Daily Post 10-8-25 by Daily Post

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Jail death deemed

BY ADRIANA HERNANDEZ Daily Post Staff Writer

An inmate is being charged with murder for the death of a fellow inmate at a Redwood City jail, a prosecutor said yesterday.

Ashley Jo Gromnicki, 34, of San Jose, is facing charges related to the death of Markeisha Monique Renee Blount, selling fentanyl and bringing drugs into the jail, District Attorney

ANTISEMITISM LAW: Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed a law aimed at combating antisemitism at schools. It creates an Office of Civil Rights to work with districts on fighting discrimination and bias and requires an antisemitism prevention coordinator within the office to submit recommendations to the Legislature. Proponents say the law is needed to respond to an alarming level of harassment against Jewish students. But critics say it could unintentionally stifle instruction and open dialogue in the classroom.

NO BACK PAY:

President Trump’s administration is warning of no guaranteed back pay for federal workers during a shutdown. That would be a reversal of what’s been long-standing policy for some 750,000 furloughed employees. Trump said some people “don’t deserve” to be taken care of during an event at the White House.

GAZA PEACE TALKS: Peace talks between Israel and Hamas have resumed in Egypt. The second day of indirect talks yesterday took place on

she had fentanyl, the DA said. Gromnicki will be in court today to enter a plea. She is in jail on no bail status.

Steve Wagstaffe said. Gromnicki is being charged with second-degree murder because she has knowledge that, by giving Blount fentanyl, it would kill her, Wagstaffe said.

Blount, 31, of Stockton, died on Sept. 29 at the Maple Street Jail in Redwood City after suffering from a “medical emergency.” Blount showed symptoms of taking fentanyl, Wagstaffe said.

Gromnicki was originally arrested for possession of drugs for sale and bringing drugs into the jail, according to Wagstaffe. She was in the detox center to treat her addiction, and when she was transferred to the jail, it’s suspected

MOM, CAN I RIDE THE BEARCAT?

The U.S. government shutdown is waving a caution flag at private companies racing to make the move to the public market. The market for initial public offerings has been on a years-long recovery after spiking inflation slammed the

Blount is the seventh person to die in jail since San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus took office in January 2023.

The six other county jail inmates who died since Corpus became sheriff in January 2023 are:

BY ADRIANA HERNANDEZ Daily Post Staff Writer

The San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office has a backlog of untested sexual assault kits from a decade ago, causing supervisors to be alarmed.

“We’ve got a black eye here. I’m deeply troubled that we are in this situation that we are in,” Supervisor Jackie Speier said yesterday during the board meeting about the 450 untested kits.

Assembly Bill 3118, passed in 2018, requires law enforcement agencies to test all untested sexual assault evidence kits by no later than July 1, 2019.

A statewide audit in 2020 found that San Mateo County had a total of 654 untested sexual assault cases. After getting grants to address them, 450 re-

brakes on activity in 2022. The IPO market is already on track for its best year since 2021 with 163 deals and $31 billion in proceeds raised so far, according to Renaissance Capital.

Companies rely on the U.S. government, through the Securities and Ex-

change Commission, to review and approve IPO filings, while monitoring the ongoing process. The SEC is now operating with minimal staff, significantly delaying or halting those reviews and approvals. Investors and companies are

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Supe needles use of armored vehicle

BY ADRIANA HERNANDEZ Daily Post Staff Writer

San Mateo County Supervisor Jackie Speier yesterday questioned why military equipment is being used at community events, but a captain said it's to promote community engagement.

Speier asked during the board meeting why it is necessary for the sheriff’s office to have its Lenco Bearcat at community gatherings. Capt. Eamonn Allen, coordinator of the military equipment at the sheriff’s office, said that for the first time in his career, it was nice to have more attention than the fire department.

Attracts kids to booths at events

The fire truck wasn’t the only cool thing the kids wanted to play on in a recent event at Millbrae, but he understood Speier’s concerns about costs associated with having the BearCat at events, Allen said.

Is it needed?

Allen said it’s a great opportunity to have the youth involved and for residents to be able to see the equipment in person.

Speier did not agree.

“I love the fact that you’re out in the community. I don’t know if you need a BearCat there to attract young kids to wanna be interested in engaging with you,” Speier said.

Speier was concerned about the county paying for gas for the sheriff’s office to have a Bearcat at community events and asked for the sheriff’s office to look into what other military equipment counties use.

Allen said that it was important for the sheriff’s office to have options.

Speier asked whether the purchases of military equipment are reviewed by procurement. Military equipment can range from $5,000 to $15,000, depending on the amount of supplies, but Allen said he is looking forward to working with the county’s chief financial officer, Roberto Manchia, on future purchases.

Supes took over budget

Supervisors recently took over overseeing the sheriff’s office budget after its $36.7 million in reserves in fiscal year 2022-23 depleted to $3.2 million in the 2024-25 fiscal year. The sheriff's

[See ARMORED, page 22]

the two-year anniversary of Hamas’ surprise attack on Israel that triggered the war. Hamas demands guarantees that Israel will not resume the war after the remaining hostages are released.

JERRY JONES FINED: The NFL has fined Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones $250,000 for flipping off fans at MetLife Stadium. He says it was inadvertent. The incident came late in Dallas’ 37-22 victory over the New York Jets on Sunday. Jones says he intended a “thumbs up” for celebrating Cowboys fans. Jones was caught on a video that went viral smiling widely as he pointed toward fans before briefly flashing the gesture. He says he was interacting with Dallas fans, not Jets fans.

BYSTANDERS HELPED: A Sacramento fire department captain says he yelled for bystanders on Highway 50 to help lift the wreckage of a downed medical helicopter off a paramedic pinned underneath after determining additional rescue crews would take too long to get to the scene. By the time the firefighter extracted the paramedic, less than a minute had passed. A pilot, nurse and paramedic were taken to hospitals in critical condition after Monday’s crash.

CONVERSION THERAPY: A majority of Supreme Court justices seem to be leaning in favor of a Christian counselor who is challenging bans on LGBTQ+ “conversion therapy” for kids as a violation of her First Amendment rights. Her lawyers argued yesterday that the laws passed in about half of U.S. states wrongly restrict voluntary, faith-based therapy. President Trump’s administration is backing her challenge to Colorado’s law.

NEW TESLA: Tesla announced the launch of cheaper versions of two of its electric vehicles yesterday in hopes of reviving flagging sales. The new Model Y, costing just under $40,000 and new Model 3 will cost just under $35,000.

Winner of 7 awards from the San Francisco Press Club

Publishers: Dave Price, Jim Pavelich

Editor: Dave Price

Managing Editor: Emily Mibach

General Manager: Brandon Heinrichs

Distribution: Amando Mendoza III

Account Executives: Lauren Latterell, Winnie Reyes and Mike Ireland

Letters: Limit to 250 words. Author’s full name, address and phone number are required. See policy at padailypost.com under “letters.”

Stories without bylines are often from The Associated Press, Bay City News service or the Post staff.

