Morning News Round-Up -- 3.23.10: Candidate Barragan in the Merc?

In extremely concise (harsh?) Editorial, the Merc says this about Mayor Reed's 10 percent pay cut plan: the plan "...must be ratified by the full council. Otherwise, union members -- particularly police and fire -- will not take it seriously..." Too bad the "union members" don't have the local blogosphere support they used to... But the Police Officers Association has a blog, but their post (as of 8 a.m.) was from Chris Block and Michele Lew -- neither of which are speaking for the POA...

Let the cries of "Nanny State" begin now: County Supervisors want to ban restaurants from offering toys to kids as an incentive to eat a double quarter pounder with triple cheese and a extra large fry with a big ass Coke.

There is a very weird part of the toy-free County story, the "woman on the street" interviewed as part of the story, and the one buying her kid disgusting food, is named Susan Barragan. Which is the name of the woman running against Mayor Chuck Reed. What are the odds? Is Merc columnist Joe Rodriguez trying to give Susan Barragan some press?

Speaking of campaigns... Campaign reports were due yesterday representing fundraising and expenses from the beginning of the year through March 17th. The 49ers put in $1.4 million in money and personnel to their campaign.

Speaking of the 49ers, the move to Santa Clara isn't the only really smart thing they are doing. They got rid of their General Manager yesterday.

Scott Herhold at the Merc has taken a few days off on the Dolores Carr/Jeff Rosen front, and has taken on an even more controversial issue -- neighbors versus schools versus traffic in Los Altos.

On a sad note, the church on Delmas near Park Avenue burned down this morning.

Morning News Round-Up -- 1.19.10: A bankrupt Merc?

It has been a long, long weekend, so if you haven't had your coffee yet, go get it and come back to Watch Dog caffeinated...

This isn't good... the owner of the Mercury News are filing for bankruptcy. Is it possible that the paper could lose more reporters and more pages? The Mercury News Weekly perhaps? Watch Dog cannot fill the void, unfortunately, we just go Wii...

But remember, Merc. Columnist Cassidy says that they will succeed because they provide unique local content... or at least they used to...

In other stellar economic news, office vacancies may be through the roof (again) this year...

Here's one way to increase air traffic at SJC: have SFO-bound planes make emergency landings at SJC because of high wind gusts... "SJC, when the weather is too shitty for SFO..." That would be a hella cool ad campaign...

The Merc got into the weedily-witty headlines about local marijuana dispensaries this weekend with this: San Jose says pot clubs popping up like weeds; city starts cracking down. Is it fair to say that when the headlines aren't serious, neither is the actual issue? Of course, we often write Watch Dog stoned, so who are we to question anyone...

The County is finally helping folks who are facing misdemeanor charges by providing some with a public defender... which everyone should be shocked didn't happen before a Sean Webby news story last week. But remember, this is the same County that wants to do away with pre-trial services in order to get more business to bail bonds shops, so nothing should surprise you... Kudos to Supervisors Yeager and Cortese for realizing that having folks face charges without being represented by a lawyer is a horrible idea and is part of Criminal Justice 101.

Speaking of Criminal Justice 101, the good folks at Protect San Jose encourage you to be honest with police and tell them exactly what they want to hear when they pull you over. Of course, that flies directly in the face of "right to remain silent" and could find you in the County Courthouse without a lawyer (see above)... in case you believe (like Watch Dog) that incriminating yourself doesn't sound like such a hot idea when you get pulled over, here is some different advice about what to do when you get pulled over from a source other than police officers: "...Silence is not an admission of guilt and cannot be used against you in court..." So far, the advice on Protect San Jose is to respond to Police Officers like you were in kindergarten and provide them all the answers they ask for. Thank you Protect San Jose... The Fifth Amendment is still intact, right?

In an un(?)related note, the Chronicle gets in on the Freedom Train controversy between San Jose's NAACP, who pulled out of this year's Train, and the San Jose Police Officers' Association, who is one of the sponsors. In the Chronicle piece, we find another hard-hitting quote from Pastor Moore of the NAACP: "While Rev. Dr. King stood for nonviolence and against police brutality, we find ourselves honoring police, who talk to our community members in derogatory tones, who beat innocent citizens in our community, who unlawfully arrest people, and in extreme cases kill members who dare to speak up and stand up for their rights."

Update: It turns out the ride was well-traveled, even with the controversy and even without the NAACP... but a Freedom Ride without the NAACP is an issue that is not going away.

The Merc's Scott Herhold writes about Tom Campbell's running (again) for the Senate after dropping his bid for Governor. And ends with a prediction, of sorts, about whether Campbell, if unsuccessful this time in his third run for the Senate might look ahead to 2012: "Could Campbell try for a fourth time? If it happened, I wouldn't be surprised." Oh, and referring to previous races and other Republicans, Herhold assures us that: "...He [Campbell] wouldn't have been caught dead in a strip club..." Thank you.

Pete Constant is trying to up-end the plastic bag ban in San Jose by hitting up his misspelling cohorts (the Chamber of Commerce) for support -- or sopurt. He says the cost is too high. As usual, Constant was the lone vote against the plastic bag ban. Which brings up the question: What did Councilmember Constant think it meant when he voted for the Mayor's Green Vision which has this included in it:

5. Divert 100 percent of the waste from our landfill and convert waste to energy.

The good folks at Internal Affairs had a busy week writing for Sunday. First, they give us a "reversal of fortunes" of the highest order with Phil Angelides heading a serious, and newsworthy, Inquiry panel and Governor Schwarzenegger becoming the lamest of ducks. Next, they provide all of us more than we probably need to know about the dress code in the DA'soffice, and how it got relaxed an effort to help Dolores Carr politically. And finally, Larry "Boo" Stone calls the San Francisco Giant's efforts to fuck up the A's move to San Jose "...classic San Francisco politics..." We agree with Stone, but not for nothing: classic San Francisco politics launched the career of the Speaker of the House...

On a serious note: the post office is moving in downtown Los Altos.

If at first you don't succeed... the Fremont Union High School District to approve a parcel tax (again!) in May. They just packed up the stuff from their campaign office in November, but are going to give it another go. Desperate times, etc.

Aren't you glad you had your coffee? Stay safe out there folks...

Morning News Round-Up -- 11.4.09: Champagne Hangover Edition...

