View in Browser
California Local Logo
Graphic which spells out The Newsletter.

By Chris Neklason
Published Aug 05, 2024

A screenshot of the CalFire active incidents web page from August 4, 2024. Yikes.
A screenshot of the CalFire active incidents web page from August 4, 2024. Yikes.
Image credit: CalFire   Public Domain

California Fire Season Grinds On

I hate to be a broken record droning on and on about wildfires, but California is breaking records with the hottest July ever, leading to possibly the worst fire season ever.

Global average temperatures are fast approaching 1.5°Celsius above pre-industrial levels—a tipping point—and the extreme weather predicted by climate scientists is already upon us.

We've previously written about how communities are devoting resources to prepare for and respond to extreme events, and in this issue of The Newsletter we want to shine a spotlight on a partnership building community resilience in North Tahoe.

The Tahoe Truckee COAD—Community Organizations Active in Disaster

Our friends at the Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation are working to keep Tahoe blue, green, and resilient.

Building Community Resilience in North Tahoe

A CalFire tanker aircraft drops a plume of fire retardant on a forest.
The Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation develops partnerships to prepare and respond to emergencies with its COAD (Community Organizations Active in Disaster).

California Local logo

Santa Clara County's Homepage
Direct your browser to https://santaclara.californialocal.com/ to catch up on the latest news in California and Santa Clara County. Bookmark the link and visit often, there's a lot happening in your community!

Become a Watch Duty Sponsor or Volunteer

You will no doubt remember our article about the Watch Duty app which provides a one-stop portal for active wildfire information. 

This fire season is straining these volunteer fire-watchers' resources as they continue to inform local communities facing nearby wildfires. 

Please consider donating or volunteering to help them help you stay informed and prepared.

Recipe of the Week

Our friends at Sacramento Digs Gardening publish a recipe from their gardens every Sunday, which we feature here so you can start your week with some yum.

See more recipes in their Taste Summer! cookbook.

Marinate smaller zucchini for a cool summer salad

Herbs added just before serving finish off this salad that makes use of smaller zucchini and summer squash.
New! Lemon, garlic and herbs flavor this no-cook side dish

Get to Know a Group

Big Brothers Big Sisters logo Big Brothers Big Sisters

Big Brother Big Sisters provides children facing adversity with strong, enduring, professionally supported mentorship. The organization believes that all children can achieve success when given the proper tools and resources—and volunteer mentors are among the most important of those resources.

→ Learn more

California Media Alliance logo

From Our Media Allies

 → View All
San Jose Spotlight logo Silicon Valley BART Expansion Has Multimillion-Dollar Shortfall

Federal funding will be flowing into Silicon Valley to help expand BART service to Santa Clara, but the revenue is just short of VTA’s request, leaving officials looking for ways to plug the shortfall.
San Jose Spotlight logo Sunnyvale Notches Another Affordable Housing Project

A 100% affordable housing project near the Lawrence Caltrain station in Sunnyvale is moving forward, with the development planning  to open next year.
San Jose Spotlight logo Health Advocates Want to Pause San Jose Hospital Expansion

A San Jose hospital wants to construct two new hospital wings in a more than 1 million-square-foot expansion to satisfy California earthquake mandates — but health care equity concerns are also rising to the surface.
Gilroy Dispatch logo OSA Secures $800k in Federal Funds for Local Preserve Improvements

The Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority this week celebrated an $800,000 federal allocation that will pay for accessibility improvements to a trail and other facilities at the Coyote Valley Open Space Preserve in Morgan Hill.

San Jose Spotlight logo San Jose Allows Sale of Backyard Homes as Condos

With the average house in San Jose costing more than $1 million, the city has jumped at implementing a new state law that could bring more homes to market.
San Jose Spotlight logo Santa Clara County Candidates Fill Their Campaign War Chests

The race for Santa Clara County’s most powerful governing body has candidates pulling in hundreds of thousands of dollars to represent San Jose and the West Valley on the Board of Supervisors.
Gilroy Dispatch logo Developer Sues Gilroy for Not Approving 501-Unit Housing Proposal

The Gilroy City Council this week narrowly voted to defend the city against a lawsuit that claims it has violated state housing laws by declining, so far, to approve a 501-unit residential project proposed on Las Animas Avenue.

