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Daily
Post
BY BRADEN CARTWRIGHT Daily Post Staff Writer
Expert weighs in on deaths Warning signs should be taught
An expert in suicide prevention said yesterday that Palo Alto students should be taught how to recognize warning signs in their friends as a way to prevent more suicides.
“If it was up to me, everybody in Palo Alto would be talking about prevention everywhere — schools, community centers, doctor’s offices — everywhere,” said Dr. Scott Poland, director of the Suicide and Violence Prevention Office at Nova Southeastern University in Florida.
IRANIAN WARSHIP SUNK: A torpedo from a U.S. submarine has sunk an Iranian warship in the Indian Ocean, clearing the way for tankers to leave the Middle East with oil. The U.S.-Israeli attack has resulted in the sinking of 20 Iranian naval vessels in addition to the submarine.
WAR POWERS VOTE: The Senate yesterday rejected a resolution aimed at limiting President Trump’s ability to wage war in Iran.
AUTOPEN PROBE ENDS: The Justice Department shelved an investigation into former President Biden’s use of an autopen, the New York Times reports.
TEXAS SENATE SEAT: Democrat James Talarico, a Presbyterian seminarian, has beaten outspoken Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett for the Democratic nomination for a U.S. Senate seat in Texas. On the Republican side, incumbent John Cornyn will face challenger Ken Paxton, the state attorney general, in a runoff.
WYOMING NUKE: A state known [See THE UPDATE, page 4]
Official communication about suicides is inconsistent in Palo Alto. Starting in April last year, Caltrain stopped telling the public about deaths on the
tracks in an effort to prevent copycat suicides. The school district sends out a statement announcing a student death and offering phone numbers and counseling. Palo Alto City Council members sometimes acknowledge a suicide at a council meeting.
Poland has visited 17 communities
FORMER POLICE STATION
after they’ve experienced a suicide cluster, including a conference at Stanford in March 2015. His message is the same: It takes a village.
School leaders, city officials, parents, survivor groups, medical and mental health professionals and law enforcement all need to come together to raise awareness.
“More resources, more discussion
[See EXPERT, page 22]
Councilman bucks calls to resign
BY
ADRIANA HERNANDEZ
Daily Post Staff Writer
East
Palo Alto Councilman
Carlos Romero is refusing to step down after other council members asked him to step aside because he wrote a reference letter for a former city employee who allegedly molested a child.
Mayor Webster Lincoln asked Romero to resign on Tuesday for writing a character reference in support of Rafael Prado, who is charged with five felonies for lewd acts with a child and a felony for possessing child pornogra-
[See RESIGN, page 22]
Two eye open school board seats
BY BRADEN CARTWRIGHT Daily Post Staff Writer
Two advocates for advanced math are planning to run for Palo Alto school board in November.
There will be two open seats on the board this year as Shounak Dharap is
termed out and Shana Segal is not seeking re-election.
Both candidates so far — Leor Cecile Melamedov and Avery Lichen Wang — are supporters of board member Rowena Chiu.
Wang, 60, sued the district in June
2020 for allegedly holding his son back in high school math and violating the 2015 Math Placement Act that requires districts to have fair and transparent placement policies.
“PAUSD must stop trying to act as
[See BOARD, page 22]
A group of men inspect the ruins of a Tehran police station that was hit by missiles in the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran. AP photo by Vahid Salemi.
ROMERO
Locally owned, independent
• Whole-home renovation inside and out
• Sweeping vistas across the western hills
• by Compass)
• 4 bedrooms and 4.5 baths on one convenient level
• Approximately 4,410 square feet
• Bonus junior ADU with 1 bath and kitchen
• Fully enclosed entertainment cabana with barbecue and sink
• lighting throughout
• Formal living and dining rooms, plus customized wine cellar
• Tremendous kitchen and family room combination
• Privately located bedroom suite ideal for guests
• Luxurious primary suite with en suite bath and couture closets, all designed for separate use for two people
• Two additional bedroom suites, each one with a western hill view
•
• Beautifully landscaped grounds with custom water falls at the front and rear
• Just 1.5 miles to the Los Altos Village
• Excellent Los Altos schools
Townhouse project reluctantly OK’d
BY ADRIANA HERNANDEZ Daily Post Staff Writer
East Palo Alto Council has OK’d a developer’s plans for townhouses across the street from East Palo Alto City Hall to avoid a lawsuit.
Council voted 4-1 to allow Sand Hill Property Co. to build townhouses and a mixed-use building at the intersection of Bay Road and University Avenue, since they can move forward without council’s approval under state law.
Councilman Carlos Romero voted no, advocating for more retail. Romero’s no vote echoed the Planning Commission’s rejection of the project on Feb. 9 because the proposal did not align with the city’s vision for the space.
The project
Sand Hill Property Co. is proposing 106 townhouses and a mixed-use build-
Wanted more retail near City Hall
ing with 168 apartments with groundfloor retail. There will be 5,000 square feet of retail space, which could be home to a small cafe, a small market, a sit-down restaurant or a bank, Sand Hill’s Managing Director Mike Kramer said.
The retail space is the size of a lot for a single-family home, Romero said, asking Kramer to expand it to 15,000 square feet.
The project reflects the feedback he received from the community when Sand Hill first proposed to build on the vacant lot in 2020, Kramer said.
Turning back on community
“You’re not giving the community what it wants, and you’re turning your back on it,” Romero said.
“This is not the place to relitigate what we want, whether it’s a tweak here or a tweak there,” Councilman Mark Dinan said.
If the city were sued for not moving forward with the project, the state would not be on its side, Dinan said.
The project will be moving forward despite council’s vote because of Senate Bill 330 and “density bonus” laws, Dinan said. SB330 allows a developer, under certain circumstances, to have their project approved in five or fewer meetings. The project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act, or CEQA, because of “density bonus” laws that fast-track developments with affordable housing.
Dinan said he is also upset with the design and wanted a centerpiece for the
city, but it could result in a $2.7 million fine, according to City Manager Melvin Gaines.
Residents weigh in
“Instead of waiting for this issue to be resolved by a lawsuit, we should move forward with this project now and avoid wasting city funds litigating a case that we will lose,” resident Isabel Lopez Ysmael said.
The townhouses could make a difference for the residents who want to become homeowners, Deborah Lewis-Virges said.
The property at the corner of Bay Road and University Avenue has long sat empty.
It was once home to the University Village Shopping Center, which became the Nairobi Shopping Center. It burned down in the late 80s.
for Yellowstone, rodeo and Devils Tower in the movie “E.T.” will soon have its own nuclear power plant. A federal agency yesterday approved construction of Bill Gates’ unusual sodium-cooled nuke that will provide power to an AI data center.
TARIFF REFUNDS: A federal judge in New York ruled yesterday that companies that paid tariffs struck down last month by Supreme Court are due refunds.
IRISH IN MOURNING: Lou Holtz, a College Football Hall of Fame coach who led Notre Dame to a national championship and won 249 games over 33 seasons at six schools, has died at age 89.
GET OUT: The U.S. State Department has urged Americans to leave 14 countries across the Middle East amid the widening Iran war.
MUSK TESTIFIES: Elon Musk took the stand in a lawsuit brought by lawyers of shareholders who claim the billionaire tried to drive down the stock price of Twitter before buying the company in 2022 for $44 billion. Asked why he didn't disclose that he was buying Twitter stock when he criticized the company on social media, Musk said he didn't think it mattered. He said he buys and sells companies all the time.