So many campaign parties, so little time... And the winners (and losers) are:

• Barely 42 votes separated Palo Alto Mayor Larry Klein from newcomer/(former) Palo Alto School Board Trustee Gail Price. Klein should be wondering what happened. Klein and Price are joined by Karen Holman, Nancy Shepherd and Gregory Scharff on the (nearly) all new Palo Alto City Council.
• Sunnyvale’s Mayor Tony Spitialeri held on to his seat as did Chris Moylan, they’ll be joined by newcomer Jim Griffith who coasted to victory over Penny Kelly.
• Cupertino bounced incumbent City Councilmember Marty Miller to elect newcomer/(former) Cupertino Union School District Trustee Barry Chang along with incumbents Orrin Mahoney and Mark Santoro.
• Cupertino School District Trustees Gary McCue, Ben Liao, and Anjali Kausar are retaining their seats. With little opposition, these Trustees coasted to easy victory.
• Los Altos School District Trustee Mark Goines and newcomers Tammy Logan and Doug Smith will be dealing with the only-in-Los Altos-type school challenges.
• Orchard School District Trustees Alan Fong and Bambi Fleming will be retaining their seats. Although in Bambi’s case, she was pummeled by newcomer Mark Newton and barely beat out fellow incumbent Ken Riley. This race might not be over.
• It was grim news for new tax requests in Santa Clara County: Palo Alto’s hoped-for business tax went down in flames along with parcel tax requests from Santa Clara Unified School District and Fremont Union High School. Cupertinites happily voted not to increase taxes but push utility taxes into the kitty.

And while the election is the story of the day, the story of the month/year is San Jose's growing issue with the Police...

San Jose’s Mayor Chuck Reed (now) says he’s “...going to be on the side of full disclosure…” for release of 911 tapes and must now “...convince at least 2 members…” of the Rules Committee to join him today. In spite of repeated requests from Daniel Pham’s father for release of the 911 tapes, Police Chief Rob Davis worries about violating the family’s privacy... (Or perhaps he is erecting the Blue Wall...)

The Merc’s Scott Herhold challenges Chief Davis not to manipulate Pham’s family into providing the answer the Chief is hoping for and urges readers to join him at City Hall today…

Perhaps Councilmember Pierluigi Oliverio has a way to ease the brewing tension... PO thinks a little weed might be just the ticket. Oliverio hopes to pick up where Santa Cruz leaves off and bring two new (medical) marijuana clubs to the City’s empty industrial sites.

Following the closure of San Jose’s downtown hospital in 2004, a flurry of activity took place (not) to get the nation's 10th largest city a replacement. San Jose Councilmember Sam Liccardo inherited the controversy and now reports a new site may be identified “...within weeks...”

Three teenagers were busted by San Jose Police following the gang-related Halloween stabbing of 12 and 13 year olds. Sgt. Ronnie Lopez said “...it was a tireless effort by [police] … following leads.”

Morning News Round-Up – 10.16.09: The Biggest Little City in the World is NOT San Jose...

The Merc’s Editorial Board calls moves by San Jose (retired) Police Officer David Bacigalupi and the Police Officers' Association “tone deaf” and filled with “chutzpah” about wanting to get rid of the doctor that makes disability recommendations to the City's pension boards. Following stories in the Merc. that “Dr. No’s” own job was in danger Police Officer Association President/Protect San Jose blogger Bobby Lopez writes he’s not interested in firing Dr. Das, he wants to clone him… We wonder where Councilmember Constant comes down on this issue...

Mayor Chuck Reed wasn’t in Reno for the roulette. San Jose’s “green mayor” went to take home an award from the International Economic Development Council for his Green Vision. San Jose Inside found Reed hopes to inspire “other cities around the world…” Isn't Reno a weird place for this type of award to be given out? It is the definition of suburban sprawl with big, energy-guzzling casinos with indoor smoking... but it is the Biggest Little City in the World... funny, we thought that was San Jose.

“Mayor Green” will be happy to hear San Jose is on its way towards 100 miles of trails with a little over 50 miles ready for action. Save Our Trails President/Willow Glen resident Taisia McMahon hopes to keep Willow Glen trailheads in the mix…

The debate over the tree-free California Avenue roared on during Palo Alto’s Architectural Review Committee. Committee members (strangely) prefer an architectural aesthetic to tree selection. Board member David Solnick complained “there’s really no design guidance here…” Only-in-Palo Alto...

Los Altans have an election on their hands… 4 candidates are competing for 3 Trustee seats on the Los Altos School District Board. Mark Goines (incumbent), Doug Smith, Tamara Logan and Rowene Hood agreed financial solvency tops the list of concerns, but not without taking shots at the Charter school in town.

Mountain View’s Rengstorff Park will become a “safe and enjoyable” place if Councilmembers have their way. Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga said summer use of the Community Center was unbearable and colleague Mike Kasperzak hopes to rebuild the Community Center as tall as possible, maybe even 4 stories… 4 stories in Mountain View passes for tall, we guess.

Hoping to see City employees pedaling more, Cupertino looks at the purchase of as many as 5 EZip bikes. City spokesperson Rick Kitson hopes employees will ride/pedal their way to cross town meetings.

Mani-pedi with that hip surgery? Seems to be the question for Los Gatos businessman Bobby Sarnevesht hoping to open a physician owned hospital in Campbell. What looked like a simple business proposition got heated when the opposition started coming from Congressional representative Mike Honda, nurses, and the South Bay Labor Council.

Morning News Round-Up -- 10.1.09: Wet Goes to Court...

The other Club Wet shoe dropped when Club owners filed a federal lawsuit asking a Judge to block closure claiming San Jose’s regulations on nightclubs are "completely lacking in constitutionally required procedural safeguards." San Jose Police shrugged saying the Club had at least 49 chances to fix problems during the 5 months when customers were being stabbed or mauled in brawls. We wish Club Wet would let their lobbyists speak. Mr. DeRollo and Mr. Saggau were always so eloquent in Wet's defense.

Santa Clara District Attorney Dolores Carr is back in the news following (preliminary) reports that the DA’s office withheld at least 5 videotapes in child sexual assault cases. In addition to screwing up child predator convictions, Santa Clara County could be on the hook for expensive lawsuits from pissed off, imprisoned predators.

Speaking of DA Office screw ups... Protect San Jose’s Kathleen Flynn put her foot down declaring “enough is enough.” While Flynn never mentioned Vahid Hosseini it’s clear she’s pissed District Attorney Dolores Carr’s (un-ethical) handling of the case and tossing it to the Attorney General’s office gets more air time than the case itself.

Beverly Head was distressed enough about dogs racing (on leash) alongside their owners on trails that she commented to her husband about possible animal cruelty. Two days later, a leashed Siberian Husky tripped her during a walk causing her death. San Jose Parks spokesperson Mona Favorite-Hill said “there was no way to anticipate this.”

