Here's the local news you need to know from June 24-30 to stay up to date.

Another month. The second half of 2023 begins and the most important date for the United States is approaching: Independence Day. July 4 is a day where all Americans celebrate in different ways the day when freedom from the British Empire was proclaimed.

Parades, flags, fairs, costumes and fireworks fill every corner of the country. Independence Day is celebrated in style, and Americans love to get together and organize barbecues to commemorate this important date in the history of their country.

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The city government plans to build five new affordable housing projects in San Francisco, creating 550 new homes for seniors, families and low-income people transitioning out of homelessness, Mayor London Breed's office announced Friday.

Construction could begin as early as 2026 and residents would move in by late 2028, depending on the availability of deficit funding.

Projects were announced in five neighborhoods: Bernal Heights, Sunset District, Potrero Hill, Alamo Square and Forest Hill. Each project will be developed by different groups in partnership with the Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development (MOHCD), other city agencies and community partners.

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San Mateo police have arrested a so-called "serial thief" after multiple robberies in the past week.

Police arrested Victor Bell, 29, of Daly City, on Saturday after two early-morning raids, the last of which was interrupted by residents.  

Bell had two warrants for his arrest and was on probation for a previous robbery offense. 

The robber was booked into the San Mateo County Jail on suspicion of first-degree robbery, attempted robbery, carrying a concealed knife or dagger and warrants for his arrest.

San Mateo police say Bell is likely connected to similar incidents in Foster City and could be connected to others in San Mateo.

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In an effort to crack down, San Mateo County officials announced a new list of July 4 fireworks fines for anyone who sells, buys and sets off fireworks on Independence Day.

Such actions include, for the first time, penalties for spectators, owners, and parents or guardians.

All fireworks are illegal in unincorporated areas of San Mateo County, as well as all county and state parks and the Crystal Springs Basin, where wildfire risks are high despite heavy rains this year.

Violations of the county's fireworks ordinance carry fines of up to $2,000, including for discharging fireworks within 500 feet of humane societies or pet rescue shelters or consuming alcohol when cited for fireworks violations, among other situations.

Coming into 2023, first-time violators may be responsible for county costs to respond to violations of the fireworks ordinance.

The above includes “the cost of any medical treatment for any public safety personnel injured in response to the violation, and the cost of repairing any public safety equipment or property damage incurred in response to the violation.”

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County supervisors unanimously approved a $7.7 billion two-year budget for San Mateo over the next fiscal years, spanning 2023 through 2025, that will prioritize ending homelessness in the area, among other things.

After three days of public hearings, supervisors approved the recommended budget, however, the Board will hold hearings in September on a revised final budget based on emerging needs and changing economic conditions.

Guided by priorities set by the Board of Supervisors, the plan emphasizes investments in maintaining existing initiatives rather than launching new programs.

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A Lodi man suspected of shooting was arrested Tuesday by San Mateo County police. 

San Mateo County sheriff's deputies arrested Peter Sim Jr., 20, on a warrant after a license plate reader notification alerted them to the location of the wanted vehicle around 6:30 p.m. Deputies stopped Sim and arrested him with the assistance of Burlingame police.

Sim is suspected of a shooting on Oro Way in Lodi around 11:15 p.m. Monday, Lodi police said.

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The San Mateo County Office of Arts and Culture is looking for volunteers to help paint a series of panels along the crosswalk for the new mural on Fifth Avenue in North Fair Oaks under the Caltrain tracks. 

Families and children ages 8 and older are welcome to attend the five-week event. The artwork has been designed by local artist Emily Fromm, with the theme “Healthy Community.”

No experience is necessary to participate. All painting materials and instructions will be provided for participants. Attendees only need to bring water, sunscreen, some snacks and arrive in comfortable shoes and clothing that they don't mind getting paint on.

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The Governor Gavin Newsom announced that the number of California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers deployed in a joint operation in San Francisco will be doubled, while authorizing targeted increases in police forces to improve public safety and stop fentanyl trafficking. 

The increase in officers will be aimed at conducting targeted surges with law enforcement partners to combat crime and further crack down on the fentanyl crisis affecting San Francisco. 

Personnel assigned to the expanded operation are expected to include some of the more than 100 new CHP officers scheduled to graduate from the CHP Academy this week, as well as active officers within the Golden Gate Division.

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A dog is dead and 10 people are displaced after a house fire broke out in Redwood City Thursday afternoon. The fire, in the 3300 block of Bay Road, was centered in the attic of a home. The fire was reported around 4 p.m.

A Redwood City Fire Department spokesman confirmed that a dog died in the fire. The cause of the fire is under investigation. 

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On July 1, 1983, East Palo Alto succeeded in its long battle for incorporation, becoming an independent city that would determine its own destiny. 

In light of this, East Palo Alto will celebrate its 40th anniversary with a grand event, where everyone is invited.

This Friday night, singer Goapele will welcome attendees while the history of East Palo Alto is projected. 