GOOGLE CAVES: Google said yesterday it will lower the lucrative fees imposed on its Android app store and offer a way for rival options to gain its stamp of approval, ending a bruising legal battle with Epic Games that led to one of several rulings condemning its tactics as an illegal monopoly. Fees will fall to 10% to 20% under the deal.
Winner of 17 awards from the National Newspaper Association
Publishers: Dave Price, Jim Pavelich
Editor: Dave Price
Managing Editor: Emily Mibach
General Manager: Brandon Heinrichs
Distribution: Amando Mendoza III
Account Executives: Jena Hollister, Mike Ireland and Winnie Reyes
Letters: Limit to 250 words. Author’s full name, address and phone number are required. See policy at padailypost.com under “letters.”
Stories without bylines are often from The Associated Press, Bay City News service or the Post staff.
Legal notices: The Superior Court of Santa Clara County has adjudicated the Daily Post as a newspaper of general circulation in the City of Palo Alto and the County of Santa Clara, and we’re qualified to publish legal notices such as Fictitious Business Name Statements (FBNs) and legal name changes. For more information, email ads@padailypost.com.
Deaths
San Mateo County Coroner: March 3
Stephen Michael Hunt, 64, of Pacifica
Flora B. Macaraig, 81, no hometown listed
Births
Kaiser Hospital in Redwood City:
July 29
Emira Xiomara Baca, a girl
Chloe Sereen Bouri, a girl
Julius Magsino Briosos, a boy
Theodore Ulysses Fields, a boy
Rhea Jing Sum Hwa, a girl
Camden Cruz Mcgreevey, a boy
Mia Solomka, a girl
Leon Amaral Stavroulakis, a boy
Adair John Willison, a boy
July 28
Luke De Andrade Bushner, a boy
Josiah Reign Charitra, a boy
Liam Gillbe, a boy
Smrath Singh Grewal, a boy
Hayley Vargas Lucas, a girl
Viyaan Dhirendra Singh, a boy
Emmi Tan, a girl
Caleb Jason Tang, a boy
July 27
Brielle Eslyn Asir, a girl
Bennet Rain Mahardja, a boy
Aniah Rubi Segura, a girl
Jason Silva Sanchez, a boy
Ellen Lareine Wilson, a girl
July 26
Katalina Sofia Albornoz, a girl
Sarah Lynn Monroe Chavez, a girl
Penelope Alinea Christensen, a girl
Jett Elias Ferrer, a boy
Scarlett Eloise Van Heusden Izenman, a girl
Penelope James Paz, a girl
Kyler Leo Phoerdian, a boy
July 25
Agasthya Shivaraj Patil, a boy
Yuna Wong Zhao, a girl
Kenji Michael Edgar, a boy
July 24
Nolan Francis Ard, a boy
Saanvi Arvind, a girl
Leila Nayeli Dirar, a girl
Catalina Juliette Flores Soto, a girl
Aria Wing Yun Lam, a girl
Samar Nair Madan, a boy
Kaylani Loveah Orellana, a girl
Matthew Kellman Till, a boy
July 23
Advay Vishal Agarwal, a boy
Hana Hong, a girl
Luca Shakib Kaileh, a boy
Koa Remi Marshall, a boy
Emma Jazmine Shamoun, a girl
Aadhya Prakash Shekhar, a girl
Beck Wallace Wells, a boy
Michael B. Kenney ¢ ¢
December 26th, 1942 – November 16th, 2025
Michael B. Kenney passed peacefully November 16th, 2025. His final days were surround by his children, listening to his favorite tune’s…sung by his favorite musicians.
Michael was born December 26th, 1942, in San Francisco, CA to Benjamin and Faith Kenney. By the age of three his family moved to Palo Alto, where his most cherished memories began. He made lifelong friendships that begun as early as elementary school continuing through Wilbur junior high school and before his tenth year, Michael’s family moved to Los Altos where he became an Eagle at Los Altos High School with the class of 61. After his high school, Michael started Foothill Junior College where life truly began. He made more friends and discovered his talent with the game of pool. Michael along with his college friends enjoyed playing in competitions at the infamous Cochran’s Billiards Hall on Market Street in San Francisco. His pool earnings would help pay his way though college and life was just beginning…..creating lasting friendships, breaking hearts, and having babies.
By 1970 Michael became a father to his first born, Megan Elizabeth. Around the same time, Michael used his savvy math skills to become an entrepreneur. In 1974 he established United Home Loan Inc., his first company, additionally he began investing in avocado farms in Southern California. Due to his entrepreneurial spirit, Michael ventured outside of the real estate and the avocado business and began investing in fast cars and racehorses. He settled down with the love of his life a Palo Alto native, Maureen Patricia Nook. And on October 11, 1975, the two tied the knot. Michael and Maureen were embracing newfound success amongst real estate adventures, avocado farms, and racehorse winnings. Michael’s strong work ethic, charismatic personality, determination, and grit was prospering. On March 1st, 1980, Michael and Maureen welcomed a baby girl, Allison Jeanne, and 15 months later, to the day, Jason Michael was born, June 1st, 1981.
Michael lived life to the fullest, was blessed with good health and enjoyed his many friendships. He stayed active in sports and played competitive tennis before learning the game of golf. He volunteered to coach his children’s sports teams and never missed any of his daughter’s tennis matches or his son’s baseball games.
By the early 2000s, Michael had conquered a few successful real estate developments in the San Ramon valley east to the Central Valley and north to Sacramento. His company had expanded throughout Northern California. Despite his success, Michael remained true to his humble beginnings whose generous heart found joy in giving back and helping others in need. Not just momentarily but by mentoring other young entrepreneurs through his leadership skills.
By 2005, Michael’s good health allowed him to play golf with his friends all around the world. His golf adventures gave him much pleasure to spend time with his dear friends making the most unforgettable memories. From Thailand, to Australia, to the ice bars in Switzerland, Paris, Marbella, Brazil and many more. Not to forget his memorable travels within the US, trips to New York, Augusta, and several fly fishing trips around the Pacific Northwest.
Some would say Mike or Big Mike the most interesting man in the world, others knew him as the Godfather, or Peck, but we knew him as dad. We will never live a day without thinking of the good memories, or remembering the values, work ethic he instilled within us.
Michael was surrounded by his family and close loved ones in his final years. He is preceded in death by his both of his patents and former wife Maureen Patricia Kenney (d. 2020) He is survived by his three children, Megan Kenney, Allison Jones (Jon) and Jason Kenney (Serena), his grandsons, Benjamin and Branden, his sister Sherrill Stone and his grand-fur babies, Sadie, Cheeto, Coco & Puff. Michael will be laid to rest on his birthday, December 26th, at Green Hills Cemetery in Ranchos Palos Verdes next to his mother, Faith, father, Benjamin and grandmother, Georgia. A private celebration to honor is life is set for February 13th at Palo Alto Hills Golf and Country Club where Michael enjoyed many years as a golf member.