Legal notices: The Superior Court of Santa Clara County has adjudicated the Daily Post as a newspaper of general circulation in the City of Palo Alto and the County of Santa Clara, and we’re qualified to publish legal notices such as Fictitious Business Name Statements (FBNs) and legal name changes. For more information, email ads@padailypost.com. © 2025 Palo

Deaths

San Mateo County Coroner’s Office: Oct. 6

William Quan, 88, of Millbrae

Humberto Jesus Gutierrez, 83, of Pacifica

Jeff Sonza Mineses, 44, of San Francisco

Vesper Brandenburg, 32, of Henderson

Efren Sigua Romero, 73, of South San Francisco

Kwan Pam, 94, of San Mateo

Oct. 5

Pedro Toyorada, 80, of South City

Sean Paul Pryor, 36, of Daly City

Juan Rodezno Portillo, 39, of San Mateo

Dong Liu, 82, of Daly City

Deborah Lynch, 69, of Pacifica

Oct. 4

Arturo Guajardo, 64, of South City

Janet Isabel Lutus, 82, of San Bruno

James David Healey, 43, of San Mateo

Juan Elizondo, 70, of Redwood City

Oct. 3

Qiongzhen Kuang, 57, of Daly City

Maria Ortiz De Gomez, 89, of San Mateo

Christina Dene O’Connor, 76, of Redwood City

Births

Births Readers have asked why our birth announcements are delayed several months. None of the Mid-Peninsula hospitals provide lists of new births. So the Post gets the births from the state Department of Health, which provides the information at a delay. All births and deaths are public record under state law.

Sequoia Hospital in Redwood City:

April 10

Aurora Nicole Armann, a girl

Cruz Miguel Coss, a boy

Liam Oluwadarasimi Ojo, a boy

April 9

Kayden Jack Piercesanta, a boy

Sadie Ann Susnow, a girl

Nikol Triznova, a girl

April 8

Olivia Joanne Kirchmann, a girl

Celeste Marie Ting, a girl

April 7

Sumire Kubota, a girl

Kalaya Marie McKinney, a girl

[See BIRTHS, page 12]

Patricia (Roehrkasse) Reed

Nov. 4, 1934 - Sept. 6, 2025 ¢ ¢

Patricia (Pat) Reed passed away on September 6, 2025. She was born in Lincoln, NE on November 4, 1934 to Augusta and Leonard Roehrkasse. She graduated from the University of Nebraska, where she met her future husband. She married Robert (Bob) Reed from Omaha on August 19, 1956. They moved to Denver, Colorado where she taught in the Denver Unified School System. Pat, her husband and their two daughters moved to California in 1963. They moved to Los Altos in 1965 where she lived until her death. During this time her employment included Pinewood Private School, Los Altos Town Crier, and the Woodside Priory School. Pat was active in many local organizations. These included the Los Altos New Comers, The Los Altos Bus Barn Club, and a local Corvette Club. She was awarded a life time membership to the Altos Chamber of Commerce for her extensive work as an Ambassador to the Chamber. She enjoyed social activities. She attended Bethany Lutheran Church in Menlo Park.

She is survived by her husband of 69 years and their daughters, Denyce and Joyce, of Vacaville, CA.

Burial will be at Lincoln Memorial Cemetery, Lincoln, NE.

Elizabeth Aanja “Betty” Rundell

April 12, 1949 - September 28, 2025 ¢ ¢

Elizabeth Aanja “Betty” Rundell died peacefully on Sunday morning September 28, 2025.

She was born on April 12, 1949, in Spokane, Washington, to Helen and John “Jack” Toumy, and was the beloved younger sister of John Toumy.

From Spokane, the family moved first to Palo Alto, then to Portland, Oregon, and Salt Lake City, Utah, before eventually settling back in Palo Alto, California, where her parents helped found Covenant Presbyterian Church. Betty attended Jordan Middle School, Palo Alto High School, and the University of California at Santa Barbara, later graduating from San Jose State University before beginning a decades-long career in the management of department stores.

In 1967 she met the love of her life, artist Charles “Chuck” Rundell of Livingston, Wisconsin. The couple married and had three sons who were the center of their lives: Doyle Franklin, followed four years later by twins Travis Eugene and Jordan Thomas. With Betty’s parents, brother, and cousins living around the corner in Palo Alto, the Rundell boys enjoyed an idyllic childhood of biking to school, playing sports, and spending time with family. Chuck devoted himself to raising the boys while Betty continued her career as the Director of Operations for the Emporium in San Francisco and helped open the first Bloomingdale’s in California.

Following the tragic and untimely death of her husband, Betty resolved to “do right by her husband and sons” and held her family together with strength and grace. Upon retirement as the Chief Financial Officer of Assured Relocation, she became deeply involved in the lives of her three eldest granddaughters—Riley, MacKenzie, and Taylor—daughters of Doyle. When the family moved to Sun Valley, Betty followed, enjoying the beauty of the mountains and the community she built there. Later, she welcomed three more granddaughters through Travis and his wife Katherine—Grace, Bailey, and Kate—and developed a close relationship with each. Her youngest son Jordan and his husband Max gave her her only grandson, Everett, with whom she shared near-daily phone calls that created a treasured bond despite the distance.

Betty was a loving mother and grandmother, a devoted wife and sister, and the apple of her parents’ eye. Her many friendships, sustained over decades, are a testament to her warmth and kindness. She will be deeply missed.

She is survived by her sons Doyle Rundell (Sherry Englert), Travis Rundell (Katherine Walters), and Jordan Rundell (Max Sinsteden); her sister-in-law Carolyn Toumy; her six granddaughters Riley, MacKenzie, Taylor, Grace, Bailey, and Kate; and her grandson Everett Rundell-Sinsteden. She is also remembered with love by many extended family and friends, including the Toumy, EnglertCashin, and Walters families, whose support meant so much to her throughout her life.

A celebration of Betty’s life will be held in due course. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in her memory to Covenant Presbyterian Church, 670 East Meadow Drive, Palo Alto, California 94306 or The American Heart Association, https://ahatribute.funraise.org/ fundraiser/honoring-the-life-betty-rundell

Questions remain in sheriff removal

BY ADRIANA HERNANDEZ Daily Post Staff Writer

San Mateo County is not answering questions related to the next steps in the removal of Sheriff Christina Corpus, following a recommendation from a retired judge to remove her from office.

The recommendation of hearing officer James Emerson to fire Corpus for nepotism and improperly ordering the arrest of the deputy sheriff’s union president, Carlos Tapia, is still premature for the county to make a decision on how to move forward with the twoweek extension, county spokeswoman Effie Milionis said.

The county has 30 days to review retired judge Emerson’s recommendation, which he issued on Monday. Superior Court Judge Nira Shapirshteyn ruled that the board can not fill Corpus’s vacancy for at least 14 days so the sheriff’s legal team can try to stop her removal and reinstate her.

The county has not answered the Post’s questions on what the procedure will look like within the two weeks or the line of succession. The Post has also been trying to get briefings the two sides filed to Emerson and despite the county saying it would hand over the briefings on Monday, the Post has not

gotten those documents. The Post has also asked for a copy of Emerson’s report.

Nothing set

Supervisors could have met as soon as within 24 hours of getting Emerson’s report, but have not taken any action yet, Milionis said.

No meeting for the supervisors to discuss Emerson’s recommendation has been set. Once the board has had the opportunity to review his recommendation, the county will provide more details on how it will proceed, Milionis said.

Why it took a while

Emerson told the Post in an interview that it took him a long time to write his 42-page recommendation and found three main reasons to fire Corpus. He said he found enough evidence that showed Corpus has failed as sheriff. However, Corpus has been OK as a sheriff in some areas, Emerson said, but didn’t specify which areas, which are listed in the report but not disclosed in the county’s statement.

Corpus used her position as sheriff to benefit her former chief of staff, Victor Aenlle, with whom she also has

[See QUESTIONS, page 23]

Council endorses redistricting plan

BY ERIKA ZARO Daily Post Correspondent

Palo Alto City Council threw support behind two measures on the ballot for the Nov. 4 election but not without some hesitation from two councilmen.

