Children and young people from all over the Bay Area have already gone on vacation. With just a couple of weeks left until the end of the year, the resolutions to end and start 2023 are already well-reasoned: go to the gym, have a more balanced diet, take better care of your health, save a little more, and the list goes on. While you prioritize those wishes, here is the local news from December 9 to 15 that you should know to stay up to date.
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High school students in Redwood City had a quiet place to study on Sunday, Dec. 11, to prepare for their final exams, where they enjoyed coffee, hot chocolate and snacks provided by the High School Study Session.
The study session was held at the Red Morton Community Center located at 1120 Roosevelt Avenue in Redwood City from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., so students had at least 7 hours of dedicated time to study and review their subjects.
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Given the increase in respiratory illnesses and influenza throughout the state, the California Department of Public Health CDPH has expanded its free, one-stop COVID-19 and influenza testing program.
Starting this week, people showing signs of illness will be able to get tested at state testing sites for both COVID-19 and influenza.
Test results will take about 30 minutes and will help people determine the best course of action to feel better. Those who test positive for COVID-19 can immediately see a telehealth provider to discuss necessary treatments.
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PG&E officials reported an increase in consumer-reported scams in the Bay Area that have at least doubled in 2022.
He noted that the holiday season has seen a high volume of reports of scammers impersonating the utility and trying to take advantage of customers in PG&E's Northern and Central California service area.
The number of reports increased from just over 11,000 in 2021 to more than 23,000 in 2022 through October alone. Utility officials anticipate that scammers will be even busier in December and January.
The largest number of scams in the Bay Area have occurred in San Jose, San Francisco and Oakland.
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Civic leaders and community members organized a protest in front of San Mateo City Hall on Monday, December 12 to demand that all Council members respect the City Charter and immediately vote for a Mayor and Vice Mayor. Later that evening, Councilwoman Amourence Lee was elected Mayor as she was due to serve as the City's rotating mayor.
The protest came after a 128-year tradition of peaceful transfer of power was broken during the San Mateo City Council's annual reorganization meeting.
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Giselle Hale, who served as mayor of Redwood City until December 12, left her post after completing her term of office amid applause and emotional words from council members who at times broke their voices when referring to her work and her quality as a person.
Hale, who also decided to leave her race to seek a seat in the California Assembly, was widely celebrated for her stewardship as mayor in the wake of the pandemic, but not before serving as deputy mayor when COVID-19 was sweeping the country.
Council members Elmer Martinez, Lissette Espinoza-Garnica, Diane Howard and Alicia Aguirre offered emotional words for Hale, who has previously said that she will seek to dedicate herself to her family, her two little girls and husband, who have accompanied her throughout her political career in the city where she also lives.
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On Monday night, December 12, Councilman Jeff Gee became Mayor of Redwood City for a two-year term, which will be accompanied by Lissette Espinoza-Garnica as Vice Mayor, after the motion for their positions was unanimously approved by the City Council.
Gee, who is serving in the role for the second time after serving from 2013 to 2015, was extremely excited to return to serving the residents of Redwood City.
The charges were approved after new councilors were sworn in and took their places on the City Council, such is the case of Kaia Eaki, Chris Sturken and the re-elected Diane Howard.
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The San Mateo Board of Supervisors on Tuesday awarded three cities in the county $2.4 million to help end homelessness.
With the grants, Redwood City and Millbrae will expand existing programs that bring homeless individuals and families to shelters and services, a county spokesperson said. Half Moon Bay, meanwhile, will provide a safe parking area, with hygiene facilities and outreach services for people living in vehicles.
According to the county, the funding will help only some of the 1,092 unsheltered residents living in San Mateo County. The money will help service providers to support people in transitioning to temporary or permanent housing. The grants will be matched with local funding, and each city will report on progress and performance metrics.
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This holiday season, Bay Area officials are calling for action in response to the rise in circulating respiratory viruses, including COVID, along with high levels of influenza (flu) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which are straining healthcare systems and impacting families.
The good news is that there are easy actions everyone can take to stay healthy this season, which is why all 12 Bay Area health officials recommend taking steps like getting vaccinated against flu and COVID-19, staying home if you are sick, getting tested before an indoor gathering or if you feel sick, and getting treatment if needed.
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The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors has named Jorge Argueta of Daly City as the county's poet laureate, citing his ability to use poetry to build bridges between diverse communities.
Argueta's work reflects his heritage as a native of El Salvador with several bilingual books and poems. He teaches creative writing in elementary, secondary and college schools and works with youth in homeless shelters, hospitals and other challenging environments.
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