmers' market begins winter hours today
With the end of daylight saving time, winter hours -- 2 to 5 p.m. -- have begun for the Portola Valley farmers' market, starting with the market on Thursday, Nov. 8.
Thursday, 1:53 PM | No comments yetNew mail-in ballot system triggers delays in election results for San Mateo County
When the first, much anticipated vote counts were released by the San Mateo County Elections Office at 8:05 p.m. Tuesday, the numbers, while telling in some instances, were in many cases so low as to leave key races undetermined.
Thursday, 11:58 AM | 33 commentsTonight: Residents to protest appointment of acting attorney general
In response to President Donald Trump's firing of Attorney General Jeff Sessions and the appointment of Matthew Whitaker as acting attorney general, protests have been scheduled around the country and abroad, including at 6 p.m. tonight (Thursday, Nov. 8) at the Town Center in Portola Valley.
Thursday, 11:42 AM | 9 commentsPortola Valley: Weeding is coming to Spring Down Open Space
If weeds in the Spring Down Open Space Preserve had ears and could pick up conversations, they would be whispering worriedly -- if they could whisper -- about how to survive the dreaded practice referred to as weeding.
Thursday, 9:00 AM | No comments yetWednesday, November 7, 2018
Zoo demands custody of Koko's partner, Ndume
The future is in question for Ndume, the 37-year-old male western lowland gorilla who lives at a preserve operated by The Gorilla Foundation off Skyline Boulevard in Woodside.
Wednesday, 8:17 PM | 4 commentsPortola Valley: Former restaurateur avoids bail revocation
A judge granted more time to the attorney representing Russell Howard Deutsch, a former Portola Valley restaurateur, but denied Deutsch the three months of rehabilitation time he asked for before standing trial on tax evasion, theft and fraud charges.
Wednesday, 5:55 PM | No comments yetCounty transportation tax measure on the edge
By the narrowest of margins, preliminary results from the San Mateo County elections office show that voters may reject Measure W, the half-cent sales tax that would collect some $80 million in revenues annually for transportation projects in the county. But with the vote count far from complete, the outcome is anything but certain.
Wednesday, 10:33 AM | No comments yetTuesday, November 6, 2018
Holman leads by wide margin in race for open space district seat
Palo Alto Councilwoman Karen Holman prevailed Tuesday in an unusually expensive and competitive race for a seat on the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District board against her longtime political adversary, Councilman Greg Scharff, early Election Day results indicat.
Tuesday, 11:23 PM | No comments yetPulido, Fitch, Nunez ahead in Ravenswood school board race
Incumbent Ana Maria Pulido and newcomers Stephanie Fitch and Laura Nunez have taken the early lead in the race for three open seats on the Ravenswood City School District Board of Education.
Tuesday, 11:16 PM | No comments yetTuesday update: Portola Valley school bond measure still leads
Unofficial results updated by the county this afternoon (Nov. 13) show the original margin of support for Measure Z, a $49.5 million bond to pay for repairs, renovations and new buildings on the Portola Valley School District's two campuses, holding steady.
Tuesday, 9:08 PM | 13 commentsUpdate: Fluet increases his lead in Woodside council race
Ned Fluet has improved his lead over his opponent, Frank Rosenblum, in the race for Woodside's District 7 Town Council seat. The unofficial count from the county Elections Office posted at 4:30 p.m. today (Thursday, Nov. 8) gives Fluet 54 percent of the vote.
Tuesday, 8:59 PM | No comments yetUpdate: Jones, McLaughlin, Bernstein maintain strong lead in fire board race
Unofficial vote counts updated by the county at 4:30 p.m. today (Nov. 8) show that incumbents Robert Jones and Chuck Bernstein along with Jim McLaughlin are maintaining a strong lead in the contest for three open seats on the Menlo Park Fire Protection District governing board.
Tuesday, 8:54 PM | No comments yetTuesday update: Taylor, Combs, Nash maintain big leads in Menlo council race
The latest results from the San Mateo County Elections Office, released on Tuesday, Nov. 13, show Menlo Park City Council candidates Cecilia Taylor, Drew Combs and Betsy Nash maintaining their significant leads in the race for council districts 1, 2 and 4, respectively. The first tally was released shortly after 8 p.m. on Election Night and has not changed substantially in subsequent counts.
Tuesday, 8:38 PM |
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The latest results from the San Mateo County Elections Office, released on Tuesday, Nov. 13, show Menlo Park City Council candidates Cecilia Taylor, Drew Combs and Betsy Nash maintaining their significant leads in the race for council districts 1, 2 and 4, respectively. The first tally was released shortly after 8 p.m. on Election Night and has not changed substantially in subsequent counts.
Tuesday, 8:38 PM |
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Dumbarton rail project to get full environmental, fiscal analysis
In a sharp acceleration of a project that has for decades lurched through planning processes that haven't gone anywhere, a proposal to reinstate passenger rail transit along the Dumbarton corridor is moving forward in earnest, due mainly to a new partnership formed by SamTrans, Facebook and the Plenary Group.
Tuesday, 11:55 AM | 4 commentsTonight: Menlo Park City School District board to discuss ‘compensation philosophy’
About 34 percent of teachers and staff who left the Menlo Park City School District at the end of the 2017-18 school year did so because of long commutes and high cost of living. In an effort to counteract this trend, the district is developing a “compensation philosophy," which the school board will discuss tonight (Nov. 6).
Tuesday, 11:04 AM | No comments yetDepartment of Justice monitoring polls in San Mateo County
San Mateo County is among 35 jurisdictions in 19 states that have personnel from the U.S. Department of Justice monitoring the polls on Election Day.
Tuesday, 9:05 AM | 6 comments
Salt & Straw Palo Alto to open Nov. 23
By Elena Kadvany | 0 comments | 3,392 views
Trials of My Grandmother
By Aldis Petriceks | 2 comments | 1,421 views
Lakes and Larders (part 2)
By Laura Stec | 0 comments | 1,181 views