ACORN is cutting classes in San Jose following an East Coast conservative sting operation. In San Jose, ACORN is credited with raising the red flag on predatory lending practices in East San Jose where hundreds of homeowners face foreclosure. East Side Supervisor George Shirakawa, Jr., said “we probably should have listened a lot closer.”

(As an aside, Supervisor Shirakawa probably could apply that quote to Bob Nunez's former employers...)

The California High-Speed Rail Authority opened the doors to public comment after handing out the “alternative analysis” on moving people between San Francisco and San Jose. NIMBY neighbors in fancy Peninsula cities and towns will be happy to hear tunnels are under discussion. The Merc’s Editorial Board was also talking HSR, sending a message to the Fed’s in support of $4.5 billion for High-Speed Rail.

Disagreeing with the Merc's Editorial board... San Jose Insider Pete Campbell argues San Jose shouldn’t keep federal stimulus dollars and should instead send the $15 million targeted for street repair to impoverished Mississippi.

Mountain Views NASA/Ames Research Center is the place to land today as “a panel of Silicon Valley heavyweights” talks economic recovery in the South Bay – and using Silicon Valley recovery as a model for California. State Senator Elaine Alquist leads the charge with San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed, Carl Guardino from the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, Santa Clara County Office of Education’s Chuck Weis and a host of “heavyweights.” Begging the question, the South Bay has recovered?

Los Altos retirement home Pilgrim Haven missed the added joys of a lawsuit when the North Los Altos Concerned Neighbors dropped plans “…to pursue litigation…”

Los Altos City Councilmembers approved a Retiree Health Savings Plan for Police Officers. Los Altos acts as trustee but is not financially responsible for investments and the “plan will incur no cost to the city” according to city human resources manager Patrick Alvarez.

Swine Flu stays in the news… Santa Clara County has declared a swine-ish emergency to open community vaccination clinics.

The Merc’s Scott Herhold wants to know why Santa Clara County Tax Assessor Larry Stone is “so weird,” according to Stone he simply has a love for campaigning and the democratic process. Stone’s deputy, David Ginsborg was in the midst of collecting endorsements when Stone announced the desire to kick off his 70th birthday with a new term in office. Ginsborg dropped his plans.

Looking to get a little college experience without the pain of homework or tests? This is your chance, according to the Merc’s Sal Pizarro. San Jose State University kicks off Classes Without Quizzes.

Morning News Round-Up -- 9.3.09: Mr. Pegram goes to Washington?

Most Gilroy schools are celebrating. California High School Exit Examination results were posted. Gilroy winners include Gilroy High with 81% and 80% of students passing Math and English respectively. At the bottom of the barrel the beleaguered MACSA-managed El Portal with less than 45% of students passing math and English. Ouch. Maybe if the folks running the schools paid the teachers instead of embezzling, test scores would go up...

Porn king Larry Pegram has a new adventure in store for unsuspecting voters. On top of recent announcements that he is recruiting people to look over your shoulder at libraries as well as collecting money for a ballot measure to overturn San Jose City Council’s decision to keep San Jose out of the Big Brother role at libraries, Pegram’s longing for a Congressional gig came out at the ChamberPAC's annual picnic. (carpetbagger)/ Congressional wannabe Pegram told the Metro’s Fly he’s ready to move to Tracy. Watch out, Congressman Jerry McNerney, the porn king is on your trail.

If Second Harvest Food Bank didn’t know the power of social media 3 weeks ago, they do now. Carolee Hazard asked her Facebook friends what do to with an extra $93. More than $10,000 and 10 countries later, Second Harvest celebrates the $93 Dollar Club.

The Merc’s Mr. Roadshow (a.k.a. Gary Richards) is looking out for everyone, including Mountain View City Councilmember Laura Macias. Worried about hitting California’s “craziest” traffic after a holiday in Tahoe, Macias wants to know if she should hit the road before dawn or after sunset Monday?

Silicon Valley Leadership Group revealed plans to honor former San Jose Mayors Susan Hammer and Tom McEnery to the Merc’s Sal Pizarro. Also on tap, a look at gubernatorial wannabe’s in separated conversations. The only candidate not showing up, Meg Whitman. That should be awkward for the folks sitting in the eBay seats...

The Merc’s Editorial Board has a message for the City of San Jose – get serious about trails. The Board suggests a missing trail between the Los Gatos Creek and Guadalupe River is the same as leaving out sections of Highway 101.

The City of San Jose got a little love (not the kind of love that makes Larry Pegram blush, however) from the Civil Grand Jury according to San Jose Inside. The sucking sound was dollars disappearing in the links at Los Lagos and Rancho del Pueblo golf courses...

The San Jose/Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce got props during a recent Los Altos City Council meeting. Under discussion, should the Los Altos Chamber model itself like San Jose’s Chamber. Councilmember David Casas thinks so saying the “clear line” between business and politics would make it easier for Los Altos to hand money to the Chamber. If only San Jose Revealed was still up to comment on this story...

Los Altos residents on Blue Oak Lane want to ditch their septic tanks, but cost and giant holes have some worried. Elementary school teacher Mildred McColloch is pissed about the $40,000 (+) price tag saying “I’m basically being booted out…" And that just stinks...

Business owners and planners in Los Altos are at odds over strengthening downtown. The economic downturn hurts business owners who believe that revitalization is great but the real pain is now.

Those pesky (toxic) Perchlorate chemicals found in wells around Silicon Valley are disappearing. Of course, if the drought disappears those Perchlorates could continue their journey.

Morgan Hill City employees will breathe a sigh of relief: the City Council decided no mid-year layoffs. Mayor Steve Tate and Councilmember Larry Carr have their fingers crossed the unions will give up raises to help out.

Morning News Round-Up -- 9.01.09: Don't all plug your Teslas in at once... please

It is football season in Sacramento, sort of. State Senator Elaine Alquist lends her support to the 49ers request for picking their stadium builder. Alquist penned a piece for the Merc. complimenting Santa Clara’s City Council and touting the benefits of SB43 as it winds its way through Sacramento.

San Jose Councilmember/San Jose Insider Pierluigi Oliverio provides a blow by blow of last week’s retirement board governance meetings, for the 99.95% of San Jose who didn’t go. Peace Officers Research Association Director/ Protect San Jose’s Pete Pomerleau joined Oliverio and dished his own opinion noting “…Councilmembers Ash Kalra and Rose Herrera sat through both community meetings…” Must not have notice Oliverio taking prodigious notes.