In lieu of flowers, we kindly ask for donations to be made in memory of Michael Kenney to support the Little Learners Program, a nonprofit early childhood program operated by LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired (nonprofit tax ID #941415317), which helps children with blindness or visual impairments by providing specialized services to them and their families in northern Californa and central California. https://secure.qgiv.com/for/inmemoryofmichaelbkenney/
Dana Lombardy on “Grant’s Early Career”
HARRY’S HOFBRAU - 1909 El Camino Real, Redwood City
Vince
Builders pitch plans for 3 new housing projects
BY BRADEN CARTRIGHT Daily Post Staff Writer
Three developers have turned in plans to build 224 apartments throughout downtown Palo Alto.
Peter Giovannotto applied on Tuesday to build an eight-story, 82unit apartment building that would replace a century-old two-story building at 332 Forest Ave.
Palo Alto City Council was enthusiastic about the project at an initial review in August, but a couple of neighbors didn’t like the building’s 84-foot height.
“This is not New York City,” said Judith Swope, who lives in a condo at 707 Bryant Street.
2 more proposals
Developer Prabhas Kejriwal applied on Feb. 12 to build 70 condos in a six-story building at 910 Webster St., next to the Channing House senior community.
The 85-foot building would replace a two-story apartment complex with 24 units — “maximizing
housing density with a sensitive architectural approach,” architect Abha Nehru said in the application.
Alta Housing applied on Feb. 2 to build a six-story, 72-unit building on a city-owned lot at 450 Lytton Ave. behind 7-Eleven.
The city plans to contribute $5.5 million and the land for the subsidized housing project, which is the subject of a lawsuit.
A group of downtown business owners allege that losing parking will hurt their businesses, and the city should’ve asked them before converting the lot.
The new applications join a project approved by council in November at 660 University Ave. The six-story, 70-unit apartment building is set to replace medical offices at the corner of Middlefield Road.
Whether you spent a lifetime assembling a coin collection you are proud of or inherited a collection from parents or a spouse, a wise first step is to contact us at Mish International (MIMI).
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Unlike distant internet operations or traveling buyer crews, Mish International has the true expertise, 60+ year top reputation, immediate capital, and permanent presence to serve you right here in Menlo Park.
Privacy and Security. Proper Appraisals. Fairest Buyers. Since 1963, same principal.
Unlike distant internet operations or traveling buyer crews, Mish International has the true expertise, 60+ year top reputation, immediate capital, and permanent presence to serve you right here in Menlo Park. Privacy and Security. Proper Appraisals. Fairest Buyers. Since 1963, same principal.
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PROPOSED HOUSING — Renderings show new buildings planned at 332 Forest Ave., top left, 910 Webster St., top right, and 450 Lytton Ave., above.
• Designed for entertaining on a grand scale indoors and out
• Resort-like grounds of approximately
• 4 full baths, and 2 half-baths
• Detached two-story 1-bedroom, 2-bath ADU/guesthouse with full kitchen
• Approximately 5,562 total square feet of
• custom-made cabinetry throughout
• Extraordinary storage, including all closet
• Formal living room or media room plus
• Tremendous great room with gourmet kitchen, caterer’s kitchen, full entertainment bar, wine cellar, casual and formal dining areas, plus family living area
• Main-level primary suite with exceptional closet room and en suite bath
• Three en suite bedrooms upstairs, each with walk-in closet, plus lounge area
• Attached 2-car garage with 2 EV chargers and large adjoining laundry room
• Two electronically gated driveways with abundant off-street parking
• 52 energy-producing solar panels
• Pool and spa, waterfall, sport court, spacious heated loggia, vast decks, and lawn, gazebo, and many fruit trees
• Less than one mile to the Los Altos Village
• Excellent Los Altos schools
Party mom guilty, may get
A jury yesterday convicted the woman known as the Los Gatos party mom, who brought 14- and 15-year-olds to her mansion for alcohol-fueled sex parties.
Shannon O’Connor, 52, supplied vodka, Fireball whiskey and condoms to the teens, witnesses said. She discouraged them from telling their parents or police about the parties or calling for help when one of the victims passed out in their own vomit, according to testimony.
Convicted on 48 counts
BAY CHORAL GUILD
After a trial and a few days of deliberations, a jury convicted the former Los Gatos resident of 48 of 63 charges. O’Connor, also known as Shannon Bruga, will be sentenced later this year. She faces up to 30 years in prison and, when released, will have to register as a sex offender, according to District Attorney Jeff Rosen.
“This defendant not only didn’t protect these children, she endangered their safety, coordinated their sexual assaults, and she tried to get them not to tell,” Rosen said. “These brave kids came forward to tell the truth about what happened and to put a stop to it.”
“It’s obviously not the result we were hoping for,” O’Connor’s attorney, Stephen Prekoski, said after the verdict.
His client was arrested in 2021 and has remained in jail for four and a half years.
Alcohol-fueled parties
The child abuse charges outline two years of O’Connor’s drunken and destructive parties hosted for teens at her
home in 2020 and 2021. Jurors were told that O’Connor warned the victims not to disclose the parties, or she could go to jail. At one party O’Connor handed an underage teenager a condom and pushed him into a room with an intoxicated minor, according to testimony.
During a New Year’s Eve party with about five 14-year-olds, O’Connor watched and laughed as a drunk teen sexually battered a young girl in bed. In another case, the defendant brought one drunk teen into a bedroom where an intoxicated 14-year-old girl was lying in the bed. After she was assaulted, the victim said to the defendant: “Why did you leave me in there with him? Like you knew like what he was going to do to me.”
SUV incident
In some cases, O’Connor would Snapchat or text teens to leave their homes in the middle of the night and drink at her mansion. In another case, she let a minor drive her SUV in the Los Gatos High School parking lot while two other teens held on to the back. One fell off and was knocked unconscious.
During the trial, 20 young adults and 41 witnesses testified.
Idaho move
The parties took place during the pandemic lockdown in 2020 and 2021. Later in 2021, O’Connor moved with her two sons to Ada County, Idaho. Deputies in Idaho, armed with a warrant from Santa Clara County, arrested her there, where they found 10 underage boys and two girls at her home. She is suspected of hosting similar parties in Idaho.
O’CONNOR
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More Trader Joe’s products recalled
Trader Joe’s has significantly expanded a recall of products because they might contain tiny pieces of glass.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture said the grocer has pulled 36 million pounds of various ready-to-eat and frozen chicken and pork fried rice, ramen, and shu mai dumpling products made by Ajinomoto Foods North America Inc. of Portland.
Impacted
products
Trader Joe’s said the recall includes Ajinomoto’s chicken fried rice with best by dates 03/04/2026 through 02/10/2027; vegetable fried rice with best by dates 02/28/2026 through 11/19/2026; Japanese-style fried rice and best by dates 02/28/2026 through 11/14/2026; and chicken shu mai with best by dates 03/13/2026 through 10/23/2026.
“If you have packages of the products listed above, please do not use them,” the company said. “Please discard the product or return it to any Trader Joe’s for a full refund.”
The announcement comes less than
two weeks after the manufacturer announced a recall of more than 3 million pounds of frozen chicken fried rice after the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service said it received four complaints “regarding glass found in product.”
No injuries reported
The federal agency said that there have been no confirmed reports of injuries due to the consumption of the rice and anyone concerned should contact their healthcare provider.
“FSIS is concerned that some product may be in retailers’ or consumers’ freezers,” the agency said in a statement. “Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.”
Sara Guindi, a spokeswoman for Ajinomoto Foods, said the company recalled the products voluntarily “out of an abundance of caution” over “certain frozen products that may contain glass.”
