Dozens of local leaders from across the Bay Area came together Friday in San Francisco to announce the creation of a regional fund dedicated to helping families impacted by federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations.

Farmworkers in San Mateo County still struggle with affording the area’s high rents — even in affordable housing — and are vulnerable to exploitative, hazardous living conditions, a new study on behalf of the San Mateo Anti-Displacement Coalition found. 

The steam engine is an external combustion engine. Its development goes back as far as the first century, however, the development of the first piston steam engine didn’t occur until 1690. Invention of its application was slow but many insights into the use of energy to help mankind get plac…

An ordinance banning the sale and distribution of nitrous oxide, or “whip-its,” in alignment with similar rules passed by the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors is on the horizon for the city of San Carlos.

A huge festive German celebration will sprawl over Courthouse Square beginning this weekend, inviting residents to drink beer and eat bratwurst for Redwood City’s return of Oktoberfest. 

Goon — Someone was punched three times by their hockey teammate after a game in San Mateo; it was reported 7:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 15.

It’s the 1920s and you’re walking down Grand Avenue in South San Francisco. Alcohol is banned nationwide, but anyone could be making it in secrecy, any store could be selling it behind closed doors and the authorities are free to enforce or ignore the law as they see fit.

The Redwood City Public Library is inviting all for a festive celebration of Peruvian culture and folklore this Saturday at the Redwood Shores Branch Library as one of multiple events planned throughout Hispanic Heritage Month.

Victor Aenlle, the former chief of staff for Sheriff Christina Corpus with whom he was alleged to have an inappropriate relationship, filed a civil rights lawsuit alleging retaliation, wrongful termination, defamation and abuse of power against San Mateo County and its top officials.

A recent grand jury report stated that Foster City’s water district doesn’t have sufficient water supply or fuel storage in the event of an emergency, but the city says it “wholly disagrees” with some of the findings.

The case against Ron Galatolo — the embattled former San Mateo County Community College District chancellor facing 23 felony counts — should begin opening arguments around Oct. 16, San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe said.

Need some time to reflect on this — Someone’s car mirror was vandalized overnight on Balclutha Drive in Foster City; it was reported 12:47 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 16.

The spirit of independence and festivity will travel across the Pacific for a day of connection, entertainment and flavor at the Singapore Festival 2025 in San Mateo Sunday, Sept. 21.

Two 20-year-old San Mateo natives have concluded a walk across America — from Delaware back to Half Moon Bay — raising over $81,000 for disaster relief charity Convoy of Hope. 

The San Mateo City Council indicated support for proposed bike lane and pedestrian improvements along 19th Avenue and Fashion Island Boulevard, as well as updates to the Norfolk Street intersection to mitigate frequent congestion.

Three of the five captains in the Sheriff’s Office were notified this week they are under an Internal Affairs investigation, according to the deputy and sergeants unions. 

Who is the prime suspect? — Someone used another person’s Amazon account to purchase $2,400 worth of merchandise in San Bruno; it was reported 3:43p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 16.

Ten years after steadily growing its attendance, South San Francisco’s annual Concert in the Park expects its largest-ever turnout, as the genre-bending rock band Ozomatli headlines the event next month.

After two years of a pilot program to slow down traffic in the greater east San Carlos neighborhood, the San Carlos City Council approved maintaining the program to mitigate impact from incoming development in the area. 

A bill that would require the Trump administration to detail the cost and reasoning for National Guard deployments in U.S. cities, authored by Rep. Sam Liccardo, D-San Jose, has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. 

Most developments near the Hillsdale and Hayward Park Caltrain stations are in compliance with their maximum allowable vehicle trips, however, they’re starting to get close to hitting the thresholds.

An 11-year-old riding their bike was hit by a driver near Orion Alternative Elementary School at approximately 8 a.m. Monday with no injuries reported, according to Redwood City police. 

Edric Kwan, P.E., has been named as Belmont’s next Public Works director, following a nationwide recruitment.

The wildlife — Someone’s trail camera was stolen from a parking garage on Old County Road in Belmont; it was reported 2:52 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6.

Waymo autonomous vehicles will soon begin testing out operations at San Francisco International Airport, San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie announced Tuesday.

A felon was arrested in Half Moon Bay this weekend after deputies allegedly recovered a ghost gun, an extended magazine and illegal drugs, the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office said Monday.

More than $100 million in Proposition 4 funding — a $10 billion climate bond passed by voters last year — will go to California’s coastal resilience efforts, state Sen. Josh Becker, D-Menlo Park, announced at a press conference Sept. 15. 

Despite an increase in ridership, SamTrans is seeing higher costs per passenger and lower farebox recovery.

A bill authorizing a sales tax ballot measure has passed the California Legislature, getting one step closer to going before voters in the 2026 election and digging transit agencies out of their deficits. 

Two key bills in a major climate and energy package passed out of the legislature over the weekend were co-authored by state Sen. Josh Becker, who as chair of the Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee, has been finding himself at the center of utility and energy reform.

A judge dismissed a motion from attorneys representing Ron Galatolo, the embattled former San Mateo County Community College District chancellor facing 23 felony counts, to dismiss charges for perjury and conflict of interest against him, San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe said. 

An investigation stemming from a Sept. 8, report of a theft of a donation box from Our Lady of the Pillar Church in Half Moon Bay, led sheriff’s deputies to the arrest of a 58-year-old man.

State government

They do drone on — A drone was hovering over someone’s atrium on Alameda de las Pulgas in San Mateo; it was reported 2:31 p.m. Monday, Sept. 8. 

The express lanes on Highway 101 have seen modest increases in use from the prior year, generating 20% more revenue and slightly more trips costing $12 or more.

For Asta Venclovaite and Dziugas Dzikaras, the current owners of Broadway Grill, their journey has been a winding and uncertain one.

A typically routine vote to update the San Mateo Union High School District’s board policies to be in compliance with state law regarding protections for transgender and gender nonconforming students took three weeks to pass after a trustee raised concerns over the inclusionary language. 

After purchasing the 230,000-square-foot office development at a steep discount, Peninsula-based SC Properties is set to purchase the neighboring commercial property for nearly 40% less than the previous purchase amount.

The Belmont City Council is hoping to ramp up education efforts throughout the city to meet its climate goals.

Try as you might — Someone’s bike was stolen from their locked bike cage on El Camino Real  in Redwood City some time in the past two months, it was reported 2:19 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5. 

In his work for the San Mateo County Mosquito and Vector Control District, Evan Ostermann uses both his technical skills and his knowledge of nature to keep San Mateo County a healthy place to live. Ostermann explains how his agency works in concert with the public to rein in insects and ani…

Members of three unions at the San Mateo County Community College District gathered en masse at the Board of Trustees meeting Sept. 10, protesting that the offered raises for faculty over the next three years was offensive in comparison to the board’s own approved 5% raises. 

San Mateo may soon ban gas leaf blowers, following the footsteps of several Peninsula cities, including Menlo Park and Burlingame.

With substantial housing planned in Belmont along El Camino Real, officials are hoping a long-term plan to revitalize the corridor will include safety improvements and enhanced flow of traffic.

The coast of San Mateo County south of Montara Mountain has a nice, quiet stretches of sandy beaches that goes on for miles. On sunny days, it attracts cars by the thousands full of parents and kids who want a few hours in the sun to play on the beach.

Some people don’t have game — Someone stole $200 to $300 worth of video games on Bridgepointe Parkway in San Mateo; it was reported 6:31 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5.

More than 80 drivers received citations in an enforcement operation in Redwood City focused on pedestrian safety Wednesday, according to police.