https://almanacnews.com If it is local and useful, it is on AlmanacNews.com. en-us Copyright 2020 AlmanacNews.com https://AlmanacNews.com/art/top_logo.png https://almanacnews.com/news/rss.php During a town hall meeting Thursday evening to discuss policing in Menlo Park, Housing Commissioner Karen Grove said she'd heard Menlo Park police Chief Dave Bertini use a racial slur in an ethics training. Here's what happened. ]]> Events are planned for today in Mountain View and Palo Alto, and Saturday in East Palo Alto.]]> Since the coronavirus hit the Bay Area, ushering in a shutdown that's ravaging local businesses and spiking unemployment, Second Harvest has seen an astronomical rise in demand for food assistance.]]> The town of Portola Valley will begin engaging the community about police reform and racial inequality following a council discussion on the killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer and protests against police brutality.]]> In the middle of a Menlo Park City Council discussion about police reform policies, Menlo Park's police Chief Dave Bertini abruptly announced that he would retire at the end of July, saying he'd lost the council's trust.]]> The Sequoia Union High School District is still in wide-ranging discussions over reopening its schools in the fall, Superintendent Mary Streshly said in a June 12 letter. ]]> Protests throughout the Peninsula have proliferated this month. Starting with a protest against police violence and in support of the Black Lives Matter movement on June 1, they've continued, with hundreds rallying for police reform.]]> The Supreme Court on Thursday blocked President Donald Trump's administration from ending the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which protects undocumented young immigrants.]]> Effective immediately, a wide range of San Mateo County businesses and activities, from barbershops to gyms, are allowed to reopen, according to a June 17 announcement from the county. ]]> As soon as next week, three blocks of Menlo Park's primary downtown thoroughfare, Santa Cruz Avenue, will be closed to allow restaurants and shops to spill onto the street.]]> ]]> The coronavirus continues to take its toll on the Midpeninsula. On Friday, Santa Clara County reported 3,398 cases and 152 deaths. San Mateo County had 2,721 cases and 103 deaths as of Thursday.]]>