Morgan Hill Times logo Challengers Consider Running for MHUSD Board of Education Seats

According to an unofficial candidate list supplied by the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters, three potential challengers have shown interest in running to unseat incumbents on the Morgan Hill Unified School District of Board of Trustees.

San Jose Spotlight logo San Jose School Bond Could Fund Teacher Housing

San Jose's largest school district is counting on voters to approve more than $1 billion to upgrade facilities and house employees, which community advocates say is needed. 
Los Gatan logo An Afternoon Meeting With a Prospective Congressman

On a recent Wednesday afternoon, I was sitting inside Los Gatos Coffee Roasting Co., waiting for State Assemblymember Evan Low to appear, when I received a text informing me he was running a few minutes behind.
San Jose Spotlight logo Cupertino to Upgrade Bike Lanes Along Major Road

Cupertino is gearing up to give cyclists a safety boost on one of its busiest roads.
San Jose Spotlight logo Lack of West Valley Homeless Shelters Prompts Action

The Campbell City Council unanimously supported a $100,000 West Valley shelter feasibility study earlier this month using some of its remaining American Rescue Plan (ARPA) funds. The study is one of the first in the West Valley to explore creating …
Hilltromper Silicon Valley logo Kids2Parks: The Power of Field Trips

Title 1 schools have until August 18 to sign up for field trips, with guidance from State Parks staff and transportation funding provided.
San Jose Spotlight logo Sunnyvale on Solid Footing While Neighbor Strapped for Cash

While one Santa Clara County city pinches pennies to make ends meet and juggles budget shortfalls, its neighbor to the west sits on a surplus that can easily cover its deficit.
San Jose Inside logo Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority Named Outstanding Public Transportation System

The top industry award from the American Public Transportation Association honors a public transportation system member that has demonstrated achievement in efficiency and effectiveness.
San Jose Spotlight logo Potential Cupertino Development Irks Residents

A potential multi-family housing project is creating a stir in a quiet Cupertino neighborhood, signaling an intolerance for large housing developments.
  California Local Pin Marker  

Recent Local News

 → View All
● Milpitas Sales Tax Measure Added to November Ballot
In their August 5 meeting, the Milpitas City Council voted to add a measure to the November ballot asking residents to extend the existing Measure F sales tax.
(08/06/2024) The Mercury News
● Los Altos School Approves Bond on November Ballot
In their August 5 meeting, the Los Altos School District approved placing a $350 million bond for upgrades and new facilities on the November ballot.
(08/06/2024) Mountain View Voice
● Palo Alto Approves Ventura Neighborhood Plan
In its August 5 meeting, the Palo Alto City Council adopted the North Ventura Coordinated Area Plan, which calls for denser and taller housing.
(08/06/2024) Palo Alto Online
● Unregulated Group Homes Cause for Concern
Over a hundred unregulated group homes in Santa Clara County are housing formerly incarcerated people on parole or those released from mental health or addiction programs, often in overcrowded or unsanitary conditions.
(08/03/2024) The Mercury News
● Hundreds of Homes Proposed for North San Jose
A 25 acre lot in north San Jose once considered for an office campus is being proposed for development of housing, including more than 100 affordable units.
(08/01/2024) The Mercury News
● Arson Suspected in Santa Cruz Mountain Fires
Arson is the suspected cause of four Santa Cruz Mountain fires over 11 days.
(08/01/2024) The Mercury News
● Palo Alto Forward Supports Housing Element
The City of Palo Alto's latest Housing Element plan has support from a longtime critic.
(07/31/2024) Palo Alto Online
● Mountain View Housing Proposal
Mountain View parcels which have low-density apartments and a single family home are proposed to be redeveloped into a 4-story 42 unit housing complex.
(07/30/2024) Mountain View Voice
● Los Altos Stacked Housing to Rise After Wrecking Ball
An abandoned three-story office complex on El Camino Real in Los Altos was demolished, to be replaced by 129 units of housing.
(07/30/2024) Los Altos Town Crier
● Los Alto Hills Residents Urged to Create and Maintain Defensible Spaces
The Los Altos Hills County Fire District is urging residents to take steps to create and maintain defensible spaces around their homes.
(07/30/2024) Los Altos Town Crier
  California Local Pin Marker  

