Los Gatan April 3 2024

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SAM LICCARDO LACES-UP FOR NEXT PHASE OF RACE TO CAPITOL

Frontrunner reflects on past in Saratoga and Los Gatos

Drew Penner, Editor

While the primary race for second-place in the 16th Congressional District has been nothing short of riveting—with Assemblymember Evan Low and Supervisor Joe Simitian separated by a single vote at times—less attention has been paid to the top vote-getter, 53-year-old Sam Liccardo, who grew up in Saratoga.

On March 24, the Los Gatan caught up with the former San Jose mayor at Great Bear Coffee, just after Palm Sunday mass and before hitting the trails with his wife, Jessica García-Kohl.

“The only way you win these campaigns is with a village,” Liccardo said, after grabbing a decaf coffee and a green chili and cheese burrito. “I had friends of my mom’s who are in their 80s who were volunteering, too.”

As mail-in ballots continued to trickle in, Liccardo was safely maintaining a more-than 8,000 vote lead over second place.

It means that while Low and Simitian have been forced to ponder a recount, he’s been able

➝ Liccardo, 10

CELEBRATING EASTER WITH EGG HUNTING, CHURCH SERVICES

Getting HippityHoppity at Oak Meadow Park

Dinah Cotton, Reporter

This weekend was brimming with Easter services, family gatherings, brunches and, of course, search parties for ovular objects.

Mother Nature cooperated with sunshine inviting people outdoors to enjoy the early festive date, which is determined by moon phase.

On a clear Saturday morning at a somewhat soggy Oak Meadow, at Vasona Lake County Park, the annual “Hippity Hop ‘till You Drop!” was held,

sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Los Gatos.

Children brought their own baskets, and at 10am sharp, the go-ahead was given and all rushed into the circle where more than 8,000 plastic eggs filled with candy and prizes had been placed.

HOLY DAY Father Seth Kupo leads mass at St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception. Easter services were held across Los Gatos on Sunday.

Dinah Cotton / Los Gatan

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LOCAL SCENE

SUPERIOR COURT HOLDS MENTORSHIP LUNCH FOR YOUNG WOMEN

The Santa Clara County Superior Court welcomed over 100 attendees to this year’s Young Women’s Power Lunch on March 22.

The event gathered 80 young women in grades 8-12, offering them a unique opportunity to connect with mentors from various fields, including female judicial officers, attorneys, elected officials, and local leaders.

Hosted by the Court’s Community Outreach Committee, it aimed to foster meaningful connections between high school students and adult mentors.

The lunch began with a warm welcome from Judge Beth McGowen.

Cassandra Staff, from the Office of Women’s Policy, encouraged everyone to look for the “helpers” in society and to become a person of service.

Judge Julia Alloggiamento, chair of the Court Community Outreach Committee, described the atmosphere as undeniably positive.

“We are all here to support one another,” she said. “Who you are and who you want to be is good enough.”

Addis Arciniega, program coordinator and coach at the Silicon Valley Urban Debate League, delivered an address that underscored the importance of embracing challenges as opportunities for growth.

Icebreakers, breakout discussions, and a word cloud exercise encouraged attendees to share insights from their personal journeys, explore thought-provoking questions, and envision their aspirations and goals.

Sharan Dhanoa, director of the South Bay Coalition to End Human Trafficking, talked about the importance of embracing your authenticity.

“Not just one thing or experience in my life led me to where I am today,” she affirmed. “Don’t be limited by experiences in your life or things that happened to you.”

YOUTH COMMISSION HOSTS COOKIE DECORATING EVENT

On Saturday, the Los Gatos Youth Commission hosted a cookie decorating event for the neurodiverse community, including friends. It was a bright and sunny day as attendees joined the Los Gatos-Mon-

“Countless doctors’ visits resulted in prescribing harmful drugs that only masked my symptoms,” she said.

But after switching to a whole food plant-based diet, her asthma and other symptoms disappeared, she stated.

Willey spoke about how her plantbased diet powers her many physical activities, such as mountain biking, running, and stand up paddle boarding, and gives her the energy to work and be active with her husband and two sons.

Willey was introduced by Kerry Yepiz Billner, child nutrition director at the Los Gatos Union School District.

Billner recently competed in the West Valley Community Services Chefs of Compassion fundraiser, creating a cardamom-infused pear tart for the dessert course.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECT COMPLETED

te Sereno Police department for the 10am-noon gathering, which included an Easter egg hunt at the end.

One big highlight was the “canine companions” who showed up to participate.

Canine Companions for Independence is a nonprofit organization that trains dogs that are assigned to provide assistance to people who could benefit from a service canine.

VEGETARIAN GROUP HONORED WITH AWARD

On March 21, local nonprofit Plant-Based Advocates (PBA) received a Champions of Promise award from Palo Alto-based environmental group Acterra at their Promise to Our Planet event.

The Los Gatos-based group accepted a Certificate of Commendation from County of Santa Clara supervisors Otto Lee and Joe Simitian for their work educating the public about the benefits of a plant-based diet.

In her acceptance speech, Kathleen Willey, co-founder of PBA, spoke about how switching to a whole foods plant-based diet transformed her life.

On April 1, Affirmed Housing announced the completion of 79 homes at Vitalia, a new, affordable and supportive-housing development located at 3100 S. Bascom Avenue in San Jose’s Cambrian neighborhood.

An opening ceremony was held March 29, with San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, San Jose Councilmember Pam Foley, as well as Santa Clara County supervisors Susan Ellenberg and Sylvia Arenas in attendance.

“Oftentimes we forget that some of the residents who qualify for affordable housing are our students, teachers, seniors on fixed incomes, veterans, and those who were formerly unhoused,” said Councilmember Foley, according to a release. “Access to affordable housing is a significant step in the right direction toward ensuring that these individuals and many others have safe, stable options to call home.

The five-story, GreenPoint-rated development features a mixture of studios, and one-, two-, and three-bedroom homes for low-income and formerly unhoused people.

Half of the units are reserved for supportive-housing with the remaining homes designated for households earning up to 60 percent of the County Area Median Income (AMI).

LEADERSHIP LUNCHEON Sharan Dhanoa, Director of the South Bay Coalition to End Human Trafficking and Hon. Julia Alloggiamento, Chair of the Court's Community Outreach Committee.

