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Sheriff’s crime stats in dispute

BY ADRIANA HERNANDEZ Daily Post Staff Writer

San Mateo County Supervisor

Jackie Speier accused Sheriff Christina Corpus of making contradictory statements about the amount of crime in the county.

In February, Corpus claimed crime was down. But during a budget hearing on Tuesday, she said crime was up.

Supervisor Speier questioned the

BUDGET DEBATE: Debate was expected to go all night in the Senate on President Trump’s big tax breaks and spending cuts package. Democrats warning against cuts to Medicaid and food stamps are trying to stall the process. There’s much more debate and voting ahead. But Republicans postponed a planned overnight session until today.

CANADA CAVES: Canada has rescinded its digital services tax targeting U.S. technology firms in a bid to advance trade negotiations with the U.S., Canada’s finance ministry said in a statement yesterday, days after President Trump called off trade talks.

VALKYRIES POUND STORM:

Tiffany Hayes scored 21 points, Veronica Burton contributed 15 points, five rebounds and five assists, and the Golden State Valkyries ran away from the Seattle Storm for a 84-57 victory in WNBA action in San Francisco last night. The Valkyries leading scorer,

[See THE UPDATE, page 4]

sheriff about the contradictory statements.

Corpus said she stood by the numbers she posted on Feb. 5, stating there was a 15% decrease in property crime between January and December of 2024. There were 487 fewer incidents of property crime, according to the statement.

When Speier asked her why the numbers don’t match, Corpus said she was talking about San Mateo

County as a whole. But she didn’t shed much light on the discrepancy.

“When it comes to property, we are a safe county and unfortunately, vehicle theft crime, you know, we have theft. People come and do retail theft, but I stand by those numbers that I gave,” Corpus said during the meeting.

Corpus said that crime comes in waves and the statistics that were put

[See CRIME, page 18]

Sniper kills 2 firefighters

Two firefighters were killed yesterday and another was wounded when they were ambushed by sniper fire while responding to a blaze in a northern Idaho mountain community, as crews endured a barrage of gunfire over several hours that the governor called a “heinous” assault. No arrests were announced.

The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office said crews responded to a fire at Canfield Mountain just north of Coeur d’Alene around 1:30 p.m., and gunshots were reported about a half hour later.

Sheriff Bob Norris said officials weren’t immediately sure how many people were shot.

“We don’t know how many suspects

[See SNIPER, page 18]

Jury won’t hear about previous death

BY BRADEN CARTWRIGHT Daily Post Staff Writer

A man who is accused of bringing his wife from Mountain View to Taiwan so he could kill her has filed a motion in court to prevent her family from suggesting that he also killed his previous wife.

“There is no place in trial for innuendo, conjecture or rumor,” attorney Chuck Smith said in a motion filed on Thursday for his client, Harald Herchen.

Herchen, 66, of Los Altos, is headed for a civil trial against the family of Alice Ku, an escort-turned-tutor who disappeared after sightseeing at Taroko Gorge in Taiwan on Nov. 29, 2019.

Li Tsong Su, a detective for Taiwan’s National Police Agency, said he

SHOOTING — Police respond to a shooting and fire on Canfield Mountain in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho yesterday. AP photo.

Supervisor Jackie Speier at Tuesday’s hearing.

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Charges dropped in shelter incident

BY BRADEN CARTWRIGHT Daily Post Staff Writer

Prosecutors have dropped charges against a man who was in a knife fight outside the LifeMoves homeless shelter in Mountain View, court records show.

Deputy District Attorney John Imobersteg said evidence showed the victim in the case was actually the dominant aggressor, and that Daniel Lopez

Preciado, 34, of Menlo Park, was defending himself.

The fight happened around noon on April 25, 2024, in the parking lot at 2566 Leghorn Street, police said.

Rudy Reyes, 38, of Mountain View, was upset that his ex-girlfriend was dating Lopez Preciado and getting meth from him, police said.

Lopez Preciado told police that

he pulled a knife out and swung it at Reyes three times to defend himself from being punched, Officer Ed Hammon wrote in his police report.

Lopez Preciado was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon and possession of a dagger. The first charge was dropped because Lopez Preciado had a “valid self-defense claim,” and the second charge was dropped because the only

way police knew about the knife was because Lopez Preciado was defending himself, Imobersteg said in an email.

LifeMoves spokeswoman Sarah Fields said shelter workers followed protocol by staying out of the fight, calling 911 and reminding residents to avoid conflicts. The fight broke out on the public sidewalk and street behind the shelter, Fields said previously.

Subcontractor sues city and contractor over pay

Park has filed a lawsuit against the city of Mountain View and its general contractor, alleging that they didn’t pay for the work.

Christine Cox, president and CEO of Custom Drywall, said her company never received $22,110 from a $446,241 contract.

Custom Drywall was a subcontractor for Bobo Construction, which signed a

$21.8 million contract with the city in December 2021 to replace the aquatics center with two pools, a locker room and showers, and an electric heating system.

Representatives for Bobo Construc-

tion didn’t return a request for comment yesterday, and the city doesn’t comment on pending lawsuits.

The new facility had a grand opening on March 29 at 2073 Crisanto Ave.

Kayla Thornton, headed to the locker room at the 9:22 mark of the third quarter appearing to hold her neck, and the team said she was undergoing further evaluation without providing details of the injury.

LEBRON TO RETURN: LeBron James is exercising his $52.6 million option with the Los Angeles Lakers for 2025-26, further confirming that he will become the first player in NBA history to play a 23rd season, a person with knowledge of the decision said Sunday.

GOP SENATOR TO RETIRE: Republican Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina says he won’t seek reelection. That news yesterday comes one day after he announced his opposition to President Trump’s tax breaks and spending cuts package because of its reductions to health care programs. His decision creates a political opportunity for Democrats seeking to bolster their numbers in the 2026 midterm elections.