Moldaw Residences, every day brings connection — morning coffee with friends, engaging programs, chef-prepared dining, and meaningful conversations that turn neighbors into family. Here you don’t just live independently. You live surrounded warmth, support, and the comfort of knowing you belong. Maintenance-free living. Built-in friendships. Peace of mind for you and your family.
At Moldaw Residences, every day brings connection — morning coffee with friends, engaging programs, chef-prepared dining, and meaningful conversations that turn neighbors into family. Here you don’t just live independently. You live surrounded by warmth, support, and the comfort of knowing you belong. Maintenance-free living. Built-in friendships. Peace of mind for you and your family.
At Moldaw Residences, every day brings connection — morning coffee with friends, engaging programs, chef-prepared dining, and meaningful conversations that turn neighbors into family. Here you don’t just live independently. You live surrounded by warmth, support, and the comfort of knowing you belong. Maintenance-free living. Built-in friendships. Peace of mind for you and your family.
Joe Gutierez M.S., MFT
Times shown are when a report was made to police. Information is from police department logs. All of the people named here are innocent until proven guilty in court.
PALO ALTO
FEB. 18
2:32 p.m. — Two incidents of grand theft reported, 400 block of Hamilton Ave. FEB. 22
7:44 p.m. — Auto burglary, 300 block of Hamilton Ave. FEB. 24
8:57 p.m. — Auto burglary, Emerson St. and Channing Ave. FEB. 25
12:09 p.m. — Alberto Ruiz, 44, of San Jose, arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia and on a warrant, 1-99 block of Homer Ave.
7:27 p.m. — Theft from a vehicle, 700 block of Sutter Ave.
9:11 p.m. — Parts and/or accessories stolen from a vehicle, 330 block of Alma St.
10:46 p.m. — Auto burglary, 4100 block of El Camino.
FEB. 26
11:38 a.m. — Auto burglary, 2300 block of Birch St.
12:03 p.m. — Vandalism, 400 block of High St.
12:29 p.m. — Cameron Kamani, 30, of Palo Alto, arrested for embezzlement at the Verizon store, 2999 El Camino.
5:28 p.m. — Home burglary, 1400 block of Pitman Ave.
11:48 p.m. — Vandalism, 100 block of Hamilton Ave.
10:29 a.m. — Grand theft, 500 block of Matadero Ave.
5:41 p.m. — Home burglary, 900 block of Webster St.
10:21 p.m. — Sara Bohm, 46, of Menlo Park, cited on a warrant, San Antonio and E. Charleston roads.
SATURDAY
1:02 a.m. — Alejandro Avila Garcia, 34, of Palo Alto, arrested on a warrant, 2200 block of Yale St.
5:55 a.m. — Manuel Barron Garcia, 36, of San Jose, arrested for grand theft and resisting police, Palo Alto High School.
10:11 a.m. — Grand theft, 3900 block of E. Bayshore Road.
11:05 p.m. — Michael Gabriel Fisiiahi, 23, of Palo Alto, arrested for carrying a concealed dirk or dagger, possession of more than an ounce of marijuana and parole violation, Kipling St. and University Ave.
11:53 p.m. — Brandon Strickland, 39, transient, arrested for grand theft, Downtown Palo Alto Caltrain Station.
Police
MENLO PARK
SATURDAY
11:26 p.m. — Rodrigo Gallardo Gonzalez, 43, of Redwood City, cited for possession of meth and drug paraphernalia, Marsh Road and Highway 101. Citation given by San Mateo County sheriff’s deputies.
STANFORD
FEB. 25
12:20 p.m. — Bicycle stolen, 600 block of Escondido Road.
MOUNTAIN VIEW
FEB. 24
5:24 a.m. — Home burglary, 1400 block of Gretel Lane.
6:54 a.m. — Diego Lauri, 37, of Mountain View, arrested for violation of a court order, destroying or hiding evidence of a crime and resisting police, Whisman and E. Middlefield roads.
10:43 a.m. — Burglary at Bella On Villa Salon, 744 Villa St.
2:28 p.m. — Jason Wimmert, 43, arrested for child abuse, 100 block of Ada Ave.
4:30 p.m. — Juan Gallegos, 27, of San Jose, arrested for burglary, possession of stolen property, possession of burglary tools, prowling, possession drug paraphernalia, conspiracy to commit a crime and parole violation, 2000 block of Agnew Road in Santa Clara.
4:47 p.m. — Fermin Martinez, 31, arrested for stalking, San Antonio Caltrain Station.
8:14 p.m. — Danielle Bullock, 31, of Modesto, arrested for being under the influence of drugs, 600 block of S. Rengstorff Ave.
8:17 p.m. — Home burglary, 400 block of San Antonio Road.
11:34 p.m. — Battery at Safeway, 580 N. Rengstorff Ave.
LOS ALTOS
FEB. 23
10:44 p.m. — Manuel Zuniga Herrera, 63, transient, cited for theft of someone else’s lost property, Showers Drive and El Camino.
FRIDAY
4 p.m. — Don Willeman, 71, of Pleasantville, N.Y., cited on a warrant at Los Altos Police Dept., 1 N. San Antonio Road.
NORTH FAIR OAKS
FRIDAY
1:55 a.m. — Christopher Ferman Avalos Panameno, 28, arrested for driving with a suspended or revoked license, 2500 block of Middlefield Road. Ryan Terry Fasy, 20, of El Dorado Hills, arrested for public drunkenness and narcotics possession.
11:54 p.m. — Israel Blazquez,
34, of San Francisco, arrested for public drunkenness, 2800 block of Middlefield Road.
SATURDAY
1:34 a.m. — Arturo Gonzalez, 61, of Redwood City, cited on a warrant, 800 block of Fifth Ave.
7:27 p.m. — Lario Rabonias Salmeron, 26, of Redwood City, arrested for vandalism and resisting police, 3500 block of Spring St.
10:11 p.m. — Vehicle on fire, Second Ave. and Edison Way. Firefighters extinguish the blaze.
REDWOOD CITY
FEB. 26
11:16 a.m. — Thomas Feng, 26, arrested for rape of a person under age 18, San Mateo County Jail.
FRIDAY
10:36 p.m. — Susana Mariaventura, 41, of Redwood City, arrested on warrants, Seaport Blvd. and Blomquist St. Arrest made by San Mateo County sheriff’s deputies.
10:37 p.m. — Resident says a man got out of his vehicle and peed on a tree in front of the resident’s house, Maple St.
11:02 p.m. — Caller says a group of about 10 juveniles were taunting a homeless man and yelling in his face. Location not disclosed. When a parking attendant tries to intervene, the youths pound their fists on his vehicle.
SATURDAY
3:49 a.m. — Jorge Luis Suruy, 39, of Redwood City, cited for possession of meth and drug paraphernalia, Spruce and Chew streets. Citation given by San Mateo County sheriff’s deputies.
9:58 a.m. — Man yelling at people, Roosevelt Ave. Warning issued.
10:17 a.m. — Resident says a strange man is in his neighbor’s yard and is using the neighbor’s outdoor electrical outlet to charge his phone, Brewster Ave.
1:08 p.m. — Two juveniles reported to be riding an e-bike recklessly and flipping off drivers. Location not disclosed.
1:30 p.m. — Caller says three teens riding on e-bikes shot his 13-year-old son with an Airsoft gun, leaving him with welts. Location not disclosed.