Courtesy of Santa Clara County Superior Court

STATE OF CALIFORNIA MAY GUT TWO CALWORKS PROGRAMS THAT ARE CURRENTLY HELPING THOUSANDS OF FAMILIES

Justo Robles, CalMatters

Joy Perrin had been living in a van with her two children for several months when she walked into a welfare office in 2018. She had left an abusive partner and had failed her first semester at Laney College in Oakland.

A social worker told Perrin she qualified for the CalWORKS family stabilization program, which provides cash assistance, transitional housing and counseling to families experiencing crises such as domestic violence, substance abuse, or the risk of homelessness.

Five years later, Perrin spoke to lawmakers on March 20, trying to save the program that helped her find a safe home and achieve an associate's degree in biology.

“This program gave me the opportunity to show my children that poverty doesn't have to be our name,” said Perrin, who plans to study radiology. “Not only am I a testament of the power of this program, but my children will be able to share their stories and how it can change their path to their future.”

Because California faces a projected budget shortfall of $38 billion to $73 billion, Gov. Gavin Newsom in January proposed cuts that would wipe out funding for the family stabilization program and for another CalWORKS program that subsidizes jobs for low-income recipients.

Both cuts would undermine CalWORKS' effectiveness, advocates say, and contradict the governor's stated goals of helping move families out of poverty.

The family stabilization program serves more than 31,000 people.

The extended subsidized employment program reaches about 8,000 participants a month. In total 354,000 households with 659,000 children receive CalWORKS benefits a year.

CalWORKS cuts

To shrink CalWORKS’ $7 billion annual budget, Newsom would take away what's left of the $55 million from family stabilization this year and $71 million next year and $134 million each year from the expanded subsidized employment program -- along with other cuts.

Some lawmakers are resisting.

Assemblymember Corey Jackson, the Moreno Valley Democrat who chairs the

Assembly's Human Services Committee, held the recent hearing to make clear how many people would be hurt.

He told CalMatters he opposes “a vast majority” of Newsom's proposed cuts to CalWORKS and is seeking alternatives.

“The question is no longer whether something is a good program; the question is whether it is more important than another,” Jackson said. “CalWORKS is one of the most important programs that the state has. Very few can compete with it from a priorities perspective.”

State senators recently proposed shrinking the state budget shortfall by trimming current-year allocations. They agreed with Newsom's plan to take back $336 million from CalWORKs, saying the money “is projected to be unexpended and should have no programmatic impact.”

But that doesn't mean the cuts are set in stone. Newsom's administration has proposed “a number of solutions across state government,” said H.D. Palmer, a spokesperson for Newsom's finance department, including some funding for both CalWORKS programs.

The nonpartisan Legislative Analyst's Office is also recommending

reducing CalWORKS funding to reflect “consistently unspent funds,” said Sonia Russo, a policy analyst there.

Almost $40 million a year remains unspent in the subsidized employment program, she said, though the family stabilization program spends all of its funds each year.

A family's lifeline

Part of the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, generally known as welfare, CalWORKS requires recipients to get a job or participate in activities intended to lead to employment.

Its subsidized employment program helps people transition off public assistance by placing them into jobs and paying part of their wages.

At the height of the pandemic, the subsidized employment program's caseload dropped, largely due to worksite closures and restrictions. But it began rebounding in 2021 and this year increased again, though still below pre-pandemic levels.

Lizbet Paz Alegria, a program participant, said it's a lifeline for many who need it.

Paz Alegria, a Mexican-born immigrant, sought CalWORKS help in 2022 because her husband at

the time had lost his job. Bills were piling up and she and her three children needed to escape domestic violence, she said.

The subsidized employment program gave her a job at a San Mateo County resource center, where she helps other Spanish-speaking CalWORKS participants find employment.

“I was so grateful, because I was placed in a position to welcome families,” she told CalMatters, “and they see in me someone who has walked in their shoes, who knows that feeling of desperation.”

Paz Alegria is a permanent resident who immigrated more than two decades ago. Many other immigrants do not qualify for CalWORKS benefits because they are undocumented or have legal status but have lived fewer than five years in the U.S.

CalWORKS bases its grants on the number of eligible family members in a household. The average cash grant was $1,021 a month last year, though families living in high-cost coastal counties, such as Los Angeles and San Francisco, received 5% more than families in inland counties, such as Shasta and Fresno.

In Fresno County, where poverty is nearly 19% higher than the rest of the state, more than 8,000 people received employment services from CalWORKS last year, said Maria Rodriguez-Lopez, the county's deputy director of employment services.

TESTIMONY Joy Perrin, a mother of two children, testifies at the Budget Subcommittee on Human Services hearing at the state Capitol in Sacramento, March 20. With the help of CalWORKS, Perrin was able to secure housing for her and her family.

Photo by José Luis Villegas / CalMatters

LGHS TAPS ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL FOR TOP JOB

Poetzinger had an impressive coaching career at SLV High

Staff Report

The Los Gatos-Saratoga Union High School District announced last week that Dave Poetzinger will be the new principal of Los Gatos High School. After a comprehensive search process—conducted by an interview team made up of teachers, support staff, parents, students, and administrators—the Board of Trustees approved his appointment March 26.

Poetzinger, an LGHS assistant principal, joined the district this school

year. A District spokesperson said Poetzinger, who previously served as an assistant principal at San Lorenzo Valley High School in Felton, has built a strong connection with students, an “authentic” relationship with staff, and works to encourage engagement from parents and the rest of the community.

“Los Gatos High School has quickly become my home,” Poetzinger said in a release. “I believe an administrator’s role is to support staff, families, and students in their joint educational journey toward

CHURCHES CELEBRATE EASTER

Dinah, from page 1

The Easter Bunny hopped by to wish everyone a “Happy Easter!” and provide a great photo opportunity. There were plenty of smiles.

Under the pavilion, games unfolded. Children hopped through a chalkdrawn hopscotch court.

As the kids and parents munched on their sweets, the Billy Jones Wildcat Train came to life with a loud steam whistle. The line to get onboard grew rapidly.

Some families had brought picnic lunches. The scent of barbecue began to fill the Meadow.

Human-powered vessels are allowed when the water is up.

