Redwood City — Thanks to an improved emergency alert and warning system, those who live and work in San Mateo County can now get messages via text, email and voice that include maps, images and multiple languages.

Redwood City — As the Peninsula faces an acute housing shortage, the County of San Mateo is exploring where to plan for growth and ways to expand and protect the supply of affordable housing into the next decade. The final plan will help shape the region’s future: communities that long relied on relatively affordable housing to draw new residents who fueled job and economic growth can no longer count on that advantage.

Redwood City — The Board of Supervisors today voted to provide an annual County Parks pass to individuals and families with low incomes. The 5-0 vote will ensure all residents regardless of means have access to all County Parks.

Redwood City — In a victory for workers, the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors today voted to increase the minimum wage to $16.50 an hour beginning next spring.

The County’s Veterans Commission today a honored U.S. Marine and former firefighter as the San Mateo County “Veteran of the Year.” George Smith was honored before 250 attendees during the 7th annual Veterans Recognition Event for going “above and beyond” in service to his community.

The County's new Office of Arts and Culture will see an infusion of $100,000 to help launch countywide programs and projects. The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, voted 5-0 to allocate the funds from the Measure K local half-cent sales tax. The funds will be used as a match for specific grants as well as to support numerous programs and projects, as outlined here:

Millbrae – County of San Mateo leaders today announced a bold local strategy to  reinforce the safety net for the county’s most vulnerable residents: $4 million annually to prevent evictions. “We will end homelessness in San Mateo County,” Mike Callagy, the County’s chief executive, said to an audience of more 300 at the “Our Year of Working Together to End Homelessness” Summit in Millbrae.

Redwood City – A coalition of top local elected and civic leaders today launched a new initiative to improve public safety by boosting efforts to remove guns from the hands of felons, stalkers, and other people prohibited from firearm possession. The launch of the new San Mateo County Gun Violence Prevention Program comes with a pledge of $2 million in funding over the next two years.

East Palo Alto – Local public health officials will be in East Palo Alto next week to learn what climate-related challenges residents are facing in their community and to help identify gaps in preparedness. In English, Spanish or both, survey teams will ask a series of questions focusing on threats posed by mosquitoes, extreme heat, sea level rise, fires and air quality, for instance. Teams will also ask about emergency preparedness.

The Board of Supervisors approved the following regarding Measure K on Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022:

Redwood City — With the presence of avian flu in the Bay Area, San Mateo County Health is advising residents who keep backyard birds or domestic flocks to protect them from contact with wild birds and for the public to take precautions when handling dead birds.