MONDAY, June 16, 2025
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BY BRADEN CARTWRIGHT Daily Post Staff Writer
A Black teacher’s aide at Gunn High School has sued the Palo Alto Unified School District for allegedly firing her because she reported that she was receiving racist text messages from a coworker.
“The timing of her termination — im-
In the past five
SHOOTING SUSPECT ARRESTED:
Police in Minnesota last night arrested Vance Boelter, 57, who is suspected of fatally shooting, Melissa Hortman, a former Minnesota House Speaker, and her husband in their Brooklyn Park home. A second state lawmaker, Sen. John Hoffman, and his wife were shot multiple times in nearby Champlin but survived. Boelter was driving a fake police car and had inside it a list of state and federal lawmakers and community leaders.
GIANTS GET HITTER: The Boston Red Sox have traded Rafael Devers, one of baseball’s hottest hitters this season, to the San Francisco Giants in a blockbuster deal. The package of players going back to the Red Sox includes starter Jordan Hicks and lefthander Kyle Harrison.
TRUMP VETOED KILLING: President Trump vetoed a plan presented to the U.S. in recent days to kill Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The Trump administration is desperate to keep Israel’s military operation aimed at
[See THE UPDATE, page 4]
mediately after raising concerns about the racist texts and shunning — proves clear retaliation, especially given her positive track record and strong performance,” said the lawsuit by Diana Fox on June 2.
Fox was hired in November as a substitute aide in Palo Alto through a staffing agency called Stepping Stones Group.
She worked at different school sites for $32 an hour, and her supervisors
complimented her work, the lawsuit said.
Shortly after starting at Gunn, Fox said she started receiving racist text messages from an unknown number that made it clear she was not welcome at the school.
Fox said she deleted the first mes-
[See GUNN, page 18] Anti-Trump
A rally with the theme “No Kings” to protest President Trump drew millions across the country and thousands in Palo Alto. In Palo Alto, demonstrators walked from Town and Country Village along El Camino Real to Embarcadero Road, where they headed toward Riconada Park. At the park, they heard from Congressman Sam Liccardo, singer and activist Joan Baez, retired judge
[See RALLY, page 19]
BY ADRIANA HERNANDEZ Daily Post Staff Writer
Don’t be alarmed if someone’s going through your trash this month — they’re just making sure it’s in the right bin.
Recology recycling specialists will be checking garbage bins to make sure waste is being properly sorted through August.
Trash, recycling and compost bins will be randomly selected for an inspection before being picked up by trucks. Specialists will be lifting the lids of each bin, and if they find items misplaced, they will leave a green “OOPS!” sign to help residents and businesses improve their
[See TRASH, page 23]
BY ELAINE GOODMAN Daily Post Correspondent
Becoming a charter city might allow the town of Atherton to collect millions of dollars through a real estate transfer tax and potentially fend off certain state housing requirements. Those are some possible benefits of charter
[See HOUSING, page 18]
4 Beds | 3.5 Baths | 3,450 SF Living | 15,000 SF Lot
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Nestled in the heart of Old Palo Alto, this beautifully preserved home showcases the elegance of early 20th-century architecture blended seamlessly with thoughtful modern updates. Originally constructed in 1915, this home stands as a rare and refined example of classic design in one of Silicon Valley’s most desirable neighborhoods.
The main house features 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms upstairs, with a half-bath on the ground floor. A separate detached den with a full bathroom provides a versatile space for guests, a home office, or a creative studio. The formal dining room features a Venetian chandelier and built-in china cabinet. Enjoy quiet moments in the sunroom/ library area, lined with built-in bookcases and large windows that overlook the serene backyard. Huge 2-car garage.
With one of the largest lots (15,000 sf) in prestigious Old Palo Alto, this elegant home boasts a rare and generous backyard perfect for entertaining and everyday enjoyment. A safety-covered pool, hot tub, heated deck, lawn, and bocce court make it an entertainer’s paradise. In addition to a spacious 2-car garage, the property offers a backyard cottage with full bathroom and kitchenette, providing options for a guest suite, home office, or rental opportunity. Also on the property is the original carriage house, which can be used for a workshop, studio, or storage.
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Katie Ledecky, a 14-time Olympics medalist, yesterday returned to Stanford, her alma mater, to deliver the commencement keynote address on how to go the distance in one’s chosen field.
Ledecky recounted her experience in the 800-meter freestyle race in the 2012 Olympic Games in London, when she was youngest U.S. athlete across all sports at age 15. She was in the lane next to defending Olympic gold medalist, Rebecca Adlington of Great Britain.
She knew the crowd would be chanting “Bec-ky, Bec-ky” for Adlington.
However, Ledecky said she had pro-
grammed herself to think the crowd was shouting “Le-deck-y, Le-deck-y.”
Despite advice from coaches not to start too fast, Ledecky took the lead from the beginning of the race.
‘Just keep going’
Midway through the race, she wondered if she had gone out too fast and was doing something wrong, but she told herself to “just keep going,” ultimately winning by over four seconds.
“It’s easy to hear the voices telling you to pace yourself and take your foot off the pedal. But I found that once you start fast, you go further than you
think you can,” Ledecky said in her address to graduates at Stanford Stadium. “Don’t be afraid to take the lead. Sometimes you just have to go for it and find out what you are capable of.”
She said graduates shouldn’t think that they have to win every race, but they need to win their race, which means falling in love with the process, not just the outcome — getting the gold medal.
“Go out there and make your mark,” she said.
Ledecky, 28, graduated from Stanford in 2020 with a major in psychology and a minor in political science.
THE UPDATE FROM PAGE 1
decapitating Iran’s nuclear program from exploding into an even more expansive conflict and saw the plan to kill Khamenei as a move that would enflame the conflict and potentially destabilize the region.