This year, the H20 had been drained by the Santa Clara Valley Water District after an inspection by the Division of Safety of Dams, which ordered some patching.

Many families enjoyed strolling around this 12-acre park, or taking the small ones to the playground. That

area was full of children climbing on the fire engine and the decommissioned USAF T-33 jet. You got the feeling that summer might just be around the next rainstorm.

On Sunday, morning sunrise services were offered at our local houses of worship.

At St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, on Bean Avenue, there was Father Seth Kupo, leading the 9am mass. The space was traditional in its splendor. An ornamental cross with white roses adorned the entrance. The sanctuary was full of traditional Easter lilies with gold and white ribbons attached.

Meanwhile, by the high school at Los Gatos United Methodist Church, Pastor Daniel F. Diss was preparing for their next service, as the organist warmed up for the rejoicing to come.

Down at Calvary Church at 16330 Los Gatos Blvd., a donut wall greeted worshipers. In one room, children played

a transformational school experience. I look forward to continuing that work by focusing on excellent student learning inside and outside the classroom.”

Originally hailing from Chicago, Poetzinger served as a head football coach at SLVHS from 2013-2021, earning a 38-37 overall record. He was 21-20 in Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League and Pacific Coast Athletic League play. Poetzinger made the Central Coast Section playoffs in 2014 and 2015. He was even selected by

fellow coaches within the league as the 2014 SCCAL Coach of the Year.

Poetzinger holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Occidental College and a Masters in English from San Jose State University. Before becoming an assistant principal, he taught AP English, yearbook, newspaper and coached football for 30 years. Poetzinger currently serves on the Occidental College Alumni Association Board of Governors.

“I want to thank our community for their active participation throughout this important process,” said Superintendent Bill W. Sanderson in the release. “We were committed to bringing forward a strong and dedicated partner with a clear vision of educational leadership and a proven track record to continue to lead this remarkable school. Dave embodies all of the qualities we were looking for. He is strongly committed to exceptional student learning, a hands-on, innovative leadership style, and a devoted work ethic.”

The current principal, Kevin Buchanan, is retiring at the end of this school year. Dave will begin his new role on July 1.

under a blacklight that turned the room into a neon wonderland. Lead Pastor Dale Gustafson conducted the service.

“Happy Easter everyone, how we doin’?” he asked, clapping his hands together. “It is an exciting, exciting day that we all get to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus.”

With that he launched into a passage from John 20 and talked about Mary Magdalene mistaking the Son of God for a gardener.

JOYFUL NOISE Organist Joyce Rhodes warms up on the piano prior to an Easter Sunday service at the United Methodist Church.

Dinah Cotton / Los Gatan

*With files from the Scotts Valley Press Banner

PROMOTION Dave Poetzinger, a former head coach at San Lorenzo Valley High School, will take over the reins on this side of the hill.

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BELIZE TRIP SHAPED OUTLOOK

to turn his attention to the General Election in November. He’s also had a chance to reflect on what led him to this point.

After graduating from Bellarmine College Preparatory, a private Jesuit school, Liccardo moved east to study political science and economics at Georgetown University.

He jokes that because it’s also a Jesuit school, it meant he wouldn’t get “excommunicated” for not going to Santa Clara University, (another Jesuit school) which “everyone” in his family had attended.

But his interest in the political scene began a few years earlier. “I caught the DC bug when I was an 8th grader,” he said, recalling a visit to see Congressman Norman Mineta (who the San Jose airport is named after) in Washington. “He was sort of a largerthan-life figure for us.”

So, while in college, Liccardo interned in Mineta’s office.

He remembers working the phones, helping to build a coalition to right the wrong of sending Japanese-Americans to concentration camps during World War II.

“We were still calling up offices try-

ing to ask for support,” he said. “I was a very minor bit player in that.”

It was a much less polarized time on Capitol Hill. Liccardo explains that Mineta, a longtime friend of his dad’s, had forged an alliance with staunch Republican Alan Simpson to pass the legislation.

“It was a defining moment for me to see, this is how Congress can work,” Liccardo said. “Republicans and Democrats can work together.”

Passionate about international development issues, Liccardo ended up volunteering with a Jesuit group in Dangriga, Belize, teaching and running sports camps for youth.

He says he was struck by how impoverished the residents there were, despite the beauty of the countryside—and the wealth of export crops.

“You’d see kids with vitamin deficiencies,” he said. “And yet…there were miles of orange groves.”

He wanted to keep working in international outreach, but a debilitating illness put him on the sidelines.

“I contracted a parasite when I was in Belize and I couldn’t really shake it,” he said. “So, I went and volunteered on a campaign—and it happened to be Anna Eshoo’s. It was her first successful campaign.”

jail for agreeing to drive a sketchy vehicle across the border to make a few hundred bucks.

That’s why he transitioned to a deputy district attorney role in Santa Clara County, leading a group that prosecuted internet crimes against children in the heart of Silicon Valley, he said.

Liccardo says this experience would stand him in good stead as Congress debates whether to update Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, and other digital laws.

“The person in this role needs to be both a champion for the innovation economy and someone who can discern the best approach to regulating a fast-changing set of technologies,” he said. “I would be providing a bridge, literally inviting members of Congress to the Valley.”

Liccardo was actually living in Los Gatos at the time, in an apartment off Oka Road.

“It’s basically the cheapest place to live in Los Gatos,” he said. “Los Gatos has always been a wonderful place for me to come with friends.”

His mom actually grew up in Los Gatos.

Of course, he’s now in the running for Eshoo’s job.

Liccardo says he learned plenty, as well, while working for his dad’s law firm, suing companies like Dow Chemical and Dow Corning.

“As a 21-year-old, it was a great education for me,” he said, adding he got to see how when government officials don’t hold companies’ feet to the fire it can result serious health consequences for the average person—like when silicone implants break down in the body because regulators hadn’t gotten their hands on key toxicity research. “We knew that these studies existed, but nobody at the FDA had been asking the right questions to get them.”

After graduating from Harvard Law, he figured he’d follow a suggestion given by Alan Dershowitz in a campus lecture, and become a prosecutor.

“Your job is literally just to do justice,” said Liccardo, explaining his thinking. “When the evidence is not sufficient to convict, you have a legal and moral obligation to dismiss.”