UNREST IN SERBIA: Thousands of people in Serbia have set up street blockades, demanding the release of anti-government demonstrators arrested during clashes with police. The blockades were set up yesterday in Belgrade and other cities, following a massive rally the day before calling for early elections.

EUROPEAN HEAT WAVES: Major heat waves across Southern Europe have pushed temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius or 104 degrees Fahrenheit in countries like Italy, Spain and Greece. Local authorities issued new warnings against the risk of wildfires.

Births

El Camino Hospital in Mountain View: Dec. 22

Mark Andreev, a boy

Benjamin Robert Barnhart, a boy

Lucas Dun, a boy

Noah Fan, a boy

Eri Ikeda, a girl

Quinn Rose Kurtzman, a girl

Felix Cong Lu, a boy

Dec. 21

Ella Margaret Alexander, a girl

Khloe Johanna Caasi Celino, a girl

Arlo Charles Cosentinoroush, a boy

Soren James Davenport, a boy

Harper Leah Dinh, a girl

Krish Gargee Amod Purandare, a boy

Olivia Liliana Sandor, a girl

Emmett Spradley Scott, a boy

Lumi Zhao Ying Wang, a girl

Samana Sujay Yadawadkar, a girl

Lionel Yaputra, a boy

Dec. 20

Nairobi Makinsley Alexandre, a girl

Parker John Bell, a boy

Archis Pranav Bhagwat, a boy

Yuna Rae Cabral, a girl

Joaquin Serapio Hajjarian, a boy

Neo Han, a boy

Sarah Haroon, a girl

Ailany Guadalupe Mendez Aguilar, a girl

Celine Nguyen, a girl

Mirha Bilawal Raja, a girl

Chloe Celeste Seaman, a girl

Manvik Suresh, a boy

Dec. 19

Lexi Bao, a girl

Trishan Bhatt, a boy

Io Vyom Fackler, a boy

Shrijay Firake, a boy

Cole Murray Goodwin, a boy

Arzoi Mehandru Johri, a girl

Kaylani Nicol Lopez Xicara, a girl

Viraj Parmar, a boy

Evelyn Rodriguez Vargas, a girl

Shivam Sharma, a boy

Lucas Seltzer Strupczewski, a boy

Andrew Xian Wu, a boy

Dec. 18

Krishiv Agarwal, a boy

Noelle Chernyavsky, a girl

Madeline Lualhati Damouny, a girl

Arad Khorasaninejad, a boy

Wells Kevin Pepper, a boy

Mason Andrew Segal, a boy

Dec. 17

Bella Lu Bai, a girl

Julian Tinghan Brown, a boy

Andrew Brian Crismyre, a boy

Zarachi Adannaya Noelle Egwuatu, a girl

Yug Dhaivat Gandhi, a boy

Matthew Jidenna Giwa, a boy

Austin Keanu Hanlon, a boy

Aadya Mani, a girl

Suleman Mohammed, a boy

Christian Hayes Nguyen, a boy

Mauricio Rodriguez, a boy

Angel Rodriguez Contreras, a boy

Adhyan Shome, a boy

Anaya Singh, a girl

Sonakshi Singh, a girl

Noor Sohrab, a girl

Beautification? No, let’s make money

After banning new billboards along Highway 101 years ago, the Redwood City Council now wants to put up a billboard of its own on the very same freeway.

In 2007, Redwood City banned billboards in the name of beautification. The city didn’t have the right to tear down existing billboards, but it stopped allowing new ones.

Dave Price

Last Monday, City Council voted 5-2 to move forward with placing a digital billboard on 350 Convention Way, near the Monterra Credit Union corporate office and Redwood Creek. Three cheers to councilwomen Marcella Padilla and Kaia Eakin who voted no.

Digital billboards typically change messages every eight seconds, creating a distraction for drivers. You’d think the city’s police department, which hands out tickets for distracted driving, would speak out about this.

Follow the money

But this isn’t about distracted drivers or beautification. It’s about money.

JUST LIKE OAKLAND — Redwood City is negotiating with Outdoor-Foster Interstate, the same outfit that built the first digital billboard in the Bay Area at the Bay Bridge toll plaza. Photo from the company’s website.

company that will build the lighted billboard and sell the ads. The city will get money from the company. Of four bidders, the city plans to negotiate a deal with Outfront-Foster Interstate, which offered to pay as much as $300,000 a year for 20 years or 50% of sales.

An advertising company in 2012 offered the city of Palo Alto between $700,000 and $1 million a year if it would allow a billboard on Highway 101 near Greer Park.

rejected the billboard idea. I remember when Palo Alto resident Annette Glanckopf went to the microphone at a council meeting to describe the billboard idea with these words: “Ridiculous, clutter, sleazy, garish, useless, distracting, gaudy, annoying, eyesore, in poor taste, terrible idea, appropriate for Las Vegas.”

Another resident said that if the city needed money so badly, it should allow a brothel and tax the customers. And the Audubon Society warned Palo Alto officials that birds from the nearby Baylands might fly into a lighted sign.

Creating a precedent

Palo Alto City Council rejected the billboard proposal. If it had been approved, council would also have to change its own ordinances to allow highway billboards. Then other property owners would put up their own billboards. If the city tried to stop them, the property owners could go to court and argue they were being treated unfairly.

Removing billboards has always been about money. The movement to remove signs along interstate highways began as a pet project of first lady Lady Bird Johnson in the 1960s. Why did she want to remove the billboards around her Texas community of Austin? She owned the only TV station in the area, and billboards took away advertising dollars from the station. It’s always about the money.