MORE MISSILE STRIKES: Israel and Iran have traded missile strikes for a third straight day. Israel yesterday hit targets in Tehran, including the Defense Ministry and nuclear program. Iranian missiles have broken through Israeli defenses, striking buildings deep inside the country.
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CONSUMERS PLEASED: Consumer sentiment increased in June for the first time in six months, the latest sign that Americans’ views of the economy have improved as inflation has stayed tame and the Trump administration has reached a truce in its trade fight with China.
WALMART BACKLASH: Walmart heiress Christy Walton’s advertisement in The New York Times over the weekend has led some consumers to threaten a boycott of the retailer. The ad promoting a nationwide anti-Trump protest has prompted backlash against Walmart despite the company distancing itself from the full-page ad.
CHER’S SON HOSPITALIZED: Cher’s 48-yearold son, Elijah Blue Allman, was rushed to the hospital after overdosing in Joshua Tree on Saturday, according to TMZ. It’s unclear what drugs Elijah was using. Cher, 79, is focused on her son’s wellbeing and is “doing everything she can to get him the help he needs.”
REMAKE DOES WELL: “How to Train Your Dragon” took flight at the box office this weekend, proving that some remakes still have teeth. The liveaction adaptation of the beloved animated franchise soared to a strong $83 million debut.
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: Barry Anderson, Melanie Dela Cruz, 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
Deaths
Santa Clara County Medical Exam-
Office:
May 27
Sue O’Donnell, 80, of Palo Alto
May 25
Ravi Kumar, 35, of Sunnyvale
May 23
Gladys Vanalstyne, 88, of Sunnyvale
Eusebia Velazquez-Martinez, 73, of East Palo Alto
May 20
Michelle Dixon, 68, of Daly City
Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital in Palo Alto: Dec. 15
Emiliano Manuel Cruz Guerrero, a boy
Carina Alessandra Mercedes Gorgazzi, a girl
Rena Kung, a girl
Aleyza Ramirez Sandoval, a girl
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San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus is desperately fighting to keep her job amid corruption allegations.
Last week, she ran to court to avoid testifying before the civil grand jury. A judge denied her petition and ordered her to testify.
But by going to court, Corpus inadvertently revealed that she was being investigated by the civil grand jury — a fact that had not previously been known since grand jury proceedings are private. The civil grand jury, a group of mostly retirees empaneled by a judge, typically writes reports on improving government efficiency and eliminating waste. Not exciting stuff.
But the civil grand jury has a special power that is rarely used. It can recommend the removal of elected officials from office for “willful or corrupt misconduct.”
If the civil grand jury finds an elected official, such as a sheriff, should be removed, it brings an “accusation” against the official, which then triggers a jury trial to determine if the official should be removed. A guilty verdict doesn’t send an official to jail — but they have to step down.
Three years ago in Santa Clara County, the civil grand jury brought an
accusation against then-sheriff Laurie Smith for accepting campaign donations in exchange for concealed weapons permits. The case went to trial, but Smith left office before the jury found her guilty of the accusation.
Corpus is accused of corruption, including conflicts of interest, nepotism, retaliation, intimidation, false arrest and making racial and homophobic slurs. The civil grand jury will likely have a long list of questions for the sheriff. The judge ruled Tuesday that Corpus couldn’t duck the subpoena and must testify.
Her lawyer said in a court filing that she is expected to testify either today or tomorrow. If she fails to show up, she can be held in contempt and put in jail — possibly her own jail.
She can’t bring an attorney into the hearing room.
She could take the Fifth
If she invokes her Fifth Amendment right to refuse to testify because her testimony might incriminate her, she will only look guilty to the civil grand jury — bolstering the argument she should be removed from office.
Civil grand jurors might ask themselves: What crime did the sheriff do that makes her worried she might incriminate herself?
If she does testify, it will be under oath. So if she says something that
contradicts the facts, she could be charged with perjury.
Would Corpus hurt her case by testifying? In 2024, the county was grappling with a sexual harassment and discrimination suit brought by Carryn Barker, a former sheriff’s deputy and SWAT team member.
The lawsuit was on its way to trial, but the plaintiffs wanted to hold a deposition to get testimony from Corpus under oath. The county tried to avoid the deposition, but it was scheduled to happen anyway. Just before Corpus was to testify, the county settled the case for $8 million. We don’t know why they settled. Would Corpus’ testimony have made the case worse for the county?
If she was considered to be a liability on the witness stand, then I can only imagine what will happen when she testifies this week before the civil grand jury.
As the civil grand jury investigates, the county Board of Supervisors are moving ahead with their own process to remove her from office. They’ve handed her with a list of reasons for why she should be fired. Next, they’ll have a hearing where the county’s
Magical Bridge at Mitchell Park turned 10 years old this year.
A big thank you to the founder Olenka Villareal. She worked for many years to bring her dream to life. Olenka headed up the effort to raise $4.5 million needed to complete this project. What a great gift to the City of Palo Alto. The wonderful playground is used by over 300 kids each day.
Former Mayor Le Levy passed away on June 9th. Le supplied the seed money to jump start two wonderful initiatives. The Magical Bridge park and Lytton Plaza in Downtown Palo Alto. He left his mark on many organizations with thoughtful advice and financial support. We have lost a true Palo Alto icon.
Menlo College in Atherton graduated 225 students. This is the largest graduating class in their 100th year history. Thank you Chop Keenan for your leadership for many years.
The Palo Alto Kiwanis Club turned 100 years old! They are extremely active in many projects including 50 park remodels. Their latest project is redoing the plants and trees at Lucies Stern Community Center.
Bill Reller turned 90 years old and continues to be an active supporter of many charitable organizations. Over the years he has served as a Founder and Director of major charities. Thanks Bill for all you do for our community.
lawyers and Corpus’ lawyers will give their sides of the story.
