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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.
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 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.
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.
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. WEDNESDAY,
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
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
BUNNY’S AFTER PARTY
added to the page where he lists cases he won.
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
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-
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
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-
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
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powerful winter storm moving through the state.
RUNNING MAN ARRESTED: Police in Washington, D.C., have arrested Carter Camacho, 18, of Georgia, after he ran toward the Capitol Building armed with a shotgun yesterday. Camacho parked a SUV near the Capitol, got out and ran “several hundred yards” before officers ordered him to the ground.
STRAIT CLOSED: Iran has announced the temporary closure of the Strait of Hormuz for live fire military drills. The rare show of force came as its negotiators held another round of indirect talks with the United States over its nuclear program.
COLBERT INTERVIEW YANKED: Stephen Colbert said on Monday that CBS executives pulled his interview with Democratic Texas Senate candidate James Talarico over fears it would violate regulatory guidance from the Trump administration. The concern about the interview stems from a requirement that broadcast stations give equal time to political candidates when they appear on-air.
OBAMA ON ALIENS: Former President Obama has clarified comments he made about aliens. He said he did not see evidence during his presidency of alien contact. During a lightning round of questions on a podcast, Obama said aliens were real, but they were not being kept in Area 51.
San Mateo County Coroner’s Office: Feb. 16
Christine Zachos, 59, of San Mateo
Francisco Javier Lazaro Morales, 50, no hometown listed Kimiko Takaki, 74, of Redwood City
Feb. 15
Adolf Kreidl, 88, no hometown listed Wynn Woodward, 23, of Portola Valley
Samuel Hasegawa, 74, of San Mateo
Judith Monteleonoe, 82, of Lincoln
Raghav Ragnar Rai, 52, of San Mateo
Feb. 14
Casundra Cruz, 55, no hometown listed
Fredy Manbing Young. 95, no hometown listed
Helmut Gebhard Altherr, 90, of Burlingame
Feb. 13
Barbara E. Samuels, 80, no hometown listed
Ricky Allen Hoag, 69, of San Mateo
Sequoia Hospital in Redwood City: July 14
Izaiah Danny Basilio, a boy
Svetlana Ahana Rodina Ghosh, a girl
Gianluigi Alessandro Morales Mancia, a boy
Astrid Zoe Dorrer Sastra, a girl
Jude Hanna Sayage, a boy
April 6 1935 – February 4, 2026
Richard (Dick) Henning passed away on February 4, 2026; he was 90 years old.
Wow! Did he ever have a wonderful life!
Those who knew Dick grieve his passing but smile considering the long life he lived and how much he contributed to the enjoyment of his many friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 44 years, Paulette Lajou Henning. Dick idolized Paulette, and she was adored by everyone she met, many commenting on her delightful French accent.
And in his marriage to Paulette, Dick gained a large, loving family, the Stouffers. Paulette’s son Eric and daughter Carine and 5 grandchildren: Tori, Caitlin, Meredith, Kyle and Maddi, their spouses and 13 great-grandchildren. He also had a son, Tom from a previous marriage. His children and grandchildren brought immense happiness to his life.
Dick was born in Pasadena, California; his parents were Charles Elmer Henning and Genevieve Marie. He had two brothers Bill and Bob (deceased).
He was raised in Taft, California, a small oil town 39 miles from Bakersfield. While devoid of some advantages of larger cities, the Taft school system was consistently one of the best in the state.
He was the first student in his class of 1953 to be inducted into the Taft High School Hall of Fame.
He began his career in 1960 at Sunnyvale High School as a teacher of English and Public Speaking and was the drama coach directing school plays. He was a gifted high school and college teacher who cared deeply about his students.
In 1967, he was hired as a full-time administrator and a sometimes professor of speech and English at Foothill College.
During the second year as Director of Student Activities, 1968, he lined up a series of speakers and in 1970 a series of rock groups for students and members of the community.
The speakers series, Foothill College Celebrity Forum, lasted 52 years until the Flint Center theater closed in 2020.
The Celebrity Forum was recognized by the prestigious International Platform Association as the “Best Speakers Series in the Nation.”
He was very active in the community and served as President of several non-profit organizations. He served for 12 years on the Board of Directors of the Los Altos Chamber of Commerce, was a founding Board Member of the Los Altos Sister Cities and President of the Rotary Club of Los Altos in 1971-72.
He has won many awards including the State of California Community Services Man of the Year, Los Altan of the Year, Los Altos Hill’s Gentry Magazine Community Star Award and the Palo Alto Avenidas Lifetime Award and Mountain View’s CSA’s 2016 Hometown Hero. He won the 45th annual Los Altos Community Services Award for outstanding service and volunteerism.
From 1984 to 2015, he led 25 safaris to Africa. His last safari was a celebration of his 80th birthday in Botswana with 20 friends, Paulette and Carine.
Dick brought joy and laughter to the serious business of making the world a better place.
He will be deeply missed.
November 24, 1923 – January 18, 2026
Arthur Herbert Hausman passed peacefully at Stanford on Sunday, January 18, 2026, at the age of 102, surrounded by his family and loved ones. He is remembered for his warmth, quiet humor, intellectual brilliance, curiosity and lifelong devotion to family and public service.
Born in Chicago, Illinois, Arthur moved with his family to El Paso, Texas. He graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in communications-electronics, with advanced study in mathematics and cryptography.
