View in Browser Our Journalism Needs Your Support Please Donate Today
California Local Logo
Graphic which spells out The Newsletter.

By Eric Johnson
Published Dec 18, 2023

JP Reese, a registered nurse, stands with a couple of Ukranian soldiers near the front lines of the war zone. The photo was taken by JP's bride, Dawn Davidson, two weeks after they were married in Sacramento. JP Reese, a registered nurse, stands with a couple of Ukranian soldiers near the front lines of the war zone. The photo was taken by JP's bride, Dawn Davidson, two weeks after they were married in Sacramento.

Californians Supporting Ukraine

In one of his final acts as the most powerful California Republican, then-House Speaker Kevin McCarthy capitulated to radical members of his party and refused to allow Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to address a joint meeting of Congress. Last week, as the brutal dictator Vladamir Putin predicted that Americans will grow weary of helping Ukraine defend itself against his murderous war, the same group of House members seemed to prove him right.

Meanwhile, as the progressive Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) has pointed out, House Democrats are being unhelpfully obstinate by refusing to even discuss the situation on our southern border as a condition of funding the war, making things more difficult for Zelenskyy.

In this week's edition of The Newsletter, we bring our focus to Californians who are standing with the Ukrainian people. 

Nurses on the Front Lines

My friend JP Reese is a wound nurse who has worked for the past decade as a home healthcare provider. Most Tuesday evenings we sit in a men’s group together, and occasionally JP will tell a story about visiting one of his patients, most of whom are house-bound and in serious need of his skills as a healer. It’s a powerful gift to witness the depth of his compassion—in my judgment, he was already a hero before he decided to spend his honeymoon in a warzone. 

JP and his bride, Dawn Davidson, who is also a nurse, hoped to spend the weeks after their wedding helping wounded Ukrainian soldiers. As you will see in Graham Womack's wonderful telling of their story, they were unable to accomplish that, but they found other ways to help.

While very few Californians will manage to deliver aid to Ukrainians directly, plenty are doing what they can. Tamara Warta presents here a nunber of organizations that deserve your support.

A Honeymoon in Ukraine

JP Reese (left) and Dawn Davidson (right) celebrated their union with a honeymoon spent serving others.
After their October wedding, registered nurses Dawn Davidson and JP Reese spent their honeymoon in Ukraine, where they distributed humanitarian aid.

From California to Kyiv


With the war between Russia and Ukraine dragging on, California organizations are continuing to take action in support of embattled Ukrainians.

Ambition and Luck

How former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy became Califonria's most powerful Republican leader—and how it all suddenly and predictably came to an end.

Kevin McCarthy: A Look Back

Kevin McCarthy, the Bakersfield Republican whose fall from power was even more rapid than his rise, gave a farewell speech on Dec. 14.
Many conservatives believe success is achieved through hard work. So how did California’s most prominent conservative politician reach the top? Kevin McCarthy won the lottery.

Impact Report Image for decorative use

California Local logo

Santa Clara County's Homepage
Our overview page for Santa Clara County is updated daily with the latest state and local news, weather alerts, local government announcements and local blog posts and news snippets from community groups and individuals.
Direct your browser to 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!

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
Gilroy Dispatch logo Gourmet Alley Project Faces Delays

The $3.9 million grant from the California Department of Transportation’s Clean California Local Grant Program will be used to improve the Gourmet and Railroad alleyways between Fourth and Seventh streets by adding lighting, benches, garbage enclosures, bicycle and pedestrian markings, …
Gilroy Dispatch logo Need for Parklets Doubted by Some Gilroy City Council Members

A split Gilroy City Council elected not to extend a downtown restaurant’s pandemic-era parklet as city officials work to create a set of rules for outdoor dining areas in public parking spaces.
Morgan Hill Times logo Council Explores Options to Reopen Remote Public Comment

Morgan Hill City Council members want to resume remote public comment via Zoom at their meetings, but they hope they can do it in a way that discourages people who might seek to use the forum to spew hateful or …
Gilroy Dispatch logo Storage Facility Approved on Gilman Road

The Gilroy Planning Commission approved a permit to construct a storage facility at the intersection of Gilman Road and Camino Arroyo.
Metro Silicon Valley logo San Jose City Edition of Monopoly on the Market

The new San Jose City Edition of Monopoly, released November 2023 by educational card and board games maker Top Trumps USA, Inc., was swept up in multiples by avid San Jose residents and fans even before it appeared on the …
Metro Silicon Valley logo Hummus Mediterranean Kitchen Opens New Location

In 2013, Hummus Mediterranean Kitchen’s first fast-casual iteration opened in San Mateo. Co-founded by Turkish immigrants Onur Alkanoglu and Yasar Bulutoglu, the Palo Alto location is its fourth spot.
Los Gatan logo Mary Badame Named Mayor, Matthew Hudes to Serve as Vice Mayor

Mayor Maria Ristow handed the baton to Mary Badame, who served as vice mayor for the past year, while Council Member Matthew Hudes ascended to the position of vice mayor.
  California Local Pin Marker  

Recent Local News

 → View All

• Santa Clara County Supervisor Runs for Congressional Seat

Joe Simitian, a South Bay and Peninsula political stalwart, is running to succeed Anna Eshoo in Congress.