On Saturday, everyone will be able to enjoy the sounds of La Sonora Dinamita, Rafa and Artelia Green & the Bandannas, among many others.

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By Bay City News

San Mateo County deputies arrested a Redwood City man for rape of a minor.

Christopher Esquivel, 23, of Redwood City, was arrested on suspicion of forcible rape, according to the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office.

On March 16, detectives began investigating the case of a minor who was raped by a known person.

Investigators identified Esquivel as the suspect and, following the investigation, detectives obtained a warrant for his arrest, according to the sheriff's office.

On Thursday, Esquivel was located in San Bruno and was arrested. He has since posted bail and is no longer in custody, authorities said.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call (650) 363-4060.

The sheriff's office is also investigating whether there are additional victims.

You may be interested in: They announce greater police deployment in SF to stop trafficking in fentanyl and other drugs

By Bay City News.    

A dog was killed and 10 people displaced after a house fire in Redwood City Thursday afternoon.

The fire, in the 3300 block of Bay Road, was concentrated in the attic of a home. The fire was reported around 4 p.m.

A Redwood City Fire Department spokesman confirmed that a dog died in the fire.

An American Red Cross team arrived at the scene to assist displaced residents.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

You may be interested in: San Mateo police arrest suspect in serial robberies

Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that he will double the number of California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers deployed in a joint operation in San Francisco, while authorizing targeted increases in police forces to improve public safety and stop fentanyl trafficking. 

The increase in officers will be aimed at conducting targeted surges with law enforcement partners to combat crime and further crack down on the fentanyl crisis affecting San Francisco. 

Personnel assigned to the expanded operation are expected to include some of the more than 100 new CHP officers scheduled to graduate from the CHP Academy this week, as well as active officers within the Golden Gate Division.

“The CHP’s recent results in San Francisco are nothing short of extraordinary: In just six weeks, agency workers seized enough fentanyl to potentially kill the city nearly three times over, multiple firearms, and stolen property,” Newsom said.

“Today, I am authorizing a 100 percent increase in staff to bolster the impact of this proven operation, as well as authorizing targeted surges to crack down on crime in the city. Working alongside our local, state, and federal partners, we are committed to cleaning up San Francisco’s streets,” he stressed.

San Francisco Mayor London Breed said that in order to be successful in the long term, this work must be sustained and expanded at the local, state and federal levels. 

For San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) Chief Bill Scott, “Our residents, business owners and visitors to our city deserve to feel safe and we are making progress in disrupting the drug markets that are causing so much misery on our streets.”

He said that by working in collaboration with CHP, they have seized an unprecedented amount of fentanyl and other deadly narcotics in recent weeks, and he looks forward to building on that success.

In addition to doubling the number of uniformed officers assigned to this operation in the city, as part of today’s announcement, the Governor also authorized CHP to work with local law enforcement partners to conduct anti-crime surges in key crime hotspots across the city. 

The joint task force's operations, which will not be announced, are expected to target illicit drugs and weapons and lead to the arrest of drug traffickers and others involved in various types of criminal activities. 

Separately, Newsom ordered the California National Guard — CalGuard — to increase personnel in San Francisco to facilitate the development of the city’s strategic plan that will address the challenges of open-air drug markets and the broader effects those markets have on San Francisco. 

Additionally, CalGuard has been directed to identify ways to further increase staffing in San Francisco in support of the Northern California High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program. 

Since the joint law enforcement operation began on May 1, 2023, the CHP has seized 8.1 kilograms of fentanyl and made 115 felony and misdemeanor arrests in and around the Tenderloin. 

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The San Mateo County Office of Arts and Culture is looking for volunteers to help paint a series of panels along the crosswalk for the new mural on Fifth Avenue in North Fair Oaks under the Caltrain tracks. 

Families and children ages 8 and older are welcome to attend the five-week event. The artwork has been designed by local artist Emily Fromm, with the theme “Healthy Community.” 

Fromm and a team of artist assistants will be on site to guide volunteers through a fun day of outdoor painting, referencing printed “maps” of the artworks. 

No experience is necessary to participate. All painting materials and instructions will be provided for participants. Attendees only need to bring water, sunscreen, some snacks and arrive in comfortable shoes and clothing that they don't mind getting paint on.

Volunteers are currently being recruited for the following Saturdays: July 8, July 15, August 5, August 19, and September 2, all between 10:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. 

To register as a volunteer, it is necessary to fill out a form.

The goals of this project include bringing culturally significant public art to the North Fair Oaks community and enhancing community beautification, specifically at the 5th Avenue Underpass. The underpass is a heavily traveled pedestrian and bicycle path used by residents and visitors.

For more information about this project, interested parties can visit the website Healthy Community Mural Project.

To help support the project, organizers have asked residents and passersby to respect the artist's work and time and not to deface the project with graffiti or tags.

Those who have questions about the project can send an email to artsandculture@smcgov.org.

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