In 1944, during World War II, Arthur received a letter from the Secretary of War directing him to enlist in a highly specialized cryptologic role. As a U.S. Naval Intelligence officer with OP-20-G, he served at Bletchley Park, working alongside mathematicians such as Alan Turing on Project ULTRA, contributing to codebreaking efforts that materially aided the Allied victory. In recognition of his service, he received the Naval Unit Commendation ribbon in 1946.
After the war, Arthur earned a Master’s degree in Engineering Science and Applied Physics at Harvard University and pursued postgraduate work in Electrical Engineering at the University of Maryland. He co-founded Engineering Research Associates (ERA), later part of Sperry Rand Corporation. He then served as an electronic scientist for the U.S. Department of Defense, receiving the Meritorious Civilian Service Award.
In 1960, Arthur joined Ampex Corporation, advancing audio and video recording technologies, and became CEO and President in the early 1970s. He guided the company through global innovation, including pioneering Olympic coverage and technologies used in broadcasting, defense, and aerospace.
In 1985, he was appointed by President Ronald Reagan to the President’s Export Council, chairing a subcommittee on advanced technology transfer. In 1995, the National Security Agency (NSA) awarded him the Exceptional Service Award, recognizing his contributions to cryptography. Arthur continued as a trusted consultant to defense and intelligence agencies into his 90s.
Over the years, Arthur also served as a board director for numerous organizations, including the National Security Agency (NSA) Scientific Advisory Board, CalAmp Corporation, the Bay Area Council, Drexler Technology, United Bay Area Crusade, American Electronics Association, and other technology and civic institutions. Arthur was elected to the COSMOS Club, an organization for distinguished scientists, artists and public servants.
Arthur married Helen Mandelowitz (1924–2015) in 1946. They raised three children: Susan Hausman Brunner (deceased), Kenneth, and Catherine.
Arthur and Helen were founding members of Congregation Beth Am and lifelong residents of Atherton, California.
He is survived by his children Kenneth (Malathi Srinivasan, MD) and Catherine (Stephen Fox), and grandchildren Sarah (Hudson Arnold, greatgrandchildren Brooks & Callan) and Raea.
The Hausman Family will host a Memorial Service at Congregation Beth Am in Los Altos on Sunday, February 22nd at 1:30 pm with a 3pm reception to follow at Donato Enoteca.
All are welcome. If schedules permit, please RSVP to TinyURL.com/arthurmemorial, and please share remembrances through arthurhausmanmemorial@gmail.com.
Dear Editor: Look, I get it. None of us like traffic. I go crazy over the idiot bicyclists who think they are car and bulletproof on Bryant Street in Palo Alto.
But this attitude of “Oh, I want housing but not this housing” is how we got the bleeping Builders Remedy in the first place.
Janice
Hough Palo Alto
Dear Editor: The other day on Homer Street, a young woman on her bicycle was heading towards Stanford while listening to her airpods. She was not wearing a helmet and had no helmet in her basket.
She and her ilk may have limited brainpower but otherwise will make fine donors for those so desperately in need of a kidney, pancreas or other organs.
Alice Schaffer Smith
Palo Alto
Dear Editor: Many politicians cry about the affordability crises. Certainly, in Palo Alto affordability is a mantra that is often heard.
The Feb. 11 Post featured two articles which shows our local politicians blowing two tangible opportunities to make Palo Alto more affordable — they were about the budget surplus in the face of declining Palo Alto school district enrollment and the eye-popping salary capitulations by the school board by not renewing an unneeded parcel tax.
The City Council showed its tone-deafness by authorizing a citizen poll on the sales or parcel tax to spruce up Cubberley and then making excuses when citizens showed limited support. The next piece of fiscal folly is to
spend more money to hire another pollster to deliver the desired answers. These taxes could add roughly hundreds per year per family.
The City Council did not ask questions like, “What spending can we cut in order to spruce up Cubberley.” The council should build on Vice Mayor Greer Stone’s comments on getting outside funding. Maybe the answer is to figure out how to get Cubberley done without raising taxes. For now, maybe the answer is some spackle and a fresh coat of paint. Part of making Palo Alto affordable is being fiscally responsible and living within your means.
Daniel Benas
Palo Alto
Dear Editor: Menlo Park City Councilman Drew Combs emerged, once again, as the adult in the room as his colleagues pushed forward on Feb. 10 with their controversial plan to shoehorn a massive 7- to 9-story apartment projects into our downtown parking lots.
Last December, Mayor Betsy Nash and Councilman Jeff Schmidt, while praising democracy, voted to put Save Downtown Menlo’s initiative requiring voter approval of any repurposing of downtown parking plazas on the November ballot. Now, they want to move forward as if that ballot measure does not exist.
So much for democracy.
Nor did they follow Combs’ advice last year, to schedule the initiative for a special election in March so residents, business owners and developers would know the outcome quickly and proceed accordingly.
Yet now Nash and Schmidt assert the city cannot wait until November and must move forward with this project now!
That’s a head-scratcher, unless their
motive is to sidestep the initiative altogether. Combs echoed the concerns of residents: there must be a “pause” before the council acts, such as by selecting a developer or declaring the parking lots as “Exempt Surplus Land” so they can give them away.
The council’s haste also raises the question: Why would a developer enter into a contract with the city when the results of November’s election could negate it?
Perhaps there’s more going on here than meets the eye.
Cherie Zaslawsky Menlo Park
Dear Editor: Closing the TIDE Academy in Menlo Park is a travesty. (Post article Feb 11 “Parents ask judge to stop closing magnet school”). For years I’ve been reading that the U.S. wants H-1B workers to come from other countries to work at American tech companies. The explanation is that big tech companies cannot find American workers with the technical education needed.