And District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe appears to be preparing a criminal case against Corpus and possibly others. If she’s convicted of any felony, she’ll lose her job. If it’s a theft misdemeanor, then she’s also gone. She’ll probably be able to keep her job if she’s convicted of any other type of misdemeanor.
Cutting her losses
I’m surprised that the expensive lawyers Corpus has hired haven’t counseled her to avoid all of this and make a deal with Wagstaffe and the county administration to resign, plead guilty to reduced charges and minimize her losses. If convicted, she’s a single mom who will be incarcerated. Who will take care of her two kids while she’s behind bars? When she gets out, it won’t be easy for her to get a job — certainly she won’t be able to return to law enforcement, the only field in which she has experience.
And she’ll have a mountain of debt — lawyer bills, civil suit verdicts and restitution to the county for the damage she’s done. That debt will follow her for the rest of her life unless she wins the lottery.
Editor Dave Price’s column appears on Mondays.
Our streets will now be safer with the re-introduction of the Palo Alto Police traffic division. Please drive safely and slow down, they are out there with their ticket books.
Congratulations to Yudy Deng for being appointed to the Palo Alto Parks & Recreation Committee. She is active in many community organizations. Yudy headed up along with the Friends of the Palo Alto Parks to raise more than $10,000 for the cubberley track.
The Stanford Theatre in Downtown turned 100 years old on June 9th. The Theatre was built for $300,000. Showing classic films from 1910 to 1970. It is known for having 25% of all classic attendance in the United States per wikipedia. Thank you very much to the Packard Family for such a treasure in our town.
Our assembly member Mark Berman (a Paly grad) hosted a coffee at Ada’s Cafe at Mitchell Park. An overflowing crowd of 90 citizens attended with many questions. Mark patiently answered questions from the crowd for over 2 hours. Thank you for your dedication and hard work for us.
Roger V. Smith, resident of Palo Alto since 1964
Ave. ideas
Dear Editor: California Avenue’s open space is simply not suitable as a bike highway. I suggest the following: • Divert green lanes onto Cambridge or Sherman? If you remove parking on these streets — (Don’t we have two expensive garages and parking lots?) Ergo, here’s a safe space for a bike highway.
• The concern: Bikes, e-bikes and scooters, unhelmeted, zoom on Cal Ave., through the opening onto Birch. The green lane in the middle of Cal Ave. ends; bikes continue to fly through the middle of Birch and Cal Ave.! Scary! Even going kitty-corner to Gamelandia! In fact, the green arrow feeds bikes directly to and through the rest of Cal Ave. as a car lane! No more bike lane!
I walk these streets, and see, daily, we, the elders and elderly. Bikes come up behind us, thinking we have eyes in
back of our heads! Yes, bikers have helmets usually dangling from handlebars or on backracks.
• Space: Mark Twain said, “Buy land. They’re not making it any more.” The current wide open middle of Cal Ave. is great for strolling — Why can’t we just have some very Zen empty space? Empty, safe space.
• Bottom line: No bike paths on Cal Ave., please? We restricted cars, how do bikes get a pass? Council approved the concept, but let’s consider suggestions to preserve Cal Ave. Open space? Add bike parking racks in back alleys, and Sherman garage?
Randy Mont-Reynaud Palo Alto
Dear Editor: I appreciate the efforts of state Sen. Josh Becker, D-Menlo Park, to reform the California Pub-
OCTOBER 2009:
President Obama gave a speech reporting on $60 billion annually in Medicare fraud and his desire to eliminate it. He spoke of our huge federal budget deficits and our mounting national debt.
MARCH 2010:
Our President reported on huge amounts of "waste, fraud, and abuse" throughout the Federal government and called on both parties to work together to "aggressively crack down" on this problem. He said that he would look for cuts in all departments and agencies and that some programs would have to be eliminated entirely. Once again he referenced our huge Federal budget deficits and how our burgeoning national debt would place a heavy burden on future generations.
There must have been numerous large weekend demonstrations throughout town as concerned Palo Altans mobilized to protest those attacks on our cherished Federal programs and institutions. Does anyone have any photos of those events? Send to maga@upyrs.com
lic Utilities Commission. In 2023, the PG&E profit enabled by PUC rate-setting was $2.24 billion; in 2024, it was $2.47 billion.
I propose that, through reduced consumer rates, a PG&E corporate contribution to electrical and gas rates in California for 2026 should be no less than $2.4 billion and the same in 2027. Rates thereafter can be considered based on actual cost of providing service, not counting any reparations costs or remediation costs of hillside under grounding, which is the basic duty of the utility. Yes, this will cause PG&E to run at a loss, at least foreseeably.
For decades, PG&E has diverted safety costs to their profits payout to share holders. For the immediate future, this diversion should be reversed, until such time as the long-deferred costs are paid and our system is safe from the frequent and well-known natural conditions in the hillsides (not for-show tree
trimming in flat neighborhoods), and a fair cost-to-rate balance is established.
The PG&E shareholders should not benefit from their holdings until then. This is fair repayment of decades of PUC-permitted robber management. Henry Riggs Menlo Park
Dear Editor: There’s a saying, “Those who don’t learn from history are doomed to repeat it.”
But, what if one learns the wrong lesson? Currently, the right to peacefully assemble and verbally protest has been usurped by Hobbesian individuals who are set on creating mayhem.
There is no Constitutional guarantee that one can throw rocks, set fires, smash and deface property, steal or resort to mob rule when one disagrees with governmental actions. We are bet[See LETTERS, page 10]
ter than this. We need to learn a better lesson from history!
Alice Miller Palo Alto
Dear Editor: Yesterday was Father’s Day, and I think it’s time to say what’s been unsaid for decades. I have no scripts, no prepared notes, just my honesty and memories that never fade. I remember those quiet Sunday drives we took, just you and me — we didn’t need words — it all was just right. We owe all our successes in life to fathers like you. To Dads everywhere, know that your sons and daughters are starting to see life through your eyes. You said it best, “You get what you give.”