Councilmen Keith Reckdahl and George Lu were the only two members on Monday who showed some skepticism for Proposition 50, while other members agreed that the council should support the measure.

“I find it in some ways repulsive, we’re jerrymandering,” said Reckdahl. “Even though this is a national issue I really think we do have local impacts that we have to protect ourselves against, so I reluctantly also think we should support Prop. 50.”

Lu admitted that Prop. 50 is flawed in the “long-term direction of where we want our country to go and where we want our democracy to go,” but ultimately agreed to the passing due to it “keeping the conversation going.”

Redrawing the maps

The stateside measure will redraw congressional district lines from the state legislature. Since 2010, California’s congressional district maps have been drawn up by California Citizens Redistricting Commission, an independent organization funded by the state.

“I am troubled by changing the maps that our recent independent commissions drew,” said Vice Mayor Vicki Veenker, who once worked for a redistricting commission in 2009 and shared her support for independent redistricting. “However, I’m more troubled by other states changing maps clearly for political purposes.”

If voters pass the proposition, the new congressional lines will stay in place until 2030.

Sales tax measure

Measure A, which was added to the ballot in August, is set to raise the county’s sales tax by 0.625% for five years.

“I don’t like the idea of imposing a new tax, but when you consider the impact of the Medi-Cal cuts it’s the lesser of two evils,” said Reckdahl.

The tax raise comes after the recent $1 billion in federal funding cuts to local hospital services. If the measure is approved, it would bring the tax rate to 9.75%.

The passing of Measure A will mean that the county will receive $330 million annually to go towards funding four local hospitals. If approved, the tax will take effect on April 1.

“It’s clearly the right thing to do for our residents and our neighbors,” said Lu, when asked about his position.

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The Fireplace Experts

Man tries robbing bank, is

money

James

Quick arrest

The

Green

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Suspect arrested in package scam

A man has been arrested for stealing packages from a Palo Alto home, only for the packages to be part of a larger scam, where people were sending the man cash, police said yesterday.

Xiaodeng Wen, 38, of San Francisco, was spotted several times last week picking up packages from a home on the 1500 block of Edgewood Drive moments after they arrived, said Lt. Craig Lee.

The packages were addressed to people who didn’t live at the home and are strangers to the residents of the Crescent Park home, Lee said.

When police arrested Wen on Thurs-

day when he was collecting yet another package delivered to the home, the contents of the box revealed several thousand dollars in cash, Lee said.

Scam process

Police discovered that Wen was posing as a DEA agent and demanded money or prosecution from the scam victims, Lee said. In this case, the victim was a 68-year-old man from Florida who sent the money.

Wen was arrested on suspicion of grand theft from an elderly or dependent adult and conspiracy to commit a crime.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that the City Council will hold a Public Hearing in the Council Chambers and Zoom on Monday, October 20, 2025 at 5:30 p.m., or as near thereafter as possible in the Council Chambers, City Hall, 250 Hamilton Avenue, Palo Alto, California and via Zoom Virtual Teleconference (Site: https:// zoom.us/join Meeting ID: 362 027 238 Phone: 1(669)900-6833) to consider: JUDICIAL. 70 Encina Avenue [25PLN-00034]: Request for Approval of a Tentative Map to Merge Two Lots and Allow for a Condominium Subdivision to Create 10 Units on the Resulting 12,119-Square-Foot Parcel. The Subdivision Map Would Facilitate Construction of Ten New Residential Units in One Building, which was previously approved on April 14, 2025 (24PLN-00095). CEQA Status: Exempt from the Provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) in Accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15183 (Comprehensive Plan Consistency). Zoning District: PC-5654.

MAHEALANI AH YUN City Clerk

Frustration rises over RV dwellers

BY ERIKA ZARO Daily Post Correspondent

Palo Alto residents shared frustration with the lack of enforcement of RV dwellers on city streets, including areas around Park Boulevard and Corporation Way.

Six residents expressed frustration at Monday’s city council meeting not only over the issue of RV dwellers living on multiple city streets, but the garbage, human waste and personal belongings that come with them.

The only response given to residents was from Vice Mayor Vicki Veenker, in which she shared that council members will be addressing the issue at the Oct. 20 council meeting.

Residents speak out

“We are not seeing any enforcement from the city,” said someone who only identified herself as Meg T.

Many residents said they feel unsafe and that these streets are unsanitary for

residents and employees. Some even went as far as refusing to no longer walk the streets until the problem is solved.

“I don’t understand why this city is not enforcing your laws,” said Nancy Ellickson, a Los Altos resident. “I do not understand how this could happen in this beautiful city.”

Plan of action

In August, the council’s Policy and Services Committee endorsed the idea that some streets require permits for RVs scattered throughout the city, along with banning broken-down trailers and RVs, with the hopes of combating the problem. The council also implemented street cleanups and street sweeping and to explore a buyback program for RV dwellers transitioning to a homeless shelter.

According to City Manager Ed Shikada, there’s as many as 200 oversized vehicles parked on the streets of Palo Alto, almost double from 2023.

Diwali to become statewide holiday

California has become the third U.S. state to designate Diwali — the Hindu “Festival of Lights” — as an official statewide holiday.

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill into law yesterday to go into effect on Jan. 1. It would authorize public schools and community colleges to close on Diwali. State employees could elect to take the day off and public school students will get an excused absence to celebrate the holiday. The new law recognizes that Diwali is also celebrated by Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists.

Bill authors

Assemblyman Ash Kalra, a Democrat from San Jose who coauthored the bill with Darshana Patel, an assembly-

woman from San Diego, said he grew up celebrating the festival with family members, but it was an experience that was isolated from the rest of his life.

“To have South Asian children be able to proudly celebrate and share it with others is a significant moment,” he said.

San Jose has a sizable Indian American population. According to a 2025 Pew survey, 960,000 out of the nation’s Indian population of 4.9 million — or 20% — live in California.

Diwali, which falls on Oct. 20 this year, is derived from the word “Deepavali,” which means “a row of lights.” Pennsylvania was the first U.S. state to make Diwali a holiday in 2024, followed by Connecticut this year.

NOTICE TO BIDDERS

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Board of Education of the Los Altos Elementary School District, Santa Clara, CA, here after referred to as “OWNER”, acting by and through its governing board and representatives, in accordance with Public Contract Code 20118.2, is requesting sealed bids, for the furnishing of technology equipment for Request for Proposal (RFP) 863-26A.4 Point-toPoint Circuit for Los Altos Elementary School District.

All bids shall be submitted to the project website at HTTPS://WWW. INFINITYCOMM.COM/PROJECTS/. by Novemeber 5, 2025 up to, but no later than, 1:00PM PST. Proposals will not be received after the specified due date or time. Bids received in any other format or method will not be accepted.

Each bid must conform to the RFP and bid documents. Copies of the RFP and bid documents are available and must be obtained from the following websites: https://www.infinitycomm.com/projects/ & www.usac.org.

The services requested depend on partial funding from the School and Libraries Division’s E-Rate Program. All contracts entered into as a result of this advertisement shall be contingent upon the approval of discounts from the Universal Services Administrative Company (USAC) and the OWNER’s acceptance of the discounts. The Contractor shall be responsible to invoice and collect payment of the discounted contract amount from USAC unless otherwise specified or directed by the Owner. The undiscounted contract amount will be the maximum amount that the OWNER is liable. On the day of the bid the Contractor shall supply their Service Provider Identification Number (SPIN) and must certify that their SPIN is “current”, to have their proposal considered.