If big tech needs American workers, could they not help American schools
produce these employees? TIDE Academy, which specializes in technology, innovation, design and engineering sits in Menlo Park. It is surrounded by tech companies with staggering values: Apple $3.857 trillion, Facebook $1.5 trillion, Google $4 trillion, Intel $251 billion.
TIDE Academy needs financial help to stay open. The school is only five years old and the $50M campus construction was possible, thanks to a voter-approved bond. The community has spoken; it believes in this fresh approach in education. The cost to operate the school comes to $8M a year. Do the math. This amount could easily be covered by the four companies mentioned. There are probably many others who would want to contribute.
An investment in the TIDE Academy can produce the quality of tech-educated employees that is needed today. Could Apple, Google, Facebook, Intel and other business leaders make an investment in our young students? Please local tech companies, reach out to the Sequoia Union High School District ASAP before TIDE’s doors shut.
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BY ADRIANA HERNANDEZ Daily Post Staff Writer
The Menlo Park City School Board has voted to cut $1.2 million from its budget, leading to the elimination of the world language and Spanish programs.
The administration has been crunching numbers since September to keep paying employees competitive salaries and pensions as costs rise, Superintendent Kristen Gracia said at the Feb. 12 meeting.
The difficult cuts are not a reflection of the teachers but a reflection of the goals for students and feedback from the community, Gracia said. The majority of parents said it was a priority to offer competitive salaries to recruit and retain the best teachers, according to Gracia.
A look at the cuts
The world language and Spanish immersion programs are the two cuts made that will affect students next school year. Other cuts include cutting field trips by 50% and jobs such as DEI coordinator, substitutes and aides. The exact number of layoffs is to be determined.
“The district will continue to weave
that cultural integration into all regular classrooms,” Gracia said.
The programs are more than just classes that teach another language but help build confidence and cultural understanding in students at a young age, French teacher Amy Kingsley said.
“These programs are not extras. They are not enrichment add-ons. They are core experiences that shape how our students see themselves in the world. Field trips provide experiential learning that cannot be replicated in a classroom or replaced by worksheets,” Kingsley said.
More changes on the way
Other cuts the district will discuss include restructuring the library program and having students share devices. Jobs like math, Spanish and library aides will be cut, saving the district $520,703, according to Gracia. After hearing from parents and students at the Jan. 15 meeting, the fifth-grade band and orchestra will stay.
Those who are being laid off will be notified by March 15. The district will discuss an additional $4.1 million in cuts that will occur over the next two school years at its next meeting.
BY ADRIANA HERNANDEZ Daily Post Staff Writer
A San Carlos man who was previously convicted of sexual assault was sentenced to 24 years in prison after taking a plea deal yesterday, a prosecutor said.
Jonathan Skyler Ordenana, 34, pleaded no contest to raping a 14-yearold multiple times over seven months, District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe said. Ordenana faced a maximum of 30 years, Wagstaffe said. He will serve 24
years after serving a prior federal sentence of 17 years, Wagstaffe said.
Ordenana was sentenced in federal court to 17 years in prison in 2019 for sexual abuse after blackmailing a 12-year-old girl he met on Facebook, according to Wagstaffe. Ordenana started dating the girl and asked her to send pictures of herself, but when she stopped, he threatened to post them online, Wagstaffe said.
Ordenana’s federal sentence ends in 2033, when the 24-year term will begin.
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Assemblyman Mark Berman, D-Palo Alto, has introduced a bill that will permanently provide free online suicide prevention training statewide after a student was hit by a Caltrain and died.
AB2003 will provide life-saving suicide prevention training for all K-12 students, teachers, administrators and parents.
“Too many communities across California have been devastated by youth suicides, including my hometown Palo Alto. We must do everything we possibly can to prevent these tragedies,” Berman said in a statement.
On Feb. 3, Summer Devi Mehta, 17, died on the tracks at Churchill Avenue
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and Alma Street, near to Palo Alto High School and a site of multiple student suicides over the years.
After completing the training, students and teachers will feel more confident in helping someone who might be considering suicide, according to Berman.
Caltrain and Palo Alto have been working on installing new technologies at the Churchill crossing to improve safety, including using AI to help detect cars and pedestrians on the tracks.
If you or someone you know is having a mental health crisis, help is available. Call or text the 24/7 suicide and crisis lifeline at 988.
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NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF YVONNE M. THORNE CASE NUMBER: 26PR201657
To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of Yvonne M. Thorne
A Petition for Probate has been filed by Twila L. Harrison: in the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara
The Petition for Probate requests that Twila L. Harrison: be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent. The Petition request the decedent’s will and codicils, if any, be admitted to probate. The will and any codicils are available for examination in the file kept by the court.
The petition requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waives notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.
A HEARING ON THE PETITION WILL BE HELD IN THIS COURT AS FOLLOWS:
DATE: 2026/02/18 TIME: 9:02 AM DEPT: 7
ADDRESS OF COURT: 191 N. FIRST STREET PROBATE CLERK’S OFFICE ROOM 17 DOWNTOWN, SAN JOSE, CA 95113
If you object to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney.
If you are a creditor or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code. Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law.
You may examine the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (for DE-154) of the filling of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice Form is available from the court clerk.
Attorney for petitioner Twila, 583 E. Duane Sunnyvale, CA 94085, (408) 735-0251
As the definition of autism has widened, there’s been a growing push to create a new diagnosis, called profound autism, for those who need constant and lifelong care.