Emile Manara Brisbane
Dear Editor: As President Trump wallowed in his preposterous Army anniversary parade, one might think of the fairy tale “The Emperor’s New Clothes.” While congressional sycophants and MAGA cultists were awe-
struck by his non-existent royal garments, the rest of us should be asking how someone who guts vital programs and punishes dissenting institutions can spend over $40 million to feed his obvious insecurities.
Remember these observations from his former Chief of Staff John Kelly: “He thinks those who defend their country in uniform, or are shot down or seriously wounded in combat, or spend years being tortured as POWs are all suckers because ‘there is nothing in it for them,’ and has contempt for Gold Star families. A person who rants that our most precious heroes who gave their lives in America’s defense are ‘losers’ and wouldn’t visit their graves in France.”
How pathetic.
Irv Brenner Palo Alto
Dear Editor: I found it interesting that President Trump in his recent statement to the press denying his royalty, chose to use the royal “we” in saying “we are not a king” rather than “I am not a king.”
John Paul Hanna Palo Alto
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Health officials want you to think twice before buying one of those brightly colored little bottles often sold at gas stations, convenience stores and smoke shops.
Sometimes called “gas station heroin,” the products are usually marketed as energy shots or cognitive supplements but actually contain tianeptine, an unapproved drug that can be addictive and carries risks of serious side effects.
U.S. poison control centers have reported a steady rise in calls linked to
the drug for more than a decade. And last month, the FDA sent a warning to health professionals about “the magnitude of the underlying danger of these products.”
Tianeptine is approved in a number of foreign countries as an antidepressant, usually as a low-dose pill taken three times a day. But it has never been approved by the FDA for any medical condition in the U.S.
Additionally, the drug cannot legally be added to foods and beverages or sold as a dietary supplement.
BY ADRIANA HERNANDEZ Daily Post Staff Writer
The San Mateo County undersheriff says the jail is understaffed and officers are working overtime.
Six inmates have died in the jail since Sheriff Christina Corpus took office in January 2023. Of the six inmates who died, two committed suicide, three died from drug overdoses and one died of cancer.
For the Sheriff’s Office to be fully staffed, they need 296 deputy sheriffs, but currently have only 264. There are 60 trainees currently undergoing training to become deputy sheriffs or correctional officers, according to a presentation by Undersheriff Dan Parea to the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office Civilian Advisory Commission on June 4.
Commissioner Bill McClure asked Undersheriff Dan Perea, Lt. Mike Tabak and Lt. Jon Sebring if the number of positions available is enough to run the jails.
Many apply for job openings
Around 250 people are having their backgrounds checked, according to Perea.
“This is a very popular agency,” Perea said.
The deputy’s union has previously said that the office is struggling to stay
fully staffed and employees continue to work a significant amount of overtime.
“We have tried to work out a policy and a system where we are not mandating people in for overtime,” Perea said.
The Maple Street Jail has one officer responsible for supervising 17 to 28 inmates. At the Maguire Jail, one officer is responsible for 13 to 17 inmates.
Perea said the office is currently creating a system to make sure officers take their breaks and keep track of their overtime. The system will also make sure there are enough officers to support training and that religious and medical services are taken care of, Perea said.
This year, San Mateo, San Francisco and Alameda counties have only reported one death. Santa Clara and Monterey counties have reported two for this year.
Last year, San Mateo and San Francisco counties reported two deaths. Alameda County reported three deaths and Santa Clara County has the highest with 10.
In 2023, San Mateo and San Francisco counties reported three deaths. Santa Clara County reported five and Alameda and Monterey counties six.
In May, Corpus announced that she was implementing a hiring freeze after
Especially if they are biting indoors and/or during the day
Live in San Mateo County? Report online at smcmvcd.org/request-service or by calling 650-344-8592
Live in Santa Clara County? Report online at vector.santaclaracounty.gov/ReportMosquitoes or by calling 408-918-4770
Vector control services are paid for by tax dollars. There is no additional charge for your local vector control district to respond to mosquito bite reports.
receiving so many applicants for trainee positions. She stopped hiring new correctional officers and deputy trainees, spokeswoman Gretchen Spiker said at the time.
The Sheriff’s Office has received over 350 applications for various positions, according to Spiker.
The Post has previously reported three incidents involving trainees at the Sheriff’s Office.
On April 24, Correctional Officer Jasmine De La Cruz was in the passenger seat of a white Cadillac sedan going 120 mph in Burlingame. CHP pursued the car until a fatal crash on Marsh
Road in Menlo Park. The driver died, and De La Cruz was injured and taken to the hospital.
Trainee leaves gun in restaurant
In October, the Post reported that a jail deputy trainee left a gun in a fanny pack at Crepevine at 1310 Burlingame Ave. in Burlingame.
On Dec. 2, an alleged sexual assault between a male and female inmate happened due to a trainee transporting inmates incorrectly, according to emails the Post obtained between Judges Stephanie Garratt and Elizabeth Lee to Corpus.
JUNE 1
2:11 p.m. — Tenoch Isaac Serrano, 22, of San Francisco, arrested for mail theft and drug possession, 4000 block of Middlefield Road.
TUESDAY
4:48 p.m. — Uranos Osmani, 28, transient, arrested for trespassing, Olive Ave. and Park Blvd. Raymond Morrison Perry, 27, of Watsonville, arrested for vandalism.
6:18 p.m. — Rosamaria Castillo, 67, transient, arrested for public drunkenness, Stanford Shopping Center.
11:33 p.m. — Uranos Osmani, 28, transient, arrested for vandalism, 3200 block of Park Blvd.