The city won’t operate the billboard. It will hire an outdoor advertising

Not sure why a billboard in Redwood City would be worth less than one in Palo Alto since it would be on the same freeway. It might be that Redwood City didn’t drive a hard enough bargain with the suits at Outdoor-Foster. Or because 13 years have passed since the Palo Alto offer, it might reflect the notion that outdoor advertising has become passe in the media business. People have figured out that outdoor ads aren’t effective. Ask yourself, do you remember any of the billboards you saw on Highway 101 this morning? That’s the problem. Palo Alto residents thunderously

Play Your Part for Youth Mental Health

Children’s Health Council (CHC) has been leading the way in youth mental health in the Bay Area since 1953. Our SteelMike 3V3 Basketball Shootout raises critical funds to expand access to care—helping us raise awareness, reduce stigma, provide direct services, offer financial assistance, and share free mental health resources with families in need.

That’s what could happen in Redwood City. If the city puts up its own billboard, property owners will follow with their own — and what could the city do about that? Argue that the laws are for thee, not for me?

Editor Dave Price’s column appears on Mondays.

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Not a political job

Dear Editor: Why should the county assessor be elected? This is a job for a professional, competent civil servant and not someone political.

Full disclosure: I have voted for Larry Stone in the past, but I suddenly thought why have we been voting for this position? I believe we’re a charter county, and we can set our own rules.

Time to reassess.

Alice Schaffer Smith Palo Alto

Bike lanes defended

Dear Editor: As an avid bicyclist and consumer in Palo Alto, I can empathize for businesses on El Camino Real who have lost parking spaces to the new bike lanes (Post, Friday, “Bike lanes hurting business”).

However, a coordinated decision by Caltrans, in conjunction with approvals from Mid-Peninsula city councils (Palo Alto, Mountain View, Los Altos, and others to follow), moved the bike lane project forward.

The bike lanes are separated from car lanes with tall white bollards, bright green and white-painted lines with the intent of improving bicycle safety, specifically El Camino, one of the busiest streets in our community and state.

However, prior to the added bike lanes, RVs took up much of El Camino’s parking spaces, necessitating “off El Camino parking” for customers of numerous establishments (especially around Stanford and south of Page Mill Road).

I encountered RVs parked on El Camino with an occupant suddenly opening the street side door, necessitat-

ing an emergency lane change to avoid sheering off the driver door or possibly killing the emerging occupant. As a bicyclist, it will take time for me and others to feel comfortable riding on El Camino. Just yesterday, I saw a car make an illegal premature right turn exit to a bike lane, driving on the bike side of the bollards (100% dedicated to bikes only) southbound at Matadero Avenue and El Camino. In the long run, I firmly believe Caltrans and the city council made the right decision.

Jon Anderson Palo Alto

Advanced diplomas

Dear Editor: When I read the letter from Larry Magid (June 23) opposing the Palo Alto school superintendent’s proposal for an “advanced diploma,” I was ashamed of myself for not having written a letter as soon as I read about the proposal for “laning” to begin in the fourth grade. I was horrified to read about it originally, just thinking about children not even 10 years old being identified as smart or not smart. Even England stopped their tracking, which began after the “11+ tests,” around 50 years ago.

I am a retired community college sociology professor (Skyline College), who saw many amazing people returning to education at their own time, folks who may have been indifferent students in school for any number of reasons, but who caught fire with a passion to learn what and when it was right for them. They were eager, creative, demanding and truly wonderful. They were self-directed late bloomers. The

OPINION

door should never be closed to children who don’t follow a rigid development timeline.

Kay Barchas Los Altos Hills

A great beginning

Dear Editor: America, stop for a moment and think about this — with one piece of paper and 56 signatures, on July 4, 1776, America began its journey to become the land of milk and honey. On Friday, Independence Day, give thanks to our Founding Fathers (The Dogs Of War), who chose war over submission to the King of Britain. Let’s honor the men and women of our past anyway we can.

Emile Manara Brisbane

Powerful

ideals

Dear Editor: Several dozen citizens in Colonial America 249 years ago risked their “lives, fortunes, and sacred honor” upon the revolutionary idea that individuals (not governments) should have the freedom to control their destiny. These powerful ideals — brilliantly outlined in the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776 — changed the world. This combination of individual

freedom with the economic freedom of a limited government created an acceleration of human progress.

The average American family’s standard of living began almost doubling every decade while most of the world continued to stagnate in oppression and war.

As this information spread worldwide in the 19th century, millions of immigrants began leaving a Europe dominated by monarchs and dictators for America. Most, including my own grandmother from Sweden, immigrated with no guarantees. Today, new generations stand in line and even risk their lives to continue that tradition.

For over two centuries with about 5% of the world’s population, the U.S. has guided the rest of the planet away from tyranny. America has never been perfect and often has made two steps forward and one step back.

However, contrary to the small minority of America-haters, people worldwide continue to overwhelmingly vote with their feet for the freedom and opportunity of the U.S. Consider our liberty this July 4 by reading the approximately 1,300 words in the Declaration of Independence.

Mark Lindberg Mountain View

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Is Menopause Impacting

A new national survey from dating assistant Wingmate found that 41% of young adults have used AI to help end a relationship, with women slightly more likely than men to let the bots do the dirty work, the New York Post reported.

The survey, which polled over 1,000 U.S. adults who’ve used AI for dating, shows just how deep AI has embedded itself in modern romance.

Nearly half of 18- to 29-year-olds said they’ve turned to AI tools to write breakup texts, apologies or manage relationship conflict.

Uses of AI

The most common uses include dating-bio optimization, conversation starters, replying to messages and re-

solving conflict. One-third of users sought direct dating advice, and half turned to AI for help writing apologies or other emotionally sensitive messages.

For some, it’s about simplicity: 29% said dating became “simpler” with AI, and 21% said it helped them talk to more people.

A confidence booster

Others said it boosted their confidence — with more than half reporting better conversations when using AI.

But when it comes to the end of a relationship, things can get . . . robotic.