OWNER is requesting a three (3) year contract with two one (1) year voluntary contract extension starting on July 1, 2026.

The Owner reserves the right to reject any and all bids and to waive any irregularities or informalities in any bids or in the bidding. All questions pertaining to this RFP must be submitted through the project website at https://www. infinitycomm.com/projects/. If you have any problems logging in or downloading the RFP, please contact our office immediately at P1bids@infinitycomm.com.

Board of Education of the Los Altos Elementary School District

Project #863-26A.4

Dates of Advertisement: October 8, 2025 and October 15, 2025

VITAL STATISTICS

Tom Amir, a boy

BIRTHS -----–

April 6

Kurtbey Tim Coskun, a boy

April 5

Izuri Jhenea Green, a girl

Roman Juventino Rosales, a boy

April 4

Nadia Dosouqi, a girl

Chloe Qianyou Liu, a girl

Jay Cameron Mulreany, a boy

Ayra Nazir, a girl

Emiliana Kiara Panisi, a girl

Lucien Jin He Xiang, a boy

April 3

Masa Hamza Alowaidi, a girl

Robyn Ann Southward, a girl

April 2

Khalil Ibrahim Aboudamous, a boy

Alba Daniel, a girl

Yuanting Nova Qin, a girl

April 1

Gustavo Lamar Rodriguez, a boy

Aira Sagar, a girl

March 31

Henry Jun Cunanan, a boy

Naviksha Taneja, a girl

March 29

Austin Quan, a boy

March 28

Lucia Lilly Gomes, a girl

Benjamin Benny Martinez, a boy

Gregory Andrew Vetushko, a boy

Helia Zeng, a girl

March 27

Beatrice Marie Harrison, a girl

Benjamin Michael Rodriguez, a boy

March 26

William Russell Oliveira Steele, a boy

March 25

Vittorio Carlo Nannini, a boy

Kaiden Eunho Seo, a boy

Madison Joy Wallace, a girl

UNAFF Documentaries Urge Empathy for a Better Future

As one of the oldest documentary film festivals in the U.S. now celebrating its 28th year, the United Nations Association Film Festival (UNAFF) will kick off Thursday, Oct. 16, showing 60 groundbreaking films that promote our shared humanity and look to change the world.

Over its 11-day run, the festival will screen films in Palo Alto, Stanford University, East Palo Alto and San Francisco. The festival will offer in-person discussions with more than 40 filmmakers as well as seven free panel discussions on topics including “Kindness, the Catalyst for Social Change,” “Active Climate Change Responses” and “The Impact and Role of Social Media.”

“Celebrating the 80th anniversary of the United Nations at a time when divisions here and abroad are more ominous than ever, this year’s theme, ‘Messages for the Future,’ continues our devotion to human rights with an emphasis on our concerns of what lies ahead and the imprint that we will leave behind,” said UNAFF Founder and Executive Director Jasmina Bojic.

Films shown on the festival’s opening night at Mitchell Park Community Center in Palo Alto will include Oscar-nominated filmmaker Judith Ehrlich’s world premiere of “An Ordinary Insanity.” The film interviews renowned Vietnam War whistleblower Daniel Ellsberg about his lifelong efforts opposing nuclear weapons and war. The evening concludes with “Following Harry,” by awardwinning filmmaker Susanne Rostock. The film is an intimate look at Harry Belafonte’s final 12 years as he worked to build a more just and empathetic world.

The opening night reception, sponsored by Coupa Café and Terun and featuring music by POTENTIAL Jazz Ensemble, starts at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 16, and “An Ordinary Insanity,” follows at 6:30 p.m.

On Saturday, Oct. 18, the festival will host its FREE Kids Day Program starting at noon at Mitchell Park Community Center. Since 2008, UNAFF & Kids (targeted at 7- to 12-yearolds) has provided age-appropriate films followed by “meet the filmmakers” and hands-on activities to teach

them in a fun way about the world around us. The screenings begin at 1 p.m. with “Saving Our Ancestors.” The documentary explores the decades-long effort of primatologist Birute Galdikas to research and rescue orangutans in Borneo, and to conserve the fragile habitat of these great apes.

The festival’s last day, Sunday, Oct. 26, will have several films, including “Changebaker” and “Comparsa,” which explore the power of art to heal a community overcoming the traumas of violence and corruption. The films will be followed by the festival’s Awards Ceremony and Closing Night reception at Mitchell Park Community Center.

For the full festival schedule and to buy tickets, go to www.unaff.org.

FOLLOWING HARRY COMPARSA

AN ORDINARY INSANITY

THE QUIET DIPLOMAT

THE POWER OF SMALL

ALTO 907 Cowper St., 94301, 3 bedrooms, 1580 square feet, built in 1984, Dechomai Trust to Fei and Fei Chen for $2,280,000, closed Sept. 12 (last sale: $970,000, 11-12-08)

3160 Waverley St., 94306, 3 bedrooms, 1377 square feet, built in 1953, Mensing Family Trust to Karen and Kenneth Feng for $3,200,000, closed Sept. 11

EAST PALO ALTO

315 Garden St., 94303, 2 bedrooms, 1130 square feet, built in 1947, Ying Huang to Lee and Shi Tang for $910,000, closed Aug. 20 (last sale: $445,000, 05-28-14)

MENLO PARK 717 Partridge Ave., 94025, 6 bedrooms, 3910

square feet, built in 1968, Tam Trust to Tam-Cartmell Family Trust for $1,000,000, closed Aug. 19

ATHERTON

332 Camino Al Lago, 94027, 3 bedrooms, 1400 square feet, built in 1952, Hage Family Trust to Yu and Chunmei Xu for $3,000,000, closed Aug. 18 (last sale: $1,210,000, 09-17-06)

LOS ALTOS

673 Orange Ave., 94022, 2 bedrooms, 1206 square feet, built in 1900, Elliott Trust to Albert Trust for $3,200,000, closed Sept. 11

MOUNTAIN VIEW

1939 Rock St. #4, 94043, 2 bedrooms, 805 square feet, built in 1963, Adam Sang to Wendy Chou for $860,000, closed Sept. 12 (last sale: $855,000, 0310-17)

225 Horizon Ave., 94043, 2 bedrooms, 1274 square feet, built in 1973, Wu and Yang Family Trust to Alexandria Maki for $1,238,500, closed Sept. 10 (last sale: $1,195,000, 12-12-18)

REDWOOD CITY

421 Cork Harbour Circle #A, 94065, 1 bedroom, 764 square feet, built in 1985, Cirelli Trust to Christopher Field for $710,000, closed Aug. 22 (last sale: $472,000, 10-23-13)

1328 Woodside Road, 94061, 2 bedrooms, 1360 square feet, built in 1974, Mclaughlin Living Trust to Victoria Anderson for $915,000, closed Aug. 21

SAN CARLOS

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The Microbiome in Health and Disease. What’s your gut telling you?

Justin Sonnenburg, PhD,

CDC not advising Covid shot for all

was to update protection against the virus as it continues to evolve.

Justin Sonnenburg, PhD,

The Alex and Susie Algard Endowed Professor Microbiology and Immunology

Stanford University School of Medicine

The Alex and Susie Algard Endowed Professor Microbiology and Immunology

Author of The Good Gut

Stanford University School of Medicine

Author of The Good Gut

Tuesday, October 14th

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has adopted recommendations by a new group of vaccine advisers, and stopped recommending Covid shots for anyone — leaving the choice up to patients.