The reason? To ensure that they get the support and services they need.
Judith Ursitti, president of the Profound Autism Alliance, said people in this category now lack appropriate treatments, support and enough providers trained to handle their level of care. And the vast majority of clinical research doesn’t include them.
“If you don’t have research, you won’t have treatments. You won’t have achievable services and supports,” said Ursitti, whose adult son has profound autism. “There are people across the spectrum who have high support needs that are intermittent. The difference with our population is they’re constant.”
Autism rates have been rising for
decades, and two of the main reasons for the increase have, in a strange twist, taken some of the focus off of helping people with round-the-clock needs. The diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder is now very broad, including many people with low support needs. Better awareness of the condition has helped many more children get diagnosed than in the past — most relatively mild.
By the numbers
Overall in the U.S., an estimated 1 in 31 children has autism spectrum disorder.
Researchers estimate around a quarter have “profound autism,” a term introduced in 2021 by a group of experts, the Lancet Commission. It describes people who need constant care for life, have a certain level of intellectual disability and are nonverbal or minimally verbal.
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Agrochemical maker Bayer and attorneys for cancer patients announced a proposed $7.25 billion settlement yesterday to resolve thousands of U.S. lawsuits alleging the company failed to warn people that its popular weedkiller Roundup could cause cancer.
The proposed settlement comes as the U.S. Supreme Court is preparing to hear arguments in April on Bayer’s assertion that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s approval of Roundup without a cancer warning should invalidate claims filed in state courts. That case would not be affected by the proposed settlement.
But the settlement would eliminate some of the risk from an eventual Su-
preme Court ruling. Patients would be assured of receiving settlement money, and Bayer would be protected from potentially larger costs if the high court rules against it.
Company disputes claims Germany-based Bayer, which acquired Roundup maker Monsanto in 2018, disputes the assertion that Roundup’s key ingredient, glyphosate, can cause non-Hodgkin lymphoma. But the company has warned that mounting legal costs are threatening its ability to continue selling the product in U.S. agricultural markets.
About 200,000 Roundup-related claims have been made against Bayer.
The premier senior living community Palo Alto Commons has just won a national award for empowering their residents through technologyenabled engagement, wellness and connection.
Palo Alto Commons offers premier independent living, assisted living and memory care residences with restaurant-style meal service and tons of amenities, including a remarkably full slate of engaging activities. For their dedication to active engagement, they just took the LifeLoop Communities That Shine Award for Resident Empowerment.
LifeLoop is a proactive engagement, communication and wellness platform used by more than 4,700 senior living communities across North America. Of those, 12 were recognized this year for using the technology to improve resident quality of life.
“Palo Alto Commons uses LifeLoop to foster a residentdriven culture where individuals help shape daily life,” the company said. “LifeLoop enables residents to plan, lead, and promote activities—such as wine tastings and karaoke—transforming engagement from participation into ownership.”
Program Director Manalee Shukla maintains multiple calendars full of activities so that residents in each of their three departments always have a multitude of choices. Whether that’s their Stanford University guest speaker series, their weekly music concert, picnics at the beach in Santa Cruz or club gatherings for
veterans or projects to give back to the community, there’s always something going on.
“We are incredibly honored to be recognized by LifeLoop as a Communities That Shine Award Winner for Resident Empowerment,” said Palo Alto Commons
Executive Director Li Li. “At Palo Alto Commons, our residents are the heart of everything we do, and LifeLoop allows us to
meaningfully connect residents, families, and team members while celebrating the moments that make daily life vibrant and purposeful. This recognition is a reflection of our team’s passion, innovation, and deep commitment to ensuring every resident feels seen, heard, and empowered.”
As part of the recognition, LifeLoop will celebrate Palo Alto Commons with an on-site community celebration and the presentation of a commemorative trophy in May.
“This national honor reinforces Palo Alto Commons’ ongoing dedication to cultivating a culture of empowerment, connection, and joy—where residents are active participants in shaping their daily lives and community experiences,” Shukla said.
Shukla said the concierge service provided by Palo Alto Commons is an industry leader. They’re known and trusted for their boutique residences, restaurantstyle meals and perks including weekly housekeeping and linen service, transportation services and fitness and wellness programs and facilities in addition to their full activity and entertainment schedule.
Palo Alto Commons provides a home and community where residents can be as active as they like and enjoy each day to the fullest. Want to find out more about exceptional, worry-free senior living? Call (650) 4940760 or go to paloaltocommons.com.
The Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce invites the community to join them for an evening of inspiration and connection to celebrate local women leaders.
Registration is now open for their free Women in Enterprise event on Tuesday, March 3, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The event, hosted by the Palo Alto Art Center, celebrates the women fellows of Leadership Palo Alto and invites them to share the impact the program has had on their lives and businesses.
Now in its 38th year, Leadership Palo Alto is an annual 10-month fellowship program that the chamber runs that connects its fellows to leaders and experts from every sector of Palo Alto life, from city and county government to Stanford University and Stanford Hospital, the Palo Alto Arts Center, environmental agencies, nonprofits, and more. A number of participants have gone on to become prominent leaders in Palo Alto after completing the program.
The event will begin with networking over appetizers and wines from event sponsors Terun and Grocery
Outlet, followed by remarks from chamber board CEO Charlie Weidanz, Palo Alto Mayor Vicki Veenker, chamber board president and event co-chair Christina Hood, and event co-chairs Iris Korol, Dawn Billman, and Lisa Van Dusen. Then 10 alums from the program will each describe – in just 10 words – how Leadership Palo Alto has helped and inspired them.
