President Donald Trump’s mass deportations of undocumented immigrants have turbocharged local response to protect Santa Clara County residents from harm. The Rapid Response Network (RRN), a regional volunteer-based coalition providing real-time alerts of federal immigration enforcement, has more than tripled its number of responders to 3,000 people since it began nearly a decade ago. The...
Palo Alto mayor to run for reelection in November
Palo Alto Mayor Vicki Veenker has filed the paperwork to run for reelection this fall, meaning that two of the three City Council seats up for a vote in November will see an incumbent in the race. Veenker, who was first elected to the council in 2022, will seek another four-year term. Councilmember Ed Lauing,...
Campbell’s popular community pool permanently closes
Swimmers in the West Valley are being left high and dry following the permanent closure of Campbell’s 75-year-old public pool — and it will likely be several years before a new pool is open. The city made the decision to drain and shut down the Community Center Pool on July 14 due to unrepairable leaks,...
Santa Clara celebrates more housing in former industrial park
Construction is underway on the next phase of a major housing development in Santa Clara’s growing mixed-use neighborhood near Levi’s Stadium known as the Clara District, as officials continue transforming the former industrial area. City officials, developers and residents on Thursday celebrated construction starting on Parkside, a market-rate apartment community expected to open in fall 2028....
Palo Alto condo proposal is 7th to use new state housing law
The latest housing proposal in Palo Alto to take advantage of a new state law that encourages denser projects near public transit envisions six for-sale family condominiums in the Downtown North neighborhood. The project at 340 Palo Alto Ave. abuts the city’s border with Menlo Park, but is still within the half-mile radius around the...
Santa Clara approves plans for temporary homeless housing
After years of revisions, public debate and negotiations between city, Santa Clara County and nonprofit leaders, Santa Clara has taken another step toward bringing a family-focused interim housing community to a vacant, county-owned site near Lawrence Expressway and Benton Street. Supporters said the project will provide temporary housing and supportive services for families experiencing homelessness...
State gives Mountain View $50M for housing, transit projects
In a windfall for Mountain View, the California Department of Housing and Community Development recently awarded the city $50 million to support an affordable housing project and transportation improvements on Middlefield Road. The City Council authorized the city manager to accept the award last month with the bulk of the funding, $35 million, slated to...
State commits millions of dollars to fight food insecurity
Santa Clara County is set to see a surge of investment in helping its hungriest residents obtain food thanks to millions of dollars from the state. California lawmakers passed a budget that provides $108 million for the CalFood program to allow food banks to purchase, transport and store produce. The budget also commits $20 million...
Campbell police open state-of-the-art headquarters
After almost 55 years, the Campbell Police Department will no longer be located below ground. The new 27,500-square-foot police headquarters at 100 N. First St. is nearly four times larger than its former 7,000-square-foot home that served as the city’s police department for decades. The facility opened July 10 and has been long planned following Measure...
Palo Alto buries power lines amid wildfire season
Palo Alto received a stark reminder about wildfire danger on June 22, when about 4 acres went up in flames near Arastradero Road, near the Portola Valley border, prompting a regional response. The blaze, which began shortly before 5 p.m., was contained within the hour. While there were no structures involved, the areas were temporarily...