1:33 p.m. — Employee of a business says a woman opened a container of alcohol and started to drink it there and didn’t pay for it, Willow St.
2:28 p.m. — Laura Jean Vawter, 65, of Belmont, cited for trespassing, resisting police and battery against police, 2100 block of Broadway.
4:19 p.m. — Caller says someone filled his or her vehicle’s gas tank with sugar and soap, Rolison Road.
4:24 p.m. — Mohammed Khaled Alkhadher, 35, of Redwood City, cited for vandalism, 100 block of Duane St.
11:16 p.m. — Yessy Carolina Melendez Moreno, 30, of Redwood City, arrested for domestic violence and assault with a deadly weapon, 2400 block of Middlefield Road.
SUNDAY
1:13 a.m. — Man says three or four men, two of whom were armed with guns, came into his room, pistolwhipped him and demanded money, El Camino.
3:19 a.m. — Daniel Garcia Trinidad, 23, of Redwood City, arrested for DUI following a twovehicle collision, El Camino.
9:19 a.m. — Resident says a male neighbor is very drunk and naked and tried to get into the resident’s apartment, Woodside Road.
SAN CARLOS
FEB. 24
7:23 a.m. — Person steals merchandise worth nearly $600 from a store, 1100 block of Old County Road. FEB. 25
7:54 p.m. — Resident says a person was throwing bananas at passing vehicles and threatened the resident when confronted about it, 900 block of Laurel St.
FRIDAY
1 p.m. — Jonathan Gabriel Cuevas, 46, of Redwood City, arrested on a warrant, 1100 block of Old County Road.
BELMONT
MONDAY
1:17 p.m. — Catalytic converter stolen from a vehicle, Sixth Ave. 1:52 p.m. — Side mirrors on two vehicles broken, Kedith St. 5:44 p.m. — Two boys reported to be shooting Nerf guns at passing cars, Ralston Ave. and Cipriani Blvd. Police are unable to find the kids.
TUESDAY
11:33 a.m. — Arthur Lee Wentzell, 29, arrested on warrants, 900 block of Ralston Ave.
3:14 p.m. — Victim loses $1,500 to a scammer posing as a former property manager who sent letters claiming the victim owed money for damages, Alameda de las Pulgas.
CHP
From the Redwood City office of the CHP, which covers the Mid-Peninsula. FEB. 15
Yasmin L. Deleon, 24, arrested for DUI.
FEB. 17
Rafael Davalos Ortega, 62, arrested for trespassing and evading police in a vehicle.
FEB. 19
Rudy J. Bologna, 52, arrested for driving under the influence of drugs. Huseyin Guclu, 29, arrested for DUI.
Real Estate
JAN STROHECKER
Lynn North
PALO ALTO
3665 South Court, 94306, 4 bedrooms, 2358 square feet, built in 1952, Bian Family Trust to Chen-Sun Living Trust for $3,500,000, closed Feb. 6 (last sale: $2,200,000, 10-09-14)
1015 High St., 94301, 2 bedrooms, 2526 square feet, built in 1915, Hickey Family Trust to Leanna and Hung Nguyen for $3,800,000, closed Feb. 6
3502 Arbutus Ave., 94303, 4 bedrooms, 2726 square feet, built in 1957, Karsten Theess to Saracino Living Trust for $4,900,000, closed Feb. 3 (last sale: $2,475,000, 07-08-13)
EAST PALO ALTO
2243 Cooley Ave., 94303, 4 bedrooms, 1490 square feet, built in 1982, Tamasi and Kesaia Kailahi to Ma and Martin Mendoza for $1,000,000, closed Jan. 21 (last sale: $350,000, 12-31-08)
MENLO PARK
700 Sand Hill Circle, 94025, 3 bedrooms, 2070 square feet, built in 1976, Labe Trust to Manju and Kanti Patel for $2,100,000, closed Jan. 23 (last sale: $1,995,000, 02-05-20)
2426 Sharon Oaks Drive, 94025, 3 bedrooms, 2380 square feet, built in 1968, Shan Huang to
Minjung and Jaehee Shim for $2,650,000, closed Jan. 23 (last sale: $1,998,000, 09-20-17)
1224 Whitaker Way, 94025, 6 bedrooms, 3961 square feet, built in 2004, Cadigan Trust to Mcd3 Family Trust for $7,250,000, closed Jan. 21 (last sale: $3,850,000, 12-13-11)
MOUNTAIN VIEW
1600 Don Court, 94040, 3 bedrooms, 1512 square feet, built in 1953, Michelle Billmaier to Kappa Homes LLC for $2,600,000, closed Feb. 6
766 Cuesta Drive, 94040, 3 bedrooms, 1178 square feet, built in 1955, Li Ge to Reeta and Narain Goyal for $2,700,000, closed Feb. 3 (last sale: $2,150,000, 0901-22)
LOS ALTOS
999 Hayman Place, 94024, 4 bedrooms, 2541 square feet, built in 1975, Joffe Trust to Kocherlakota Trust for $5,250,000, closed Feb. 3 (last sale: $1,255,000, 05-11-04)
27464 Altamont Road, 94022, 4 bedrooms, 4928 square feet, built in 1979, Lcc Altamont LLC to Harnish Living Trust for $6,125,000, closed Feb. 4 (last sale: $5,100,000, 01-20-21)
1669 Whitham Ave., 94024, 4 bedrooms, 4784 square feet, built in 2018, Snehal Shinde to Rilke Living Trust for $8,250,000,
closed Feb. 6 (last sale: $6,000,000, 07-23-19)
667 Jay St., 94022, 6 bedrooms, 5342 square feet, built in 2016, Liu Living Trust to 168 Boulder LLC for $8,600,000, closed Feb. 2 (last sale: $5,900,000, 01-03-17)
LOS ALTOS HILLS
26939 Beatrice Lane, 94022, 4 bedrooms, 2635 square feet, built in 1968, Bea Potter LLC to Bt Chalets LLC for $5,568,000, closed Feb. 6 (last sale: $4,300,000, 05-12-14)
REDWOOD CITY
103 Harkins Road, 94062, 3 bedrooms, 1960 square feet, built in 1987, Heather and James Huddleston to Vladislav and Evgeniia Bodnia for $2,525,000, closed Jan. 21 (last sale: $1,175,000, 03-29-05)
1931 Kentfield Ave., 94061, 3 bedrooms, 2380 square feet, built in 1994, Nikki Klein to Shrawanti and Amaresh Agrahara for $2,575,000, closed Jan. 20
2673 Ohio Ave., 94061, 4 bedrooms, 2185 square feet, built in 1951, Coelho Family Trust to White Magnolia LLC for $3,000,000, closed Jan. 23 (last sale: $2,180,000, 03-19-18)
SAN CARLOS
10 Winding Way, 94070, 3 bedrooms, 1930 square feet, built in 2003, Patricia Grewell to Linfei and Fang-
601 Laurel Ave. #602, 94401, 2 bedrooms, 1325 square feet, built in 1992, Chang Trust to Coleman Living Trust for $1,000,000, closed Jan. 22 (last sale: $975,000, 12-23-24)
2371 Ticonderoga Drive, 94402, 2 bedrooms, 1470 square feet, built in 1978, Nancy Hawes to Jeffrey Aguas for $1,148,000, closed Jan. 21 (last sale: $525,000, 06-11-10)
1795 Rex St., 94403, 3 bedrooms, 1220 square feet, built in 1954, Ou Family Trust to Allison and Gerard Socco for $1,250,000, closed Jan. 23 (last sale: $750,000, 03-10-06)
1318 Huron Ave., 94401, 3 bedrooms, 1246 square feet, built in 1947, Richard Oakes to Shannon and Sean Guthrie for $1,450,000, closed Jan. 20
2096 Ticonderoga Drive, 94402, 4 bedrooms, 1860 square feet, built in 1958, Christina Wu to Wong Family Trust for $2,750,000, closed Jan. 23 (last sale: $2,100,000, 01-13-23)
HILLSBOROUGH
571 Craig Road, 94010, 3 bedrooms, 2790 square feet, built in 1958, MandSb Survivors Trust to Bebechan Trust for $4,500,000, closed Jan. 20
2
Set
Recently
Plantation
Amenities
HOA
BUILT IN 2006 AND LOCATED IN THE HIGHLY SOUGHTAFTER COUNTRY CLUB NEIGHBORHOOD, this exceptional home showcases exquisite finishes and a thoughtfully designed, drought-tolerant landscape. A grand entrance with high ceilings, rich hardwood floors, and open floor plan sets the tone for this home’s exceptional quality and style. Ideally located near Los Altos Golf & Country Club, Rancho Shopping Center, Loyola Corners, and more, this residence offers both luxury and convenience - an outstanding place to call home!