“It’s really a celebration of all women who have participated in the program,” said Hood. A realtor with Keller Williams Palo Alto, Hood graduated from the 2018 session and said the program helped her build her local network and feel
more of a sense of belonging.
“The Leadership Palo Alto program is like getting an MBA in your city,” she said. “You are learning about what your community offers, the history of your community, and important issues in your community.”
The March event relaunches the Chamber’s Women in Enterprise speaker series, and Hood looks forward to a fall event showcasing women in the arts.
The Women of Leadership Palo Alto event is free, but registration is required. To learn more and register, visit paloaltochamber.com. You can also learn more about Leadership Palo Alto, which will begin its 20262027 session in August.
guilty in court.
FEB. 7
11:29 p.m. — Vikvel Eyezor Lawrence, 59, of Everett, Wash., arrested for trespassing at Sheraton Palo Alto Hotel, 625 El Camino.
FEB. 11
5:37 a.m. — Vehicle stolen, 2700 block of E. Bayshore Road.
8:10 a.m. — Parts and/or accessories stolen from a vehicle, 1000 block of E. Meadow Drive.
3:21 p.m. — Home burglary, 400 block of Middlefield Road.
3:54 p.m. — Theft from a vehicle, 1600 block of Page Mill Road.
8:17 p.m. — Auto burglary, Hamilton Ave. and Waverley St.
8:51 p.m. — Auto burglary, 4100 block of El Camino.
9:08 p.m. — Auto burglary, 400 block of Lytton Ave.
10:26 p.m. — Auto burglary, New Mayfield Lane and Birch St.
THURSDAY
10:37 a.m. — Ryan William Defratus, 39, of Boulder Creek, arrested for grand theft, theft of someone else’s lost property, possession of drug paraphernalia and on a warrant, Downtown Palo Alto Caltrain Station.
7:13 p.m. — Neel Kiran Thronson, 29, of Los Altos Hills, arrested for lewdly annoying a child, Laguna Ave.
FRIDAY
8:39 a.m. — Vehicle collision causes injuries, 400 block of Ivy Drive.
11:58 a.m. — Vehicle collision causes injuries, Glenwood Ave. and El Camino.
1:45 p.m. — Vehicle collision causes injuries, Marsh Road and Highway 101.
7:38 p.m. — Auto burglary, 800 block of Newbridge St.
SATURDAY
10:55 a.m. — Vandalism, 800 block of Live Oak Ave.
12:02 p.m. — Battery, 200 block of Terminal Ave.
9:19 p.m. — Monika Robinson, 39, of San Jose, arrested on a warrant, 1100 block of Merrill St.
FEB. 6
9:44 a.m. — Grand theft, 700 block of Campus Drive.
10:12 a.m. — Electric bike stolen, 700 block of Serra St.
8:10 p.m. — Vehicle stolen, 700 block of Bowdoin St.
FEB. 7
3:22 a.m. — Faig Mammadov, 35, of San Jose, cited on a warrant, 500 block of Pasteur Drive.
11:46 a.m. — Petty theft from a vehicle, 700 block of Olmsted Road.
3:23 p.m. — Electric bike stolen, 200 block of Santa Teresa St. FEB. 8
9:49 a.m. — Auto burglary, 300 block of Palm Drive.
JAN. 18
2:49 a.m. — Mohammad Jafri, 47, of San Jose, cited for DUI, Hope and Villa streets.
JAN. 19
2:03 p.m. — Nathan Le, 24, of San Jose, cited for theft at Target, 555 Showers Drive.
FEB. 7
12:23 p.m. — Luis Lopez Loarca, 35, of San Mateo, cited for DUI, Villa and Franklin streets.
1:06 p.m. — Wilson Morales, 56, of Santa Clara, cited for DUI, Shoreline Blvd. and Terra Bella Ave.
2:22 p.m. — Indecent exposure, 100 block of Calderon Ave.
7:05 p.m. — Theft at Starbucks, 580 N. Rengstorff Ave.
7:13 p.m. — Vandalism at Walmart, 600 Showers Drive.
7:57 p.m. — Battery, 2600 block of Marine Way.
11:01 p.m. — Ramses Benavides Lizama, 25, of Sunnyvale, arrested for battery and public drunkenness at Monte Carlo Club, 228 Castro St.
12:11 a.m. — Auto burglary, 1600 block of N. Shoreline Blvd.
1:43 a.m. — Vandalism, 100 block of Castro St.
1:48 a.m. — Auto burglary, 200 block of Castro St.
1:49 a.m. — David Llano, 28,
of Palo Alto, arrested for public drunkenness at the Post Office, 211 Hope St.
2:20 a.m. — Diego Frias, 22, of Fremont, arrested for burglary, possession of burglary tools, access card fraud and illegal possession of prescription drugs at the Post Office, 211 Hope St.
8:56 a.m. — Home burglary, 1700 block of Pilgrim Ave.
9:35 a.m. — Robbery, Rengstorff Ave. and Wyandotte St.
10:38 a.m. — Burglary at a business, 1700 block of W. El Camino.
FEB. 8
6:16 p.m. — Auto burglary, 600 block of San Antonio Road.
8:23 p.m. — Ellias Hernandez, 27, of Mountain View, arrested for shoplifting, public drunkenness and probation violation at Walgreens, 1905 W. El Camino.