Like they say, almost only counts in horseshoes and… Monte Sereno recall backers failed in their attempts to gather the necessary 602 signatures to take out Mayor Curtis Wright, Vice Mayor Don Perry, and Councilmember Lana Malloy for voting themselves a $300 monthly salary. Recall-meister Lon Allen promises/ threatens this isn’t his last foray into politics. Perhaps it should be...

The economic disaster has hit home for Silicon Valley’s small banks. Focus Bank (celebrating one year in the trenches) looks at a $1.5 million loss. The good news is local banks point out they are “well capitalized” and should “weather the storm.”

Put on your hiking shoes… Fans of the great outdoors will be happy to hear the Stevens Creek Trail is gaining momentum. Mountain View accepted funds to complete a section. Sunnyvale had a “breakthrough” when fears of crime proved unfounded according to Mayor Christopher Moylan. Los Altos Councilmember Val Carpenter is hopeful Sunnyvale’s breakthrough gets more options on the table.

Palo Alto’s greenies are abuzz over Tesla’s impending arrival. Palo Alto Utilities Electrical Engineering Manager Patrick Valath want you to know if everybody plugs in their car at the same time “it could have an impact.” A vision of all of Palo Alto plugging in simultaneously has the words “hot app” for smart meters falling like water.

Being a parent is tough. The Merc’s Scott Herhold provides some insight into the nostalgia and sadness that comes with watching the youngest walk out the door and into adulthood. Or, whatever adulthood means for a college freshman.

The Merc’s Sal Pizarro dishes the news that Wyatt Earp, ok, it’s really Hugh O’Brian, is riding into town.

The Los Gatos Union School District was still doing the math when they learned their numbers were down. “Math is more developmentally challenging” as you grow up, explained curriculum director Dr. Bitsey Stark when looking at Los Gatos sinking STAR numbers.

Mission City Lantern sings a love song for Santa Clara Mayor Patricia Mahan...

Morning News Round-Up -- 8.20.09: A Correction to Start...

We start with a correction this morning because screwed up. And boy did we heard about it from many, many people. We misread a Merc. story yesterday about the City of San Jose wasting money on cost overruns for capital projects. In fairness to us, the sentence was (somewhat) confusingly written:

...the substation is one of just three San Jose capital projects out of hundreds over the past decade or so to exceed their construction contingency budgets...

We believe one could read this sentence two ways, but we apparently read it the wrong, more cynical way. Apologies all around -- and thank all of you for reading so diligently.

On to the Round-Up...

The Merc’s Editorial Board is tickled Tesla stays in Silicon Valley with its “cool Roadster.” San Jose's Office of Economic Development is considerably less tickled... it sort of makes this press release look silly... and this one too.

It seems an Op-Ed on Sunday struck a nerve, if you believe what you read in the Letters to the Editor in the Merc. Remember, Cindy Chavez wrote (but did not text) about campaign finance reform in San Jose. Bill Baron, the chair of the Chamber of Commerce's political arm COMPAC, responded yesterday in Letters... our favorite line: "...you're being robbed of 'sunshine' in broad daylight, one dollar and one text at a time..." Colorful language Mr. Baron...

It has been a couple days since Dolores Carr's name has been in the paper -- and her name isn't in this story either. But we sort of wonder why... There is a story in today's Merc. about a defendant that was found "factually innocent" on a burglary charge. It seems both the San Jose Police Department and the Santa Clara County DA's office made mistakes which could have screwed up one 20-year old's life (and his family's loves) for the next 6 years. No word from Protect San Jose on this issue... yet. (For those of you who are considering a run against Carr, you should cut out this story for your opposition research file. Just a helpful hint from your friends at Watch Dog.)

East Side Union High School Superintendent Bob Nunez (apparently) left his last gig with a (huge) black mark. (Un)Suprisingly, East Side Union Trustees didn’t know about it because they didn’t ask his former employer for references. Now, (un)surprisingly, similar accusations are coming to haunt Nunez. Former Trustee/Superintendent George Shirakawa, Jr. shrugged off (possible) thievery saying “…Bob brought labor peace…” So, if we get this straight, misusing District funds is ok as long as nobody is on strike? Bloggers at The Unruly Advocate are not surprised with the shenanigans… Neither are we.

Facing a $44 million deficit San Jose State University President Jon Whitmore is ditching 200 faculty members. Whitmore will share the news during his Welcome Back speech today… He probably won't say, "Welcome back, don't let the door hit you on the way out..." What he should do is blame the strong leadership in Sacramento.

Congressmember Anna Eshoo announced she’s moving forward with a healthcare Town Hall – via phone. Constituents can register online (and then Eshoo's staff can hand-pick questioners...) We aren't kidding, check out this NPR story from yesterday...

Moto Amore owner John Bettancourt is one pissed off scooter rider. Bettancourt accuses San Jose bureaucracy of forcing him out of business while code enforcement’s Mike Hannon says having a tax certificate is not the same as having necessary permits. Downtown Councilmember Sam Liccardo is still hoping to talk to Bettancourt…

Gary “Mr. Roadshow” Richards dedicates his (generally) car-centric time to the two wheelers in our midst. It’s the time of month again for the San Jose Bike Party to hit the street, cyclists ask Mr. Roadshow about trails and parking…

The Merc.’s Scott Herhold also talks bikes, this time with (bike vs. drunk driver) survivor MaryAnn Levenson. Back in the saddle, Levenson teaches bike safety when she’s not kicking ass in competition.

The Alameda (State Route 82/El Camino Real) is getting a face-lift and plans are underway to ditch the “highway” moniker.

There’s big trouble in Garlic-land… Gilroy Police, while looking for (wife beater) Joel Barnes, wound up with a meth dealing teenage girl (apparently) shacking up with machine gun toting 30 something’s Raul Maciel and Thomas Esparza. Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Joel Barnes may call the Sheriff's office at 299-2311. We have to say, nothing goes with meth like garlic.

The Los Altos Town Crier caught up with the news that Pilgrims Haven is a go…

The tanking economy is driving Los Altos library lovers to call for renewal (and increase) of a 20 year old parcel tax. Los Altos Hills Councilmember/library fan Jean Mordo said the (up to) $90 proposed tax “is not a lot of money” and looks forward to a June 2010 ballot measure.

It’s a booze-free (not free-booze) day for the Los Altos Community Picnic after the City Council said no to the proposed sale of donated beer. Mayor Megan Satterlee called the “novel” idea “excellent, out-of-the-box thinking” but joined colleagues in saying drinking would contradict the “family-spirited thing.”

Morning News Round-Up -- 8.13.09: Get well, get well soon...

Silicon Valley’s FACES is breathing a deep sigh of relief after the Supervisors voted to ignore the District Attorney’s “aggressive bid” to snag victims support services. The DA pulled out all the stops with elected officials, law enforcement, and retired judges lobbying the Supervisors. As if the DA didn't have enough on her plate... Will she ever get a win?