Built in 2006, 4-bed, 3-bath home for 2,027 +/- sf of living space
Fashionably designed drought-tolerant landscaping for 9,104 +/- sf
Warm hardwood floors, artistic light fixtures, high ceilings, and crown molding
Open-concept kitchen with adjacent family room, gas fireplace, state-of-the-art appliances
Exquisite entertaining yard with artificial grass, travertine patio, large granite outdoor kitchen with two televisions, BBQ, sink, gas burners, warming drawer, and 2 refrigerator drawers
Sought-after Los Altos schools: Loyola Elementary, Georgina P. Blach, and Mountain View High (Buyer to verify enrollment)
· Downtown living just one block to the Village
· Small community of 8 townhomes built in 2010 by Lennar
· Two levels with 2 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms, plus lower-level garage
· Approximately 1,360 square feet of living space
· End-unit location with extra natural light and patio for outdoor enjoyment
· appliances, including gas cooktop
· Two upstairs bedrooms, each with en suite bath and one with balcony
· Attached, underground 2-car garage with laundry, plus dedicated guest parking
· Top-rated Los Altos schools
Entertainment
Pixar scores with charming ‘Hoppers’
BY LINDSEY BAHR Associated Press Writer
“Hoppers” might be built with familiar parts, but Pixar’s latest isn’t trying to hide its various influences. Instead, this buoyant, freewheeling adventure about a spirited 19-year-old environmental activist who infiltrates the animal world in the body a robotic beaver wears its references for all to see. Sometimes it’s with a wink; Sometimes it’s more overt, like Kathy Najimy’s flustered scientist shouting, “This is nothing like ‘Avatar!’”
Of course, “Hoppers,” directed by Daniel Chong, is a little like “Avatar,” but who can blame her for being defensive? She’s figured out how to transport human consciousness into a robotic animal that can not only pass as a real one — in this case a beaver — but communicate with all varieties of mammals, insects and amphibians too. Is it also a “Simpsons already did it” reference? That might be getting a little too meta, but the point is “Hoppers” is having fun with its own chaos.
Memorable characters
Najimy’s Dr. Sam is a relatively minor character in the world of “Hoppers,” but she, and everyone else around Beaverton (both animal and human), are rendered with the kind of specificity, care and goofiness that make them memorable regardless of screen time. This is an especially good thing when the supporting voice cast includes people like Meryl Streep, Sam Richardson, Dave Franco, Ego Nwodim and Vanessa Bayer.
The last time I felt so singularly
connected to the ensemble of a Pixar movie was “Luca,” which was also written by Jesse Andrews.
The hero at the heart of “Hoppers,” Mabel Tanaka (Piper Curda), is actually a kind of spiritual sister to “Luca’s” Giulia Marcovaldo — impassioned (some might say “too much”) and a bit of an outcast because of it.
The glade
Mabel’s focus has always been animals: She was the kid who tried to free the pets in her elementary school
(several times). As a young adult, she’s the one who shows up on the mayor’s lawn to debate. When Mayor Jerry (Jon Hamm) comes to tear down a particularly sentimental spot, the glade, in the name of finishing a highway overpass that will save his constituents four minutes on their commutes, she goes full terminator in her mission to save it — or, you know, as much as a 19-year-old in the body of a mechanical beaver can.
As a beaver, Mabel forms a friendship with King George (Bobby Moyni-
han), an optimistic, ’80s-music loving beaver who oversees a superdam for all the displaced wildlife. The various species live in relative harmony and peace but still abide by dryly practical “pond rules” like “when you’ve gotta eat, eat.” Her gung-ho, apologize-later attitude has some positive effects. It also gets her and her new friends in over their heads when she inadvertently incites a war.
Emotional ride
For a PG-rated Pixar movie, the stakes get rather, uh, real. It is worth remembering that time in “Toy Story 3” where Woody and his pals seemed prepared for imminent incineration. This is decidedly tamer.
Don’t think too hard about how “Hoppers” gets you from a little tale about a girl trying to save a patch of land to a truly helter-skelter third act involving a flying assassin shark, a Machiavellian insect prince and more body swapping than “Freakier Friday.” Just enjoy the adorable and slightly manic ride.
Somehow, amid all the lighthearted anarchy, “Hoppers” manages to pull a few emotional strings too. After the heavy-handed “Elio” misfire, “Hoppers” might still feel fairly distant from the heights of peak Pixar; It’s also a big, joyful leap in the right direction.
Release info
“Hoppers,” a Walt Disney Co. release in theaters tomorrow, is rated PG by the Motion Picture Association for “some scary images, mild language and action/peril.” Running time: 105 minutes.
CITY OF LOS ALTOS PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE
NOTICE IS GIVEN that the Zoning Administrator of the City of Los Altos will hold a Public Hearing to consider the following project: 1. SC25-0021 - Yizhou Xu – 465 Benvenue Avenue
Request for Design Review to construct a 3,183-square foot, two-story home. The project site is located on the north side of Benvenue Avenue between South El Monte Avenue and South Clark Avenue. The project is categorically exempt from environmental review pursuant to Section 15303 (New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Project Planner: Whitehill
The Zoning Administrator public hearing will be held on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, starting at 4:00 PM in person at the Community Meeting Chambers, Los Altos City Hall, 1 North San Antonio Road, Los Altos, CA and via a webinar. Please go to the following link: https://ca-losaltos.civicplus.com/527/Zoning-Administrator
NOTICE IS GIVEN that the Planning Commission of the City of Los Altos will hold a Public Hearing to consider the following project:
Request for Design Review to construct a three-story, multiple-family development with nine residential units with a State Density Bonus with a concession and waivers and a Tentative Map application to create nine condominium lots and one common lot. The project site is located on the north side of Fremont Avenue, between Manor Way and Dolores Avenue. The project is categorically exempt pursuant to Section 15332 (In-Fill Development Projects) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines. Project Planner: Liu
The Planning Commission public hearing will be held on Thursday, March 19, 2026 starting at 6:00 PM in person at the Community Meeting Chambers, Los Altos City Hall, 1 North San Antonio Road, Los Altos, CA and via conference call. Please go to the following link: https://ca-losaltos.civicplus.com/524/Planning-Commission
Questions can be answered by calling the Development Services Department at (650) 947-2750 or sent via email to planning@losaltosca.gov.