11:10 p.m. — Battery at Molly Magees, 241 Castro St.
FRIDAY
2:04 a.m. — Anthony Page, 34, of Richmond, cited for possession of drug paraphernalia, Camino al Lago and Park Lane.
THURSDAY
7:38 a.m. — Vehicle hits a fire hydrant, causing it to spurt water, Broadway.
8:29 a.m. — Complaint of a loud rooster, Oliver St.
9:45 a.m. — Electric bike stolen, Jackson Ave.
10:23 a.m. — Esther Contreras Ramirez, 59, arrested for trespassing, 1500 block of El Camino.
5:12 p.m. — David Anthony Padilla, 27, arrested on a warrant, 200 block of Main St.
6:50 p.m. — Man steals merchandise from a store, El Camino.
8 p.m. — Man seen breaking a window of a van, Adams St. 8:51 p.m. — Several masked people walk up to the door of an apartment and bang on it, but no one lets them in, 1000 block of Adams St. They then fire multiple shots into the building and then drive away. No residents are injured. Shortly after, a San Mateo County sheriff’s deputy spots the suspects’ vehicle and stops it. Driver Isaac Almanza Villagomez, 19, arrested for attempted murder and conspiracy to commit a crime. Two 16-yearold boys are also arrested.
11:39 p.m. — Anthony Michael Sodano, 46, arrested for violation of a court order, 1200 block of Sierra St.
FRIDAY
2:01 a.m. — Man says he was being dropped off by people he just met and when they got to a location on Winslow St., they took his chain and wallet from
him and kicked him out of the vehicle.
6:44 a.m. — Package stolen, Main St.
9:05 a.m. — Toyota Highlander stolen, Bret Harte Drive.
10:02 a.m. — Vehicle accident causes minor injuries, Hilton St.
THURSDAY
5:55 p.m. — Uriel Mabasa Madayag, 34, arrested for shoplifting, falsely identifying himself to police and on a warrant, 700 block of Holly Road.
From the Redwood City office of the CHP, which covers the MidPeninsula.
JAN. 22
Daniel A. Nunez, 30, arrested for DUI.
JAN. 24
Vladimir A. Aleman, 21, arrested for driving under the influence of both alcohol and drugs and narcotics possession.
Enoc C. Gonzalez, 30, arrested for DUI.
Elaine T. Nguyen, 23, arrested for DUI.
Daniel Pacherco Hernandez, 25, arrested for DUI.
Chaitanya S. Pedada, 27, arrested for DUI.
Axel A. Reyes Ramos, 19, arrested for DUI.
PALO ALTO
4250 El Camino Real #C226, 94306, 1 bedroom, 727 square feet, built in 1983, Tara Badhwar to Jonathan Chow for $720,000, closed Jan. 15 (last sale: $749,000, 01-26-22)
2600 Columbia St. #101, 94304, Rosa Cao to Stanford University for $1,113,000, closed Jan. 13 (last sale: $801,500, 0723-18)
EAST PALO ALTO
2296 Pulgas Ave., 94303, 4 bedrooms, 1480 square feet, built in 1953, Jennifer and Justin To to Margarita Zamora for $1,350,000, closed Jan. 6 (last sale: $835,000, 06-12-17)
MENLO PARK
1127 Madera Ave., 94025, 3 bedrooms, 1540 square feet, built in 1947, Cristina Perez to Orloff Family Trust for $1,250,000, closed Jan. 8
1236 Hoover St., 94025, 3 bedrooms, 1632 square feet, built in 2013, Giudicessi Trust to Danielle Shin for $2,700,000, closed Jan.
5 (last sale: $2,625,000, 03-28-22)
MOUNTAIN VIEW
278 Monroe Drive #8, 94040, 2 bedrooms, 939 square feet, built in 1962, Paulus Family Lp to Shuyao and Hongbo Fan for $751,000, closed Jan. 22 (last sale: $107,000, 0701-85)
49 Showers Drive #N268, 94040, 2 bedrooms, 1206 square feet, built in 1974, Gray-Moin Trust to Tonini-Boutacoff Family Trust for $930,000, closed Jan. 23 (last sale: $890,000, 0601-16)
ATHERTON
273 Austin Ave., 94027, 5 bedrooms, 7134 square feet, built in 2021, 273 Austin Ave Holdings LLC to Casa Artha LLC for $28,250,000, closed Jan. 6 (last sale: $20,880,000, 11-09-21)
700 Baltic Circle #732, 94065, 2 bedrooms, 1301 square feet, built in 1996, Karen Goodfriend to Cheng Han for $1,100,000, closed Jan. 9 (last sale: $585,000, 02-18-10)
2825 Marlborough Ave., 94063, 2 bedrooms, 1020 square feet, built in 1925, Lopez Living Trust to Samantha and Evelio Arreaga for $1,050,000, closed Jan. 6 (last sale: $145,000, 1201-91)
42 Saint Marys Place, 94063, 5 bedrooms, 2290 square feet, built in 1948, Reardon Living Trust to Sifu and Xin Li for $1,700,000, closed Jan. 9 (last sale: $865,000, 01-02-08)
3295 La Mesa Drive #7, 94070, 1 bedroom, 741 square feet, built in 1974, Mcquinn Trust to Preston Trust for $590,000, closed Jan. 8 (last sale: $498,000, 06-08-07)
1833 Brittan Ave., 94070, 2 bedrooms, 1230 square feet, built in 1951, Drew Silberstein to Christopher and Ha Du for $1,800,000, closed Jan. 8 (last sale: $1,510,000, 12-11-23)
2331 Buena Vista Ave., 94002, 3 bedrooms, 1840 square feet, built in 1954, Pace Family Trust to Ye and Lei Guo for $2,300,000, closed Jan. 7
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Childhood today can feel overwhelming, for kids and for parents. When anxiety, learning challenges, or emotional struggles begin to surface, families often wonder where to turn. For more than 70 years, Children’s Health Council (CHC) has provided compassionate support for children and teens, helping them build confidence, resilience, and hope. From therapy and evaluations to parent guidance and school support, CHC walks alongside families every step of the way. If your child needs support, don’t wait. Learn more at chconline.org.