TikTok features a growing number of videos where users expose breakup messages they claim were clearly AI-generated.

People keep cars longer

Are you putting off buying a new car? You’re not alone.

Ten years ago, Americans were holding onto their cars for 11.4 years on average, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Today, that average has climbed to 12.6 years.

Cost is a major issue Bankrate insurance analyst

R.E. Hawley tells NBC News that there’s one big reason why.

“The big answer honestly is it costs a lot of money to buy a car,” explained Hawley. “Bankrate has found the average new car payment is about $750, and that’s a

pretty significant expense to take on.”

Insurance rates

“It’s an interesting situation because what we find is that older cars are actually typically cheaper to insure — it costs the insurance company less money because they’re worth less, right?” said Hawley.

Hawley continued, “The flip side of that is older cars come with higher insurance risks — they’re a little bit more likely to get in an accident, you might have less safety technology in the car, you might have mechanical issues in that car.”

Hawley said it’s likely tariffs will ultimately drive up the price of a new car even higher.

“It’ll be interesting to see over the next few years, as the big economic picture starts to shift, will we see more people with hesitancy toward buying cars,” said Hawley.

So what can you do if you’re holding onto an older car?

“Stay on top of maintenance,” Hawley said. “And that is expensive sometimes, but in the long run, the more you are putting that car in the road in the safest possible condition, the more you reduce your risk of an accident.”

PALO ALTO

TUESDAY

3:47 p.m. — Francisco Montiel Rodriguez, 48, of Mountain View, arrested for public nuisance, Industrial Ave. and Transport St.

8:36 p.m. — Theft, 100 block of Loma Verde Ave.

WEDNESDAY

11:55 p.m. — Driver in a pickup truck hits a tree and is killed, San Antonio Road and Alma St. The driver was identified as Amado Cortez Peralta, 53, of Mountain View.

MENLO PARK

FRIDAY

11:39 a.m. — Vehicle collision causes injuries, Bayfront Expressway and Willow Road.

11:41 p.m. — Luis Bucio Nunez, 31, of Menlo Park, cited on three warrants, 1600 block of Marsh Road.

SATURDAY

7:01 p.m. — Quentin Powell, 35, of Menlo Park, arrested for resisting police, 1200 block of Sevier Ave.

9:04 p.m. — Jose Hernandez Alvarado, 27, arrested for DUI, Highway 101 and Willow Road.

11:23 p.m. — Stolen vehicle recovered, 1300 block of Madera Ave.

EAST PALO ALTO

FRIDAY

12:44 a.m. — Marianna Lozano, 20, of East Palo Alto, cited for drug possession and on a warrant, University Ave. and Kavanaugh Drive.

Police Blotter

SATURDAY

MOUNTAIN VIEW

JUNE 20

10:14 a.m. — Home burglary, 2000 block of Plymouth St.

1:20 p.m. — Sex crime, 800 block of San Lucas Court.

5:08 p.m. — Chevelle Minter, 61, of Mountain View, arrested for being under the influence of drugs and possession of drug paraphernalia, 400 block of Moffett Blvd.

6:19 p.m. — Vehicle stolen, 1800 block of Villa St.

8:55 p.m. — Thomas Dinh, 55, transient, arrested on warrants, 800 block of California St.

JUNE 21

12:01 a.m. — Anthony Luke Arcega, 33, arrested for loitering for drug activity and possession of drug paraphernalia, San Antonio Caltrain Station.

2:09 a.m. — Geyson Aldahir Lopez Lopez, 25, of Santa Clara, arrested for DUI and driving without a license, Shoreline Blvd. and Terra Bella Ave.

2:18 a.m. — Edgar Daniel Rios Alvarez, 39, of Mountain View, arrested for DUI, Evelyn and Calderon avenues.

8:27 a.m. — Everardo PiedraSuarez, 45, of Mountain View, arrested on warrants, Mountain View Police Dept.

LOS ALTOS

THURSDAY

12:54 p.m. — Theft, 200 block of E. Edith Ave.

5:53 p.m. — Vehicle accident causes minor injuries, San Antonio Road and Alvarado Ave.

FRIDAY

10:23 p.m. — Auto burglary, 100 block of First St.

10:16 p.m. — Battery, San Antonio Road and Loucks Ave.

ATHERTON

THURSDAY

1:53 p.m. — Credit card fraud, 1-99 block of Maple Ave.

NORTH FAIR OAKS

JUNE 22

3:30 p.m. — Gricelda Maria Ventura, 26, cited for possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia and on a warrant, Bay Road and Fifth Ave.

10:46 p.m. — Ivan Perez Espinoza, 32, cited for falsely identifying himself to police, Warrington Ave. and Spring St.

11:29 p.m. — Jeremias Coc Pirir, 37, arrested for public drunkenness, 2500 block of El Camino.

JUNE 23

4:40 p.m. — Verner Arnoldo Perez Ixcoy, 30, cited on warrants, Middlefield Road and Dumbarton Ave.

TUESDAY

12:42 a.m. — Pablo Cesar Soto Pacheco, 42, cited for driving with a suspended or revoked license, Fifth Ave. and Edison Way.

1:47 a.m. — Josue Raul Guillen Sanchez, 34, arrested for possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia, possession of a large-capacity magazine of ammunition and parole violation, Bay Road and Second Ave.

REDWOOD CITY

MARCH 25

Ralph Valdespino Castro, 60, of Redwood City, arrested for theft of someone else’s lost property, Redwood City Police Dept. Wilmer Vanegas Sagastume, 19,

arrested for domestic battery and child endangerment, 1-99 block of Oak Ave.

Mark Christopher Smith, 44, of San Mateo, arrested on a warrant, 1000 block of El Camino.

JUNE 23

11:28 a.m. — Purse stolen, Hudson St.