He soon found himself in San Diego as an assistant US attorney in the Southern District of California, targeting human smugglers and drug traffickers. But he eventually soured on the gig.

“I decided I was not going to spend my life being a soldier in the war on drugs,” he said, alluding to a scenario where a desperate mother gets sent to

“Her family lived here because they could not afford to live in San Jose, which tells you how dramatically things have changed,” he said, adding they took in older women boarders and had a goat in their yard for milk.

As so often happens to Liccardo, Mike Oliver, a Saratoga resident who volunteered for his first mayoral campaign, briefly interrupted the interview to say hello.

“He had a lot of young people who were helping him,” Oliver told the Los Gatan, reminiscing about that political drive.

Liccardo says as he knocked on 2,500 doors over the past few months, he heard similar refrains about homelessness, the high cost of childcare, expensive utility bills and crime.

“People were tired of hearing that congress wasn’t getting anything done,” he said.

His wife, sporting a fancy leather cowboy hat from Columbia, waited patiently for her husband to finish up with this reporter so they could have some time to themselves.

“My true feeling is, as a wife, this is the last job I would want him to pursue,” she said. “But as a constituent, I feel we need more of what he has to offer. So, I’m fully on board and supportive of his journey.”

Minutes later, they were off to hit the trails above Los Gatos.

BURRITO POWER Sam Liccardo chows down before hitting the Los Gatos trails with his wife.

Drew Penner / Los Gatan

Liccardo, from page 1

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SPORTS

LGHS BOYS LACROSSE PERFORMING WELL IN ‘HOME STRETCH’

’Cats log big miles for away league games

Emanuel Lee, Sports Editor

Few prep sports teams in the Bay Area if any have to travel farther for away league games than the Los Gatos High boys lacrosse squad.

Due to a variety of factors, the Wildcats play in the Pacific Coast Athletic League’s upper Gabilan Division, which includes Salinas High, Hollister High, Palma High of Salinas and Stevenson High of Pebble Beach.

“Thankfully, we started the year with six straight road games, so now we’re in our home stretch,” Los Gatos coach Chris Nespor said. “Historically, since I've been here, we’ve had a spoil of riches (of talent). This year we’re healthy, we’re top-end heavy and I think our seniors and upperclassmen in general are really stepping it up.”

After struggling with injuries to a handful of their top players last year, the Wildcats have rebounded and entered this week’s action at 5-5 overall and 2-1 in league.

A recent stretch confirmed Nespor’s hunch that Los Gatos will contend for one of the top two spots in the Gabilan Division this year.

The league champion receives an automatic Central Coast Section playoff berth, while the second-place finisher takes on the PCAL Mission Division champion for the second automatic postseason berth.

The Wildcats suffered a tough 10-9 loss to Stevenson on March 28, a match Nespor said the team had circled on their proverbial “calendar.”

That’s because Los Gatos’ two chief competitors for the league title include Stevenson and Palma. Despite the defeat, Nespor has been satisfied with the team’s recent stretch of play, which included an 11-10 win over Palo Alto High on March 19, a 9-8 loss to St. Francis three days later and an 11-6 victory over Live Oak High on March 26.

“I think Live Oak was the best game we’ve played, but all three of those (matches) stand out to me which tells

me we’re on the right track,” Nespor said. “One of our top players was out sick (vs. Live Oak), and we came out with the next-man-up mentality. We’re doing what we want to be doing.”

Senior Jack Baldwin anchors the team’s attack and hurts opponents with his ability to maneuver in the open field and in traffic.

“He isn’t afraid to dodge against anyone,” Nespor said. “He’s more of a finesse dodger but isn’t afraid of contact. He’ll take a check and get past you. He can take a game over but at the same time, he’s always looking up to feed (teammates with scoring opportunities). He’s quick, can get his hands free and has a pretty big bag of tricks.”

Senior midfielder Michael Hoffman has also been a prolific scorer, producing a couple of five-point games.

“He can rip the back of the net with the best of them,” Nespor said. “He gets shots off, and at certain moments you’re thinking, ‘How did that go in?’

He knows where to put the ball, knows where to be off the ball…and has a very good feel for the game.”

Nespor said the triumvirate of junior attack/midfielder Luke Goddard and sophomores Ben Reilly and Zach Gouldrup have been consistently reliable in their ability to facilitate the offense. Defensively, the Wildcats are led by Zach Otoupal, who earned the 2023 Gabilan Division Defensive Player of the Year award as a freshman. It’s rare that high school coaches vote for a freshman to win one of the major league awards, so Otoupal’s accomplishment speaks volumes.

“Zach is backing that award up with his play so far this season,” Nespor said.

Senior Jack Donovan is one of the team’s most versatile players, capable of playing attack, midfield and defense. However, Donovan has honed in on his role as the long-stick midfielder, a position that requires tre-

mendous athleticism, instincts and beating other players to the ball.

“Jack is really coming into his own as an LSM,” Nespor said.

Of course, no team can compete at a high level without a top-notch goalie, and Los Gatos has that in junior Carter Paradice.

Underrated by spectators, but appreciated by coaches, lacrosse goalies face dozens of shots a game, meaning they’re often the deciding factor in whether a team wins or loses.

“The goalie position is the most important for that reason,” Nespor said. “If you have a good goalie, they’re going to bail you out a couple of shots a game, and Carter has done that for us. At the high school level, if a goalie gets over 10 saves, that’s a pretty good game. Carter has been in the 12 to 15 save range the last three to four games. The goalie is the quarterback of the defense, so you need a guy that can control things back there.”

DEFENSE Los Gatos High School senior Jack Donovan has come into his own as the team’s long stick midfielder. The squad has been playing a series of home games after completing a grueling travel schedule.

Jonathan Natividad

9 MEMBERS TO BE FÊTED AT HALL OF FAME CEREMONY

Former LGHS greats made their mark

Staff Report

The newest members of the Los Gatos High School Athletic Hall of Fame will be honored in an induction ceremony at La Rinconada Country Club on May 3.

The list is a who’s who of former LGHS greats, including Donald Straub (class of 1950), Terrie Ogilivie Christiansen (1966), Russell Tanner (1996), Melissa Mullins (2004), Logan Schafer (2004), Danny Bates (2004), Naveed Bagheri (2007), Nico Weiler (2008), and Danielle Katz (2013).

