San Mateo News Archives

A former San Mateo police officer who plowed into a woman's car after drinking at a party while off-duty with other cops faces up to 20 days in jail after cutting a deal with prosecutors.

Though the Web is only about 10 percent of the holiday shopping pie, it's seen most of the growth so far this year a ' an encouraging sign after last year's first online sales decline.

Getting around the city on two wheels will be easier and safer if officials succeed in their quest to revamp local bike transportation.

City officials have launched an in-depth process that will eventually create a better network of routes and lanes for bicyclists in San Mateo, as long as they can find enough money to fund the projects.

For a team that was predicted to finish last in its division and whose star offensive players include a receiver who is in his first year of varsity football and a quarterback who has played the position for less than three years, the Terra Nova High football team seems to be doing just fine.

Police are looking for a man who used a note to rob a bank Wednesday afternoon, an official said.

Getting around the city on two wheels will be easier and safer if officials succeed in their quest to revamp local bike transportation.

Ashley Pritchard, 22, is proof that volunteering as a child can have a profound impact on the rest of one's life.

Shoppers returned to malls Saturday as observers began reviewing early reports showing just how much consumers spent during their Black Friday shopping sprees.

Authorities rescued two men after their 34-foot sailboat capsized in rough conditions off the coast of Half Moon Bay this afternoon, a U.S. Coast Guard spokesman said.

Shoppers turned out by the thousands to take advantage of Black Friday retail sale prices throughout San Mateo County, but many reported being unimpressed by the available bargains.

Hundreds of people showed up at the Martin Luther King Center in San Mateo yesterday to enjoy a Thanksgiving dinner provided by Samaritan House.

Burlingame resident Trudy Letson took a break on Thursday from the stress of trying to find a job and figuring out how to pay her bills.

The Coastside's first and only community college campus very likely will be shut down this spring less than two years after opening its brand-new classrooms to local learners.

San Carlos police are investigating whether the robbery of a 76 gas station last week can be linked to other Peninsula holdups.

ValueAppeal , a simple online tool that helps homeowners lower their property tax assessments, is now available to residents of San Mateo County, California.

A judge yesterday quadrupled the bail to $2 million for a former San Mateo insurance agency account manager accused of bilking more than a half-million dollars of client money over a two-year span before taking medical leave.

While Assemblyman Jerry Hill supports recent legislation to revamp the state's aging water system, he does not support the bond measure intended to pay for much of the fixes.

The intersection at State Route 92 on Concar Drive near the Kmart on Delaware Street in San Mateo is often congested with traffic.

Many locals describe - with great incredulity - the proposal to build 25 homes into the sides and on top of the hill despite a history of landslides in the area.

Elected officials in San Mateo County have responded to their respective budget crises by cutting employee wages or laying them off.

College of San Mateo student Jeanine Robertson got down on the ground to correctly place tealights shining within clear plastic cups to create one letter in a glowing sign from students, staff and community: “Yes We Can.”

Donations are down and public demand is up for charities helping the poor survive the holidays.

Efrain got laid off from his job as a restaurant worker eight months ago and has been looking for steady work ever since. Ken says his bipolar disorder keeps him from working, but he hasn't been able to obtain disability money. Vickie left her home to escape an abusive relationship and is fending for herself as she tries to finish her bachelor's degree online.

According to a report released Monday, two San Mateo County cities have a higher crime-rate ranking than last year, which could point to increases in crime.

CSM wide receiver Rahsaan Vaughn goes up high for a catch during the Bulldogs' 31-20 win over Reedley in the fifth annual Bulldog Bowl Saturday afternoon in San Mateo.

From a Peninsula Humane Society press release: November 22, 2009 The Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA invites high school students to explore two distinct, but related animal welfare career paths this December.

Mike King calls his pizza business a labor of love. Sure, he likes the job and the food he serves.

The phone call was a pre-recorded message by Parkside Elementary School Principal Lynn Gurnee.

Fighting back tears, the mother of murder victim Lon Dell Wilson told her son's killer Thursday afternoon before he was sentenced to 40 years to life in prison that she forgave him.

