Spring break has begun, and thousands of children and young people will enjoy a few days off for Easter. It's time to plan and go out to visit some of the most emblematic places in the state of California or, why not, in the country or other nations. While you pack your bags and plan your routes, here is the local news from March 23 to 31 that you should know to stay up to date.
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Workers in unincorporated San Mateo County will earn a minimum of $16.50 per hour starting April 1, 2023, which must be implemented for jobs ranging from commercial corridors to coastal agricultural lands.
The minimum wage must be paid to employees who work at least two hours a week, with few exceptions, the city council said in a statement.
The agency also said businesses of any size must pay workers at least $16.50 per hour for all time worked within the unincorporated geographic boundaries of San Mateo County.
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San Mateo County is working on a study evaluating the potential for pedestrian rail crossings at North Fair Oaks, over or under the Caltrain tracks, which would make walking and biking in the adjacent part of Redwood City easier.
According to the San Mateo County Office of Sustainability, the study will also explore potential bicycle and pedestrian improvements on local streets in North Fair Oaks that provide connections to the new rail crossing and local destinations on both sides of the tracks.
To conduct the study, the county wants to hear from residents through a survey, which is available in English and Spanish. In addition, there will be a series of sessions to interact with community members and better understand their needs on the topic, which will take place from this Friday, March 24 through April 6, with more dates to be announced.
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Redwood City Police Department officers arrested a 21-year-old man named Cristian Josué CanelSian on various charges of robbery and sexual assault after having been investigated since January of this year, when the perpetrator began a series of crimes in the same city, of which he is also a resident.
Since January 2023, the Redwood City Police Department's Investigations Unit has investigated three robberies involving female residents who encountered an unknown, uninvited man either entering or inside their home.
On two occasions, authorities said, the man broke into homes while the female victims were sleeping in bed, including one instance in which the victim woke up when the man touched her inappropriately.
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Palo Alto police have cited a 15-year-old Palo Alto High School student suspected of bringing a pellet gun to campus in December, police said Monday.
Officers responded Friday to a call at 11:28 a.m. from school administrators who said students had alerted them that the girl had posted images on social media of herself holding a firearm.
Students also claimed the girl had brought the gun to campus months ago and let another student hold it while she was in the school bathroom.
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As San Francisco's hotel industry makes plans to revive its Union Square shopping district, hotels in the city are looking to hire 1,200 employees for the holiday season.
During a joint news conference Tuesday at a downtown hotel, national, state and local hotel leaders said they have high hopes for a bustling summer tourism season as the industry slowly recovers from COVID-19 shutdowns.
The city's hotel occupancy rate remains down 24 percent compared to pre-pandemic levels, but the tourism sector is optimistic that as international travel restrictions ease, group tourism picks up and conferences return to the city, downtown will be vibrant again.
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In response to community concerns, the Redwood City Council is considering new regulations to further control retail sales of guns and ammunition within City limits and has asked residents to take a survey and attend public meetings to discuss the issue.
This proposal will affect all retail stores that sell these products, including all sporting goods stores and gun stores. On October 24, 2022, the City Council enacted a temporary moratorium on the establishment of new retail sales of guns and ammunition. The temporary moratorium is in effect until regulations are established, or until October 23 of this year.
Residents are welcome to provide feedback via a survey, which is available in English and Spanish.
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The Redwood City Police Department has issued a missing person file in the name of Erick Morales, 41, who was last seen on Saturday, March 25.
Authorities have stated that Erick is a Hispanic male adult, approximately 6 feet tall and 240 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes.
Police said Morales suffers from schizophrenia and has not taken his medication.
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The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) announced this week that the San Mateo County Library system is among 30 finalists for the 2023 National Medal for Museum and Library Service.
The 13-library system said in a statement that “the medal is the nation’s highest honor given to museums and libraries that demonstrate significant impact in their communities. For more than 25 years, the award has honored institutions that demonstrate excellence in service to their communities.”
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On March 28 and 29, Sheriff's Office agents met at the Half Moon Bay IDES Society facilities, located at 735 Main St., in Half Moon Bay, a small coastal town that just last January 23 suffered a strong blow to its community, when a man shot at a couple of agricultural farms, leaving 7 dead, to prepare more and better for acts like this.
Stories like that, and those that happen constantly around the country, led San Mateo County to better prepare.
“The training, which will now be an annual one for us, is due to the events that have occurred across the country and in our county. This is our new normal, unfortunately. And in order for us to protect our communities, we know that this training is paramount,” said San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus.
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Every year, Sustainable San Mateo County ‒SSMC‒ honors sustainability leaders who have made significant progress in protecting our people and planet through their work with local organizations, businesses, and governments, and Thursday night, several awards were presented to men, women, and young people who have made a difference in this locality.
SSMC has presented 166 local sustainability champion awards since 1999, seeking to inspire and honour those working to make the region truly sustainable.
With the theme “A Hopeful Future for Our Youth,” this Thursday, March 30, at 5:30 p.m., Colegio de San Mateo, located at 1700 W. Hillsdale Blvd., dressed up to celebrate these individuals, have dinner, and be part of a silent auction.
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