WEDNESDAY
1:33 a.m. — Marcell Bertram Washington, 43, of San Jose, arrested for grand theft, Downtown Palo Alto Caltrain Station.
THURSDAY
12:08 a.m. — Assault at CVS, 2701 Middlefield Road.
FRIDAY
12:15 p.m. — Vandalism, 700 block of Fremont St.
5:12 p.m. — Bicycle stolen, 2200 block of Sharon Road.
10:31 p.m. — Kenneth Chavarria, 19, of San Jose, cited for driving with a suspended or revoked license, Oak Ave. and Crane St. Incident handled by Atherton police.
SATURDAY
7:05 a.m. — Door of a business damaged, 1100 block of Willow Road.
JUNE 1
12:15 a.m. — Bicycle stolen, 600 block of Escondido Road.
3:32 a.m. — Benjamin Eric Valenzuela, 30, of Napa, cited for illegal lodging, 500 block of Lasuen Mall.
8:13 p.m. — Valentin Iisaac Henry,
27, of Gilroy, arrested for public drunkenness, Stanford Stadium.
8:32 p.m. — Jonathan Marquez, 30, of Long Beach, arrested for domestic violence, Stanford Stadium.
9:25 p.m. — Rohan Alli, 28, of Santa Clara, arrested for public drunkenness, Stanford Stadium.
APRIL 23
5 p.m. — Cristofer Mendoza Lopez, 23, of Santa Clara, cited for driving with a suspended or revoked license, California and Franklin streets.
JUNE 2
6:41 a.m. — Burglary at a business, 300 block of Ravendale Drive.
9:18 p.m. — Nicholas Valatkis, 44, of San Francisco, cited for possession of narcotics, other drugs and drug paraphernalia, San Antonio Caltrain Station.
9:30 p.m. — Tyler Jones, 32, of Lakehead, cited for possession of drug paraphernalia, San Antonio Caltrain Station.
9:50 p.m. — Juan Hernandez Cabrera, 27, transient, and Arturo Estrada, 27, of San Jose, both cited for possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia, San Antonio Caltrain Station.
10:32 p.m. — Eric Garcia Perez, 19, of Mountain View, arrested for driving under the influence of both alcohol and drugs and driving with a suspended or revoked license, 500 block of San Antonio Road.
JUNE 3
10:40 a.m. — Home burglary, 2200 block of Towne Circle.
12:33 p.m. — Jamal Turner, 32, of San Francisco, arrested for being under the influence of drugs, possession of drug paraphernalia and resisting police, 2500 block of W. El Camino.
1:06 p.m. — Christian Contreras, 25, of Mountain View, arrested on a warrant, 300 block of Escuela Ave.
3:02 p.m. — Home burglary, 500 block of San Antonio Road.
3:20 p.m. — Marco Gonzalez Flores, 31, of Mountain View, arrested on a warrant, Mountain View Police Dept.
6:26 p.m. — Liam Bickford, 63, transient, arrested for public
drunkenness, 2500 block of Middlefield Road.
FRIDAY
8 p.m. — Auto burglary, 1000 block of N. San Antonio Road.
9:11 p.m. — Auto burglary, 900 block of N. San Antonio Road.
SATURDAY
8:54 p.m. — Burglary at a construction site, 5100 block of El Camino.
FRIDAY
12:51 a.m. — Vicente Campos Rivera, 44, transient, cited for possession of drug paraphernalia, Bay Road and Theresa Court.
JUNE 7
7:10 p.m. — Manuel Alejandro Arreola, 33, arrested for trespassing parole violation, 2500 block of El Camino.
TUESDAY
12:12 a.m. — Michael Eugene Maness, 61, arrested on warrants, Fifth Ave. and Middlefield Road.
9:59 p.m. — Martin Barrera Sanchez, 36, cited on a warrant, Fifth Ave. and Bay Road.
TUESDAY
7:24 a.m. — Resident’s vehicle egged and scratched, Valota Road.
8:54 a.m. — Chop saw and screw gun stolen from a home under construction, Grand St.
10:13 a.m. — Storage unit broken into, Oddstad Drive.
12:38 p.m. — Purse stolen from an unlocked vehicle, Broadway.
3:57 p.m. — Thomas James Norton, 37, cited on a warrant, Redwood City Caltrain Station.
4:32 p.m. — Hit-and-run causes injuries, El Camino.
9:23 p.m. — Vehicle accident causes minor injuries, Veterans Blvd. 11:24 p.m. — Arrest made for domestic violence, Woodside Road.
WEDNESDAY
7:10 a.m. — Adriana Marie O’Donnell Martell, 20, cited on a warrant, 800 block of Middlefield
Road. Citation given by San Mateo County sheriff’s deputies.
7:21 a.m. — Woman says her ex-boyfriend stole her property and took them to his encampment, Seaport Blvd.
9:33 a.m. — Vehicle window broken, Hopkins Ave.
11:26 a.m. — Three vehicles involved in an accident, Broadway. 1:33 p.m. — Vehicle accident causes minor injuries, Chestnut St.
3:47 p.m. — Man arrested for domestic violence. Location not disclosed.
5:01 p.m. — Honda Fit stolen, Veterans Blvd.
5:52 p.m. — Caller says a driver just ran through stop signs and hit curbs before parking, Corriente Point Drive. A DUI arrest is made.
7:04 p.m. — Worker points a gun at a co-worker during a dispute, El Camino.
TUESDAY
12:38 p.m. — Roberto Aguilar, 58, cited for driving with a suspended or revoked license, El Camino and Greenwood Ave.
WEDNESDAY
2:59 p.m. — Scooter stolen, El Camino.
4:29 p.m. — Pamela Sudano Ruegg, 63, cited for shoplifting and falsely identifying herself to police, 1300 block of Fifth Ave.