N AN ERA DEFINED BY political friction and social fragmentation, how do we move from “us vs. them” to “we”? Join the Palo Alto Library and Silicon Valley Reads for an insightful evening as part of Silicon Valley Reads, Bridges to Belonging. Mar 05, 2026, 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., David & Joan Traitel Bldg, Hoover Inst., 435 Lasuen Mall, Stanford. Worldrenowned social psychologist Dr. Jennifer Eberhardt (Biased) joins visionary legal scholar john a. powell (The Power of Bridging) to explore the roots of implicit bias and the architecture of “othering.” Learn how to soothe tensions, bridge divides, and foster a sense of belonging in a complex world.
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ADVANCE YOUR CAREER WITH PURPOSE. At Notre Dame de Namur University (NDNU), education is more than a credential—it’s a calling to lead, serve, and make meaningful change. Whether you’re returning to finish your undergraduate degree or pursuing graduate-level study, NDNU helps you reach your goals with: Flexible Online & On-Campus Options; Career-Driven Curriculum; A Personalized Learning Experience; and A Mission That Matters. NDNU integrates social justice, community engagement, and ethical leadership into every program, preparing graduates to serve with both skill and compassion. Discover how NDNU can help you advance your career, deepen your impact,
LANGUAGE and culture experiences to Palo Alto. Their programs include Japanese conversation classes, calligraphy, origami, and seasonal workshops for all ages. Each class connects local families and students with Japan’s traditions and creativity, taught by native instructors from Japan. Want to read Japanese manga in the original language? You can! Planning a trip to Japan? Learn simple travel phrases and make your journey even more enjoyable. Culture Japan offers a fun and welcoming way to experience Japan right here in the heart of Silicon Valley. Learn more at culturajapan.com. Shown in the photo is Asako Sato, Director of Japanese Language & Cultural Programs.
NEW TO WATER POLO OR HAVE EXPERIENCE?
Stanford Water Polo has a camp for you. Half-day and fullday options for boys and girls ages 8 to 14. There will be two sessions: June 8–11 and June 15–18. All camps provide fundamental skills, scrimmages, and games. Learn more at stanfordwaterpolocamps.totalcamps.com.
FOUNDATIONAL TUTORING, REIMAGINED. Mehr Sikri believes that anyone can excel in math. She founded OpMath 7 years ago to develop a modern solution to help Palo Alto students eliminate
gaps in understanding, build strong foundations, and grow confidence in their math ability. She and her team are passionate about helping students realize their full potential. With the start of the new semester, OpMath is taking enrollments for K-8th-grade foundational tutoring support as well as enrollments for Mehr’s own Paly math classes (current openings in Alg 2/Trig A, Alg 2/Trig H, IAC, and AP Calc AB). Learn more at opmath.com or email Mehr directly at mehr@ opmath.com.
AFFORDABLE, TRANSFORMATIVE TRAINING FOR FUTURE THERAPISTS. Located in the heart of Palo Alto, Sofia University’s MA in Counseling Psychology (MACP) program offers a deeply personal, wholeperson approach to clinical education. Designed to prepare students for licensure in California, this WSCUC-accredited program combines academic rigor with transpersonal development and real-world practicum training. Sofia stands out as one of the most affordable graduate psychology options in the Bay Area— making meaningful career change more accessible.
HUMBLE BEGINNINGS WITH NOSTALGIC ROOTS. That is what brothers Nick and Jacob Saba
have been doing as the newest owners of Woodside Deli, located at 1453 Woodside Rd in Redwood City. After taking over ownership, these family-oriented, community based brothers have upheld the value and importance of keeping Woodside Deli as authentic and nostalgic as it once was, from former owner Dan Gallenti, who opened the deli back in 1958. Please call (650) 701-6736 for more information.
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300-acre, man-made islet near Miami with 41 lots, 84 residents and a 13 member police force, the Journal reports.
The newspaper says Zuckerberg is in the process of buying the home listed for $200 million, but the deal hasn’t closed. His neighbors will include Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, financier Carl Icahn and Tom Brady.
The 27,669-square-foot limestone mansion will have nine bedrooms, a gym, a hair salon, a massage room, a 1,500-gallon aquarium and a library with a secret passageway.
Zuckerberg’s representatives haven’t commented on the transaction.
What about the compound?
It doesn’t appear as if Zuckerberg is selling his 11 homes in Palo Alto’s Crescent Park neighborhood, which he has grouped together to form a compound.
Zuckerberg has spent more than $110 million to buy 11 houses in the neighborhood, offering owners as much as $14.5 million, double or triple what the houses are worth. His near-constant construction at the compound has created frustration with his neighbors due to the noise, loss of parking and a reduction
of privacy. In response to the complaints, Palo Alto Councilmen Greer Stone and Keith Rechdahl proposed in December that the city regulate compounds, by limiting how long construction can take place and outlawing the buying of a home in order to leave it empty. No regulations regarding compounds have gone to council yet.
