Inside
Taste of paradise Banana leaves are a flavorful cooking aid. 6
OPINION
4
OBITUARIES
25
CLASSIFIED ADS
26
LEGAL LISTINGS
27
Safer streets Hayward gives updates on construction projects. 8 TRICITYVOICE.COM
VOL 25 NO 13
MARCH 24-30, 2026
Small school district affected by layoffs
Helping Ukraine Scout project sends care packages to orphans. 12
● After March 10 board meeting two staff members are still at risk for layoffs BayPhil’s ’’s new director
By Roelle Balan
— More on page 10
Paige Francis
School employee layoffs are also affecting Sunol Glen Unified School District. The small one-school district was about to lay off four employees—but two were saved by the board of trustees. The school board voted on March 10 to save a preschool teacher and a childcare staff member from potential layoffs. An art teacher was reduced to part time. Meanwhile, a health support specialist and a noon duty supervisor are currently at risk of being laid off. School board members say they are taking these layoffs seriously. “The way that Sunol operates is that we are small, and everybody has a really high impact on the decisions that are made at this school,” said trustee Erin Choin. Sunol, a small town located south of Pleasanton, has a population of just over 900 residents. Its entire school district
Union City native takes the lead. 21
OPEN FOR BUSINESS Christopher Booras cuts the ribbon at the 2026 grand opening, with Teresa Hoang (left) from the Chamber of Commerce, Mayor Raj Salwan and other city council members.
Renewal of resilient market ● Ohlone Flea Market continues strong after weathering hiatus By Paige Francis
T
he Ohlone Flea Market celebrated its third anniversary and the first market of the season with a ribbon cutting on March 14. The market started in the 1980s, serving the Fremont community for 27 years, before its eight-year shut shut-
down due to construction and the Covid pandemic. “This is not just a market, but this is also a place for our community to gather,” said Fremont Mayor Raj Salwan during the ribbon-cutting ceremony. “[It’s an opportunity] to support our small businesses and our local vendors, so they can sell their goods and create an environment where people have things to do.” Site super visor Marissa Romano shared with the crowd that 80 vendors were present, including small businesses, garage sellers, a wellness cen-
ter, food vendors and the car meet hosted in collaboration with Ohayō Roadsters. Some vendors have stuck with the market throughout it all, selling in the ‘80s and returning to celebrate the first market of the year. Bernie Lucero is the owner of Excelsior Precious Metals and has been selling antique rings at the market for at least 35 years. “When I found out they were doing [the market] again, I signed up right away,” he said. — More on page 10
Elite Eight CSUEB team heads to Pittsburg. 24
Sports injuries How to guard young athletes’ wellbeing. 25