You want to be a student at San Jose State University? Figure out how to pass those pesky pre-college math and English classes the first time or on your own. Remedial course Professor Stefan Frazier says many didn’t get a quality high school education and need that extra boost. Maybe... but that boost won't be in downtown San Jose.

Timothy Richardson and Robert Hendricks thought they had a brilliant plan, kidnap women and sell them as sex slaves. The Santa Clara Police and FBI charged them with “human trafficking” and busted the icky entrepreneurs. Santa Clara Police Chief Stephen Lodge is on the lookout for other victims.

Looks like those Los Altos retirees will be facing a lawsuit from grumpy NIMBYs unhappy at the thought of more seniors in their midst.

There’s a battle brewing at BMW of Mountain View. Union members are crying foul while it looks like Auto Nation is trying to force the union out.

Pinnacles National Monument as a National Park? Santa Cruz Congressman Sam Farr is pushing for the increased support and visibility…

A quick look at November races around Silicon Valley…

• Palo Alto’s wild west free-for-all has a lucky 13 candidates joining incumbent Larry Klein to duke it out for 5 open seats.
• With 3 open seats on the Cupertino City Council, Cupertino Planning Commissioner Marty Miller hopes to beat out Darcy Paul, Mahesh Nihalani, Daniel Nguyen, and Barry Chang to join incumbents Orrin Mahoney and Mark Santoro. The incumbents hope they’ll be there as well.
• Each of Sunnyvale’s 3 open seats has two candidates. Incumbents Mayor Anthony Spitaleri and Christopher Moylan face opposition while newcomers Jim Griffith and Penny Kelly duke it out.
• Los Altos School District incumbent Mark Goines is joined by John Radford and Doug Smith in his bid for one of 3 open seats. At press time it was unclear if Stephanie Lau-Chen made the filing deadline.
• Other school district boards on the November’s ballot include Cupertino Union, Patterson Unified, Orchard, and Sunnyvale.

The Merc’s Scott Herhold turns his softie side to send a plea for San Jose’s iconic Andy’s Pet Store. Today they are offering professional doggie manicures. Andy’s is facing tough times and Herhold hopes you’ll join the firebreathing, rabbit training owner Lissa Shoun in saving the joint.

The Santa Clara/San Francisco 49ers served 1,000 happy fans piles of pasta and handed much needed checks to City Year Silicon Valley, Fresh Lifelines for Youth, and the Santa Clara Police Athletic League.

Looks like San Jose Revealed’s hiatus could be permanent, or maybe they forgot to pay the rent.

Takin' to the Streets on San Jose Inside’s The Fly.

Protect San Jose keeps reading Watch Dog: Yesterday’s anonymous blogger turns out to be Ed Rast. Police Officer Association President Bobby Lopez fills us in on confusing numbers from City Manager Debra Figone and blogger/Councilmember Pete Constant is still pissed off about (fired) Independent Police Auditor Barbara Attard’s San Jose condo.

And on that note, we'd like to wish Pete Constant a speedy recovery from surgery today. (A Watch Dog tipster filled us in...)

Morning News Round-Up – 8.6.09: Get the lint off those breath mints…

No kidding, today is National (Minty) Fresh Breath Day…

Congressmember Anna Eshoo put her foot down letting Hangar One keep its toxic siding a little longer. Mountain View City Manager, Kevin Duggan, is hopeful but not holding his (minty) breath, yet.

Guadalupe Cabrera Miranda was busted on his way to a grievance hearing after his son told the cops he was worried about Dad’s mental stability... oh, and the gun Pops was packing. Anticipated crimes, must be the preponderance of psychic cops that allows San Jose Police to clear the streets with “attitude” arrests.

The 49ers team offices have resided quietly in Santa Clara, now their sweetheart deal is dragging them into discussions on the teams (anticipated) southbound move. Vice Mayor Jamie Matthews says it’s not fair to say the 49ers pay roughly your mortgage annually – after all you suck up city services while they generate money.

Gilroy’s mischievous tow-truck family is heading to court with over 150 charges against them for a range of nastiness. Vincent Cardinalli Sr. represented himself during the preliminary hearing with a little coaching from Judge Gilbert Brown – including the advice to get an attorney…

California’s Superintendent of Public Education, Jack O’Connell landed in San Jose just in time for a union march on the Alfred E. Alquist State Building protesting $18 billion in education cuts. Local labor maven Cindy Chavez was (apparently) not on the scene as “penny” postcards were delivered to Assemblymembers Jim Beall and Joe Coto along with State Senators Abel Maldonado and Elaine Alquist.

It’s official, (former) Los Altos Councilmembers and Planning Commissioners won’t be volunteering at City Hall. Former Mayor Jim Thurber called the official ban an insult and illogical. No doubt these guys agreed...

Oops, that was a Past Due notice… Comcast is coughing up $100,000 in overdue fees to Los Altos…

San Jose has stayed largely unfluoridated, until that darned Tooth Mobile started promoting kids health. “We can never drill our way out…” of crummy teeth according to Health Trust CEO Fred Ferrer.

Just for fun, the Merc’s Sal Pizarro points out Friday in San Jose will be hopping. The Jazz Festival kicks off (complete with the CEO Jam showing off), South First Fridays has artist Jose Arenas unveiling a new work, and San Pedro Farmers Market gives you the chance to embarrass yourself in a pie eating contest.

San Jose Inside surfed the net to share the news that Santa Clara County will need to cough up a whopping huge check to bail the State out.

Mission City Lantern pokes at Philip “Revealed?” Bump and shares a ditty featuring San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed. On an (un)related note… The web wizards helping Working Partnerships haven’t bothered with updates since former leader Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins announced her departure…

Morning News Round-Up -- 7.30.09: ESUHSD (again) and Blogwars (still)

The East Side Union School District uncovered the problem behind (alleged) racial discrimination, financial irregularities, and the sidelining of athletics. The culprit (apparently) was Superintendent Bob Nunez, who is now sidelined himself. Trustee Lan Nguyen had a few choice words for the rest of the Board (taking a page out of Watch Dog's book) “We as a Board have inadequate oversight of our fiscal issues…” The Merc. Editorial Board weighed in on the Nunez forced/ paid holiday saying high time the Board hired an auditor.

San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed declared the “Legloland” of solar panels on his rooftop good, especially since it cost him (initially) $1,500 for enough juice to keep the air-conditioning going.