Students from Sunnybrae Elementary School in San Mateo launched a drive helping a United Nation's organization that champions children's rights.

Getting around the city on two wheels will be easier and safer if officials succeed in their quest to revamp local bike transportation.

With newly initiated sales outpacing new listings, San Mateo County single family home inventory is being absorbed faster than it is being added.

Nick Brocha, 2008 XDL freestyle national champion, performs a trick during a motorcycle show at the Cycle World International Motorcycle Shows expo at the San Mateo County Event Center Friday afternoon.

As recently as two weeks ago, the Burlingame High football team was peaking, playing well in all three phases of the game.

Getting around the city on two wheels will be easier and safer if officials succeed in their quest to revamp local bike transportation.

Students from Sunnybrae Elementary School in San Mateo launched a drive helping a United Nation's organization that champions children's rights.

Walking into J'me boutique is like walking into any San Francisco high-end boutique -- only it's in San Mateo.

The need at the Second Harvest food banks of San Mateo and Santa Clara counties echo the alarming picture of food insecurity painted by a national report released this week, according to food bank officials.

It was a hot summer in Bakersfield and Pacific Gas and Electric has raised rates twice in the past 13 months.

Longtime Peninsula journalist George E. Golding died Nov. 14 at his home in San Mateo from complications due to a stroke.

On paper, Saturday's Northern California Community College football championship game between host College of San Mateo and Reedley is a mismatch.

Ending long-running speculation about whether he will run for re-election, San Mateo County Sheriff Greg Munks confirmed Thursday he plans to seek another term next November, despite a Las Vegas brothel scandal that has clouded his tenure as the county's top cop.

The rumble and roar of a vast motorcycle caravan will roll into town tonight for a glimpse into the future of the industry.

Xtreme Power, a provider of large-scale power management and storage systems, today announced that is has been selected as a finalist for the first Innovation Competition at GreenBeat 2009, the seminal conference on the Smart Grid.

Breast cancer experts at Mills-Peninsula Health Services are urging Peninsula women and doctors to ignore a government panel's new advice to skip mammograms until age 50.

California's budget deficit is expected to climb to $20.7 billion next year, according to a nonpartisan budget analyst report released yesterday, leaving lawmakers with the tough decisions to either raise taxes, make severe cuts to critical services or borrow billions more to balance the books.

Builders will be ringing in the New Year with water and energy conservation. Starting Jan.

PG&E's rollout of SmartMeters in the Bay Area has resulted in complaints from consumers of unusual spikes in bills and concern that the meters are malfunctioning and over reading electricity usage.

San Francisco International Airport is attracting more than its share of travelers, and passengers will be stuck at gates with longer delays unless more of them start using the airports in Oakland and San Jose instead, according to a new report.

The new defense attorney for former San Mateo child psychiatrist William Hamilton Ayres wants identifying information for jurors who earlier this year were unable to reach a verdict on charges he molested several young male patients.

Maintenance workers were cleaning some of the Hillsdale Garden Apartments common areas Tuesday.

A proposal to sell the 41-acre school facility that houses Peninsula High School in San Bruno sparked the anger of residents who wanted to maintain open space and were visibly frustrated about the San Mateo Union High School District's poor notification about the issue.

A 30-year-old woman suffered serious injuries Tuesday evening when she was struck by an SUV, police said.

From a press release issued by Mission Motors Mission Motors All-Electric Mission One Superbike On Display at Cycle World International Motorcycle Show In San Mateo Bay Area Motorcycle fans get a first look at the future of high performance electric motorcycles SAN FRANCISCO, November 17, 2009 -- Mission Motors, builder of the world's fastest ...

Six SamTrans routes were cut and fares were increased in a unanimous vote by the SamTrans board of directors last month in the wake of a $28.4 million operational budget deficit for the 2010 fiscal year.

After two years of community meetings to gather input refined by a Citizens' Advisory Committee, a draft of the Burlingame Downtown Specific Plan will be presented Wednesday.

Peninsula High School could relocate as part of a possible plan to sell the property on which it sits.