Yvonne Dupont, Management Analyst I
SCIENCE EXPERIMENT — Dr. Sam, left, voiced by Kathy Najimy, and Nisha, right, voiced by Aparna Nancherla, in a scene from the animated film “Hoppers.” Disney/Pixar via AP.
EXPERT –––––––
— but so many people are afraid,” Poland said in an interview.
The Palo Alto Unified School District has seen four students die by suicide in the last two years: Anriya Wang, 16, on Feb. 20, 2024; Ash He, 15, on March 4, 2025; Emily Fiedel, 17, on Aug. 9; and Summer Devi Mehta, 17, on Feb. 3.
Kids are more likely to imitate the behavior of their peers, and the contagion is worse because of social media, Poland said.
Kids should be asked
Doctors should ask kids about their mental health at every visit, and school districts should have high school students fill out a seven-question “signs of suicide” screening form that has them name a trusted adult, Poland said.
Many students who die by suicide have discussed their plans with friends, so it’s important that students learn how to respond — by validating their friend’s feelings and getting them help, and not with a pep talk or downplaying, Poland said.
School leaders should talk to students in small groups to get honest questions and a better understanding on how they’re experiencing recent suicides, Poland said.
Who’s at risk?
“The bottom line question is always this: Who is now most at risk? And it’s not the closest friend,” Poland said. “It’s other students who have had their own sad circumstances, and they’ve thought about suicide. Now that somebody has done it, barriers and inhibitions are down. They might somehow be viewing their life as parallel.”
Parents should put limits on screen time, especially late at night, and model good behavior by not having cell phones consume their own lives, Poland said.
“Let them be little kids as long as possible … The technology should be treated as a privilege, not a right,” Poland said.
Not enough research
There isn’t enough research on what causes a suicide cluster, but some factors are bullying, relationship violence, access to lethal means and parents not getting help for their children, Poland said.
In his trainings, Poland talks about “suicide-proofing” the home by locking up liquor, medications and guns. But preventing access to the Caltrain tracks is more complicated, he said.
Having security guards at Palo Alto’s crossings isn’t a bad idea, but the community also needs to figure out who needs help before they reach that point, Poland said.
Help is available. If you or someone you know is having a mental health crisis, call or text the 24/7 suicide and crisis lifeline at 988.
Wang said in his lawsuit.
The district agreed to move Wang’s son into a more advanced class and pay him $5,000 to drop his case. Four math advocates sued the district with similar
Where most train deaths occurred
BY BRADEN CARTWRIGHT Daily Post Staff Writer
Half of the deaths on the Caltrain tracks last year were in Palo Alto, according to coroner data. The people who died ranged in age from 15 to 67, and their average age was 40 years old.
The cases were all closed as suicides, except for a homeless man who was hit in San Jose and died on his way to the hospital on Jan. 31, 2025. Palo Alto saw five of the 10 Caltrain deaths last year, and another death on Feb. 3, the Santa Clara County Medical Examiner said. Menlo Park had two deaths last year, according to the San Mateo County Coroner’s Office. Morgan Hill and Sunnyvale each had one death.
Jan. 31 — Jose Diego Canderos, 48 Feb. 8 — Christopher Eamonn Burgraff, 21, of Menlo Park
March 4 — Ash He, 15, of Palo Alto
June 24 — Mark Kousnetz, 66, of Palo Alto
July 17 — Sukumar Ramanathan, 63, of Menlo Park
Aug. 5 — Mahsa Farsad, 39, of Sunnyvale, Aug. 9 — Emily Fiedel, 17, of Palo Alto
Aug. 21 — James Liam Lin-Sperry, 20, of Palo Alto
Sept. 10 — Kenneth Jay Evan, 67, of Morgan Hill
Nov. 6 — Jeremiah Chapman, 47, of Palo Alto
claims and the same attorney in July 2021. Judge Carrie Zepeda ordered the district to update its policies, publish more data and pay $38,311 in attorney fees.
Wang is co-founder of Shazam, an app that identifies songs from a snippet of sound. Apple reportedly paid about $400 million to buy Shazam in 2018.
Wang now works at Apple as a research scientist, according to his social media. He received a PhD from Stanford in 1994 and lives in the Old Palo Alto neighborhood.
Wang said yesterday he will talk about his campaign after it’s organized.
The other contender Melamedov, 35, is a pro-Israel activist and frequent public commenter at board meetings. She is against Ethnic Studies and wants the district to reinstate Multivariable Calculus, an advanced math class that she said many Asian and immigrant families want students to take.
“A lot of these so-called attempts at reducing pressure are actually judgments in disguise made about different parenting styles, different cultural frameworks,” Melamedov said at a Jan. 20 board meeting.
Melamedov is on the JLS Middle School Site Council and works as a product marketing manager at Frontegg, a startup company based in
Mountain View. She received a bachelor’s degree in English and philosophy from Sarah Lawrence College in New York in 2012 and lives near Greer Park.
Melamedov hasn’t returned a request for comment but filed paperwork to start fundraising on Sept. 10.
Came to Chiu’s defense
Both Wang and Melamedov came to Chiu’s defense after an emotional board meeting about requiring students to take Ethnic Studies on Jan. 23, 2024.
At the meeting, members of the crowd jeered and laughed when Chiu asked about offering Ethnic Studies as an elective.
“I am attempting to maintain an open mindset, but the feedback that I’ve had from the community so far has made me feel very unsafe,” Chiu said.
That’s when Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction Danae Reynolds jumped in to suggest that Chiu was uncomfortable, but not unsafe.
“I worry about the word ‘safe’ as a person who has to worry about my husband driving and coming home if he gets pulled over,” Reynolds said.
After the meeting, Chiu reposted a social media account, Asians Against Wokeness, that called out Reynolds. Chiu said she felt silenced. Reynolds was subject to racist comments underneath the post, and Chiu apologized and deleted it.
Former school board members and the union for principals and psychologists called for Chiu to resign, and Chiu’s colleagues on the board removed her from her committees.
Subject of a ‘witch hunt’
Melamedov said Chiu was the subject of a witch hunt and smear campaign by “activist educators.”
“The real goal is to silence voices who are asking tough questions about an ideologically charged and one-sided curriculum,” Melamedov said in a letter to the editor at the time.
Wang and a group of parents started a recall campaign against Dharap after he introduced a resolution condemning Chiu’s repost.
“The district has taken a sharp anti-academic direction ever since Shounak joined the board,” Wang said in an interview at the time.
But Wang dropped out of the campaign after meeting with Dharap.
Wang also circulated a petition last summer against renewing Superintendent Don Austin’s contract.
The petition called out the district for removing Honors Biology for freshman, mandating Ethnic Studies and no longer offering Multivariable Calculus for high school credit.
The petition said Austin has “a track record of stonewalling, intimidation and gaslighting” and gathered 1,457 signatures.
The board voted 4-1 to renew Austin’s contract on June 3, with Chiu voting no.
