Swarm of regulations complicates beekeeping boom
Beekeeping is becoming a backyard trend in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. About 1,000 people purchased a Groupon for beekeeping school. But the hobby comes with legal challenges.
Politics & Gov
Keep up with Peninsula Leaders, Legislation and Municipal Affairs
Two years after teen deaths, Palo Alto commits new funds, energy to suicide prevention
After five teen suicides shook Palo Alto in 2009, schools and the city implemented intervention and support programs. Awareness has been raised, but a teen survey shows there’s more work to be done.
As government funding drops, Redwood City library head taps volunteers, his own bank account
At a time when budget cuts are affecting public libraries, Redwood City’s director of libraries remains adamant that they must not just survive in this climate, but thrive.
After years of addiction, a former inmate gives thanks for jail support services
Diane Joiner is a resident of East Palo Alto, but she used to reside behind bars. Today, she’s the poster child for programs in San Mateo and Santa Clara county jails designed to reduce recidivism.
East Palo Alto gym founder works to rebuild young lives through boxing
Johnnie Gray Jr., founder of the East Palo Alto Boxing Club, welcomes teens who want to train, even if they can’t afford the membership fees. The club receives some city funds, but Gray says it still struggles financially.
Palo Alto’s ‘mobile mayor’ favors compromise, except on developing parkland
Sid Espinosa, Palo Alto’s first Hispanic and fourth-youngest mayor, juggles duties at City Hall with a full-time job at Microsoft. His career path included a White House job during the Clinton administration.
San Jose high school racks up national science awards under teacher’s leadership
San Jose’s Lynbrook High School celebrates math and science students the way many schools celebrate athletes. Science teacher Amanda Alonzo shares why inquiry-based learning is great for students and test scores.
Menlo Park decreases pension benefits for newly hired city workers
The Menlo Park City Council approved a two-year contract with all unionized city workers except police officers. It reduces pension benefits for new hires.
Vast majority of Santa Clara County voters opted to vote by mail
Of the 44,403 votes cast Nov. 8 in Cupertino, Sunnyvale, Palo Alto, Orchard School District and Sunnyvale School District, more than 80 percent came via mail-in ballots, according to county election results.