The Field Narrows
As 2019 comes to an end, the field of Democratic candidates continues to narrow even after the late entries of Mike Bloomberg, Tom Steyer and Deval Patrick.
The battle for the Redwood City salt ponds
REDWOOD CITY — For the past decade, a 1,400-acre salt property in Redwood City has been a community battleground.
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In Colma, Pets Rest Cemetery and Crematorium stands apart from the austere atmosphere of human cemeteries
COLMA — For more than 70 years, Bay Area pet owners have said goodbye to their four legged companions at Pets Rest Cemetery and Crematorium in Colma, California.
San Francisco launches new e-scooter program despite mounting injury concerns
SAN FRANCISCO — Over the coming year, up to 10,000 e-scooters will join the city’s busy traffic-scape. More scooter riders will weave through the cars, trucks, motorcycles, mopeds, bikes and all the other vehicles that uneasily share the city roadways.
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New smoking ban aims to end cigarette butt litter on state beaches and parks
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a new law that will ban the use of cigarettes, nicotine and marijuana vapes at state parks and beaches. Starting Jan. 1, the state’s Department of Parks and Recreation will be required to put up no-smoking signs at beaches and parks. There will be a fine up to $25 for a person caught smoking, and it will be considered an infraction.
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San Mateo County will have completely green power by 2025, local agency says
SAN MATEO — By the end of 2019, the Wright Solar Facility in Los Banos will come online, converting that light into renewable energy for more than 100,000 San Mateo County homes. The facility is one local agency’s latest stride toward fulfilling an ambitious promise: supplying enough green power for all of San Mateo County within the next five years.
San Mateo County will have completely green power by 2025, local agency says Read More »
When the dead dance: Dia de los Muertos, 2019
SAN FRANCISCO — The annual Mexican tradition celebrates the lives and memories of those who have died. While the event’s energy carries a deep reverence, it is also a party.
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Truck owners protest against AB 5, a California “gig economy” law
BAY AREA — Some truck “owner-operators” – who invest in their own vehicles and work as independent contractors to other trucking firms – say a new law taking effect on Jan. 1 will put them out of business. Supporters of the law say it will give protections to misclassified contract truck drivers.
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Amid labor actions, mental health workers see high vacancies, turnover
SANTA CLARA COUNTY — Vacancies and turnover is a growing problem for mental health workers in Santa Clara County. In October, workers launched a labor strike to try and achieve better working conditions. The union has since entered into mediation with the county.
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PG&E shutoffs highlight the usefulness — and uselessness — of technology in emergencies
BAY AREA — PG&E’s Public Safety Power Shutoff events left nearly one million customers across Northern California without power, and knocked out nearly 60% of cell towers in certain counties. It also highlighted critical gaps in communication infrastructure that local government agencies are now scrambling to address.
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Apprenticeships expand, struggle to make up years of dried-up pipeline
SAN JOSE — As training centers respond to a growing demand for skilled workers with more and larger classes, enrollment has not been able to make up for the talent gap created by the 2008 economic recession. At the Loyd E. Williams Pipe Trades Training Center, more than 500 apprentices train every week to become plumbers, steamfitters and refrigeration technicians — the most in 15 years.
Apprenticeships expand, struggle to make up years of dried-up pipeline Read More »
San Jose continues to tweak rules on accessory dwelling units to address housing shortage
SAN JOSE — In an effort to address San Jose’s housing shortage, the city’s planning commission has recommended that any home can build a detached accessory dwelling unit so long as it is 45 feet from the property line.