Austin left the district with a $596,802 payout on Feb. 20. On Feb. 23, the board picked Deputy Superintendent Trent Bahadursingh to fill in while searching for a permanent leader.
phy. Romero asked why he should resign if he was exercising his First Amendment right. City Manager Melvin Gaines said Romero did not violate the city’s code of ethics or conduct because his letter does not
MELAMEDOV
WANG
represent the whole council. Romero said he wrote the character reference letter because Prado’s mother asked him to in tears. The letter does not ask for Prado’s release, but for the judge to review the facts carefully, Romero said. Councilman Mark Dinan has lied about Romero's intentions when writing the letter, saying Romero wants a pedophile to be released, Romero said. “Mr. Dinan’s medanicity knows no end,” Romero said.
Dinan said he was upset to see Romero use the city’s letterhead and his power as a councilman to support Prado’s release. He said he was very troubled by the letter.
The allegations
Prado, 28, of Redwood City, allegedly met a 13-year-old boy in the library while he was an employee of the city and followed each other on Instagram, according to District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe.
Prado was an on-call, part-time support aide for the city from July 11, 2025, to April 2, 2025, according to Gaines. He did not work in the library but helped during community outreach, Covid vaccination clinics and office tasks, Gaines said. The city library, which shares a building with city hall, is run by San Mateo County.
Prado met up with the boy for a year to give him meth and cocaine and would allegedly molest him, according to Wagstaffe. The boy was homeless when he contacted the police in April 2025, Wagstaffe said.
The city was notified of Prado’s arrest in June, two months after he stopped working for the city, Gaines said.
Vice Mayor Ruben Abrica said the argument over Romero using the seal is all “petty stuff,” and if Dinan and Romero want to fight, they should take it to the ballot box. Dinan and Romero will be up for re-election in 2028.
Dinan said he wanted to make the streets safer for kids with speed bumps and roundabouts, but he didn’t think there would be a member who would openly advocate putting at-risk kids at even greater risk. The library is a safe space for kids, he said.
Solutions, not political theater
Residents did not ask Romero to step down, but asked council to better support youth with more resources.
Filiberto Zaragoza said he was upset the city failed a young child who called East Palo Alto home. Residents want solutions, not political theater, he said.
“Our city did not and still does not have the resources and infrastructure to have protected this young person.... There are members of this council who have been using this recent incident as a political opportunity to point fingers. You should feel ashamed,” Zaragoza said.
Ofelia Bello said a youth shelter should be prioritized.
This is not the first time there’s been conflict between Romero, Dinan and Lincoln. Last year, Dinan and Councilwoman Martha Barragan led the charge to censure Romero for calling Lincoln “deaf and dumb” after Lincoln tried to end a debate about housing in August, since Romero was repeating himself.
Prado will be in court today for a preliminary hearing and remains in custody on no bail.
Puzzles on page 25
COUNTY OF SANTA CLARA OFFICE OF THE REGISTRAR OF VOTERS
1555 Berger Drive, Building 2, San Jose, California, 95112
NOTICE OF THE JUNE 2, 2026, STATEWIDE DIRECT PRIMARY ELECTION
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN
students?
Daily crossword puzzle COFFEE BREAK
CIVIL WAR HISTORY. PLEASE
JOIN Dana Lombardy and the Peninsula Civil War Round Table on Tuesday, March 17, at 11:30 a.m. at Harry’s Hofbrau in Redwood City. Mr. Lombardy will be presenting on “Grant’s Early Career,” which is also the subject of his recently published book. His talk will cover General Grant’s early military experiences, including the Mexican War, the Civil War in the West from 1861 through the end of 1862, and the start of the Vicksburg Campaign.
JOIN DONNA MARIE BALDWIN AND SPEAKER RON RICARD as they discuss the ins and outs of 1031 exchanges and building generational wealth. Learn how to trade up to your next investment property while keeping your hard-earned equity intact by deferring capital gains taxes through a 1031 exchange. This free webinar will take place on Wednesday, March 18, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. DonnaMarie Baldwin, Compass | DRE #00560346.
ATTENTION ALL ABBA FANS! Get ready for a night of amazing live music, irresistible melodies, glittering costumes and pure joy when the internationally acclaimed ABBA tribute band “ABRA Cadabra” takes the stage at the Fox Theatre in Redwood City on Friday, April 10th at 7:30 p.m. This interactive, family-friendly extravaganza features a captivating live band, powerful vocals, dazzling dancers, multimedia effects, and multiple costume changes. You will be singing along to all your favorite ABBA classics, including “Mamma Mia,” “Dancing Queen,” “Waterloo,” and more! For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit iLoveABBA.com or call the box office at (650) 369-7770.
ACCELERATE YOUR RECOVERY WITH REGENERATIVE SHOCKWAVE THERAPY. When chronic pain, pelvic issues, or persistent injuries limit your life, you deserve a smarter path forward. At PhysioFit Physical Therapy and Wellness, their team evaluates whether regenerative shockwave therapy should be used before or after physical or occupational therapy to ensure the best possible outcome. They integrate comprehensive physical
and occupational therapy with advanced regenerative technology to promote tissue repair and improve movement. Many people notice meaningful progress within only a few sessions—without downtime, medication, or surgery. Restore strength, rebuild confidence, and return to the active lifestyle you value. Begin your recovery today by booking an appointment to receive dedicated guidance from their skilled clinicians. Call (650) 360-9373 to learn more. Shown in the photo is Exec. Dir. Kim Gladfelter, MPT, OCS, FAAOMPT.
LASER
SKIN RESURFACING. Since 1995, the physicians at Palo Alto Dermatology Institute (PADI) have helped thousands of patients achieve healthier, more youthful-looking skin using Ultrapulse® CO2 laser resurfacing. This technology effectively targets wrinkles, blotchy skin, precancerous lesions, and loss of skin elasticity. Their founder, Dr. Greg S. Morganroth, was among the first physicians to perform full-face laser resurfacing in Silicon Valley and has trained many local dermatologists and plastic surgeons in the technique. Located at 301 High Street in Downtown Palo Alto, PADI is one of the few practices in the United States equipped with two original Coherent Ultrapulse 5000c lasers, which offer a more comprehensive resurfacing technique than modern fractional CO2 lasers. To see if you are a candidate for Ultrapulse® CO2 laser resurfacing, please call (650) 606-7234 or visit paloaltoderm.com.
DOES A CLASSIC CHEESEBURGER FOR LUNCH SOUND OK? Maybe add some fries or a healthy salad on the side? Sundance the Steakhouse
is the place for you. Cash is the waiter, bartender, chief bottle-washer and man about town in the historic sports lounge of this historic, family owned restaurant. The lunch menu at Sundance also offers a yummy french dip sandwich, chicken club sandwich, seared Ahi sandwich and the list goes on and on. You want a crisp healthy salad for lunch? Sundance is the place. Come on in and enjoy a fantastic lunch, Sundance style. Located at 1921 El Camino Real in Palo Alto for over 50 years. Call 650 321-6798 for a reservation and check the website for more info.
COME SAY HI TO KATE AND SABINA WHO CAN HELP YOU PICK YOUR NEXT TRAVELWARE! They believe a life well-lived is a life enriched by travel. They’re dedicated to delivering remarkable travelware with extraordinary performance and enduring quality. The new Briggs & Riley store at Palo Alto’s Town & Country Village brings performancedriven luggage and everyday travel essentials closer than ever. Explore collections engineered for real life!