Recent Statewide News

 → View All
● California Battles Onslaught of Wildfires With Help From Mutual Aid: ‘More Resources Than Rest of US Combined’
So many intense wildfires all at once require an intricate chess game for maneuvering firefighters and equipment around the U.S.
(08/06/2024) CalMatters
● Audit: California Risked Millions in Homelessness Funds Due to Poor Anti-Fraud Protections
A critical new federal audit calls out California for doing too little to prevent fraudulent spending of homelessness funds. Nearly $320 million was at risk.
(08/06/2024) CalMatters
● CA Budget Deficit Sidelines More Bills
The Senate appropriations committee sent dozens upon dozens of bills — that have a price tag of at least $50,000 to $150,000 and that may also be politically dicey — to the dreaded suspense file, where many could die quickly on Aug. 15.
(08/06/2024) CalMatters
● Rent Drives Up CA Cost of Living
Many landlords in California can only raise the rent a certain amount. On August 1, they — and their tenants — found out how high.
(08/02/2024) CalMatters
● A Soil Fungus That Can Kill Is on the Rise in California: What to Know About Valley Fever
About 80 Californians die every year after contracting Valley fever, a fungal disease that typically affects the lungs. A recent outbreak was traced to a music festival in Kern County.
(08/01/2024) CalMatters
● California Lawmakers Negotiating Sweeping Package to Speed Up Solar, Wind Energy
Legislators and Gov. Newsom are working behind the scenes to draft energy legislation before the end-of-the-month deadline.
(08/01/2024) CalMatters
● What CA Voters Should Know on Minimum Wage, Health Tax Props
A voter at a polling center at Santa Ana College in Santa Ana on March 5, 2024. Photo by Lauren Justice for CalMatters
(08/01/2024) CalMatters
● California’s Voters Face Competing Ballot Measures as Interest Groups Clash
Although the initiative process — proposing new laws via ballot measures — has been in California’s constitution for more than a century, its use was fairly uncommon until the 1970s.
(07/30/2024) CalMatters
  California Local Pin Marker

Government Announcements

 → View All
Image of State of California seal. Dawn Addis CA Assembly 30: Addis Adjourns in Memory of Marine Biologist and Water Advocate, Dr. Wallace J. Nichols
Addis Adjourns in Memory of Marine Biologist and Water Advocate, Dr. Wallace J. Nichols sanchema Mon, 08/05/2024 - 10:35 Friday, August 2, 2024
State of California   (08/05/2024)
Image of City of Saratoga seal. Public Safety Fair for Emergency Preparedness
This hands-on public safety fair will help you prepare for emergencies. Get emergency preparedness resources, giveaways, and survival kits. See demos and displays!
City of Saratoga   (08/05/2024)
Image of City of Campbell seal. Pre-School 2024-2025 Openings
City of Campbell   (08/02/2024)
Image of City of Campbell seal. Oktoberfest Fun Run/Walk 10K, 5K & Kids' Dash
City of Campbell   (08/02/2024)
Image of United States seal. Metro Produce Distributors Inc. Recalls Fresh Guacamole Because of Possible Health Risk
Metro Produce Distributors Inc. of Minneapolis, Minnesota, is voluntarily recalling all Lunds & Byerlys fresh guacamole products with a use-by date of August 2, 2024, because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fat
United States   (08/01/2024)
Image of Town of Los Gatos seal. Leadership Los Gatos Now Accepting Applications!
The Town is now accepting applications for Leadership Los Gatos 2024/25!
Town of Los Gatos   (08/01/2024)
Image of Town of Los Gatos seal. LGS Recreation Fall Program Guide Now Available
LGS Recreation Fall 2024 programs are now live!
Town of Los Gatos   (08/01/2024)
Image of Town of Los Gatos seal. County Webinars: How to Help a Friend or Loved One Access Behavioral Health Care
The Santa Clara County Behavioral Health Services Department and El Camino Health's Chinese Health Initiative are hosting a free webinar series called How to Help a Friend or Loved One Access Behavioral Health Care.
Town of Los Gatos   (08/01/2024)
Image of City of Saratoga seal. Seeking Clean Water Advocates
West Valley Clean Water Authority is seeking participants for a roundtable discussion on August 8 in Saratoga to discuss water-related issues in Saratoga.
City of Saratoga   (08/01/2024)
Image of City of Gilroy seal. Regarding an Application to Construct an Apartment Complex at 315 Las Animas Avenue
A press release regarding an application to construct an apartment complex at 315 Las Animas Avenue.
City of Gilroy   (08/01/2024)