12:53 p.m. — Three-vehicle accident causes minor injuries, El Camino.

2:10 p.m. — Train hits a pedestrian, causing major injuries, Veterans Blvd.

9:07 p.m. — Rafael Antonio Sinay Chicojay, 44, cited for driving with a suspended or revoked license, El Camino and Finger Ave. Citation given by San Mateo County sheriff’s deputies.

TUESDAY

12:55 p.m. — Man confronts a person crossing the street and hits him in the face, El Camino.

2:29 p.m. — Man goes into Chase Bank at 2300 Broadway and passes a teller a note demanding money. After committing the robbery, the man sits in the lounge area of the bank, which evacuates everyone. Police arrested Arthur Burton Gillespie, 66, of San Diego, for robbery.

4:46 p.m. — Two vehicles collide, and their occupants get into a fight, El Camino.

8:18 p.m. — Six juveniles reported to be beating up another person. Location not disclosed.

8:45 p.m. — Man steals shoes, socks and underwear from a store, Walnut St.

WEDNESDAY

5:41 a.m. — Two electric bikes stolen, Fulton St.

7:40 a.m. — Bicycle stolen out of a driveway, Madison Ave.

LEAVE THE FIREWORKS TO THE PROFESSIONALS

Menlo Park Fire Protection District is a

We serve the city of Menlo Park, City of East Palo Alto, Town of Atherton, and parts of incorporated San Mateo County!

Kiwanis awards $100,000 in scholarships

SCHOLARS — Fourteen Kiwanis Scholarships, totaling $100,000 were awarded to Menlo-Atherton graduating seniors at a luncheon for family and friends of the students. Shown in the front row are Isabella Kha, Gizelle Martinez Landa, Paulina Miechelle Cisneros Arreguin, Cho Yun (Ariel) Chen, Sofia Basso, and Abigail Gomez. In the back row are, Alex Charles Bissell, Quinne Sierra Davis, Yandel Omarion Hernandez Nunez, Mattea Jamella Harris, Lila Segro Chen, Meghan Lam. Not shown are Claire B. Chang and Theodore Weicker.

The Kiwanis Club of Menlo Park awarded $100,000 in scholarships to 14 Menlo-Atherton High School graduating seniors at an awards luncheon at Allied Arts for family and friends of the students.

John Martin, scholarship chair for the club, introduced each student at the event, inviting them to share where they were attending college and to provide a description of their desired course of study or their commitment to service. After hearing from each student, he gave remarks about the mission of Kiwanis International, which is to serve the children of the world.

“There are Kiwanis chapters all over the world giving back to their local communities. There are also collegiate organizations, called Circle-K clubs. In high schools Kiwanis groups are known as Key Clubs,” Martin said.

Locally, Kiwanis in Menlo Park was founded as a chapter in the early 1950s, and it has given well over $1 million in scholarships to M-A students.”

Real Estate

The Post

PALO ALTO

425 Kingsley Ave., 94301, 4 bedrooms, 2912 square feet, built in 1975, Ann and Ryan Payne to Saunder-Kang Trust for $6,786,000, closed May 29 (last sale: $4,372,500, 07-06-20)

LOS ALTOS HILLS

26700 Palo Hills Drive, 94022, 5 bedrooms, 4887 square feet, built in 1997, Scifres Living Trust to Yongmei and Dong Pan for $9,519,000, closed May 12 10531 Magdalena Road, 94024, 3 bedrooms, 2691 square feet, built in 1957, Corduan Trust to In and Mookyung Son for $3,000,000, closed May 22

25600 Willow Pond Lane, 94022, 5 bedrooms, 4738 square feet, built in 1961, Gallivan Trust to Dharmendra 2022 Trust for $7,000,000, closed May 19 (last sale: $2,800,000, 10-14-03)

26877 Nina Place, 94022, 3 bedrooms, 3650 square feet, built in 1966, Bergman Trust to Nina Blank Space LLC for $9,500,000, closed May 30 (last sale: $2,725,000, 07-30-09)

PORTOLA VALLEY

9 Sandstone St., 94028, 3 bedrooms, 3310 square feet, built in 1984, Leach Trust to Khouri Family Trust for $4,000,000, closed May 9 (last sale: $2,695,000, 03-06-17)

130 Deer Meadow Lane, 94028, 4 bedrooms, 4010 square feet, built in 1986, Jak 2016 Trust to 130 Deer Meadow LLC for

$9,000,000, closed May 7 (last sale: $5,650,000, 02-19-19)

REDWOOD CITY

18 Dexter Ave., 94063, 6021 Weiying LLC to Patel Living Trust for $1,560,000, closed May 9

818 Vera Ave., 94061, 5 bedrooms, 2230 square feet, built in 1968, Luca Trust to Dianna and Brian Pezzulich for $1,675,000, closed May 6 1434 Jefferson Ave., 94062, 3 bedrooms, 1370 square feet, built in 1979, Casenave Trust to Xie Family Trust for $1,730,000, closed May 8 (last sale: $350,000, 10-01-89)

22 Cadiz Circle, 94065, 2 bedrooms, 1320 square feet, built in 1978, Francesco Garbagnati to Notaney Living Trust for $1,825,000, closed May 5 (last sale: $600,000, 11-26-02)

2732 Medford Ave., 94061, 3 bedrooms, 1470 square feet, built in 1953, Rottinghaus Family Trust to Matthew and Laura Correia for $1,900,000, closed May 9

1176 Fairview Ave., 94061, 4 bedrooms, 1868 square feet, built in 1949, Eberli Living Trust to Xin and Yuyuan Tang for $2,750,000, closed May 6 (last sale: $2,105,000, 04-15-19)

951 Blandford Blvd, 94062, 4 bedrooms, 3382 square feet, built in 1951, Margaret and Theodore Brockman to Jennifer and Brian Cuneo for $5,000,000, closed May 7 (last sale: $2,325,000, 09-19-12)