The government health agency announced it has adopted recommendations made last month by advisers picked by U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

As the Covid pandemic waned, experts increasingly discussed the possibility of focusing vaccination efforts on people 65 and older — who are among those most at risk for severe illness.

5-6pm

Tuesday, October 14th, 2025

5-6 p.m.

Inside the change

Join us for a free presentation and discussion about the relationship between the gut biome, disease and health.

ON ZOOM SIGN UP HERE

On Zoom

Before this year, U.S. health officials — following recommendations by infectious disease experts — recommended annual Covid boosters for all Americans ages 6 months and older. The idea

But Kennedy, who has questioned the safety of Covid vaccines, abruptly announced in May that Covid vaccines were no longer recommended for healthy children and pregnant women. He also dismissed the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and replaced them with a handpicked group, which voted last month to say all Americans should make their own decisions.

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The pros, cons of cold-water swims

Dr. Mark Harper recalls his first cold-water swim in the south of England 20 years ago. It was August, but the initial jolt from the plunge took his breath away.

The shock to his system lasted a minute or two until he was “recombobulated and able to think about something other than the cold,” Harper says. A surprise sensation soon replaced his discomfort.

“I remember getting out of the water the first time and feeling so good,” Harper, an anesthesiologist who has since researched the potential risks and rewards of taking a nippy dunk. “I wasn’t expecting that.”

Potential health benefits

Claims about the benefits of cold-water immersion date back centuries.

Thomas Jefferson, the principal author of the Declaration of Independence and the third American president, wrote toward the end of his life about using a cold foot bath daily for 60 years. He also owned a book published in 1706 on the history of cold-water bathing.

While evidence is building around the positive health effects of swimming in chilly water, bathing in ice or taking cold showers, scientific confirmation is still lacking.

But Harper, who became a regular

cold-water swimmer after his initiation, said there are strong signs that people can derive mental health benefits from the activity. He mentioned a positive effect on depression and general well-being.

“For now, we have a very strong base, but not hard evidence, that cold-water immersion is effective for mental health,” Harper said.

Know the risks

Dr. Mike Tipton, a physiologist at the University of Portsmouth in England who has studied extreme environments, authored a paper along with Harper and two more researchers several years ago. The title highlighted the potential advantages and dangers of a sudden drop in temperature: “Cold Water Immersion: Kill or Cure.”

“Like other environmental constituents such as pressure, heat and oxygen, cold water can be either good or bad, threat or treatment depending on circumstance,” they wrote.

One of their findings: The activity presents dangers. Deaths from cold-water immersion are not uncommon. The shock of frigid water can cause people to hyperventilate and drown. But Tipton said the risks can be managed with common sense and precautions.

or your

THE CARE YOU DESERVE

Judge blocks changes to teen pregnancy program

A judge has blocked President Trump’s administration from requiring recipients of federal teen pregnancy prevention grants to comply with Trump’s orders aimed at curtailing “radical indoctrination” and “gender ideology.”

Yesterday’s ruling is a victory for three Planned Parenthood affiliates — in California, Iowa and New York — that sued to try

to block enforcement of a U.S. Department of Human Services policy document issued in July that they contend contradict the requirements of the grants as established by Congress.

U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell, who was appointed to the bench by former President Barack Obama, blasted the administration’s policy change in her written

ruling, saying it was “motivated solely by political concerns.”

The policy requiring changes to the pregnancy prevention program was part of the fallout from a series of executive orders Trump signed starting in his first day back in the White House aimed at rolling back recognition of LGBTQ+ people and diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.

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Stroke Care Onward Panel

Transition Care for Stroke and Aphasia Survivors

Stanford Health Care / Hoover

Neuroscience Health Center

Wellness Center

Step Out

Connecting pathways helps us understand where breakdowns occur and identify opportunities for change in the journey patients take through different healthcare settings. As Stroke Onward highlights, the journey to recovery is multifaceted, encompassing not only physical rehabilitation but also the emotional health challenges that survivors and carepartners navigate in their often chronic state of recovery.

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Transition Care for Stroke and Aphasia Survivors

In this panel, we will facilitate an interdisciplinary conversation that delves into successful models prioritizing emotional health support as people transition between various care settings. By examining the intersections of care and the emotional journey of stroke recovery, we will explore how to create a more cohesive and supportive overall care environment. Through the sharing of experiences and expertise, we aim to foster a holistic approach that acknowledges the complexities of stroke recovery and promotes resilience in survivors and their loved ones as they rediscover their identities while navigating the short and long-term impacts of stroke.

PANELISTS

Hildy Agustin, Psy.D., Willow Trees Psychological Services

Ellen Bernstein-Ellis, MA, CCC-SLP, Cal State East Bay

Molly Buccola, Stroke Survivor, Beyond Stillness: Stories After Stroke

Chris Tarver, MD, FAAPMR, Stanford Neuroscience Health Center

Vanessa Valeri , RN, CMC, CHCA, Care Indeed

Maarten Lansberg, MD, Ph.D, Stanford Medicine

PANELISTS

Hildy Agustin, Psy.D., Willow Trees Psychological Services

Ellen Bernstein-Ellis, MA, CCC-SLP, Cal State East Bay

Molly Buccola Stroke Survivor, Beyond Stillness: Stories After Stroke

Chris Tarver, MD, FAAPMR, Stanford Neuroscience Health Center

Vanessa Valeri , RN, CMC, CHCA, Care Indeed

Maarten Lansberg, MD, Ph.D, Stanford Medicine

PLEASE RSVP: Free for all

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Times shown are when a report was made to police. Information is from police department logs. All of the people named here are innocent until proven guilty in court.

PALO ALTO

SEPT. 11

7:37 p.m. — Home burglary, 100 block of Nevada Ave.

SEPT. 16

2:38 p.m. — Rodrick Maurice McGee Jr., 23, of Palo Alto, arrested for vandalism, 400 block of Bryant St.

3:34 p.m. — Grand theft, 700 block of Arastradero Road.

SEPT. 25

2:12 p.m. — Rape, Guinda St.

9:48 p.m. — Auto burglary, 400 block of Bryant St.

SEPT. 27

3:24 p.m. — Vehicle accident involving a cyclist, Melville Ave. and Middlefield Road.

4:36 p.m. — Vehicle accident involving a cyclist, Palo Alto Ave. and Alma St.

SEPT. 29

3:29 p.m. — Poppy May Fridae, 20, of Redwood City, arrested for shoplifting, Stanford Shopping Center.

OCT. 1

8:48 a.m. — Kenneth Evan Nichols, 62, transient, arrested for public nuisance, Palo Alto Police Dept.

12:04 p.m. — Juvenile arrested for shoplifting, El Camino.

THURSDAY

12:32 a.m. — Gaurav Nagar, 36, of San Mateo, arrested for DUI, High St. and Hamilton Ave.

8:45 a.m. — Theft from a vehicle, 3300 block of Alma St.

10 a.m. — Don Allan Reese, 59, transient, cited for creating a public nuisance, 400 block of Bryant St.

10:36 a.m. — Xiaodong Wen, 38, of San Francisco, arrested for grand theft from an elderly or dependent

adult and conspiracy to commit a crime, Edgewood Drive.

2:16 p.m. — Vandalism, 800 block of Forest Ave.

6:02 p.m. — Vehicle accident causes injuries, 3800 block of Middlefield Road.