 (12/15/2023) → San Jose Spotlight

• Greg Tanaka Joins Crowded Race to Succeed Anna Eshoo in Congress

Palo Alto City Council member Greg Tanaka has joined the crowded race to succeed U.S. Rep. Anna Eshoo, who is set to leave Congress next year after three decades of representing Silicon Valley in Washington, D.C.

 (12/15/2023) → Palo Alto Online

• San Jose Chamber of Commerce Names New CEO

The San Jose Chamber of Commerce has selected Leah Toeniskoetter as its new president and CEO.

(12/14/2023) → San Jose Spotlight

• Mountain View Council Weighs Creating a Downtown Preservation District

The Mountain View City Council is taking steps to update its Historic Preservation Ordinance and potentially create a downtown preservation district, something that could add costs for owners unless some incentives are added.

 (12/14/2023) → Mountain View Voice

• Former Milpitas City Manager Sues City

Former Milpitas City Manager Steve McHarris is suing the city for wrongful termination and breach of contract.

 (12/13/2023) → San Jose Spotlight

• Bike Lanes? Wider Sidewalks? Palo Alto Looks to Transform University Avenue

After establishing California Avenue as a permanent promenade, Palo Alto’s elected leaders are now shifting their focus toward revamping the city’s prime downtown artery: University Avenue.

 (12/13/2023) → Palo Alto Online
  California Local Pin Marker  

Recent Statewide News

 → View All

• SF Hits New Record for Overdose Deaths

The fentanyl epidemic has pushed San Francisco to a grim milestone: a new record for overdoses. A total 752 people overdosed in the first 11 months of this year, surpassing 2020’s record number of 726.

 (12/14/2023) → SFGate

• Newsom Touts California to Seth Meyers

Gov. Gavin Newsom defended his work and that of current or former California leaders like Rep. Nancy Pelosi and Vice President Kamala Harris during an appearance on “Late Night with Seth Meyers.” Newsom suggested conservatives focus unduly on California's failures.

 (12/14/2023) → SFGate

• Commute Times Highlight Income Divide

Higher-income workers are more likely to work from home, analysis of recent census data shows. Lower-income workers can face long and solitary commutes to get to work.

 (12/13/2023) → Los Angeles Times

• Michelin Guide Adds Seven California Restaurants

Three restaurants in San Francisco, three in Los Angeles and one in San Diego have been added to the Michelin Guide. Two of the SF eateries also made Esquire’s list for best new American restaurants in 2023.

 (12/12/2023) → SFGate

• Assembly Group on Retail Theft to Hold First Hearing

A new select committee in the California Assembly dedicated to retail theft will hold its first hearing on Dec. 19. This allows the committee to get to work before the next legislative session on an issue that’s drawn much press for California in recent years.

 (12/12/2023) → Sacramento Bee

• Supreme Court Upholds California Ban on Conversion Therapy

By declining to hear a conservative group’s challenge, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a California ban on conversion therapy for LGBTQ youth. California is one of 22 states to ban this practice.

 (12/11/2023) → Sacramento Bee

• Yosemite Trying New Strategies to Reduce Food Packaging Waste

An estimated 100,000 pizza boxes have been removed from Yosemite’s waste stream. This is because the famed park now serves pizza on trays and puts to-go portions in compostable bags, part of a move to reduce food-related waste.

 (12/11/2023) → SFGate
  California Local Pin Marker  

Government Announcements

 → View All
Image of City of Morgan Hill seal. City of Morgan Hill   (12/15/2023)

Morgan Hill Breaks Ground on New Pickleball Courts
Community Park will be the home of the new courts. Join the City for a groundbreaking event that will be held on Wednesday, December 20, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. Photo Credit: Susan Brazelton
Image of City of Gilroy seal. City of Gilroy   (12/14/2023)

The first storm of the season is coming. Are you ready?
The National Weather Service is forecasting rain starting late Saturday into Sunday, with rains predicted to continue into Wednesday.
Image of City of Gilroy seal. City of Gilroy   (12/14/2023)

City Hall Closed for the Holidays
City Hall will be closed Friday, December 22, through Monday, January 1, in observance of the holidays.
Image of City of Campbell seal. City of Campbell   (12/14/2023)

Valentine Fun Run/Walk 10K, 5K & Kids' Dash
Image of City of Morgan Hill seal. City of Morgan Hill   (12/13/2023)

"I Belong" Community Outreach Program
The City is working to create a sense of belonging for all in MH with its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts that include a survey available through the end of the year.
Image of Town of Los Gatos seal. Town of Los Gatos   (12/08/2023)

Shannon Road Closure
Shannon Road Closure - December 11 through 22
Image of City of Campbell seal. City of Campbell   (12/08/2023)

Measure O Police Operations Building Ground Breaking Ceremony
Image of City of Morgan Hill seal. City of Morgan Hill   (12/08/2023)

Recruitment for the 2024-25 Civil Grand Jury
The ?Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara, is recruiting for the 2024-25 Civil Grand Jury. The Court is accepting applications until March 29, 2024.
Image of City of Saratoga seal. City of Saratoga   (12/06/2023)

New Mayor and Vice Mayor
At the Reorganization, the Council selected Yan Zhao to serve as Mayor and Belal Aftab to serve as Vice Mayor.
Image of City of Milpitas seal. City of Milpitas   (12/06/2023)

Spring Activity Guide Now Available
Plan now for Spring classes and activities! Milpitas' Recreation and Community Service's Spring Activity Guide is online, and registration has started.