SAN CARLOS

645 Prospect St. #202, 94070, 2 bedrooms, 1527 square feet, built in 1984,

Cutler Trust to Sebahat and Muslum Caferoglu for $1,300,000, closed May 9

1585 Greenwood Ave., 94070, 2 bedrooms, 1140 square feet, built in 1950, Khachaturian Trust to Chandrika and Nathaniel Glaser for $2,200,000, closed May 6 (last sale: $595,000, 08-15-02)

1137 Elm St., 94070, 3 bedrooms, 1190 square feet, built in 1948, Fisher Family Trust to Rebecca and Myles Tanous for $2,280,000, closed May 7

635 Park Ave., 94070, 3 bedrooms, 1492 square feet, built in 1945, Karen Tjhan to Quentin and Rachel Cuvillier for $2,750,000, closed May 5 (last sale: $2,517,000, 05-06-21)

118 Crestview Drive, 94070, 4 bedrooms, 2590 square feet, built in 1976, Dabney Family Trust to Jiang Family Trust for $2,900,000, closed May 7

783 Crestview Drive, 94070, 3 bedrooms, 2932 square feet, built in 1980, Nguyen-Vu Living Trust to Na and Nahum Lan for $3,100,000, closed May 6 (last sale: $2,250,000, 05-17-16)

1368 Woodland Ave., 94070, 3 bedrooms, 2157 square feet, built in 1937, Savay Family Trust to Silverguinn Family Trust for $3,400,000, closed May 5

BELMONT

2741 Belmont Canyon Road, 94002, 3 bedrooms, 3070 square feet, built in 1956, Cartwright Family Trust to Stellar Ventures LLC for $2,500,000, closed May 6

Celebrate the holiday weekend poolside at Crowne Plaza Cabana Palo Alto! Enjoy a delicious BBQ buffet including Wagyu burgers, hot dogs, fresh fruit, salads, and more. BBQ guests get complimentary access to the resort-style pool, which features lounge chairs, umbrellas, towel service, and luxurious cabanas to relax and enjoy with family and friends.

ENJOY THE BEST OF CALIFORNIA DINING at Portola Bistro, where you’ll find both classic and playful takes on bistro fare served up in comfort and style. Located across the way from Bianchini’s Market in Ladera County Shopper at 3130 Alpine Road, Portola Bistro is the latest restaurant from Dino Tekdemir and Allen Isik, the pair behind Anatolian Kitchen in Palo Alto and Barbayani Taverna in downtown Los Altos. The new restaurant isn’t Greek or Turkish, said Tekdemir, but instead takes French, Italian and Mediterranean influences and refreshes them with California flair – and a focus on simple, fresh ingredients that make every dish shine. For more information, go to portolabistro.com or call (650) 800-7248. The restaurant is available for private events and offers catering for social and corporate affairs.

COZY, CLASSIC, FRENCH THE OLDFASHIONED WAY. It’s old-school but not outmoded, with an exacting code of beliefs that owner/chef Jean-Micel Peuvrelle has carried with him throughout his life. Now in his 35th year at Le Petit Bistro, Peuvrelle still cooks the oldfashioned way Tuesday through Saturday from 5 p.m. to 8

at (650) 964-3321, and get a

purchase.

SINCE 1973 CANYON INN HAS been a neighborhood gathering spot for birthdays, events, team parties, or just a fun place for a burger and a beer. If you need a break from cooking and you like good burgers, head over to 587 Canyon Road in Redwood City. It has a great atmosphere, including old 49ers memorabilia that will take you back to your childhood. For more information, please call (650) 369-1646.

Shown in the photo are Tim and Stephanie Harrison’s children, Alicia and Timmy.

MEET JEANNE AND STU FARWELL - longterm Los Altos residents who are so communityminded that this year will mark their 45th year volunteering at the Los Altos Arts & Wine Festival, having missed only one in the event’s history. Jeanne was Miss Los Altos

1956, and Stu worked at what was the Los Altos Fire Department for 38 years. The Farwells always like to work the water/soda booth. Location varies, but their preference is for the ﬁrst shift kicking off the Festival on Saturday morning. Los Altos Arts & Wine takes place in beautiful Downtown on July 12th-13th, 10 am. to 5 p.m. Details at downtownlosaltos.org

SOLLIS HEALTH WELCOMES THE PALO ALTO COMMUNITY TO a new kind of healthcare that removes barriers to care for families, professionals and individuals alike. The new health clinic celebrated their grand opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday, June 26th. Experience 24/7, on-demand care at 555 Middleﬁeld Road, Suite 102 in Palo Alto. Led by Assistant Medical Director Dr. Natalie Wu, a former Stanford ER physician who left the traditional hospital system to offer more personalized care. Sollis welcomes the Palo Alto community to a new kind of healthcare that removes barriers to care for families, professionals and individuals alike. Skip the ER wait and get instant access to ER-trained doctors, advanced diagnostics, and personalized care, including house calls and wellness services. Please visit sollishealth.com for more information.

FARM FRESH IS BEST, AND that’s what you can expect to ﬁnd at DeMartini Orchard at 66 N. San Antonio Road in Los Altos. Owner Craig Kozy and his great staff offer only the best quality produce daily, so be sure to check them out. You’ll be glad you did!

NOW, IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR a unique and special gift for someone, you might want to check out the Shady Lane Gift Shop in Sharon Heights. It’s a fun and fascinating little shop located in the Sharon Heights Shopping Center in Menlo Park. The owner, Alice, is super friendly and always ready to help. They have a wide variety of gifts made by local artists and craftsmen, including silver jewelry, wood carvings, masks, intricate boxes, and much more. If you’re in the area, give Alice a call at (650) 321-1099 or check out their website for more crafty new information about this great little place.