11:34 p.m. — Man flags down police and says he was stabbed multiple times by a man he was arguing with inside a business, 400 block of Ramona St. The two men did not know each other. The victim is taken to a hospital with injuries not considered life-threatening. Diyar Polat, 36, of Palo Alto, arrested for attempted murder, 400 block of Waverley St.

MENLO PARK

SUNDAY

10:23 p.m. — Luis Eduardo Bucio Nunez, 32, transient, arrested on four warrants, Marsh Road and Scott Drive.

MONDAY

8:47 a.m. — Battery, 1300 block of El Camino.

10 a.m. — Two-vehicle collision causes minor injuries, Altschul and Avy avenues.

2:28 p.m. — Ihsan Karacuban, 47, of Redwood City, arrested for assault with a deadly weapon and battery, 1100 block of El Camino.

2:43 p.m. — Fraud, 200 block of Oakhurst Place.

4:16 p.m. — Mail stolen, 600 block of Oak Grove Ave.

EAST PALO ALTO

MONDAY

2:03 p.m. — Tays Mendoza, 24, of East Palo Alto, cited for driving with a suspended or revoked license, Xavier St. and Purdue Ave.

STANFORD

SEPT. 29

9:41 a.m. — Bicycle stolen, Barnes Court.

2:05 p.m. — Bicycle stolen, 600 block of Lomita Drive.

2:40 p.m. — Electric scooter stolen, 800 block of Campus Drive.

5:17 p.m. — Vehicle stolen, Abrams Court.

MOUNTAIN VIEW

SEPT. 28

1:20 a.m. — Cohen Cook, 28, arrested for vandalism, 700 block of San Lucas Ave.

1:30 a.m. — Vandalism at Safeway, 570 N. Shoreline Blvd.

3:04 a.m. — Michael Chiang, 39, of Cupertino, arrested on a warrant, 400 block of W. Dana St.

9:23 a.m. — Home burglary, 800 block of Sierra Vista Ave.

12:05 p.m. — Kody Hart, 30, of Mountain View, arrested for domestic violence, 400 block of Moffett Blvd.

1:56 p.m. — Vandalism, 500 block of N. Shoreline Blvd.

3:41 p.m. — Vehicle stolen, 700 block of Continental Circle.

4:02 p.m. — Luis Verboonen, 33, transient, arrested for trespassing on railroad property, possession of drugs, drug paraphernalia and burglary tools, and on a warrant, railroad tracks at Farley St.

9:37 p.m. — Ana Ibarra Barajas, 28, of East Palo Alto, arrested for battery and threats, 1300 block of Snow St.

LOS ALTOS

FRIDAY

2:22 p.m. — Jennifer Maniscalo, 41, of San Jose, arrested for possession of a stolen vehicle, probation violation and on warrants, El Camino and Castro St. Melanie Casasolasouza, 33, of San Jose, arrested for grand theft and probation violation.

MONDAY

10:05 a.m. — Elder abuse alleged, 1300 block of Oak Ave.

ATHERTON

MONDAY

10:49 a.m. — Fraud, Placitas Ave.

2:46 p.m. — Fraud, Robleda Drive.

9:01 p.m. — Brian Oseida, 36, of San Jose, cited for driving with a suspended or revoked license, Middlefield Road and Oak Grove Ave.

NORTH FAIR OAKS

THURSDAY

7:44 a.m. — Jesus Javier Torres Rubio, 48, of Redwood City, cited for

a bicycle code violation and on a warrant, Middlefield Road and Flynn Ave.

FRIDAY

3:16 p.m. — William Roberto Torres, 35, of Redwood City, arrested on a warrant, 200 block of Pacific Ave.

9:07 p.m. — Tevita Lihau, 21, of East Palo Alto, arrested on a warrant, Fifth Ave. and El Camino. Arrest made by Atherton police.

REDWOOD CITY

THURSDAY

12:24 p.m. — Ever Ochoa Rodriguez, 31, of Redwood City, arrested for public drunkenness and parole violation, Middlefield Road and Jefferson Ave.

1:31 p.m. — Carlita Beatrize Mendoza, 33, cited on a warrant, Redwood City Caltrain Station. Citation given by San Mateo County sheriff’s deputies.

1:50 p.m. — Julie Anne Schmid, 67, cited for possession of drug paraphernalia, Redwood City Caltrain Station. Citation given by San Mateo County sheriff’s deputies.

2:46 p.m. — Efrain Sandoval Jr., 41, of Redwood City, arrested for indecent exposure, sexually harassing a minor and assault with a deadly weapon, 1700 block of Celeste Drive.

4:45 p.m. — Employee of a business says a man in the business was sexually harassing a female customer, El Camino.

4:51 p.m. — David Zmay, 70, of Menlo Park, arrested on warrants, Winslow St. and Brewster Ave.

6:28 p.m. — Michael Lawrence Roberts, 57, cited for possession of drug paraphernalia, Redwood City Caltrain Station. Citation given by San Mateo County sheriff’s deputies.

7:51 p.m. — Juan Manuel Gonzalez, 56, of Redwood City, arrested for violation of a restraining order, Clinton St. and Jackson Ave.

9:31 p.m. — Justin David Nieder, 28, of San Francisco, arrested on a warrant, 2400 block of El Camino.

10:39 p.m. — Woman says a man grabbed her buttocks while she was walking in a crosswalk, Middlefield Road.

11:18 p.m. — Jayro Alexander Alas, 31, of Redwood City, arrested for DUI, 900 block of Broadway. Arrest made by San Mateo County sheriff’s deputies.

FRIDAY

8:53 a.m. — Wallet and phone stolen from a locker, Redwood Shores Parkway.

3:26 p.m. — Two-vehicle collision causes minor injuries, Cassia St.

SAN CARLOS

SEPT. 29

5:03 p.m. — Dale Anthony Levitski, 52, of Redwood City,

cited for driving with a suspended or revoked license and possession of narcotics, other drugs and drug paraphernalia, Howard Ave. and Industrial Road.

OCT. 1

10:41 p.m. — Hugo Aguirre Garcia, 20, of Redwood City, cited on a warrant, 1200 block of Industrial Road.

FRIDAY

4:12 p.m. — Marlen de Avila, 47, of South San Francisco, cited for driving without a license, 800 block of Old County Road.

BELMONT

SUNDAY

12:15 a.m. — Vehicle stolen, Shoreway Road.

7:09 p.m. — Vehicle accident causes major injuries, Lyall Way and Ralston Ave.

MONDAY

5:42 p.m. — Complaint of noisy construction going on past the allowed time, Williams Ave. Police give the workers a warning.

CHP

From the Redwood City office of the CHP, which covers the MidPeninsula.

AUG. 26

Manuel A. Aguirre Gonzalez, 21, arrested for DUI.

Jesse G. Davis, 33, arrested for DUI.

Rodimilio E. Muzmonroy, 23, arrested for DUI.

DEATH –––––––

• Maycarla Sulapas, 25, of South San Francisco, who was jailed for attacking a relative and acting erratically including being naked in the street. She had lethal levels of meth in her system when she died Jan. 7, 2023, after being tasered, the District Attorney’s office said.

• Peter Edward McLaughlin, 64 of Pacifica, who was arrested for threatening another person with a firearm. He died in the jail on Oct. 20, 2023 from brain cancer, which hadn’t been diagnosed previously.

• Ronald Simmons, 34, of San Bruno, who had been arrested for battery and making criminal threats. Authorities said Simmons had a history of depression and his death on Oct. 21, 2023 was ruled a suicide.

• Anthony Harding, 23, of Oakland, died Jan. 14, 2024 in the jail’s drug detox unit after his arrest for misappropriating lost property and resisting arrest.