Meanwhile, SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West is circulating petitions to put the tax on the November ballot. The estimated $100 billion produced by the tax would replace funds hospitals were getting before the federal government tightened enforcement of eligibility requirements for subsidized health insurance.
audit commissioned by the San Mateo County Office of Education, which found insufficient evidence to indicate that fraud, misappropriation of funds or other illegal fiscal practices occurred during a 33-month review period. But the district’s record-keeping for credit card purchases is lacking, the audit said, increasing the chances that fraud could occur. The audit took a sample of expenses and collected receipts to find if the transactions were reasonable and served an educational purpose.
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Polito came under scrutiny in October 2024, when the school district’s first-ever strike prompted parents to dig through district finances, where they found receipts for stays at luxury hotels and pricey dinners.
San Mateo County Office of Education Deputy Superintendent Kevin Bultema told the board during a November meeting that there was an “outside the norm” number of missing receipts.
The audit showed a $10,812 invoice at the Dream Inn Hotel in Santa Cruz and a $160 custom birthday cake from the hotel. The purchase was for an annual leadership summer retreat, according to the audit.
There were also two gift cards purchased, totaling $425, for teacher raffles. It is illegal for the school district to have raffles because only qualified charities and private non-profits are allowed, the audit states.
The audit found receipts for a luncheon at Fleming’s restaurant in Palo Alto on Dec. 23, 2022, that didn't add up between the receipt provided and what the district’s credit card transaction says. There was no written explanation in the district’s books that explained the discrepancy, according to the audit.
The school board revoked Polito’s district credit cards in December 2024. She and the district part-
Local Backyard Birding Specialist”
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926 El Camino Real San Carlos
ed ways in January 2025. The board hired Erik Burmeister to replace her in March.
After reviewing the county’s audit, the board in November approved new expense policies requiring district officials to submit all meal receipts with the trip timeline for reimbursement, feeling the district’s reputation had taken a hit.
The district includes Las Lomitas Elementary School in Atherton and La Entrada School in Menlo Park.
ent, a tenured PE teacher with seniority (27 years of service at the district) who had been falsely accused of a sexual assault allegedly occurring more than 20 years previous. After the unsubstantiated criminal charges were dropped, assisted the client to renew his teaching credential by representing him through a ‘formal review’ by the California Commission for Teacher Credentialing (CTC). Then also represented him during the school district’s subsequent ‘investigation’ and prosecuted his civil claims all the way through trial preparation before the matter settled on the eve of trial.
The case began on Jan. 28, 2022 when the school district got an email alleging Colombo had raped a middle school student in the 2001-02 school year, according to a narrative by Magistrate Judge Nathanael Cousins. The school district reported the email to police and put Colombo on paid administrative leave.
On June 15, 2022, Palo Alto police arrested Colombo and the District Attorney’s Office charged him with felony aggravated sexual assault of a child. Then the school district put Colombo on unpaid leave and the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing suspended Colombo’s teaching credentials, preventing him from getting another job in the profession.
A year later, in June 2023, the DA dismissed the case against Colombo. The district returned Colombo to paid administrative leave, pending an outside investigation by a law firm hired by the district. For the 2024-25 school year, the district put Colombo in a special assignment position when he would run committee meetings or plan teacher training sessions, but he wasn’t in contact with students.
The lawsuit
In February 2024, Colombo sued the school district. In Colombo’s complaint, he stated that the female PE teachers in charge of the girls’ PE locker room at Jor-
dan (now Greene Middle School) during the 2001-2002 timeframe of the allegation say the accuser’s report is impossible.
Moreover, the accuser claimed she was raped by Colombo at Jordan Middle School, but Colombo was at Terman (now Fletcher) Middle School at that time, the complaint said.
The complaint said the accuser’s report card shows she was taught PE by another male teacher at the time of the alleged rape, but the card was deleted from the district’s computer files.
A ‘tainted process’
Colombo claims the district didn’t investigate him in compliance with federal law and board policies because they knew such an investigation would have exonerated him.
“This tainted process was purposely designed to deny plaintiff of due process and his presumed innocence because he is a male accused by a female,” the complaint said.
His complaint contends the district attempted to replace him, a white male, with a new teacher that would advance the district’s “Equity Plan.” Presumably, more information about the Equity Plan would have emerged had the case gone to trial.
The complaint points out that the accusation against Colombo came during the height of the #MeToo movement. The suit says a number of women were attempting to accelerate the district’s Equity Plan by targeting white male teachers to coerce them into early retirement.
The complaint states that Colombo was discriminated against because of his gender and that his teaching career was destroyed by the false allegations. He said the district discriminated against him because he had been arrested, ignoring the fact that he hadn’t been convicted. Later, the DA dropped charges.
In May 2024, the school district’s investigation concluded and didn’t substantiate the allegations made against Colombo.
In August 2025, the district returned Colombo to a teaching position that put him in contact with students. Parents held a protest outside of Fletcher Middle School.
On Jan. 26, 2026, a trial was scheduled in Colombo’s suit against the district. But it was canceled due to settlement talks. On Feb. 10, the school board approved a settlement in a closed session, and the lawyers informed the judge of the approval on Wednesday.
In addition to the Palo Alto Unified School District, the other defendants in the suit were Superintendent Don Austin, HR director Lisa Hickey, and deputy superintendent and chief of staff Trent Bahadursingh.