Straub won the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League singles championship twice and played for four league-winning title teams. Ogilivie Christiansen was an All-American swimmer who was the fourth fastest backstroker at the 1966 USA National Championships along with being a member of the victorious 4x100 meter relay team.

Tanner was a member of the first LGHS boys volleyball team which debuted in 1996. In his senior season, Tanner earned league MVP and allstate selection honors before going on to play at BYU.

Mullins starred for the softball team, pitching every game in her sophomore and junior seasons and earning SCVAL Defensive MVP honors in both those years. A three-time first team all-league selection, Mullins led the Wildcats to CCS playoff appearances in each of her four years at the school.

Schafer was a four-year starter for Los Gatos’ baseball and soccer teams, declining an offer to play soccer at Northwestern University to pursue baseball in college. He played at Cuesta Community College and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo before getting selected in the third round of the MLB Draft after his junior season.

After working his way through the minors, Schafer enjoyed a six-year career in the MLB, including five seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers and one with the Minnesota Twins. Bates

made his mark on the gridiron, becoming the first LGHS player to rush for over 2,000 yards in a season.

Bates totaled 2,380 yards rushing and 31 touchdowns in a spectacular senior season that saw him earn league MVP, first team all-CCS and second team all-Metro honors. Bates, who had an incredible 300-yard rushing game vs. Milpitas, was also a standout soccer player and sprinter for the track and field team.

Bagheri is one of the most accomplished wrestlers in LGHS history, finishing 112-36 and fifth in the CIF State Championships in his senior year. Bagheri went on to become a three-time All American at San Francisco State University, where he won the NCAA championship during his final year of collegiate competition.

Bagheri was inducted into the SFSU Hall of Fame in 2022. Weiler is the most accomplished track and field athlete in school history, winning two state titles in the pole vault and twice earning All American honors.

His personal-record vault of 17 feet, 6 ¼ inches remains a CCS record by a wide margin. Weiler went on to compete for four years at Harvard University, where he still holds the record for highest indoor and outdoor vaults in program history.

Katz established herself as the greatest long-distance runner in school history. She holds the LGHS female record for fastest course times in the CIF State Cross Country Championships at Woodward Park and the CCS Championships at Crystal Springs and Toro Park.

On the track, Katz holds the LGHS record in the 1600 meter run and the second fastest mark in the 3200. She went on to run both cross country and track at Stanford University, and still holds the fastest collegiate times in the 1500, the mile and 3000 by a LGHS graduate.

Tickets for the LGHS Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony can be purchased online at GoFan.co or at the following link: https://gofan.co/app/ events/890642?schoolId=CA22963.

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SELF-DRIVING ‘HYPE’ BECOMING REALITY

Autonomous vehicles will reshape our communities

Doug Brent, Contributor

Back in 2015, Elon Musk made this pronouncement about the future of self-driving cars, “We’re going to end up with complete autonomy, and I think we’ll have complete autonomy in about two years.” At that time, I was a technology leader at Trimble, a company making advanced positioning systems and automatic navigation for farm tractors, among other things. I bet a couple of my colleagues that we were at least 10 years away from self-driving cars becoming a practical reality. But what seemed far off then is now just around the corner. Some might argue it’s already here. At the beginning of March, the California Public Utilities Commission issued a ruling allowing “robotaxis” from Waymo, the driverless car arm of Google (Alphabet), to operate on peninsula highways, and in Los Angeles.

This was a controversial decision, one made over the objections of San Mateo County and Los Angeles County officials.

If you think self-driving cars are a beefed-up version of the advanced driver-assist systems widely available today, I’m hoping to change your mind. The widespread deployment of self-driving cars represents nothing less than an entirely new form of transportation. This will alter where and how we live, how cities are laid out, highway safety, and more. The big idea behind self-driving cars is not that you can watch TikTok while commuting to work. It’s that cars can be available to fetch you on demand from your location and deliver you to a desired destination (ok, maybe while watching a video). Essentially a fleet of self-driving Ubers or Lyfts at your disposal. In fact, that’s exactly what’s happening under the new CPUC ruling. Adding to experimental self-driving taxis already on San Francisco and Phoenix streets,

Waymo will incrementally add cars to nearby highways and SoCal streets (though not yet on LA freeways).

The failures of some of these experiments—including a spectacular accident by a Cruise (GM) car in San Francisco last year—receive a lot of press attention. But the quiet successes continue, with roll-outs of self-driving fleets broadening in California and elsewhere. Why should you be paying close attention? Let me appeal to both your head and your heart.

First, the data… Waymo estimates its driverless cars are involved in almost seven-times fewer injury-causing accidents compared with ones involving only human drivers. That data is based on over 7 million miles traveled by Waymo vehicles. Yes, driverless cars will still become embroiled in accident investigations— maybe as a result of a technology glitch, or perhaps because a deer suddenly jumped into the roadway.

The right question is: Will the average self-driving car fare better than the average human driver? The answer seems to be a resounding yes (though some experts claim 7 million miles is too small of a sample). This advantage for self-driving cars will only grow over time.

Multiple studies show passenger cars sit idle for 95% of their life. Can you think of anything else you spend so much money on but use so little? Anywhere that Uber/Lyft/taxis work will be served better by self-driving car fleets. Sure, a plumber still needs a truck with tools, but the vast majority of us just need a ride.

Think about a world where you don’t own your car, but instead can summon your preferred ride at a moment’s notice. I don’t want a four-person car to get to work. I’ll just ask for the one-seater. If I don’t own my car, I may not care much about its design. My ride doesn’t reflect my ego or economic status. So, could safety become the primary consideration?

The ‘head’ part of the equation

America spends about $143 billion annually on road construction and maintenance. One of the most difficult and expensive tasks is to increase road capacity. Think about widening Highway 17 from Los Gatos to Santa Cruz, for example. Nearly impossible.

In a future where every car is self-driving, we could potentially double the capacity of freeways by cars driving closer together, since they can rely on the split-second decision-making of a behind-the-scenes intelligence network.

