Briefs

Update, Wednesday (March 11): The Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District has canceled Thursday's presentation on pumas due to concerns about the Coronavirus.

"While the risk of infection remains low, out of an abundance of caution Midpen is suspending docent-led activities, volunteer projects and school field trips for the next three weeks," wrote Nicky Crummett, Hidden Villa community programs manager, in an email to those who registered for the event.

The next "Coexisting with Cougars" talk is scheduled for May 14.

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Hidden Villa is scheduled Thursday to host a free informational session on mountain lions and staying safe in mountain lion territory. The program, titled “Coexisting with Cougars,” is slated to begin at 5:30 p.m. at the Los Altos Hills preserve, 26870 Moody Road. 

Courtesy of Jitze Couperus/Special to the Town Crier

Lehigh Southwest Cement Co. officials are proposing expansion plans, which will likely be discussed at a public meeting in Cupertino Feb. 13. Critics are concerned about the alleged visual and environmental impacts.

Lehigh Southwest Cement Co.’s latest proposals to expand operations likely will be discussed at an upcoming public information meeting scheduled 7-9 p.m. Feb. 13 at Cupertino Community Hall.

Local cities raise minimum wage

The minimum wage in Los Altos is now $15.40 an hour.

The Los Altos City Council approved an ordinance in 2016 raising the minimum wage to $15 last year, and to $15.40 effective Jan. 1, per the Bay Area Consumer Price Index. The ordinance applies to employees working two or more hours per week.

Melissa Hartman/Town Crier

A visitor to Veterans Community Plaza in Los Altos takes a snooze with the aid of the plaza’s new furniture.

Although the Los Altos City Council did not rank the Veterans Community Plaza Shade Structure Project as one of its top five priorities during a Capital Improvement Project discussion at its Sept. 24 meeting, city officials recognized the need to satisfy residents’ desire to improve the plaza and took action last week.

For the second year in a row, a survey of U.S. Census data revealed that Los Altos Hills is the richest town in the state – and the richest town in the country.

Online financial news publication 24/7 Wall Street’s rankings are based on median household income derived from five-year estimates contained within the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2017 American Community Survey.

Santa Clara County Supervisor Joe Simitian last week introduced six appointees – including residents of Los Altos, Los Altos Hills and Mountain View – to county boards and commissions.

“All of these folks demonstrate a passion for public service, and a history of initiative and engagement within their communities,” Simitian said in a May 8 press release. “I’m pleased we’ve got a good group of people to serve on our boards and commissions.”