Before we get into a story that involves dams, reservoirs, and irony: A reminder that this edition of The Newsletter includes, as always, a carefully curated news digest that makes it easy for you to quickly find the most important stories happening in your community this week. Also: A brief intro to a nonprofit doing good work AND a seasonal recipe. It's an effortless scroll—but first:
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By Eric Johnson
Published Sep 16, 2024
Loch Lomond, the reservoir that supplies the city of Santa Cruz with a significant portion of its drinking water, is also a beautiful recreational and natural resource.
Dams and Reservoirs: Up and Down
California Dams Get Raised and Razed
As a lifelong sworn environmentalist, I have always felt a little bit guilty about the fact that I love reservoirs—and if I'm honest the dams that create them. As a kid growing up in New Jersey just outside Manhattan, the Oradell Reservoir was my refuge, and the place where I discovered nature. When I moved to the Santa Cruz Mountains soon after high school, the Loch Lomond reservoir was walking distance from my home and became another refuge.
I saw my first eagle at the Oradell Reservoir when I was 16, and my first mountain lion at Loch Lomond when I was 19. I mention this not out of pure nostalgia, but to pont out that beyond their intended benefit of storing water for human use, reservoirs can be inherently good, in that they support rich and healthy ecosystems. And yes: Dams throughout California and the West have massively disrupted fisheries and threaten keystone species such as Chinook salmon with extinction.
So this week, a nuanced look at some dams throughout the state that are going up and coming down.
The Ups and Downs of California Dams
We check in on efforts to raise some dams in the state to store more water, and to raze some dams to to let water run free.
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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! | |
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 Fall! cookbook.
Get to Know a Group
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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.
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From Our Media Allies |
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Election 2024: Madison Nguyen Could Make History Again in D2 County Race |
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Madison Nguyen, wearing black athletic pants and tennis shoes, walks with her 12-year-old daughter Olivia Tran in scorching 93-degree heat, canvassing an East San Jose neighborhood across from Story Road. They coordinate reading out house numbers, before her daughter jogs … |
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San Jose Councilmembers Team Up to Lobby City |
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Terming out of office hasn't kept San Jose policymakers from sticking around City Hall as paid lobbyists. But the business of swaying former colleagues is becoming a crowded field. |
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San Jose Official Says City Won’t Sell Tiny Homes Site to County |
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After angry community protests, San Jose officials are scrapping plans to sell Santa Clara County a tiny homes site to house incarcerated people with mental health issues on the south side of the city. |
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West San Jose Development Cuts Affordable Apartments |
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A proposed West San Jose housing project that would have added more than 100 affordable homes has been scrapped. |
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Silicon Valley Political Groups Fail to Meet Transparency Requirements |
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Campaign finance reports are crucial to learning who’s funding elected office seekers. But new data shows Santa Clara County is rife with disregard for election transparency laws. |
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Election 2024: Betty Duong in Tight Race for D2 County Supervisor |
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Betty Duong knocks on the door of an East San Jose porch wearing a big floppy sun hat and white sneakers. She chats with the man who opens the door in Vietnamese about her run for the District 2 seat … |
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New East San Jose Superintendent to Deal With School Closures |
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A struggling East San Jose school district plans to close multiple campuses as it brings on a new superintendent to help guide officials through the difficult process. |
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Rotary Club of Gilroy to Give Away $75k-Plus |
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The Rotary Club of Gilroy on Oct. 7 will kick off its 2024-25 funding cycle, inviting schools, nonprofits, youth organizations and others to apply for grants. |
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Council Gives Town Manager Laurel Prevetti Fond Farewell |
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The bittersweet tributes poured in during the only item on the regular agenda at Council, Sept. 3: final professional goodbyes to Los Gatos Town Manager Laurel Prevetti, who spent a decade at the helm of the Silicon Valley community. |
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Sunnyvale Older Adults to Get Living Center, Convalescent Hospital |
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More than 100 apartments for older adults and a medical facility could be coming to Sunnyvale within the next few years. |
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Campbell Shields Affordable Housing Residents From Rent Shock |
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Officials in one West Valley city are taking action to combat a statewide policy gap that leaves residents in affordable housing vulnerable to rent increases that could price them out. |
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San Jose Still Searching for New Flea Market Site |