• Hunter Bergner, 46, of Redwood City, died March 15, 2024 of an apparent suicide, though the final cause hasn’t been released. He was arrested for violating a protective order and possessing a gun against a court order.

• Kyle Harrison, 25, of Redwood City, who was convicted in the drag-racing deaths of a San Carlos couple, died on March 15, from a toxic mix of medications, the medical examiner said.

BACKLOG –––––

main to be tested, according to Forensic Laboratory Director Samantha Dal Porto. The crime lab ran out of money, leading to the backlog remaining, Dal Porto said.

The audit revealed that 154 kits were from 2016 or later, and 497 kits were from 2015 or earlier, Dal Porto said during the meeting.

More recently submitted kits are tested within 120 days, according to Dal Porto.

Needs to be addressed

Speier said the county should have paid more attention to the issue, but should now do whatever it takes to address it.

“I want Measure K money to be used if necessary. I think this backlog has to be dealt with within a year,” Speier said. Measure K is a 2016 sales tax sold to voters on the promise that it would be used for housing and emergency services. The tax raises $116 million

a year, and each of the five supervisors gets $1 million to fund their own projects.

The board unanimously voted for the laboratory to accept a $2.3 million grant from the Department of Justice, but Speier was concerned whether it would be enough to address the backlog in a year.

Dal Porto said the grant runs until 2028, but that is too late, Speier said.

Shameful situation

All the other counties have been able to address their backlog, and San Mateo County is in the back of the pack, Speier said.

“It’s really shameful that we are in this situation and I don’t want to wait until 2028,” Speier said. “So whatever it takes to get this done quicker, I want to see us do it.”

Sheriff Christina Corpus’s new Assistant Sheriff Serigo Enriquez said that even though he doesn’t work at the laboratory, he recently took a tour and assured Speier that they are doing their best.

“I’m impressed with what I saw. I understand that there is a backlog and we are trying our best with what we have, and we will be able to put this into motion and move forward and do our best to catch up,” Enriquez told the board.

Speier said she wasn’t disputing that the laboratory is not doing good work, but the untested kits should have been a higher priority for supervisors.

Supervisor Ray Mueller said he wants the laboratory to report back within 60 days on its status because its current situation is unacceptable.

IPOs –––––––––

dealing with more than just technical issues. A prolonged government shutdown could sap confidence in the U.S. markets and economy. IPO activity typically remains strong through October, then slows in the U.S. during the final two months of the year.

“That’s always an end of the year factor,” said Samuel Kerr, head of global equity capital markets at Mergermarket.

Been brushing it off

Investors and companies had been mostly brushing off much of the uncertainty roiling the U.S. government and economy through the year, including an unpredictable trade policy, ongoing worries about inflation, a weakening job market and questions about Federal Reserve policy. Amid all that, the stock market has notched record after record and new compa-

nies keep joining the ranks. The impasse in Washington, though, has brought a reminder of the challenges facing the market.

“It (the shutdown) reminds you that we’re not operating in normal times,” Kerr said.

IPOs draw investors

Investors have been drawn to IPOs because stocks have looked pricey for a while, especially in the technology sector, leaving them looking for other ways to get into the market. IPOs have offered a way to do that. Many of the bigger IPOs in 2025 have been in growing technology fields, including cryptocurrency technology and artificial intelligence.

Circle Internet Group, the U.S.-based issuer of one of the most popular cryptocurrencies made its public debut in June for about $1.1 billion.

Circle issues USDC, a stablecoin that can be traded at a 1-to-1 ratio for U.S. dollars, and EURC, which can similarly be traded for euros. It's shares priced at $31, soared on the first day of trading and currently trade for around $152.

Big openings

Cryptocurrency exchange Bullish raised about $1.1 billion in August. Cloud-computing company CoreWeave raised about $1.5 billion when it went public in March.

Klarna, the Swedish buy now, pay later company, entered the public market in September, raising $1.37 billion. That made it the largest IPO of the year, according to Renaissance Capital. The IPO priced at $40 and shares currently trade around $42.

Outside of the shutdown, market conditions remain ideal, said Bill Smith, CEO of Renaissance Capital, in a note to investors.

“The IPO market still has a bit of gas in the tank,” he said.

ARMORED -----------

office has used the majority of its $324 million budget for the current 2025-26 fiscal year, according to Speier.

Speier was concerned about the liability the county might face if there was misuse of equipment, potentially leading to lawsuits.

Allen said it was also a concern of the sheriff’s office, but they also have to weigh their options when addressing incidents. The jail had a 30-person brawl on Sept. 26, causing deputies to use some of its military equipment, Allen said. The fight is still under in-

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vestigation, according to sheriff’s office spokeswoman Gretchen Spiker. The board voted unanimously to allow the sheriff’s office to use military equipment, but Speier was concerned about superiors reviewing purchases after they had already been made.

Speier has pulled other items in previous meetings regarding purchases by Sheriff Christina Corpus.

She’s been watching

In one of her first meetings, Speier previously said she pulled an item where Corpus was requesting over $1 million for additional audio and visual equipment. One of the purchases was a $700,000 TV for the headquarters conference room.

Speier has also called out Corpus’s request to buy 10 massage chairs for $6,670 each at meetings in April and June. The total cost of the chairs would be $66,700.

Corpus bought a $74,000 conference room table because of the size of her team and the size of the room. The 22-foot by 10-foot table includes 12 “cooling fans” in the legs and 10 “lockable access doors,” according to documents the Post obtained through a California Public Records Act request.

In March, the Post reported that she also purchased two soft-serve ice cream machines for employees in the county jails.

Facing removal

Corpus is facing removal by supervisors after they voted to fire her and held a 10-day hearing for allegedly retaliating against employees, having a close relationship with former chief of staff Victor Aenlle and negligence in her job performance.

On another front, the civil grand jury has filed four “accusations” against Corpus that will lead to a trial and her possible removal.

QUESTIONS --------

relationship, according to Emerson via the county’s statement. Even though it has been denied by Corpus and Aenlle at every turn, the evidence shows their

close relationship crossed boundaries of a professional working relationship, Emerson said.

Emerson also found that Tapia’s arrest on timecard fraud allegations was unlawful. District Attorney declined to file charges against Tapia, saying no crime had been committed.

Not credible

Lt. Brandon Hensel’s testimony accusing Tapia of timecard fraud during the hearing was more credible than Corpus’s, according to Emerson. Corpus’s claims of her investigation into Tapia were question-

able, and Emerson came to the conclusion that it was retaliation, he wrote.

Corpus also retaliated against Capt. Brian Philip. Philip said he was transferred to another part of the sheriff’s office after he refused to start an internal affairs investigation into Sgt. Javier Acosta, the brother of the sergeant’s union president Hector Acosta. He was also ordered to arrest Tapia, but he quit instead, Philip testified.

Corpus asked California Attorney General Rob Bonta last week to intervene “to stop an unlawful and dangerous abuse of power in San Mateo County.”

Stanford protesters indicted

Eleven pro-Palestinian demonstrators who were arrested at Stanford University last year after they occupied the president’s office building pleaded innocent Monday for the second time after they were indicted by a grand jury on felony vandalism charges.

The group of current and former Stanford students and activists were charged in April with felony vandalism and felony conspiracy to trespass. All pleaded not guilty during their arraignment the following month.

But after preliminary hearings were delayed for months due to defense attorneys being unavailable, prosecutors took the case to a grand jury, Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen said in court documents.