On to matters of the heart

If Waymo’s estimate is right (that its cars are seven-times less accident-prone than human-driven ones), increasing self-driving transportation networks would result in traffic fatalities plummeting. In 2022, there were approximately 42,000 traffic deaths across America. Considering Waymo’s data—that self-driving cars get into about 85% fewer injury-producing accidents, the promise of saving a significant number of lives is very real.

We all know people who shouldn’t be driving. Our cities and suburbs assume the availability of cars, so people

➝ Self-driving, 18

AUTONOMOUS Doug Brent says our self-driving future is much closer at-hand than he originally thought.

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

What is your favorite thing to do on a ‘night out’?

Zahra Pavlovic, 64, Cupertino

Asked at Los Gatos Coffee Roasting Co.

“Dinner out with my husband, or stay home and read.”

Natalie Pavlovic, 23, Cupertino-Montreal

Asked at LGCRCo

“Go out to concerts with my friends.”

Karen Vincent, early 60s (with “Bowie”), Los Gatos

Asked along Main Street

“I like to watch Netflix with my cat—a peaceful evening at home.”

Traci Colon, 49 Works in Los Gatos

Asked at LGCRCo.

“A cozy bar with friends drinking an espressotini (espresso martini).”

—Photos and interviews by Dinah Cotton

COULD SELF-DRIVING CARS MEAN MORE PARKS?

Self-driving, from page 16

who are physically limited in some way still have an incentive to drive. What a boon for elders to be able to dial-up a self-driving vehicle on demand—instead of putting themselves and others in harm’s way. (Not to mention those that are driving “under the influence.”)

And think what could happen to cities: We could reclaim most of the parking space. We could expand greenbelts, or allow businesses to flourish where cars once sat inactive. Parking and/or charging could take place in lower-cost warehouses further afield.

So, why don’t we have self-driving cars all around us today? Well, they’re complex, and have taken more than a decade to develop. Also, the sensors— computer, cameras, radar, and “LIDAR” 3D-imaging technology—are expensive. Think many 10’s of thousands of dollars per car. But prices have come down substantially over the past decade, and will continue to drop.

The tech for limited but safe deployment of self-driving cars exists today. A key limiter now is the legal aspect. Under California product liability laws, it is likely autonomous

car companies would be liable for accidents related to product defects. Some experts believe the current framework will work just fine, while others think, with human variability out of the picture, a “no fault” approach to car accidents makes sense.

Many politicians, and others, who are acutely aware of the risk of traffic collisions involving self-driving vehicles, and wary of this rapid paradigm shift, prefer a “go slow” approach. There are few inventions that promise to save as many lives, give us more freedom, save as much money, and—importantly—turn what’s often a frustrating and frenetic portion of our day into free time.

Self-driving cars will do this. And, widespread deployment won’t take another decade. Maybe Elon’s 2015 quote will ring true for 2024.

Doug Brent is an independent director at Anova, an Industrial Internet of Things company. His career in Silicon Valley has spanned four decades and included leadership roles at Trimble, ICANN, IBM and Packet Design. He’s also the incoming president of Los Gatos Rotary.

Fictitious Business Name Statements

File Number: FBN703499

The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: Express Inc, 211 Hope St #390599, Mountain View, CA 94041. This business is conducted by: A Corporation, Facepay Inc, 211 Hope St #390599, Mountain View, CA 94041.

The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on 1/1/2024 and 02/23/2024 is the file date. Statement filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara: /s/ Corinne Vasquez /s/ Deputy, 110 West Tasman Drive, San Jose, CA 95134. Facepay Inc, Article/Reg # 3801068, Above Entity was Formed in the State of DE. /s/ Mark A Hale /s/ President/Founder. (Pub LGN: 03/13, 03/20, 03/27, 04/03/2024)

File Number: FBN703943

The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: Pro Construction , 151 E Evelyn Ave, Mountain View, CA 94041. This business is conducted by: A Corporation, Michael Bohnhoff Enterprises Inc., 1720 Hamil Way, San Jose, CA 95125. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on 07/08/1998 and 03/11/2024 is the file date. Statement filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara: /s/ Ronald Nguyen /s/ Deputy, 110 West Tasman Drive, San Jose, CA 95134. Michael Bohnhoff Enterprises Inc, Article/Reg # 2113582, Above Entity was Formed in the State of CA. /s/ Michael Bohnhoff /s/ President. (Pub LGN: 03/27, 04/03, 04/10, 04/17/2024)

File Number: FBN703641

The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: Favored Merchandise, LLC, 1111 W El Camino Real Ste 133 #121, Sunnyvale, CA 94087. This business is conducted by: A Limited Liability Company, Favored Merchandise LLC, 1111 W El Camino Real Ste 133 #121, Sunnyvale, CA 94087. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on 12/01/2023 and 2/29/2024

is the file date. Statement filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara: /s/ Corinne Vasquez /s/ Deputy, 110 West Tasman Drive, San Jose, CA 95134. Favored Merchandise LLC, Article/ Reg # 202354216902, Above Entity was Formed in the State of California /s/ Dominique Keyes /s/ Owner. (Pub LGN: 03/13, 03/20, 03/27, 04/03/2024)

File Number: FBN703710

The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: Harmonie Park Real Estate, 221 Bachman Avenue, Los Gatos, CA 95030. This business is conducted by:

An Individual, Alvin Don Capobres, 221 Bachman Avenue, Los Gatos, CA 95030. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on 02/13/2024 and 03/01/2024 is the file date. Statement filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara: /s/ Corinne Vasquez /s/ Deputy, 110 West Tasman Drive, San Jose, CA 95134. /s/ Alvin Don Capobres /s/ (Pub LGN: 03/13, 03/20, 03/27, 04/03/2024)

File Number: FBN703592

The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: Sew Fresh , 135 Riviera Dr Apt 307, Los Gatos, CA 95032. This business is conducted by:

An Individual, Hilary Siemer, 135 Riviera Dr Apt 307, Los Gatos, CA 95032. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on 02/18/2024 and 2/28/2024 is the file date. Statement filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara: /s/ Elaine Fader /s/ Deputy, 110 West Tasman Drive, San Jose, CA 95134. /s/ Hilary Siemer /s/ (Pub LGN: 03/13, 03/20, 03/27, 04/03/2024)