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San Jose officials are hard-pressed to find an alternative site for the Berryessa Flea Market as development is set to displace vendors and threaten their livelihoods. |
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Santa Clara County to Allow Tasers in Jails With Limits |
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Santa Clara County leaders have agreed to arm sheriff’s deputies in the jails with Tasers despite a year of protests from civil rights activists and community groups. |
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San Jose Mayor Pulls Endorsement of Cop Running for City Council |
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San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan has withdrawn his endorsement of Tam Truong, a City Council candidate and police officer who’s still running for office after county prosecutors charged him with grand theft related to mortgage fraud allegations. |
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Gavilan Breaks Ground on New Library, Student Center |
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Gavilan College officials were joined by local and regional representatives, as well as members of the South Valley community, for a groundbreaking ceremony Sept. 10 for the college’s new library in Gilroy. |
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Santa Clara County Sees 24% Spike in Homeless Residents |
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A year ago, the emergency homeless shelter in San Jose run by Family Supportive Housing received about 25 calls a day from desperate families needing a roof over their heads. The amount of calls have skyrocketed this year, with at … |
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State Lawmakers Raise Access Concern Over San Jose Vietnamese Garden |
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State lawmakers are calling out San Jose officials for changing the locks and community event access to a Vietnamese cultural garden that’s opened a political rift in Little Saigon. |
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San Jose Expands Cleanup Crew That Employs Homeless Residents |
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Neighborhoods stretching outside of immediate downtown San Jose will see cleaner streets and more job opportunities for homeless people in that area. |
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Pump Tracks Find Some New Momentum |
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Mountain bikers and BMX riders of all ages are flocking to parks to practice their skills on purpose-built rollers and berms. |
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Santa Clara County Courts Redirect Mental Health Cases |
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Although Santa Clara County was one of the first in the nation to create a behavioral health court, criminal offenders with mental health and drug problems sit in jail for months before getting treatment. That could change this week. |
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San José Spotlight Receives Prestigious Honor From Santa Clara County |
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The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors has commended San José Spotlight for its commitment to providing accurate and critical information on issues affecting county residents. |
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San Jose Leaders Push Proposition 36 as Critics Fight Back |
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A coalition of elected officials that Gov. Gavin Newsom dismissed as "just a couple mayors," is raising hundreds of thousands of dollars in an effort to reverse lenient rules on retail and drug crimes. |
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Recent Local News |
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• Candidate Profiles: Mountain View City Council Candidates
Introduction to the nine candidates running for election to four seats on the Mountain View City Council in the November election.
(09/17/2024) → Los Altos Town Crier• Los Altos School District Board Trustee Profiles
Introduction to new Altos School District Board of Trustees Stella Kam and Jim Malone.
(09/17/2024) → Los Altos Town Crier• Election Q&A: Los Altos City Council Candidates on Parking Plaza Uses
The candidates running for Los Altos City Council share their thoughts on parking plaza uses.
(09/17/2024) → Los Altos Town Crier• Introduction to New Los Gatos Town Manager
Meet Chris Constantin, the new Town Manager of Los Gatos.
(09/17/2024) → The Mercury News• Possible Housing Development For Harry Road in San Jose
A project to develop over 100 units of housing, including 20% affordable, on 49 acres on Harry Road in San Jose is under consideration.
(09/16/2024) → The Mercury News• Candidate Profiles: Milpitas Mayoral Race
An introduction to the candidates running for Milpitas Mayor in the November election.
(09/16/2024) → Milpitas Beat• Candidate Profiles: Milpitas City Council
An introduction to the candidates running for seats on the Milpitas City Council in the November election.
(09/16/2024) → Milpitas Beat• Mountain View Los Altos High School District Moving to District Elections
In their September 9 meeting, the Mountain View Los Altos High School District board of trustees voted to switch to district-based elections beginning with the 2026 election.
(09/16/2024) → Mountain View Voice• Election Explainer: Proposition 6
The Mercury News explains the Proposition 6 measure to end involuntary servitude on the November ballot.
(09/16/2024) → The Mercury News• Milpitas Awarded for Safe School Routes
The City of Milpitas is the recipient of a $2.9 million grant from the US Department of Transportation program to increase pedestrian and bike safety along school routes.
(09/15/2024) → The Mercury News• Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce Hosts Candidate Forum
A report of the September 12 Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce hosted forum for Palo Alto City City Council candidates.