Speeds up pace

Last week’s grand jury indictment superseded the charges filed in April, allowing for the legal proceedings to skip preliminary hearings, which are held to determine if there is enough evidence for a trial.

Attorneys for the group had requested a preliminary hearing and set a date for Nov. 3, which would have given them the opportunity to publicly challenge the evidence presented, defense attorney Jeff Wozniak said.

“Grand Juries are secret proceedings where no defendants or defense attorneys are present to ask questions or defend themselves,” Wozniak said. “By avoiding a preliminary hearing, they are making secret a fundamentally important step in the case.”

A judge on Monday set a trial date for Nov. 17. The Stanford takeover began around dawn on June 5, 2024, the last day of spring classes at the university. Some protesters barricaded themselves inside the building, which houses the university president's office. The takeover ended three hours later when they were arrested.

“The people are ready for trial at the soonest possible date,” Rosen wrote.

Authorities arrested and charged 12 people but last month John Richardson, 21, pleaded no contest under a deferred entry of judgment agreement available to young defendants. If he completes probation without further legal trouble, the case could be dismissed. Richardson testified for the prosecution before the grand jury.

Home & Garden

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that on 9/29/2025, the Palo Alto City Council adopted the following ordinances. Text of the full ordinances is available at: https://www.paloalto.gov/agendas.

1. Ordinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Amending the Fiscal Year 2026

Municipal Fee Schedule to Amend and Remove Various Fees (FIRST READING: 9/8/25, PASSED 7-0; SECOND READING: 9/29/25, PASSED 7-0). 2. Ordinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Amending Sections of Chapter 10.56 (“Special Speed Zones”) of Title 10 (Vehicles and Portion of Deer Creek Road. (FIRST READING: 9/8/25, PASSED 7-0; SECOND READING: 9/29/25, PASSED 7-0). 3. Ordinance of the Council of the City of Administration) of Title 16 (Building Regulations) of the Palo Alto Municipal Code

Alto Amending Chapter 16.09 (Sewer Use Ordinance) of Title 16 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code to Update the Regulations Related to Use of the Sanitary Sewer System (FIRST READING: 9/15/25, PASSED 7-0; SECOND READING: 9/29/25, PASSED 7-0) 5. Ordinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Amending Chapter 16.11 (Stormwater Pollution Prevention) of Title 16 (Building Standards) of the Palo Alto Municipal Code (FIRST READING: 9/15/25, PASSED 7-0; SECOND READING: 9/29/25, PASSED 7-0) 6. Ordinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Amending Title 16 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code to Add a New Chapter 16.13, Requirements for Food Facilities Related to Water Pollution Prevention and Management of Fats, Oils, and Grease (FIRST READING: 9/15/25, PASSED 7-0; SECOND READING: 9/29/25, PASSED 7-0) 7. Ordinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Amending Title 16 of the Palo Alto Municipal

READING: 9/29/25, PASSED 7-0)

City Clerk

HURRY! TIME IS RUNNING OUT to catch “Little Women” onstage in Mountain View! Critics and audiences alike are loving “the deﬁnitive ‘Little Women’” (BroadwayWorld) penned by America’s most produced playwright Lauren Gunderson and staged by TheatreWorks Silicon Valley. Don’t miss your chance to see Louisa May Alcott’s iconic story of Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy March in this “endearing, poignant, and delightful” (Talkin’ Broadway) World Premiere play. Final show is this Sunday, October 12. Performances at Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts--grab your tickets now at theatreworks.org.

and valet parking is available. To reserve a spot, call (650) 320-8626.

SHUNYI CELLARS ADHERES TO TRADITIONAL winemaking methods, crafting wines that showcase the distinctive terroir of speciﬁc wine-growing regions. The team at ShunYi believes that wine can bring people together and serve as a bridge between diverse experiences, cultures, and values. They are a new addition to this year’s Witches & Warlocks Wine Stroll in beautiful Downtown Los Altos, on Friday, Oct. 17 from 6 to 9 p.m. They join Duncan Peak Vineyards, Burrell School Winery, Lightpost Winery, Ashton Vineyard and many more, to provide premium pours at over 20 tasting sites throughout beautiful Downtown Los Altos. More info and tickets at downtownlosaltos.org.

DOWNSIZING: PREPARING FOR SENIOR LIVING & NAVIGATING CAPITAL GAINS TAX. Palo Alto Commons will host an informative seminar on Wednesday, Oct. 22 from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at 4041 El Camino Way. Speakers include Mani Mortezai and Brent Mardesich from Tailored Transitions, and Shannon Corpuz from Pence Financial Group and LPL Financial. Refreshments will be served,

GILFIX & LA POLL ASSOCIATES LLP IS HOSTING Living Trusts and Planning to Preserve Assets, a proactive planning seminar on Wednesday, Oct. 22 at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. at Delta Hotels Marriott in Santa Clara, and on Thursday, Oct. 23 at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. at Baylands Golf Links at 1875 Embarcadero Road, Palo Alto. Attorneys Michael Gilfix and Mark Gilfix will cover topics that include the new tax law and what it means for your estate plan, how to save the family home from massive tax increases, and how to plan for your special needs child or grandchild. Register at gilfix.com/seminars or call (650) 382-0363.

WHERE SERVICE FEELS LIKE FAMILY. For Steve Kirksey, service manager at Stevens Creek Mercedes-Benz, the goal is simple: make every customer feel like they’re part of the family. As a former manager of Mercedes Park Ave in Palo Alto for decades, Steve and his service team has had the reputation to work efﬁciently and with transparency, offering pickup and drop off service requests, regular status updates, as well as loaner cars - all while treating every car as if it were their own. Customers keep coming back for the personalized care and the peace of mind that comes with knowing their car is in the right hands. Steve and his friendly service team welcome you and are ready to treat your Mercedes running at its best. Make sure to tell them we sent you! Located at 4500 Stevens Creek Blvd in San Jose.

HOWIES ARTISAN PIZZA HAS SPENT the last 15 years transforming from humble pizzeria into a beloved Italian-American dining destination. Howies is known for its dedication to quality and ﬂavor. Everything is made in-house, from salad dressings and sauces to dough and pasta, offering a truly

handcrafted experience. Guests can choose from a wide variety of dishes - you won’t ﬁnd another place in the bay area that offers hummus, a Chinese Chicken salad, and pizza all at one joint. Make sure to sign up online for Howie’s Recipe of the month club howiesartisanpizza. com

BANKING THAT FEELS LIKE FAMILY. BMO Bank, formerly Bank of the West, has spent the past two years building real connections in the Palo Alto community. Located at 2600 El Camino Real, BMO stands out as the only bank in the area known for going out to local businesses and offering their employees free incentives to open accounts with no strings attached. The team prides itself on treating every client as an individual, with personal experiences that matter. From complimentary in-house ﬁnancial advising to a full range of services designed to help you make real ﬁnancial progress, BMO is here to support your goals every step of the way. For more information stop by their branch or call (650) 327-6000.

ALICIA SAYS THE FILET MIGNON might be better than the prime rib at Sundance the Steakhouse in Palo Alto. Well, that may or may not be true. We do know that Sundance has offered slow roasted prime rib everyday since 1974 and they haven’t heard many complaints. So there you go. The cards are on the table. Take a good friend to Sundance the Steakhouse and ﬁnd out for yourselves. Alicia may be right but the proof is in the pudding as they say. Come by 1921 El Camino Real and see why Sundance The Steakhouse is such a special place and why they’ve been in business for over 45 years. Call 650 321-6798 for a reservation and check the website for more info.