The sound of a jet engine roaring overhead can be earsplitting. But a man living near San Francisco International Airport claims the noise was so powerful it ripped apart his marriage, too.

San Mateo receiver John Niupalau caught eight passes for 142, scored two touchdowns and set up a third.

The Little Big Game is not only about the football teams. It's also a chance for the respective bands to show off their chops and the battle of the bands starts early.

A seven-year renewal of a parcel tax with a $96 increase - to about $180 - could go before San Mateo-Foster City Elementary School District voters in an all-mail ballot in February if officials call for such an election Thursday.

Ducati's long-awaited Hypermotard 796 will make its West Coast debut this weekend at the Cycle World International Motorcycle Show in San Mateo, Calif.

College of San Mateo won its first NorCal Conference football title Saturday and will host Valley Conference champion Reedley in the Bulldog Bowl Saturday afternoon at 1p.m. for the overall Northern California Community College crown and the right to host the state championship game Dec. 12.

It was a close call, but the Aragon High football team continued its mastery over Hillsdale in the "Battle of the Fleas" game Saturday.

Ken Lybrand considers himself a lucky man. He is the father of two young children, has a supportive family and a full-time job.

The city should trim its maintenance staff through attrition, cut some wages and outsource other jobs to save nearly $560,000 per year, officials proposed Friday.

San Mateo receiver John Niupalau hauls in a 44-yard, game-winning scoring pass over Burlingame's Derek Atlas with 42 seconds to play to give the Bearcats a 25-20 win over the rival Panthers in the annual 'Little Big Game' Saturday morning in San Mateo.

Peter Webb The San Mateo Rotary Race at Seal Point Park yesterday raised $12,000 for scholarships for needy San Mateo students and featured 150 runners on a beautiful morning at scenic bayfront course.

As San Mateo inches toward urbanization with its rail corridor plan, the developer of a proposed 599-unit "village" at Delaware Street and Concar Drive must satisfy the desires of the city's five-member Planning Commission before the City Council has a chance to weigh in on the project.

The San Mateo County Elections Office will begin its 1 percent manual count of votes cast in the Nov.

One minute, the San Mateo High football team's championship dreams and playoff aspirations were on life support.

Lillian Meng, left, and Caroline Zheng lead kindergarten students at College Park enrolled in the immersion program in a song.

Police and city officials say they will likely allow a new Beverages and More store downtown despite the state's contention that there are too many liquor licenses in the area.

Pursuant to a plea agreement, Roberto Heckscher, a resident of San Mateo, Calif., pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Court Judge Susan Illston to one count of mail fraud, announced United States Attorney Joseph P. Russoniello.

After serving 20 years on the City Council, Rosalie O'Mahony can expect a pretty lengthy farewell tribute Monday.

The recreation center fails to meet state seismic standards and the city does not have the $1.2 million needed to bring the building up to code, according to reports released Friday.

South San Francisco drivers are just the latest to join a long-running battle between San Mateo County residents, who have said the cameras are just a way for officials to fill empty coffers, and authorities, who say the devices save lives by reducing collisions.

South San Francisco drivers are just the latest to join a long-running battle between San Mateo County residents, who have said the cameras are just a way for officials to fill empty coffers, and authorities, who say the devices save lives by reducing collisions.

The 17-year-old boy accused of plotting and unsuccessfully carrying out a massacre at Hillsdale High School in August will learn in early January if he'll stand trial on multiple felonies, including attempted murder.

The T.G.I. Friday's restaurant across from the Hillsdale Mall has been shuttered for nearly a year, and until some optimistic Midwest entrepreneurs arrived there seemed to be every reason to keep it that way.

Arts and crafts fanatics will be in paradise this weekend when the largest show of its kind on the West Coast arrives at the San Mateo County Event Center.

Lynn Engel, annual giving manager for Samaritan House, and Greg Chu, travel sales and member service manager for AAA, look at one of the 75 donated turkeys delivered by AAA to the Samaritan House Kitchen in San Mateo Thursday morning.