5:23 p.m. — Trevor Giusti, 29, cited for narcotics possession, 1100 block of Judson St.
9:54 p.m. — Man steals pills from a store, El Camino. Karsen J. Tittle, 32, arrested for organized retail theft and possession of burglary tools.
THURSDAY
7:11 p.m. — Kevin Allan Christian, 41, arrested for public drunkenness, 1100 block of El Camino.
FRIDAY
5:55 p.m. — Esvian Fabian Alvarez Gadamel, 57, cited for driving with a suspended or revoked license, 600 block of Harbor Blvd.
The
PALO ALTO
1800 Webster St., 94301, 5 bedrooms, 3293 square feet, built in 1989, Hong Wang to 1027 Waverley LLC for $7,500,000, closed May 12 (last sale: $6,700,000, 08-12-19)
3117 Maddux Drive, 94303, 5 bedrooms, 2393 square feet, built in 1952, Joven Baltazar to Priya and Navneet Mathur for $9,375,000, closed May 12 (last sale: $2,500,000, 11-08-24)
813 Melville Ave., 94301, 3 bedrooms, 2044 square feet, built in 1987, Linda Seale to Chengshu and Chenyi Shi for $11,640,000, closed May 12 (last sale: $762,000, 05-01-90)
195 Hanna Way, 94025, 4 bedrooms, 2640 square feet, built in 1998, Zaky Living Trust to Michelle and Keh-Chiang Shen for $4,436,500, closed April 23 (last sale: $1,145,500, 08-17-98)
1180 N. Lemon Ave., 94025, 5 bedrooms, 5300 square feet, built in 2013, Tiger Dragon Trust to Sang Lee for $7,735,000, closed April 21 (last sale: $5,350,000, 08-25-15)
1325 Garden Lane, 94025, 4 bedrooms, 5047 square feet, built in 2014, Christian and Sarah Gormsen to 1325 Garden Lane LLC for $8,549,000, closed April 21 (last sale: $7,550,000, 05-13-21)
418 Foxborough Drive, 94041, 4 bedrooms, 2588 square feet, built in 1976, Pruzan Family Trust to Gunjan and Utkarsh Porwal for $3,300,000, closed May 12 (last sale: $1,800,000, 03-16-15)
441 Apricot Lane, 94040, 4 bedrooms, 2526 square feet, built in 1980, John Cunniff to Sameer and Tarush Bali for $4,080,000, closed May 14 (last sale: $1,425,000, 11-05-09)
1182 Fordham Way, 94040, 3 bedrooms, 1335 square feet, built in 1954, Aro Properties Norcal 1 LLC to Alina and Sergiu Dogaru for $4,889,000, closed May 16
2129 Carol Ave., 94040, 3 bedrooms, 1599 square feet, built in 1947, Lindsay and Toby Vanderbeek to Jimin and Roy Xia for $3,550,000, closed May 7 (last sale: $1,025,000, 10-23-07)
1461 Gretel Lane, 94040, 4 bedrooms, 1741 square feet, built in 1954, Hoch Trust to Sarah and David Amor for $3,700,000, closed May 6 (last sale: $2,400,000, 05-24-16)
101 Mansfield Drive, 94040, 4 bedrooms, 2590 square feet, built in 2012, Steven Lin to Java-Rijhwani Family Trust for $14,461,500, closed May 7 (last sale: $2,295,000, 10-14-13)
1317 Rossway Court, 94024, 3 bedrooms, 1583 square feet, built in 1957, Martin Trust to Dong Meng for $3,640,000, closed May 8
1708 William Henry Court, 94024, 3 bedrooms, 1881 square feet, built in 1953, Kathleen Basker to Shu Sung for $4,350,000, closed May 5
1999 Scott Lane, 94024, 4 bedrooms, 2136 square feet, built in 1962, Manik Trust to Zhangying and Yulong Tian for $4,410,000, closed May 8 (last sale: $1,900,000, 05-06-14)
1676 Grant Road, 94024, 4 bedrooms, 3526 square feet, built in 2012, Danny Nguyen to Jing and Xingfu Liang for $4,850,000, closed May 9 (last sale: $2,660,000, 08-09-13)
2701 Carmelita Ave., 94002, 2 bedrooms, 1160 square feet, built in 1955, Louie Trust to Aung and Brian Na for $1,926,000, closed April 16 (last sale: $1,750,000, 02-22-22)
14 Korbel Way, 94002, 3 bedrooms, 1810 square feet, built in 1959, Maria and John Schoenfeld to Su and Hong 2016 Family Trust for $2,850,000, closed April 15
2399 Lyall Way, 94002, 3 bedrooms, 1660 square feet, built in 1980, Li Fan to Aradhana and Rajat Shah for $1,625,000, closed April 25 (last sale: $1,150,000, 11-18-16)
THE 2ND ANNUAL LOCAL LIBATIONS wine walk featuring a curated selection of 10 Santa Cruz Mountain wineries will take place during the monthly, year-round 3rdThursday music festival on
Palo Alto’s car-free California Avenue on June 19th from 6 to 9 p.m. The car-free blocks of Cal Ave from El Camino-Birch provide a relaxed outdoor venue for a combination wine tasting and live music”, says 3rdThursday founder and producer Carol Garsten. With the generous support of 2025 LoCal Libations Presenting Sponsor John W. King and Wine Sponsor TechCU, the event organizers look to raise funds to support the ongoing 3rdThursday Music Festival on Cal Ave.
BARBAYANI TAVERNA: SAVOR A TASTE of Greece in Los Altos, where you can enjoy authentic dishes and warm hospitality in a beautiful Aegean atmosphere. From the beautiful bougainvilleaaccented patio to the elegant dining room, the restaurant brings a bit of the Mediterranean to Main St. Since its debut in late 2023, the restaurant from co-owners Dino Tekdemir and Allen Isik (who is also executive chef) has become one of downtown Los Altos’ most popular establishments. The restaurant is the perfect setting for social or business events, from a cocktail reception to an elegant formal dinner – or both. They also offer an unforgettable private catering experience. For more information or to make a reservation, call (650) 405-6087.
