City Council Meeting: Police Dispatch, Sign Hill

Recap of last night's meeting: goodbye to city interns, plastic food containers, and more.

City Council Agenda: Dispatch Consolidation, Westborough Park, Miller Ave

Preview of tonight's council meeting.

South City a "Model" For Police Consolidation

Wednesday City Council will discuss how to respond to the county's Civil Grand Jury Report from earlier this summer that recommended peninsula cities consolidate dispatch centers.

Hill: Public Shouldn't Have to Pay for Upgrades to PG&E Gas System

State Assemblyman Jerry Hill is urging the California Public Utilities Commission not to let PG&E saddle ratepayers for nearly $5 billion in costs for upgrading to the state's aging gas transmission system.

California Holding $6 Billion of Unclaimed Property

All those forgotten bank accounts and mislaid safety deposit boxes make for one huge lost-and-found collection. Could any of that $6 billion belong to you?

An Alternative Underground Track for High Speed Rail

A peninsula activist campaigns for an innovative but unlikely solution to the high-speed rail debate.

First-Time Voters: ID Requirements in San Mateo County

In light of recent legislative changes for voter identification in Pennsylvania and other states, here's a guide to voter ID law in California.

Commemoratation Planned: Pipeline Explosion Anniversary

The gathering will include the unveiling of a plaque to recognize the area's recovery since the Sept. 9, 2010, fire.

BART Expands Richmond-Millbrae Service

BART will soon increase evening weekday service to and from Millbrae.

Flash Poll: Ryan Pick Solidifies Ticket Differences, CA Democrats and Republicans Say

In a Patch survey, Republican activists lauded Paul Ryan for his fiscal conservatism and brainpower, while Democrats said the choice could help the Obama campaign.

Gas Pipeline In SSF to Undergo Testing

PG&E will do work tomorrow at Hillside Boulevard and Holly Ave; nearby residents should not be alarmed if they smell gas.

Who Qualifies for Free or Reduced-Price School Meals?

The San Mateo County Office of Education participates in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs to provide affordable meals to the county’s students.

New Jail Concerns: Budget Over Safety?

A state rule bars the legislature from considering new laws that add to the prison population. Does this rule put the community at risk?

Air District Issues Another Spare the Air Smog Alert for Saturday

The district said air quality in the Bay Area is forecast to be unhealthy again Saturday.

Public Transit Takes a Trip to San Francisco Airport Museum

Right in your backyard is a free museum at SFO. Have you been?

‘BagMonster’ Promotes Plastic Bag Use at County Center

The County’s Director of Environmental Health donned his costume to raise awareness about the county’s proposed plastic bag ban.

City Asks Residents To Help Cut Down On Smog

Warm weather prompts South City leadership to ask residents to help fight against poor air quality.

"Minimal" Air Quality Impact from Chevron Fire, Officials Report

A spokeswoman for the Bay Area Air Quality Management District this afternoon said air samples during and after the Chevron refinery fire showed "surprisingly minimal impacts" because of favorable weather conditions.

Fall Election Filing Deadline For Candidates Ends Tomorrow

South City residents pull papers for seats on state assembly, city school board and county harbor commission

'All I Need is Your Bank Account Number'

Learn how to avoid scam artists and and telemarketing fraud at a workshop hosted by Assemblymember Jerry Hill.

ACLU Argues “Liking” Something Should Be Protected Speech

Weighs in on a case in which employees were fired for “liking” a Facebook page.

How Low Can You Go?

Stanford professors Jon Krosnick, Shanto Iyengar and David M. Kennedy weigh in on the tone of the 2012 presidential race.

Obama Visits Bring Unfunded Bills, Traffic Delays

The President’s recent Bay Area trips have brought national attention and notoriety to Redwood City and others, but even those residents who didn’t attend his fundraisers paid a fee—in traffic and security costs.

Cash Boost for Caltrain Improvements

Feds pony up $3.2 million for modernization, safety.

Bay Area Officials On Gun Laws, Yee's New Bill

In the aftermath of two mass shootings in Colorado and Wisconsin, Bay Area lawmakers and gun rights activists disagree on how to proceed.

Obama Visits Bring Unfunded Bills, Traffic Delays

The President’s recent Bay Area trips have brought national attention and notoriety to Redwood City and others, but even those residents who didn’t attend his fundraisers paid a fee—in traffic and security costs.

Local Libertarians Distrustful of Romney

Top Bay Area Libertarians are skeptical about Romney’s record and have little faith in him as a voice for small government.

$4.6 Million Grant Will Help Uninsured Locals

Around 3,000 uninsured are currently on the District's waiting list.

Yee Named 'Elected Official of the Year'

The award was presented by the Davis Vanguard to him for his social justice work. Meanwhile, he is hard at work trying to ban the 'bullet button.'

County Parks Goal: Fully Operational in Five Years

The goal is simple, tranform every park and facility--and find a way to be more self-funding.

Green Toys Recalls Mini Vehicles Due to Choking Hazard

Marin maker of toys made from recycled plastic milk jugs says it received 10 reports of wheels and hubcaps coming loose or detaching from the vehicles, but no reports of injuries.

Democrats Opened Peninsula Field Headquarters Monday

Intellectually-invested citizens intend to power Obama’s re-election campaign from a new field headquarters in Menlo Park.

Ever Had Breakfast With a Senator?

Sen. Leland Yee will host an 8th Senate District pancake breakfast Aug. 5. The pancakes are free and the conversation will be lively.

Board of Supervisors to Tackle Parks Funding

Our county parks need $12.1 million in capital improvements over the next five years in addition to typical annual expenditures.

Updated: Sign Hill and Paradise Valley Park: Should It Be Public Land?

Local advocates have been working to preserve Paradise Valley Park and Sign Hill for decades, and are gearing up to stop future development. Do you think Sign Hill should remain an open space? Take the poll below.

Countywide Sales Tax Increase to Appear on November Ballot

The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors voted to send the measure to the voters, come November.

City Council: PG&E's New Pipeline, Walmart, Biotech

Here's what you should know about last night's council meeting, including when the new gas pipeline construction will commence and the role of the biotechnology industry in San Mateo County.

Voluntary Plastic Bag Ban: Nine Months In

Not many local businesses are taking it upon themselves to charge customers for plastic and paper bags, but they might have to start in a few months.

The Future of Peninsula Affordable Housing: Grim or Bright?

Advocacy groups contend more affordable housing is needed in the Peninsula to ease congestion and increase quality of life.

Board of Supervisors Aim to Raise Sales Tax

If the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors has its way, residents will be voting in November whether to increase sales tax by half a cent, for a period of 10 years.