The Little Big Game just got a little bigger. When the Burlingame and San Mateo football teams renew one of the oldest annual high school rivalry games in the Bay Area Saturday at 11 a.m. in San Mateo, bragging rights and pride won't be the only things at stake - the Peninsula Athletic League Ocean Division championship and an automatic berth into ...

As the recession takes its toll on discretionary spending, artists are finding it difficult to find buyers for their work.

Reallocating $32 million in bond money to place solar panels on four local high schools in an effort to reduce the San Mateo Union High School District's $1.1 million annual electricity bill will go before the Board of Trustees tonight.

San Mateo's Sarah Griest splits the Monterey block for a kill during the Bearcats' three-game sweep in the first round of the CCS Division III playoffs.

The Pajaro Valley High girls volleyball team didn't just make it to the first Central Coast Section match in school history Wednesday night.

The San Mateo Harvest Festival Original Art and Craft Show is Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the San Mateo County Event Center.

Racial discrimination is not only occurring in the Millbrae police department but city officials did nothing to stop the behavior, according to an eight-page federal lawsuit filed against the city and Cmdr.

Drunken drivers, scofflaws and speeders may want to think twice. A handful of San Mateo County cities have landed nearly $1 million in grants that will pay for additional DUI checkpoints, extra patrols and new equipment such as motorcycles and the latest in technology for catching speeders.

A debate is cooking over whether to allow "mobile restaurants" after the recent emergence of an Indian food truck that has been parking downtown, a previously unprecedented sight in the affluent city.

A brokerage team from NAI/BT Commercial's Burlingame office represented property developer/manager Prometheus Realty Group in four new Class A office leases in San Mateo.

Kulbir Dhaliwal, 25, of San Jose must serve two days in jail, Judge Gerald Buchwald of San Mateo County Superior Court said at a hearing in South San Francisco, said Assistant District Attorney Karen Guidotti.

A helicopter flew a 1-year-old San Mateo boy to Stanford Hospital this morning after he scalded himself with a hot cup of tea, officials said.

An independent auditor has given the city of San Mateo high marks for the way it handles its finances and has informed the city of new accounting standards it must soon put in place.

San Mateo County's only methadone clinic could draw more patients and stop draining money from county coffers by moving from Menlo Park to a more centrally-located site, according to health officials.

Google Inc. announced Monday, Nov. 9, that it had agreed to acquire San Mateo, Calif., mobile advertising company AdMob Inc.

Police are still looking for the person or people responsible for a brutal beating Friday night that left a San Mateo man dead.

A strong school library program is the cornerstone of a healthy school, unfortunately schools do not have the money to support strong school libraries and students are suffering from it, according to California School Library Association.

College of San Mateo can celebrate at least a share of its first NorCal Conference football championship with a win over visiting Diablo Valley College Saturday afternoon in the regular season finale.

A strong school library program is the cornerstone of a healthy school, unfortunately schools do not have the money to support strong school libraries and students are suffering from it, according to California School Library Association.

The dustup over filling a county supervisorial vacancy with an appointment rather than election last year may be a thing of the past if a committee reviewing the county charter suggests changing the process.

I read the wonderful article, "Your Own Backyard," about the growing popularity of backyard chickens throughout the County.

A San Mateo nonprofit is beginning its holiday food and toy drives early this year in anticipation of what will likely be the busiest holiday season it has ever experienced.

Not long after a San Mateo County man with a valid driver's license was sentenced to two years in jail for his ninth drunken driving conviction, a local legislator has called for a rule that would automatically revoke the licenses of motorists who are repeatedly over the limit and behind the wheel.

Margie Chop is a registered nurse and the single mother of four daughters. Two of those daughters are adopted and the other two - 12-year-old Daniece and 17-year-old Ann - are sisters living with Chop as foster children.

San Mateo High rode George Naufahu's big second half on offense to victory Friday against South San Francisco, but it was a late-game defensive play that sealed the triumph.

Jordan Rodgers will play his last game for the Butte College football team at Cowan Stadium this afternoon.

The San Mateo High football coaching staff challenged its defense all week in practice to make plays.

