.
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 18, 2026
Notre Dame de Namur University proudly supports local journalism. The news you read every day in the Daily Post would not be possible without the support of our advertisers. Please see their ad on Page 8 and tell them how you appreciate their support.
Daily
No. 1 in Palo Alto and the Mid-Peninsula
P st Happy Lunar New Year
‘OMG’ TRI-TIP Sandwich SEE BACK PAGE
Locally owned, independent
Teacher to get $3.25 million BY DAVE PRICE Daily Post Editor
The Palo Alto school board has agreed to pay $3.25 million to Fletcher Middle School teacher Peter Colombo, who sued saying he was the victim of retaliation and civil rights violations after he had been falsely accused of rape, according to the website of the teacher’s attorney.
The school board approved the settlement in a closed-door meeting on Feb. 10, court documents indicate. The Post heard about the settlement on Friday and asked the district for a copy of the settlement agreement. Settlement agreements are considered a public
DA: No case in ex-supe fraud claims
Dow +32.26 Nasdaq +31.71 Oil +0.12 49,533.19 22,578.38 62.38 NY COMEX close Gold 4,936.80 +30.90 courtesy of Mish Int’l (650) 324-9110
JESSE JACKSON DIES: Jackson, a protege of Martin Luther King Jr. and became a leader in the Civil Rights Movement after King’s assassination, has died at 84. Jackson ran for president twice JACKSON and has led a lifetime of political crusades, including more recently appearing at the funerals of Black people killed by police or participating in Covid vaccination drives to address hesitancy in communities of color.
BY ADRIANA HERNANDEZ Daily Post Staff Writer
ven
c insight al o lead
SEARCH AFTER AVALANCHE: Authorities say six backcountry skiers have been found alive and 10 others are missing after an avalanche near Lake Tahoe that occurred during a [See THE UPDATE, page 4]
editation, and fia helps you turn
BAD BUNNY’S AFTER PARTY
After Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show, he rented out Palo Alto’s Macarena Restaurant at 420 Ramona St. for a private party, the restaurant posted on social media. “We closed our dooes for a private night —one we’ll never forget. El mayor honor (a huge honor). Gracias Benito.” The restaurant posted, thanking the singer, who’s name is Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio. Photo from Macarena’s social media.
The San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office has declined to pursue charges against former Las Lomitas School District Superintendent Beth Polito, who was accused of misspending district funds, including once charging a $160 birthday cake to taxpayers. District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe said yesterday his office found that Polito, who retired from the twoschool district last year, didn’t violate any rules related to spending of district money because the district didn’t have any policies that prohibited her spending. Polito had been accused in October 2024 of misusing district funds to pay for hotels and dinners. Wagstaffe said his office’s findings align with an [See EX-SUPE, page 26]
Zuck eyeing move to South Florida Billionaire Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg — whose compound of homes in Palo Alto has become a lightning rod for critics — is in the process of moving to south Florida, the Wall Street Journal reports. He’s the latest billionaire to flee from
California to avoid a possible one-time 5% “billionaires tax” for any individual worth at least $1 billion dollars retroactive to Jan. 1, 2026. Others to leave include Google co-founders Larry Page of Palo Alto and Sergey Brin of Los Altos Hills, Oracle co-founder Larry Elli-
Chamber Event Celebrates
of 2026 term begins April 6 mpusesWomen | Spring Leadership Palo Alto
paloaltochamber.com | (650) 324-3125
a.edu
added to the page where he lists cases he won. Nelson’s website says the following: “Peter Colombo v. Palo Alto Unified School District – Obtained a $3.25 million settlement from the client’s California public school district employer for retaliation/civil rights violations relating to their mistreatment of the cli[See TEACHER, page 27]
record under California law. The Post requested the agreement on Friday but has not received it. On Saturday, however, the Post checked the website of Colombo’s attorney, Evan C. Nelson of Walnut Creek, and the settlement had been
THE UPDATE
NO MATCH FOR GLOVE: Investigators in the Nancy Guthrie disappearance say DNA from gloves did not match any entries in a national database. Any hits could identify possible suspects in the Guthrie saga, which will reach its 18th day today. Investigators are also working with experts to try to locate Nancy Guthrie by detecting her heart pacemaker.
(650) 322-0743
In settlement with school district
Doctor
u
Home of the
Stop by 578 University Ave to learn more about our Exclusive Listings · 650.323.1111
son, formerly of Woodside, and PayPal/ Palantir co-founder Peter Thiel, previously a resident of Hollywood Hills. Zuckerberg and his wife, Dr. Priscilla Chan, are buying a nearly completed mansion on Indian Creek Island, a [See ZUCK, page 26] PALO ALTO & COSTA MESA CAMPUSES
Lead with Vision. Build with Heart. www.sofia.edu | admissions@sofia.edu