File Number: FBN703795

The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: Caliprolandscapes, 91 Southsea Ct, SanJose, CA 95138. This business is conducted by: An Individual, Roberto Alejandro Valle, 91 Southsea Ct, San Jose, CA 95138. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on 03/05/2024 and 03/05/2014 is the file date. Statement filed with

PUBLIC NOTICES

the County Clerk of Santa Clara: /s/ Corinne Vasquez /s/ Deputy, 110 West Tasman Drive, San Jose, CA 95134. /s/ Roberto Alejandro Valle /s/. (Pub LGN: 03/13, 03/20, 03/27, 04/03/2024)

File Number: FBN704353

The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: wiBuilder, 1690 Story Road, #146, San Jose, CA 95122. This business is conducted by: A Corporation, World Intelligence Helper, Inc., 1690 Story Road, #146, San Jose, CA 95122. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on 03/22/2024 and 03/22/2024 is the file date. Statement filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara: /s/ Corinne Vasquez /s/ Deputy, 110 West Tasman Drive, San Jose, CA 95134. World Intelligence Helper, Inc. Article/Reg # 3577527, Above Entity was Formed in the State of California /s/ Vinncente Truong /s/ Manager. (Pub LGN: 4/03, 4/10, 4/17, 04/24/2024)

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT

#703917

The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Katie Lux LLC, 2600 Corde Terra Cit, Apt 6303, San Jose, CA, 95111. This business is being conducted by a Limited Liability Company. Registrant began business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on 02/27/2024. Above entity was formed in the state of California. /s/Thu Nguyen. Owner. #202461118523. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 03/08/2024. (pub Metro 03/20, 03/27, 04/03, 04/10/2024)

File Number: FBN704076

The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: All-Leaders, PO Box 111807, Campbell, CA 95011. This business is conducted by: A General Partnership, Dusty White, PO Box 111807, Campbell, CA 95011 and Steve Johnson, PO Box 111807,Campbell, CA 95011.

The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on 03/14/2024 and 03/14/2024 is the file

date. Statement filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara: /s/ Elaine Fader /s/ Deputy, 110 West Tasman Drive, San Jose, CA 95134. /s/ Dusty L White /s/. (Pub LGN: 03/20, 03/27, 04/03, 04/10/2024)

File Number: FBN703884

The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: AE Constructio n, 2214 Westchester Drive. County: Santa Clara. This business is conducted by: An Individual. August Essner, 2214 Westchester Drive, San Jose, CA 95124. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on 03/07/2024 and 03/07/2024 is the file date. Statement filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara: /s/ Patty Camarena, Deputy, 110 West Tasman Drive, 1st Floor, San Jose, CA 95134. /s/ August Essner. (Pub LGN 3/20, 3/27, 4/3, 4/10)

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT

#703601

The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Croatian Catholic Church Assumption of Mary, 1. Assumption of Mary Croatian Church, 2. Assumption of Mary Croatian Catholic Church, 3. Hrvatska Zupa, 901 Lincoln Ave, San Jose, CA, 95126, Croatian Franciscan Fathers. This business is being conducted by a Corporation. Registrant began business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on 02/28/2024. Above entity was formed in the state of California. /s/Fr. Marko Domazet-Loso. President. #559973. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 02/28/2024. (pub LG 04/03, 04/10, 04/17, 04/24/2024)

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT

#704151

The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: El Amigo Restaurant, 7058 Santa Teresa Blvd., San Jose, CA, 95139, Huberto Acevedo Jr. Restaurants Inc. This business is being conducted by a Corporation. Registrant began business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on 07/02/1987. Above entity was formed in

the state of California. /s/ Huberto Acevedo. President. #61595665. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 03/18/2024. (pub LG 03/27, 04/03, 04/10, 04/17/2024)

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #702889

The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: ProScape, 984 Robin Ln., Campbell, CA, 95008, Antonio Araujo. This business is being conducted by an Individual. Registrant began business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on 02/05/2024. /s/Antonio Araujo. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 02/05/2024. (pub Metro 03/20, 03/27, 04/03, 04/10/2024)

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #703740

The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Instavia, 16635 Jackson Oaks Drive, Siew Young Sim-Tang. This business is being conducted by an Individual. Registrant has not begun business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein. /s/ Siew Yong Sim-Tang. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 03/04/2024. (pub LG 03/13, 03/20, 03/27, 04/03/2024)

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #703764

The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Happy Lamb Hot Pot, 19062 Stevens Creek Blvd., Cupertino, CA, 95014, Easy Eight LLC. This business is being conducted by a Limited Liability Company. Registrant has not yet begun business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein. Above entity was formed in the state of California. /s/Xianming Wu. Manager. #202033010427. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 03/04/2024. (pub Metro 03/20, 03/27, 04/03, 04/10/2024)

File Number: FBN704545

The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: That Social Security Gal, 18300 Montevina Road, Los Gatos, CA 95033. This business is conducted by: An Individual,

legals@losgatan.com

Wendy Lynn Barnett, 18300 Montevina Road, Los Gatos, CA 95033. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on Not Applicable and 03/27/2024 is the file date. Statement filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara: /s/ Corinne Vasquez /s/ Deputy, 110 West Tasman Drive, San Jose, CA 95134. /s/ Wendy Lynn Barnett /s/. (Pub LGN: 4/03, 4/10, 4/17, 04/24/2024)

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #704090

The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Han Tang Massage, 3571 Homestead Rd Suite 1, Santa Clara, CA, 95051, Xinglin Acupuncture Center Inc. This business is being conducted by a Corporation. Registrant began business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on 03/14/2024. Above entity was formed in the state of California. /s/Xiaokai Sun. Owner. #5958918. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 03/14/2024. (pub Metro 03/27, 04/03, 04/10, 04/17/2024)

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #704478

The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Sina’s Antiques And Fine Arts, 155 N. Santa Cruz Ave, Suite G, Los Gatos, CA, 95030, Siamak Ahghari. This business is being conducted by an Individual. Registrant began business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on 05/16/2014. /s/Siamak Ahghari. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 03/26/2024. (pub LG 04/03, 04/10, 04/17, 04/24/2024)

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #704572

The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Vicair, 668 Azule Ave., San Jose, CA, 95123, Cahci. This business is being conducted by an Individual. Registrant began business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on 04/01/2024. s/Victor Cahci. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 03/28/2024. (pub LG 04/03, 04/10, 04/17, 04/24/2024)

POLICE BLOTTER PUBLIC NOTICES

Name Changes

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME.