(09/13/2024) → Palo Alto Online• San Francisco 49ers Spend Heavily Santa Clara City Council Races
The San Francisco 49ers have reportedly funded almost $1 million to political action committees focused on the Santa Clara City Council elections.
(09/12/2024) → The Mercury News• Mountain View Teacher Housing Complete
The project to develop housing for Mountain View teachers and other school staff is complete and almost ready to open to new residents.
(09/12/2024) → Mountain View Voice• Kaiser Permanente Development Approved
A proposal by Kaiser Permanente to further develop and expand its medical campus on Hospital Parkway has been approved by the San Jose Planning Commission.
(09/12/2024) → The Mercury News• San Jose Could Considers New Business Improvement District
San Jose is considering the creation of a new business improvement district advocated by the Tully Road-Eastridge Business Association.
(09/12/2024) → The Mercury News• Mountain View Outlines Plans for Measure G Revenues
The City of Mountain View plans for the property transfer tax Measure G on the November ballot prioritize public safety, followed by parks and open spaces.
(09/11/2024) → Mountain View Voice• Housing Towers Proposed For San Jose
A development of three towers with over 1,000 units of housing has been proposed for South First and South Second Street in San Jose.
(09/10/2024) → The Mercury News• Santa Clara County to Address Illegal Youth Group Care Homes
Following a newsroom investigation uncovering unlicensed and illegal youth group homes, Santa Clara County Supervisors are exploring ways to address the situation.
(09/10/2024) → The Mercury News• Gilroy to Raise Salaries of Council and Mayor
In their September 9 meeting, the Gilroy City Council voted to raise their salaries and that of the mayor by more than 50%, effective January 2025.
(09/10/2024) → The Mercury News• Los Altos Candidate Forum Set for September 25
Several local groups are co-sponsoring a public forum for candidates running for three seats on the Los Altos City Council on September 25.
(09/10/2024) → Los Altos Town Crier• Community Services Agency Prepares for Homeless Camp Sweeps
The nonprofit Community Services Agency has been preparing to provide more services for homeless residents of Mountain View, Los Alto and Los Altos Hills following Governor Newsom's order to agencies to clear camps from state property.
(09/10/2024) → Los Altos Town Crier|
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Recent Statewide News |
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• Disorganization, City-County Feuds Impede California’s Efforts to Reduce Homelessness
Over the last five years, the state government has spent some $24 billion to ameliorate homelessness, which, according to polls, is California’s most troublesome issue.
(09/17/2024) → CalMatters• Most Maternal Deaths Can Be Prevented. Here’s How California Aims to Cut Them in Half
The California surgeon general is launching a campaign today to spread awareness about health conditions that contribute to pregnancy-related deaths, such as heart disease.
(09/17/2024) → CalMatters• Election Explainer: Proposition 4
The Sacramento Bee explains the Proposition 4 climate resiliency bond measure on the November ballot.
(09/17/2024) → The Sacramento Bee• Election Explainer: Proposition 36
The Sacramento Bee explains the Proposition 36 anti-crime measure on the November ballot.
(09/17/2024) → The Sacramento Bee• Election Explainer: Proposition 32
The Sacramento Bee explains the Proposition 32 minimum wage measure on the November Ballot.
(09/17/2024) → The Sacramento Bee• Homeless Students Can Sleep Safely in Their Cars at This California College. Other Campuses Say No
Failed legislative bills have attempted to create safe parking programs for students to sleep in their cars on California campuses while awaiting housing. Meanwhile, Long Beach City College allows homeless students to park overnight.
(09/17/2024) → CalMatters• California’s Cap on Health Care Costs Is the Nation’s Strongest. But Will Patients Notice?
California’s new cap on health care cost increases is regarded as the most aggressive in the nation. It includes potential fines against companies that exceed the limit.
(09/17/2024) → CalMatters• Audit of Military Equipment Used By UC Police
In compliance of state law, the University of California Regents will be considering the attached audit of inventory and use of military equipment by UC police and a budget request for additional items.
(09/15/2024) → University of California• Which Growing California Communities Will Get the Hottest?
California’s inland regions are experiencing dangerous heat waves, exacerbated by rapid population growth. As more people move away from the expensive coastal areas to more affordable inland communities, these regions are seeing significant demographic changes and spiking electricity bills.
(09/13/2024) → CalMatters• CA Cities Jump on Homeless Encampment Bans
For five years, California officials responding to the homelessness crisis had to work around one big restriction imposed by the federal courts: Because they didn’t have enough shelter beds, cities generally couldn’t make homeless camps illegal.