During an economic meltdown, it’s good to be the top dog. The El Camino Hospital Board of Directors handed out raises of (nearly) 5% to the top dozen administrators. CEO Ken Graham will now bring home more than $600,000. In an (un)related note, you may have noticed that a national discussion is happening on healthcare...

Federal stimulus dollars continue to find their way to Silicon Valley. This time the Santa Clara Valley Water District helps to bring in $44 million for bridges, recycling and flood protection. Good thing the money was allocated before someone in the Federal government read Herhold's piece earlier this week...

Saratoga’s Planning Commission is making dreams come true (according to the Merc.): Rosalba Sokhanvari will open a Spanish Language immersion school in the heart of the Village while Muhammad Hussain gets his dream home.

With roughly $7 million set aside for economic uncertainty or rainy days, Los Gatos officials aren’t worried about the Guvernator’s (possibly) illegal money grab. Mayor Mike Wasserman says the Guvernator and Legislature are grabbing because “they screwed up” and “what they’re doin' is not right.” Neighboring Saratoga is “ecstatic” the Gov is taking only $660,000.

Los Altos City Council hears (for a second time) Pilgrim’s Haven request for expansion. Facing well orchestrated NIMBY opposition, Mayor Megan Satterlee said “every piece of information provided is reviewed and considered.” This includes the mega dose of anti-Haven lawn signs along Los Altos Avenue.

“Hunger doesn’t take a vacation,” and Community Services Agency Associate Director Maureen Wadiak issues a call for support. The need is up 14% while available food is down 17%.

Animal cruelty hits a new low with a bunny killer on the loose in San Jose. Seriously, a monster is killing bunnies living near San Jose’s Easterbrook School. Dr. Lily Lee and PAWS are working with the School District to address the growing bunny population while the Moreland Woods bunny killer is being hunted. (For those who read Watch Dog San Mateo, animal cruelty is usually relegated to the County to the north... We also learned this morning that Phillip Bump is also doing his part to fight animal cruelty -- more on that later.)

San Jose’s blogwars made the big time -- an actual newspaper. Not once but twice. Scott Herhold assesses the likelihood of Phillip Bump as the author of San Jose Revealed. Like a (literary) forensic examiner, Herhold studies language and cadence. We will wait to see how the next episode of CSI: San Jose handles the evidence.

Herhold's piece got the blogosphere buzzing...

• Phillip Bump thanked Scott Herhold for the web-traffic...
• In an (un?)related update, San Jose Revealed remains on hiatus waiting for San Jose’s City Council to return.
• San Jose Metblogger Matt Bruensteiner regurgitates the Mission City Lantern Reveals Revealed story. We have our own San Jose-centric echo-chamber happening here...
• Mission City Lantern can't help himself from posting regularly (hourly?) about the blogwar and opens his blog up to some of the suspects to clear their good names... (James is very busy - the Stadium EIR was released in Santa Clara.)

And in non-blogwars related blog news, Attorney General Jerry Brown gets in on Protect San Jose's (vast) readership. Ironically, he is bashing fake charities. We say ironic, because the words "Attorney General Jerry Brown" and "charities" appeared on the front page of the San Francisco Chronicle yesterday... and it was not that flattering. Brown on Protect San Jose is interesting for a variety of reasons...

Morning News Round-Up -- 7.29.09: SaveThePlasticBag.com... (Seriously)

It was a big night for the East Side Union High School District Board of Trustees. They had to show how angry they were at their Superintendent Bob Nunez for his questionable spending. The spending was called into question initially by an audit conducted by the County Office of Education. (Note: The audit was not conducted by either the Board or the District.) But, why didn't the Board know about this in advance? Why weren't they asking questions? No wonder parents are pissed. It turns out the Board did do a good job at acting angry. The Superintendent is now on paid (?) administrative leave until further notice. Watch Dog was drawing attention to this Board for some time. We hate to say we told you so, but but but but...

While this isn't from a local paper, a local insider did direct us to it... A big city police department in a high-profile case released 911 calls. And no, the sky is not falling. Perhaps San Jose could learn a lesson?

The thief who robbed the SLAC National Accelerator Lab was a former employee hoping to reverse "bad karma"... we guess getting caught proved that it didn't work.

The plastic bag war has been settled, for now, in Palo Alto. The City can't implement the bag ban without an environmental review. Incredibly, the group that brought suit against Palo Alto is called SaveThePlasticBag.com. There are somethings worth saving, like baby seals and the rain forest, but who would have thought that a plastic bag would be worth a "save"? I mean, aside from these folks and this guy.

HP employees got an interesting welcome to work yesterday: Greenpeace was protesting at their facility. (Ironically) They are concerned about plastics in HP products. Perhaps Greenpeace should protest SaveThePlasticBag.com headquarters next. Here is a map.

Los Altos is banning former City Councilmembers and former Planning Commissioners from "volunteering" at City Hall. All to combat the perception that these folks have too much influence and power at Los Altos City Hall. Good thing San Jose doesn't do such a thing: What would he, she, she, or she do?

The Gilroy Police Department will be three officers bigger thanks to a US Department of Justice Grant. May we suggest putting them in an anti-gang unit? Because...

...Monday night there was a drive-by shooting in North Gilroy caused damage to cars, but no injuries leading to this headline: Gang-related drive-by jolts soccer players, residents chatting in park.

To blogs:

• Mission City Lantern is still fighting the blogwar (you know the one) -- while San Jose Inside and San Jose Revealed seem to have taken a (well-deserved) break.
• Protect San Jose is still serving its mission to speak for/ defend police officers. Fair enough. But they haven't talked about the DA having to step back from (and put at risk) a prosecution that they handed to her (seemingly) on a silver platter.
• Finally, on a sad note, we learn that frequent commenter "Kathleen" will no longer be commenting on San Jose Inside and San Jose Revealed. We are thankful that she made this announcement on Watch Dog, and hope she will not stay silent on this site.
  

Morning News Round-Up -- 7.23.09: Fabio + Garlic = Recall?

From Gilroy: The Recall Capital of Santa Clara County -- Gilroy Mayoral Wannabe/ County Supervisor Don Gage says he’s so-not trying to force Mayor Al Pinheiro out of office... but he does want to replace him if the recall is successful. The Supervisor has even offered to lead Pinheiro’s anti-recall effort. (With friends like that...) Expect the political fireworks to be on full display this weekend as the Garlic Festival heats up (featuring Top Chef's Fabio...).

Former California Water Service (San Jose Water Company) Auditor Abdirahman Ismail Abdi is on his way back to San Jose after getting busted in the UK. You remember Ismail, he tried slinking out of town with a cool $9 million.