Case No. 24CV432818.

Notice of Petition of Alan Colbrie Schoen . Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara.

To all interested persons:

Petitioner: Alan Colbrie Schoen filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows:

Present name: a. Alan Colbrie Schoen to Proposed name: Alan Beltramo Schoen. The Court orders that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing.

Notice of Hearing: Date: May 28, 2024, Time: 8:45

AM, Room: Probate. The address of the court is:

191 North First Street, San Jose, CA 95113, Downtown Superior Court. A copy of this Order To Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county: Los Gatan 107 Dakota Ave Santa Cruz, CA 95060. Date: March 11, 2024. /s/ Le Jacqueline Duong /s/, Judge of the Superior Court. /s/ D. Bueno /s/, Deputy Clerk. (Pub LGN: 03/20, 03/27 4/03, 4/10/2024)

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME.

Case No. 24CV433569. Notice of Petition of Dawn Hathaway. Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara. To all interested persons: Petitioner: Dawn Hathaway filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: Present name: a. Cassidy Cynthia Johnson to Proposed name: Cassidy Cynthia Hathaway. The Court orders that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing

indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. Notice of Hearing: Date: June 04, 2024, Time: 8:45 AM, Room: Probate. The address of the court is: 191 North First Street, San Jose, CA 95113, Downtown Superior Court. A copy of this Order To Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county: Los Gatan 107 Dakota Ave Santa Cruz, CA 95060. Date: March 21, 2024. /s/ Le Jacqueline Duong /s/, Judge of the Superior Court. /s/ Z. Petrova /s/, Deputy Clerk. (Pub LG: 03/27, 04/03, 04/10, 04/17/2024)

MARCH 17

• At 12:15am, a man was reported for being drunk in public at the Purple Onion coffee shop on East Main Street and striking the reporting party’s vehicle for an unknown reason. Police were unable to locate the individual.

• A dark gray Nissan Sentra with blacked-out windows was seen driving slowly through a parking lot along Blossom Hill Road. Around 7:15am, the caller said they thought someone might be “casing the lot.”

• Someone was found parked in a No Parking area at Town Plaza Park.

• The California Highway Patrol reported minor injuries in a crash between a Hyundai Tucson and a Ford Explorer at Lark Avenue and Highway 17, at 2:11pm.

• A 31-year-old man was charged with rape, sexual assault with an object and false imprisonment.

MARCH 18

• At 8:16am, an overweight older male with a beard was reported for smoking a pipe in the parking lot outside the Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce office.

• A caller said someone stole his truck from along Daves Avenue around 8:30am.

• $2,425 in product was taken from Sephora on University Avenue.

• A male driver was reported for driving a yellow and black street bike with no plates at Spencer Avenue and Los Gatos Boulevard.

MARCH 19

• A street sweeper vs. cyclist collision occurred at Anne Way and Meadowbrook Drive around 11am. Minor injuries were reported.

• A caller reported it appeared the painter who’d been working on a neighbor’s house while he’s out of town was still parked in front of

the Millrich Drive building, even though the worker isn’t supposed to be there on the weekends.

• Mail theft from Dover Street reported at 7:43pm.

MARCH 20

• White Audi vs. gray Toyota Tundra and another vehicle occurred at Los Gatos-Saratoga Road and Alberto Way at 8:15am.

• At 12:17pm, a silver Honda van was reported for swerving in and out of lanes and almost hitting vehicles at Los Gatos-Saratoga Road and N. Santa Cruz Avenue. The driver was even “getting out of her vehicle at times and yelling” at other vehicles, before heading westbound on Highway 9.

• Two women in their 20s were reported for petty theft at Walgreens on N. Santa Cruz Avenue at 4:47pm. The 24-year-old and a 25-year-old suspects were arrested a short time later and charged with misdemeanors, including “organized retail theft.”

• At 7:01pm, a group of about 40 motorcycles was seen running red lights and doing wheelies at Winchester Boulevard and Lark Avenue.

• A caller reported a “suspicious person,” at 9:13pm, for “dancing and acting strange.” The woman was also asking the caller questions while she was using the ATM.

• At 8:35pm, a 62-year-old man was arrested on a felony shoplifting charge in the 15500 block of Union Avenue.

MARCH 21

• At 12:50am, a Winchester Boulevard resident returned home after being gone all day to find someone had smashed a window, entered the premises and made off with a safe containing records and other items (though no firearms).

• At 3:15pm, a 28-year-old female was arrested on suspicion of inflicting corporal injuries on a significant other, a felony charge, in the 200 block of Alberto Way.

• Just after 4pm, a caller said a suspect was at his parents’ Greenwood Lane residence and in the process of trying to scam them—claiming they needed to pay $10,000 after being hacked.

MARCH 22

• People were reported for smoking weed and being loud in their room at Garden Inn on East Main Street at 12:21am.

• A vehicle accident with no injuries report was shared by CHP. Firefighters were dispatched to Safeway on Pollard Road around 7:30am, as authorities worried a vehicle might’ve struck a gas line.

• A blue SUPER73-S Adventure Series e-bike with a broken white horn, zip ties on the backseat and a rusty and dirty battery was reported stolen from the bike storage area at Fisher Middle School at 1:27pm.

• A white sedan struck a bicyclist at 3:25pm at Blossom Hill Road and Lark Avenue. The third-party who reported the collision said the cyclist looked injured but was sitting up.

• Just before 9pm, a group of youth were in the parking lot behind Pizza My Heart on N. Santa Cruz Avenue smoking marijuana and “blasting” music.

MARCH 23

• A suspect took about five plants, worth a grand total of about $15, from Ace Hardware on Los Gatos Boulevard, then exited the scene in a white Kia.

• At 5:18pm, a female caller reported her 2016 Ford Fusion’s front and back windows were smashed and her wallet (containing multiple credit and debit cards) was taken while she was at Los Gatos Coffee Roasters.

• A log was reportedly in the roadway causing a traffic hazard at 6:19pm at Highway 17 and Lark Avenue, on the northbound ramp.