Where Play Meets Purpose
At Learning Links, children thrive in nurturing classrooms that spark curiosity and build confidence
•Creative Curriculum® guides hands-on, play-based learning
•Individualized teaching tailored to each child’s needs
•Family collaboration every step of the way
•Transitional Kindergarten (TK) prepares children for success in school through hands-on, meaningful play in language, literacy, math, and more. Aligned with California standards.
DISCOVER 1001 NIGHTS, A MIDDLE Eastern–inspired dining and entertainment experience on Quattro Terrace at Four Seasons Hotel Silicon Valley, open seven days a week. From Jun. 13 to Sept. 14, enjoy themed décor, signature cuisine, live belly dance performances Friday through Sunday, and curated retail items that transport you to the heart of a vibrant souk (bazaar). Choose from three immersive settings: open-air terrace dining, a semiprivate Arabian tent or a glass-enclosed dome, all styled with Arabian décor.
AN AD-FREE SEARCH ENGINE. WHAT if the Internet were not all ads? What would it look like to search the internet as a human seeking information, rather than as a potential product served up to advertisers? Palo Altan Vladimir Prelovac wanted to find out. So he created Kagi.com, a premium adfree subscription-based search engine that offers many customizable tools and features to enrich the experience. “Thirty to forty years ago we didn’t care what we put in our bodies, and then we became aware of toxins and organic food, and now we’re
careful about what we put in our bodies,” he said. “Now we’re starting to value information and care about what we put in our heads and where we get it from.” To find out more, go to Kagi.com and try their 100-search free trial.
COURTYARD LONG BAR & BISTRO. Looking for the perfect spot to unwind, enjoy live music, and indulge in amazing food and drinks? Look no further! Their stunning courtyard is your new go-to destination for unforgettable moments. Let the soothing tunes of local artists set the perfect vibe for your evenings with live music by Brian Ho on Sunday, June 22nd. Join them at the Courtyard Long Bar & Bistro – Where Every Day Feels Like a Celebration! 4320 El Camino Real, Los Altos.
FELLOWSHIP AND COMMUNITY. PALO ALTO First Christian Church, located at 2890 Middlefield Rd. in Midtown Palo Alto, is pleased to invite the
public to their community Food Truck event every last Thursday until August. This is a fun, free, relaxing evening for everyone. Join them on June 26th from 5 to 8 p.m., enjoy getting to know your neighbors over burgers, hotdogs and different cuisines. There will be games, face painting for kids, fundraising and more!
DOES YOUR VACUUM NEED A little love? The Vacuum repair shop is ready to take your rundown old vacuum and give it new life. Just drop it off at the shop and Steve will call you up when it’s ready. The Saget family has two Steves, an Alex and more. They’re all expert repair people who also sell new and refurbished vacuums and sewing machines. This is a traditional family-owned fix-it repair shop for anything
GOT AN OLD COUCH WITH saggy cushions? A worn out La-Z-Boy recliner that has lost its charm? Don’t toss them to the curb and spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on new furniture, come to Sterling Custom Upholstery and let them revitalize everything for a fraction of the cost. A Mountain View staple, Sterling Custom Upholstery is a family owned and operated business that has been around since 1966! Trust Michelle and her amazing crew at Sterling Upholstery to update your old or maybe just sentimental furniture with new style and an aesthetic that works for you. Head over to 1243 W El Camino Real in Mountain View today to see how to save money by transforming your old furniture to its original comfort with a brand new style!
You can also browse the showroom for new and refurbished sewing machines and vacuums.
sage and changed her number after receiving a second message.
But her supervisor shared her new phone number in a group chat on Dec. 9, the suit said.
Fox said on Dec. 20, she received four racist texts calling her the n-word, referencing her skin color and telling her not to go back to Gunn.
“They hate you here at Gunn, hoping you’ll quit. Just do yourself a favor and don’t return,” one text said.
Fox said she forwarded the messages to Assistant Principal Kat Catalano the next day. Catalano replied “thanks” and said she would check in after winter break, according to the lawsuit.
Transferred to different classroom
Fox said she was hired for the rest of the school year at Gunn on Jan. 5. But when she returned from break on Jan. 7, she said she was placed in a different classroom away from the other teacher aides without any explanation.
“Today has been super sad for me. I obviously have done something I’m unaware of that has gotten me alienated from the rest of every one else,” Fox texted Catalano in the afternoon.
Catalano said she “understood” but never followed up on the text messages, Fox said.
Fox said she told Erik Olsen, a coordinator at Stepping Stones Group, about the racist messages and asked for a different assignment.
“Totally unacceptable. Whoever sent you those texts should be fired. The principal never informed us about
these messages. They begged us to let you stay,” Olsen replied, according to the lawsuit.
Fox said she was fired by the district the next day, allegedly because Catalano found out she had reported the messages to her staffing agency.
The staffing agency fired Fox a few days later, the suit said.
The California Department of Fair Employment Housing gave Fox the right to sue the district on March 16. Her case was filed in Santa Clara County Superior Court by attorney Navruz Avloni.
The district doesn’t comment on pending lawsuits, said district spokeswoman Lynette White in an email.
city designation outlined in a report the Atherton City Council will discuss Wednesday. The report is from a council subcommittee made up of council member Rick DeGolia and vice mayor Stacy Holland.
Council is considering going to voters in November 2026 to ask for approval of charter city status.
Most California cities — including Atherton — are general law cities, which follow state laws that cover city operations. If a city decides to become a charter city, it can set its own rules on matters such as election schedules, competitive bidding requirements and whether to have a “strong mayor” form of government. Out of California’s 482 cities, 125 were charter cities as of 2020.