Naval Officer/Sunnyvale Councilmember (on hiatus) Otto Lee was spotted in Silicon Valley on shore leave. The Merc’s Sal Pizarro reports Mike Fox, Sr. has signed up as chief fundraiser to retire Lee’s $200,000 Supervisorial campaign debt.

Mountain View’s City leaders are pissed the Guvernator is looking to grab as much as $6 million. Mountain View and the royally pissed off San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed ($100 million) might be joining 188 other cities in the League of California Cities Stop the Ponzi Scheme lawsuit.

The Mountain View Voice Editorial Board weighs in on the Civil Grand Jury report slamming local school districts saying the Grand Jury missed the forest for the trees and calling the reports deductions “ridiculous.” We are certain the Civil Grand Jury's feelings are hurt...

The Palo Alto VA’s blinding Optometrists got support from the Mother Ship. The California Optometric Association is standing behind Veterans Affairs Optometry Chief, Curtis Keswick, over accusations the VA blinded 7 veterans.

Team San Jose is teaming up with Los Angeles’ Nederlander Concerts in an attempt to breathe life into the San Jose Civic Center. Local Nederlander Max McAndrew said the Civic had great bones “it just needed some love.”

The Merc’s Scott Herhold takes time out from his usual tone to celebrate U.S. District Court Judge Charles Breyer’s sense of design. That is, Herhold tells us we can thank Breyer for decorating local courthouses.

Train vs. Man, never good. A man was killed while apparently trying to cross the railroad tracks near Caltrain’s Blossom Hill Station.

Won’t somebody please replace Foothill-DeAnza Community College Trustee Hal Plotkin? The District has applications open until August 17, expect a replacement August 31.

In a news round-up for toney Los Altans (and their Hillside brothers and sisters)…

• The Linden Tree is up for grabs for anyone wanting a kids' bookstore…
• The Los Altos City Council set up a Landlord Tenant Committee because tenants were freaking out. Problem is the big landlord, Los Altos Village Association, is opting out…
• Los Altos Hills makes nice with the Mountain View Dayworker Center. Mayor Jean Murdo hosted a celebration at his home for the Dayworkers.
• The historic landmark Halsey House would be torn down if Councilmember David Casas had his way. But Councilmember Val Carpenter is going for “adaptive reuse.”

Morning News Round-Up -- 7.16.09: More Wet News...

Barely halfway through 2009, San Jose is on track for a record number of murders. A man was shot to death in the Santee area. Sgt. Ronnie Lopez said it probably wasn’t a drive-by.

The Blue Ribbon Compost Task Force in Palo Alto has made a recommendation to keep composting. Seriously. We can't make this stuff up. (In fairness, it is a little more complicated than that...)

In other "News of the Weird" from Palo Alto... A homeless City Council candidate is being asked by Palo Alto Police not to take up residence outside Whole Foods. (Watch Dog guesses it might lead to some serious liberal guilt if he was living outside of Whole Foods...)

The Merc’s Joe Rodriguez didn’t get asked his opinion on un-doing the problems of the “monumental flop” called the Mexican Heritage Plaza, but that didn’t stop him from posting ideas from readers. Ideas for re-tooling the 1987 vision by then-Councilmember Blanca Alvarado include a Seattle-style Space Needle with a rotating Mexican restaurant.

Other opinions from Merc columnists... The unveiling of a piece of the Mineta San Jose International Airport drew kudos from the Merc’s Sal Pizarro who toured with “dozens of dignitaries.” Begging the question, San Jose has "dozens" of dignitaries?

Mountain View Police will soon take advantage of Google’s free WiFi. The WiFi system will also be used to enhance the water meters at the Pulte Homes' development.

Lots of Los Altos/Los Altos Hills news today...

• New (rotating) Los Altos Hills Mayor Dean Warshawsky takes the helm for a second time. His big goal, annex Hidden Villa, keep the rural atmosphere, and upgrade recreation for residents. (Translation: Better access to the Fremont Hills Country Club.)
• Neighbors in Los Altos (NIMBYs) are still pissed off about a proposed Senior housing proposal approved by the Planning Commission in May. After a contentious meeting this week where NIMBY’s grumped about the noise and dust of construction, the City Council voted to have another meeting to delay their decision.
  
• It seems inaction is contagious in Los Altos. A lawsuit is brewing between the Los Altos School District and the Bullis Charter because Bullis administrators are pissed following 5 years of talk but no action on “...equitably shared facilities...” by the Los Altos School District.

(Apparently) Worried the Los Gatos City Council might not know where they were, the Los Gatos Arts Commission has remade the Council Chambers with an exhibit called “You Are Here.” No word if City Manager Greg Larson has Facebooked about the exhibit yet... (Watch Dog spies are constantly updating us on Larson's status...)

San Jose Inside’s Fly reports Police Chief Rob Davis forced the closure of Club Wet. Apparently, the weapon used during the most-recent stabbing was the size of a pinkie finger and really, no serious wounds were left behind. Club owners dismissed the multiple stabbing as a little dance floor fight with revelers back in action after security guards swooped in. Aside from the fact SJPD didn’t close the club (club owners did), it’s nice to know that if you’re stabbed with a little knife it’s not really a "stabbing." Remember, this "stabbing" was unpreventable according to Wet's lobbyist. (A nightclub needs a lobbyist?)

San Jose Inside’s Silicon Valley Newsroom has resorted to using Watch Dog as their news source of choice having given up on reporters. The latest homage to Watch Dog is reposting the (old) news that Assemblymember Joe Coto and State Senator Gilbert Cedillo were dropped from the Minuteman lawsuit.

Inside isn't the only blog joining the news aggregating business, so is Protect San Jose...

Sadly, Revealed remains silent... pneumonia... vacation... new job?

Morning News Round-Up -- 7.9.09: A story that never seems to die...

There have been a few stories in the past week about former San Jose Mayor Ron Gonzales and some job applications he's filled out. Watch Dog bets that he likes those stories better than the one that is landing in San Mateo County right now. You see, there is an ongoing Garbage Saga in San Mateo County that our sister blog Watch Dog San Mateo has been covering for sometime. Well, the Civil Grand Jury up there just issued some findings about their newest County garbage contract. That's where San Jose and Ron Gonzales come in. The San Mateo County Civil Grand Jury goes into depth about San Jose's botched garbage deal, Mayor Gonzales' deal with Norcal, and how that should have been taken into consideration before Norcal landed the San Mateo County contract... I guess that story will never, ever die... (We will link the full report when it comes online...)