Burlingame's Ilan Lesov rushed for 125 yards and two TDs on 23 carries during the Panthers' 28-12 win over Half Moon Bay Friday.

His first year as head coach could hardly have gone much better. The College of San Mateo football team under first-year head coach Bret Pollack is a one-point loss to Foothill away from being undefeated.

Burlingame's Brooke Tsu hits a return during her 6-3, 6-0 win over San Mateo's Sammy Huang to capture the PAL tournament singles championship.

San Mateo is looking far into the future to find ways to address its growing aging population.

The Lehman Brothers bankruptcy will ultimately leech $216 million from San Mateo County through lost jobs and economic output, according to Board of Supervisors President Mark Church who on Tuesday once again asked the Treasury Department to buy its troubled assets.

Two newcomers join incumbent on San Mateo-Foster City board: To a large extent, community volunteer Ellen Mallory Ulrich was glad she didn't win a seat on the San Mateo-Foster City School District board of trustees when she first ran four years ago.

It will soon be a bit more expensive to buy anything in San Mateo or stay in a hotel near San Francisco International Airport after voters convincingly approved seven tax-hike measures in Tuesday's election.

San Mateo Public Works Director Larry Patterson participated in a Context Sensitive Solutions workshop on high-speed rail in Burlingame yesterday.

San Mateo's Parks and Recreation Commission is prepared to allow dogs to roam off leash in designated areas on at least four additional city parks in a pilot program that could one day allow dogs to run free in select areas in all city parks.

After beating City College of San Francisco, the College of San Mateo football team now finds itself rooting for the Rams this weekend.

As the minutes and seconds ticked down in the fourth period of the West Catholic Athletic League, first-round water polo playoff match between St. Ignatius and host Serra, the only question that remained to be answered was this: Could St. Ignatius score?

Voters Tuesday returned three incumbents to the San Mateo Union High School District board.

What did BART cost San Mateo County? It would be nice if there were a simple answer to that question.

An Alameda County Deputy District Attorney was poised to grab a seat on the San Mateo City Council, while four others are still sweating over the remaining two seats.

Robert Ross chats with supporters as voting results come in at his election night party at Pasta Primavera in San Mateo.

Signifying the likely end of an era that spanned three decades, it appears Rosalie O'Mahony will lose her spot on the City Council after 20 years.

Thomas Levinson/Daily Journal Mike Vail, a supporter of Robert Ross, watches election results update via the Internet along with Claudia, at Ross' election night party.

Based on early returns, voters have clearly opted to tax themselves more to avoid cuts in city services.

A month after a home sale was blocked by the suggestion that it may have historical significance, an independent firm has ruled the house in question has no historical value.

The Peninsula Athletic League's individual tennis tournament kicks off today, the first of three days to determine the league's representatives to the Central Coast Section singles' and doubles' tournament.

When A.C. Ralston's older cousin went missing from Phoenix, Ariz. in 1954, the family hoped and prayed the 18-year-old beauty hit the road to pursue her Hollywood dream.

The physician who examined a 26-year-old man accused of gunning down East Palo Alto police Officer Richard May testified today that the defendant apparently sustained a single bullet wound to the back of his right thigh and no other major injuries.

There are moments that live forever.

In the aftermath of the College of San Mateo football team’s historic 30-24 win over City College of San Francisco on Saturday — the Bulldogs’ first victory over their nemesis since 1988 — first-year head coach Bret Pollack entered a raucous CSM locker room to give out the game ball, usually given to the player of the game.

The number of tax measures filling the ballot mean Election Day's outcome will affect many Peninsula residents' pocketbook even if they stay away from the polls as expected.

A Northern California man has pleaded guilty to running a $20 million Ponzi scheme he used to bilk investors for three decades.

A 29-year-old Menlo Park man died after losing control of his motorcycle and crashing on westbound state Highway 84 in unincorporated San Mateo County near La Honda this morning, according to the California Highway Patrol.

SAN MATEO High School is launching its annual canned food drive in partnership with Samaritan House and Second Harvest Food Bank.