(09/13/2024) → CalMatters• No Sleeping Bags, Keep Moving: California Cities Increase Crackdown on Homeless Encampments
More than two-dozen California cities passed, strengthened or are considering ordinances that penalize people for sleeping outside, after the U.S. Supreme Court allowed cities to crack down.
(09/11/2024) → CalMatters• California Schools Face Twin Perils: Chronic Absenteeism and Declining Enrollment
California’s public schools have a numbers problem —and it’s not just that their students don’t score very highly in national tests of mathematics ability.
(09/11/2024) → CalMatters• H5N1 Bird Flu Infects California Dairy Cows
H5N1 bird flu has been reported in three California dairy herds.
(09/11/2024) → Los Angeles Times• CA Homeless Count Is Up 8% From 2022
An exclusive CalMatters analysis of the latest California homeless count reveals some good news and bad news: Though the growth rate of homelessness appears to be slowing, the overall number of unhoused Californians increased from two years ago.
(09/10/2024) → CalMatters|
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Government Announcements |
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City of Gilroy (09/16/2024) Banner Unveiling and Celebration |
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Join the City of Gilroy and the Arts and Culture Commission for the unveiling of new city banners created by local artists. Be sure to attend the unveiling on September 20, at 6 PM at Donald Prieto Park, located at 7347 Monterey Road,
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City of Gilroy (09/16/2024) Fair Housing 101: Know Your Rights |
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The City of Gilroy in collaboration with Project Sentinel invites the community to join a virtual Fair Housing workshop on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM.
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City of Campbell (09/13/2024) November 5th General Municipal Election |
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The City of Campbell is conducting a General Municipal Election on November 5th, 2024. Eligible voters will be able to vote for City Councilmembers in District 1 and District 2, as well as on a local funding and community services measure, Measure K.
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Town of Los Gatos (09/13/2024) Overnight Highway 9 Closure September 20 |
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Eastbound Highway 9 (between Highway 17 and University Avenue) and the southbound Highway 17 on-ramp from eastbound Highway 9 will be closed beginning on Friday, September 20, 2024 at midnight and will reopen on Saturday, September 21, 2024 at 6:00 a.m.
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City of Gilroy (09/12/2024) Measure C Gilroy Public Safety Sales Tax Ballot Measure |
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As Gilroys population has grown, the volume of calls for public safety services has also increased.
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United States (09/12/2024) Dearborn Sausage Company, Inc. Recalls Wiener Products Due to Misbranding and Undeclared Allergens |
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WASHINGTON, Sept. 12, 2024 - Dearborn Sausage Company, Inc., a Dearborn, Mich. establishment, is recalling approximately 1,944 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) wiener products due to misbranding and undeclared allergens, the...
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State of California (09/12/2024) Robert Rivas CA Assembly 29: |
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New Retail Theft & Property Crime Legislation, Authored by Speaker Robert Rivas, Signed by Governor Newsom
robbee
Thu, 09/12/2024 - 09:57
Title
Press Secretary
Email
Cynthia.Moreno@asm.ca.gov
Phone
916-319-2029
Thursday, September 12, 2024
SACRAMENTO, CA - In response to the organized smash-and-grab and dangerous robberies that have devastated California businesses and workers, legislation authored by Speaker Robert Rivas (D-Salinas) which holds …
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State of California (09/12/2024) Robert Rivas CA Assembly 29: |
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FAQ on Californias Special Session to Prevent Gas Price Spikes
robbee
Thu, 09/12/2024 - 08:51
Title
Press Secretary
Email
Cynthia.Moreno@asm.ca.gov
Phone
916-319-2029
Thursday, September 12, 2024
California Governor Gavin Newsom announced a special session of the Legislature on August 31, focusing on reducing spikes in gas prices, and with his proclamation came many questions. The goal of this document is …
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City of Milpitas (09/11/2024) Remembering 9/11 |
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Today, we pause to honor and remember those whose lives were tragically lost on September 11, 2001.
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City of Milpitas (09/11/2024) Milpitas to Receive $2.9 Million Federal Grant to Enhance Pedestrian Safety |
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Milpitas to Receive $2.9 Million Federal Grant to Enhance Pedestrian Safety Near Schools and Improve School Route Network Milpitas, CA.
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