“Quite honestly, this is an embarrassment,” according to San Jose City Attorney Rick Doyle. Silicon Valley cities face the expensive task of chasing down crooks and suspects whose loot the County District Attorney confiscated – but never asked to keep. DA Dolores Carr pointed an accusing finger at her predecessor for the costly foul-up.

The growth of South Bay gangs gets a double dose of love from the Metro. Gilroy Mayor Al Pinheiro snapped “…let’s not get the media hyped up and point to Gilroy as a hard-core gang kind of place,” in response to accusation that a lack of political will is at the heart of Gilroy’s gang problems.

Lawsuits, exploding toilets, and sewage spills have Palo Alto’s City Council considering handing responsibility for sewer lines to residents. Neighborhood policy wonk Bob Moss is rallying the troops before the City’s meeting.

“Poison pill,” “clueless staff,” and “squandered dollars” highlight a Mercury News Editorial call to rid the State budget of the costly requirement to re-study High-speed rail alternatives. How do you really feel?

At least 16 acres of the San Antonio shopping center in Mountain View are slated for a “pedestrian friendly” make over to become a “really modern” shopping center. Really...

Shut those taps, people! For now Los Altos is asking residents politely to curb water use. Assistant City Manager Jay Logan is hopeful the “intelligent skill-set” in Los Altos will cooperate. Of course, the "intelligent skill-set" generally have huge lawns...

Former San Jose Councilmember/Santa Clara County Affordable Housing Director Margie Matthews reports there are more people living on the street. Supervisor Don Gage called the increase “troubling.”

Morning News Round-Up -- 7.8.09: A football field and a ben field...

And you thought the Swine Flu stories were over. Unfortunately, Silicon Valley had its first Swine Flu death. You may not have heard about it because of the 24/7 Jacko watch...

(Soon to be termed out) State Senator Elaine Alquist has a problem with public bids (for a 49ers stadium) and is angling to change State law. Alquist’s problem is with the requirement to pick the lowest bidder because the 49ers want to do the picking themselves. At least Alquist is focusing on the really important stuff in Sacramento...

As the head of the South Bay Labor Council, Cindy Chavez is wasting no time in shaking things up... a lot. Santa Clara County Prosecutor Ben Field, facing suspension for abuse of power, will join Chavez as her right hand leaving his $180,000 gig and Los Gatos digs behind.

Los Altos neighbors (NIMBYs) are really pissed at the thought of a bigger retirement home. Retirees and cranky neighbors will descend on City Hall this week in what promises to be an exciting meeting. An exciting meeting and Los Altos -- those two thing don't often go together.

Gilroy’s City Council ditched planning guidelines and ignored growth limits to approve a large hillside proposal – much to the joy of the South Valley Community Church. While agreeing the Council repeatedly makes such decisions, Councilmember Dion Bracco said it wouldn’t “…open the flood gates...”

The (volunteer) Utilities Advisory Committee in Palo Alto is growing as Palo Alto staff is shrinking. Mayor Peter Drekmeier called for the expansion to take advantage of resident expertise. (And may we suggest better oversight of the Utility...)

Santa Clara County’s Civil Grand Jury attack on local school officials made it to Mountain View. The Mountain View Voice calls attention to School District Trustee benefits, from $121,000 to Fremont Union Trustees and $0 to Loma Prieta’s.

Four developers are drooling over the thought of getting their hands on 77 acres at NASA Ames for a research park…

Morgan Hill aims to become the Silicon Valley electric vehicle retail site. San Jose’s Eco-Sparc (Sorry, not Tesla) showed off their electric cars in the Fourth of July parade and will open doors in the Downtown Mall this month.

Taking a pay cut and refusing raises was the least they could do, according to Gilroy’s City Council, to show solidarity with City employees taking paycuts. Largely symbolic, the part-timers will save the city $8,000 and keep personal benefits. (Perhaps they learned from San Jose's Kansen Chu...)

No surprises here: The South Bay ranks as the 6th most congested commute in the nation. The good (?) news, between the economy and fuel prices, congestion is at its lowest in 15 years.

Bizzare: Stanford physicist Suwen Wang took his family to Nebraska for the International Children’s Painting Competition (where his daughter won the North America division). While at the Competition, Wang and his wife were busted for child abuse. When Wang and his wife got out of jail, the kids were kept behind in foster care…

Yesterday, San Jose Inside got in on the news story about Ron Gonzales' job prospects. The weird part is that it seems Inside is getting into the news aggregation game, because they linked their "news" back to the Mercury News... then they did it again today with the story about Ben Field joining the South Bay Labor Council team.

Morning News Round-Up – 7.2.09: Let the pre-holiday fireworks begin...

Santa Clara County District Attorney Dolores Carr won’t be putting away her dance shoes just yet. (now) Judge/(former) prosecutor Joyce Allegro is accused of withholding evidence that might have kept a defendant off death row…

San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed took Santa Clara County Sheriff Lt. Jose Salcido out of the running for Sheriff (maybe). Reed pulled Salcido inside city hall to bridge the divide between police and the rest of the world. Mission City Lantern is also curious about the newly created position. San Jose Inside points out Salcido's buddy is SJPOA leader Bobby Lopez. Could Salcido be angling for another new gig…

Palo Alto’s plans for a new library are “woefully inadequate” according to Friends of Palo Alto Libraries. Library Advisory Commissioner Rajesh Mashruwala said downtowns unique demographic (seniors, daytime workers, homeless) causes special challenges. Right, because those folks don’t want books or computers in their libraries…

Los Altos police are on the look out for a San Jose crew of vandals/imbeciles who scratched graffiti on business windows.

It isn’t enough to get the County out of debt but Tax Assessor Larry Stone reported a (slight) increase in property values.

Mountain View’s City Council is ready to do battle with the Feds over Hangar One… Mountain View will (probably) look to Palo Alto and Sunnyvale to join the party.

Cupertino has an eye on the Fed’s stimulus money to find energy savings. For $526,000 Watch Dog has a few energy saving ideas available…

Los Gatos Union School District is likely to be out $1.5 million because of the State’s budget disaster. District CFO Leslie Paulides said it shouldn’t have a huge effect on the kids because they’ll draw on rainy day funds. Not like San Jose Unified which faces a $19 million shortfall and is increasing class sizes.

The Saratoga Planning Commission sympathized with neighbors worried about the “high density” proposal but bravely waded through terrified complaints to allow the proposal from Adel and Maria Khouja. The end result, two homes on a (newly) subdivided 50,000 square foot lot. Gives a whole new meaning to density…

The dish from San Jose inside, another victim of the economic downturn… San Jose landmark A.P. Stumps is packing those ginzo knives and pouring the last shaken, not stirred next week. Get your reservations in early for the week long farewell.