These are the local news from January 21 to 27 that you need to know to stay up to date.
The heinous mass shootings that took place on Monday, January 23, where 7 people lost their lives and another was injured at a farm in Half Moon Bay, have left not only a county, but the entire state of California in shock and concern about the increase in these violent acts.
Just a couple of days before this tragedy, a 72-year-old man opened fire in the middle of a dance hall where the Lunar New Year was being celebrated, resulting in 11 people dead and 9 injured.
From Peninsula 360 Press, we offer our condolences to the families and friends of the victims of these shootings that, we know, make no sense.
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The San Mateo County Department of Emergency Management is asking residents for help in assessing recent storm damage in unincorporated areas.
For this reason, the City Council has created a survey, which is available in English and Spanish, which will determine if the county qualifies for state or federal disaster assistance due to the storms that began on New Year's Eve 2022.
Please note that completing the survey does not guarantee that the region or property owner will be eligible for disaster assistance.
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Gov. Gavin Newsom on Sunday issued a proclamation declaring the Lunar New Year and ordered flags at all state buildings to be flown at half-staff in honor of the victims of the Monterey Park mass shooting.
"As people across the country and around the world welcome the Lunar New Year today, California stands with our Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities reeling from the tragedy in Monterey Park," the official said in the proclamation.
He added that hearts go out to all those lost and those injured in this horrific act of gun violence on what should have been a night of joyous celebration.
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After shootings were reported on Monday afternoon in Half Moon Bay, a city in San Mateo County, police arrested the suspect of perpetrating the crime.
The shooting suspect was identified as 67-year-old Zhao Chunli and was arrested after being located in his car in the parking lot of a sheriff's office substation in Half Moon Bay, the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office said.
The San Mateo Sheriff's Department responded to the shooting in the area of State Route 92 and the Half Moon Bay City limits, the Sheriff's Office said on Twitter at 3:50 p.m.
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After a 67-year-old man opened fire on a farm Tuesday afternoon, killing seven people, members of the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors mourned the deadly shooting in Half Moon Bay and called for more to be done to prevent such tragedies.
Supervisor Dave Pine, chairman of the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, said on behalf of the board that he was sickened by what had happened.
For his part, Supervisor Ray Mueller, of District 3, spoke of the shock caused by the shooting that left families devastated.
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The Redwood City Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department and Redwood City International will host the 12th Annual Lunar New Year Celebration 2023 on the first Saturday of February.
Despite what recently happened in Half Moon Bay, this celebration comes as a breath of fresh air, as it reminds us to celebrate life and the beginning of a lunar new year, this time ruled by the water rabbit.
The celebration will take place next Saturday, February 4th at the Palace of Justice Plaza, located at 2200 Broadway in Redwood City from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
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Sheriff Christina Corpus, along with San Mateo County District Attorney Steven Wagstaff, provided an update on the tragic mass shooting that occurred yesterday afternoon in Half Moon Bay, which they called a possible act of workplace violence.
The suspect, identified as 66-year-old Chunli Zhao of Half Moon Bay, was taken into custody by Sheriff's personnel in the parking lot of the Half Moon Bay Police Department Substation.
The arrested perpetrator is the only suspect in the incident and there is no pending threat to the public, authorities said.
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The Mexican Consulate in San Francisco confirmed that two Mexicans were among those killed in mass shootings in Half Moon Bay on Monday afternoon, January 23.
"The Consulate General of Mexico in San Francisco regrets to inform that in the shooting that occurred in the town of Half Moon Bay, in San Mateo County on January 23, 2023, it has been confirmed that two of the deceased persons are of Mexican nationality," states the text issued by the Mexican representation in the city of San Francisco.
He also said that another Mexican person was injured and is being treated in a hospital in the city of Palo Alto, while personnel from the Consulate General in San José are already assisting him.
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The California Victim Compensation Board (CalVCB) said victims and witnesses of the shootings in Monterey Park and Half Moon Bay may qualify for compensation, including lost income, medical expenses and mental health treatment.
Family members of those killed and injured in the Half Moon Bay shooting on Monday, January 23, along with those who witnessed the mass shooting, may qualify for up to $70,000 in compensation for services.
Covered services include emotional support, emotional support, medical appointments, and loss of income.
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As grief, amazement and fear linger over what happened Monday afternoon, January 23, at two Half Moon Bay farms, San Mateo County has made post-shooting mental health resources available to its residents.
Behavioral Health and Recovery Services' Crisis Response Team (CRT) has been meeting with families at the reunification center and other locations in Half Moon Bay, county officials said.
They also noted that CRT staff are trained in crisis response, suicide prevention and other mental health interventions.
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The most recent graduates of Online High School (COHS) were honored with a ceremony at the most recent Redwood City Council meeting to celebrate their accomplishments.
The three graduates who earned their diplomas through Smart Horizons Career Online High School with the help of the program were inspired to enroll by the family who went through the program and in turn, look to inspire their own family members to attend.
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Remembrance events for the victims of the shooting in Half Moon Bay earlier this week will be held in the coming days, city officials said.
Seven people were killed in shootings at two farms in the area on Monday. A fellow farmworker has been arrested and charged in the deaths.
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