CRIME ––––––– SNIPER –––––––

out in February are facts. “I don’t create those stats. They’re created by a crime analyst,” Corpus said.

Just before the election

But the rosy crime-is-down stats came out in February, just before voters were going to decide whether to give the Board of Supervisors authority to fire the sheriff. The measure to give the supervisors that authority passed with 84% of the vote.

Corpus’ office released data from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2024, with the total amount of offenses reported. Crimes in the county have decreased according to the data, but several types of crime have increased over the past year.

What the stats show

The crime data says there were 62 reported robberies in 2024, while in 2023, there were 54. There was a 15% increase, according to the county.

Car thefts also increased by 8.6% from 2023 to 2024, according to the statistics. There were 226 thefts reported in 2024.

Extortion and blackmail increased from 14 reports to 16 in 2024, according to the county’s crime data.

While fewer rape cases were reported, from 36 in 2023 to 27 in 2024, sodomy cases increased from eight to nine in 2024.

More people reported being intimidated, according to county data. There was an increase from 113 in 2023 to 126 in 2024.

Kidnappings and abductions rose 25% from 36 in 2023 to 45 in 2024, according to county data.

are up there, and we don’t know how many casualties there are,” Norris told reporters at a 4:30 p.m. news conference. “We are actively taking sniper fire as we speak.”

People were still coming off the mountain in the late afternoon, the sheriff said, so it “would be safe to assume” that others were still up there.

Three victims were brought to Kootenai Health, said hospital spokeswoman Kim Anderson. Two were dead on arrival and the third was being treated for injuries, Anderson said. The wounded firefighter’s condition wasn’t known.

Gov. Brad Little said “multiple” firefighting personnel were attacked.

Sniper appears to have been hiding

“This is a heinous direct assault on our brave firefighters,” Little said on X. “I ask all Idahoans to pray for them and their families as we wait to learn more.”

Norris said it appeared the sniper was hiding in the rugged terrain and using a high-powered rifle. He said he instructed deputies to fire back.

“I’m hoping that somebody has a clear shot and is able to neutralize, because they’re not at this point in time showing any evidence of wanting to surrender,” the sheriff said.

Fire continues to burn

An alert by the Kootenai County Emergency Management Office asked people to avoid the area around Canfield Mountain Trailhead and Nettleton Gulch Road, about 4 miles north of downtown Coeur d’Alene.

The fire was still active, Norris said.

BEST ROOFTOP PATIO

“It’s going to keep burning,” he said. “Can’t put any resources on it right now.”

The FBI has responded to the scene with technical teams and tactical support, Deputy Director Dan Bongino said.

“It remains an active, and very dangerous scene,” he wrote in a post on X.

Legislators horrified

The Idaho House Republican Leadership said in a statement: “We are horrified by the murder of two firefighters in Coeur d’Alene, and shocked by such a vicious attack on our first responders. We are praying for them, the injured, their families and their colleagues.”

Coeur d’Alene is a city of 55,000 residents near the border with Washington. Canfield Mountain is a popular hiking and biking area on the city’s outskirts, covered with trees and heavy brush and crisscrossed with trails that lead into a national forest.

Aircraft grounded

Fire is always a big concern for the region, said Bruce Deming, whose property abuts the trail system. When he noticed smoke on the ridge yesterday afternoon, he wondered why no firefighting helicopters were responding.

When a friend texted to tell him about the shooting, he realized why he wasn’t seeing aircraft: “Because they’re concerned about being shot at,” he said.

As deputies set up posts nearby, Deming pointed them to a trail that starts near his backdoor and leads directly to the site of the fire.

“I just don’t want to have to wake up in the middle of the night to figure if somebody’s out prowling around my place,” he said.

TUTOR –––––––

is investigating Ku’s disappearance as a homicide and has issued a warrant for Herchen’s arrest. “Herchen is the primary suspect due to his suspicious behavior, failure to cooperate and the conflicting information he conveyed to the Ku family,” Su said in a court declaration.

In response, Herchen said Ku is still alive. She likely ran off with their driver to return to her life as an escort and wants to hide her behavior from her family, he said in a court declaration.

“We were happily married and her disappearance continues to cause me great heartache,” Herchen said.

Herchen said he met Ku online in 2013 or 2014 and hired her as an escort for $400.

His second wife, Melissa Yu, died from sleep apnea in Los Altos on June 3, 2017. She was 54.

Unexplained injuries

Attorney Andrew Watters, representing Ku’s family, said the autopsy report showed Yu “had several unexplained injuries on her body,” and that neighbors believe Herchen killed her.

Ku and Herchen married four months later on Oct. 6, 2017.

Ku never told her family about the wedding or that she was living with Herchen in a Mountain View apartment at 1725 Wright Ave., Herchen said.

Herchen worked as an inventor and engineer at Bloom Energy while Ku ran a tutoring business, making $140,000 a year, Herchen said.

Ku was 37 when she disappeared and would be 42 now.

Ku’s brother and parents sued Herchen in Santa Clara County Superior Court in January 2021 for wrongful death, negligence and impersonation.

Herchen allegedly sent an email from Ku’s account after she disappeared to make it look like she was alive and visiting her parents.

Judge Socrates Manoukian signed an order on March 6, 2024, agreeing with Taiwanese police that Ku is dead.

Smith filed a motion on Thursday asking Manoukian to block Ku’s family from referencing Yu. He said Herchen’s two previous marriages have “absolutely no relevance” to the Ku case.

Manoukian will discuss the case with lawyers in San Jose tomorrow. A two-week trial is scheduled to begin on July 7.

‘F1’ is Apple’s first big hit

Apple has its first box-office hit. “F1 The Movie” debuted with $55.6 million in North American theaters and $144 million globally over the weekend, according to studio estimates, handing Apple easily its biggest opening yet.