With charter status, Atherton could ask voters to approve a real estate trans-
fer tax. A 1% tax per transaction would raise an estimated $4 million a year.
Although the town previously looked into becoming a charter city as a way to raise more money, that’s not the primary reason “at this time,” said the report from council’s charter city subcommittee. Instead, the issue is having control of land use.
“For Atherton, because the town is nearly 100% residential, single-family, the town’s most important issue for local control is land use and zoning,” according to a June 2024 report to council when the charter city discussion was restarting.
Charter cities won housing suit
Council discussed becoming a charter city issue in 2015 and 2017, deciding both times not to move forward. But an April 2024 court decision sparked renewed interest in the charter city issue in Atherton and other cities.
Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Curtis Kin ruled in favor of five Southern California cities — all charter cities — that sued the state to overturn a 2021 housing bill, Senate Bill 9. SB9 allows lots that are zoned for a single-family home and are at least 2,400 square feet may be split into two lots without a city hearing. Two homes can then be built on each resulting lot for a total of four homes where previously just one was allowed.
The text of SB9 says “ensuring access to affordable housing is a matter of statewide concern and not a municipal affair,” therefore overriding the charter cities’ “home rule.”
The five cities — Redondo Beach, Carson, Torrance, Whittier and Del Mar — said that SB9 has no requirements that the newly created housing be affordable.
Judge Kin agreed with the charter cities. He said SB9 isn’t “reasonably related to ensuring access to affordable housing” or crafted in a way to avoid unnecessary interference in local government.
The case is now pending in California appellate court after the state and Attorney General Rob Bonta filed an appeal last summer.
For now, Kin’s decision applies to the five cities in the lawsuit, but if it’s upheld on appeal, it will apply to all charter cities in California.
Despite the court decision on SB9, it’s unclear how much a charter city designation would help Atherton fight off state-mandated housing requirements, according to the subcommittee report.
Many of the state’s housing laws declare that the law addresses “a matter of statewide concern,” meaning they apply to charter cities as well as general law cities. But there’s also a chance some new housing laws will apply only to general law cities, the report said. If council decides to move forward with the charter city idea, the city would need to draft a charter — the new rules for city operations. At least two hearings would be held for the public to comment on the proposed charter. Once it’s on the ballot, a majority vote would be needed to approve the charter.
The
Protesters
LEFT, demonstrators stand
BELOW, among the speakers at the protest was retired Judge LaDoris Cordell of Palo Alto. Photo by Teri Vershel via Probonophoto.
LEGAL NOTICE – The business records of the following customers of ACCESS INFORMATION of ACCESS) located at 2054 Zanker Road, San Jose, CA 95131 have been abandoned: WILLIAMSON MEMORIAL and RASIK KASARA and LASER SURGERY CENTER. All records will be shredded 16 days after publication of this notice. Anyone claiming to have an interest in the records should contact Access Information Protected in writing at the following address: 4 First Avenue, Peabody, MA 01960, Attn: Legal Department, Tel. No. (888) 869-2767 (Client Support); email: Collections@accesscorp.com.
looking to make your
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that on June 9, 2025, the Palo Alto City Council adopted the following ordinances: Ordinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Amending Chapter 18.42 (Standards for Special Uses) of the Palo Alto Municipal Code on a Temporary Basis to Modify the Procedure and Standards Governing the Review of Wireless Communications Facilities Applications; and repealing Resolution 9873 (Amending Objective Aesthetic, Noise, and Related Standards for Wireless Communication Facilities in the Public Rights of Way) (FIRST READING: May 19, 2025, PASSED: 7-0; SECOND READING: June 9, 2025, PASSED: 7-0). Text of the full ordinance is available at: https://www.paloalto.gov/ agendas.
MAHEALANI AH YUN City Clerk
sorting. Garage, recycling and compost bins are being searched as part of an audit required by state Senate Bill 1383, which aims to reduce organic waste in landfills. The audit is made to improve the number of businesses and residents who separate their compost from their trash.
Compost could include food waste, yard waste and soiled paper
products, according to Recology’s website. It’s common to see plastic bags, take-out containers, cardboard, glass and cans.
The bill was passed in September 2016 to fight climate change through composting.
Recology workers will be wearing yellow branded vests and identification. As they check garbage bins, they will be passing out flyers with more information.
Last year, 689 bins were
checked, Assistant Public Works Director Adrian Lee said.
They are expecting to have a similar amount of compost bins to be checked this year.
Lee said specialists do not count how many bins are checked in a day.
The “OOPS!” sign that is left on bins informs those who use it of the correct order to have their bins, the time to set them out by and what they should be filled with.
A man who was part of a peacekeeping team for the “No Kings” protest in Salt Lake City shot at a person who was brandishing a rifle at demonstrators, striking both the
rifleman and a bystander who was killed, authorities said yesterday.
Police arrested the alleged rifleman, Arturo Gamboa, 24, on a murder charge. The bystander was
Arthur Folasa Ah Loo, 39, a fashion designer from Samoa.
Detectives don’t yet know why Gamboa pulled out a rifle or ran from the peacekeepers.
• Formal Entry
• Elegant Living Room with Fireplace and High Ceilings
• Formal Dining Room
• Updated Kitchen with Quartz Countertops and New Appliances Opens to Bonus Breakfast Room or Reading Nook
• 2 Spacious Bedrooms
• 2 Updated Bathrooms
• Primary Suite Retreat Features Stall Shower and Quartz Countertops
• Spacious Converted Attic That Can Be Used as an Office, Playroom, or Bedroom
• Interior Features Include Separate Laundry Room and Ample Natural Light Throughout
• Lovely Expansive Yard Offered at $1,988,000