Though Apple Original Films has had some notable successes in its six years in Hollywood — including the 2021 Oscar-winner “CODA” — its theatrical results have been decidedly mixed. Misfires like “Argylle” and “Fly Me to the Moon” and big-budget awards plays like Ridley Scott’s “Napoleon” and Martin Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon” have been better at driving viewers to Apple TV+ than movie theaters.

With a production budget over $200 million, “F1” still has several laps to go to turn a profit. But for now, “F1” is full speed ahead. “The film’s outstanding debut

‘F1’ — Damson Idris as Joshua Pearce, left, and Brad Pitt as Sonny Hayes in a scene from “F1 The Movie.”

reflects both the excitement of Formula 1 and the deeply emotional and entertaining story crafted by the entire cast and creative team,” said Zack Van Amburg, who heads worldwide video for Apple with Jamie Erlicht.

including contingency, is between $5,000,000 and $5,500,000.

Department of Industrial Relations Requirements

No contractor or subcontractor may be listed on a bid proposal for a public works project unless registered with the Department of Industrial Relations pursuant to Labor Code Section 1725.5.

No contractor or subcontractor may be awarded a contract for public work on a public works project unless registered with the Department of Industrial Relations pursuant to Labor Code Section 1725.5.

• This project is subject to compliance monitoring and enforcement by the Department of Industrial Relations. NOTICE is hereby given that the latest general prevailing rate of per diem wages as determined by the Director of Industrial Relations, State of California, Department of Industrial Relations is to be paid to the various craftsmen and laborers required to construct said improvements and is made a part of the Specifications and Contract for said work to which reference is hereby made for further particulars.

The project will be constructed within the City of Mountain View, California, in accordance with the plans and specifications, available for viewing at the Public Works Department, City Hall, 500 Castro Street, First Floor, Mountain View, or via the internet at www.bidnetdirect.com/california/cityofmountainview.

Bidding documents may also be viewed and/or purchased from Prints Charles Reprographics for a nonrefundable fee via the internet at www.printscharlesplanroom.com/ (PLAN ROOM) or by calling 408-240-3330. Any addenda will be provided free of charge to all registered Prints Charles plan holders.

Bidders may be able to examine or download PDFs of the plans and specifications at the locations below. The plan holder list may be viewed via the Prints Charles Reprographics website and Bidnet Direct.

Prints Charles Reprographics, 1643 South Main Street, Milpitas, California, 95035, Telephone No. 408-240-3330, Fax No. 408-240-3331, www.printscharlesplanroom. com/ (PLAN ROOM).

Bidnet Direct at www.bidnetdirect.com/california/cityofmountainview.

Bay Area Builders Exchange, 3055 Alvarado Street, San Leandro, California, 94577, Telephone No. 510-483-8880, Fax No. 510-352-1509.

• Bid America, 41085 Elm Street, Murrieta, California, 92562, Telephone No. 951-677-4819, Fax No. 951-600-0615.

Builders Exchange of Santa Clara County, 400 Reed Street, Santa Clara, California, 95050, Telephone No. 408-727-4000, Fax No. 408-727-2779.

Builders Exchange of San Joaquin, 4561 Quail Lakes Drive, Suite B-2, Stockton, California, 95207, Telephone No. 209-478-1000, Fax No. 209-478-6507.

Central Coast Builders Association, 242 East Romie Lane, Salinas, California, 93901, Telephone No. 831-758-1624, Fax No. 831-758-6203. Construct Connect, 111 West Washington, Suite 1700, Chicago, Illinois, 60602, Telephone No. 877-737-6482.

Golden State Builders Exchange, 820 Park Row, No. 625, Salinas, California, 93901-2406, Telephone No. 888-472-3492.

North Coast Builders Exchange, 1030 Apollo Way, Santa Rosa, California, 95407, Telephone No. 707-542-9502, Fax No. 707-542-2027. • Sacramento Regional Builders Exchange, 5370 Elvas Avenue, Sacramento, California, 95819, Telephone No. 916-442-8991, Fax No. 916-446-3117. San Francisco Builders Exchange, 850 South Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, California, 94110, Telephone No. 415-282-8220, Fax No. 415-821-0363. Sierra Contractor’s Source, 860 Maesho Drive, Suite B, Reno, Nevada, 89511, Telephone No. 775-329-7222, Fax No. 775-329-7255. Valley Builders Exchange, 1118 Kansas Avenue, Modesto, California, 95351, Telephone No. 209-522-9031, Fax No. 209-522-0616.

This project is partly funded by the Santa Clara County 2016 Measure B, a 30year, one-half-cent Countywide sales tax to enhance transit, highways, expressways, and active transportation (bicycles, pedestrians, and complete streets). Each proposal shall be accompanied by cash, cashier’s or certified check, or by a bidder’s bond, made payable to the City of Mountain View and executed as surety by some corporation authorized to issue surety bonds in the State of California, for an amount equal to at least ten percent (10%) of the amount of said bid, and no bid shall be considered unless such cash, cashier’s or certified check, or bidder’s bond is enclosed therewith. A bidder’s bond will not be accepted unless it conforms to the bond form included in the “Contract Documents and Specifications” for the project and is properly filled out and executed. Blanks conforming to the abovementioned form can be obtained by request from the Engineer. If desired, the bond form included in the “Contract Documents and Specifications”

properly filled out as directed, may be executed and used as the bidder’s bond.

Bidders are to be licensed in accordance with the provisions of the “Contractors License Law,” Chapter 9 of Division 3 of the State Business and Professions Code.

basis for

are invited on a

Inspection will be under the

6-18-2025

PUBLISHED: 6-30-2025 cc: PWD, APWD—Arango, APWD—Au, PCE—Gonzales, PCE—Shah, ACE—Robertson,