How has life in the Bay Area changed over the last 20 years? These stories straight from our Bay City News archives capture news of the day from 5, 10, and 20 years ago – as originally published at the time. Explore these history snapshots and ponder how today’s news compares to that of years past.
MAY 4, 2021
Garbage collection rates rose in eastern unincorporated Santa Clara County, turning a basic public service into a household cost issue. The decision connects to current concerns about inflation, waste management, and the local cost of maintaining essential services.
Bay City News Reported:
“Garbage Collection Rates Rise In Eastern Santa Clara County“
Garbage collection rates in the eastern unincorporated areas of Santa Clara County are increasing by 5.5 percent on July 1. On Tuesday, the county Board of Supervisors approved the hike in price because its service provider, Recology, had increased costs of service because recent regulatory changes in international importation standards for recyclable materials have reduced the amount of revenue generated while simultaneously increasing the costs to process recyclable materials. That impacted the county because Recology sells most of the county’s recyclables to China, said Jo Zientek, director of the county’s Consumer and Environmental Protection Agency. Zientek said 4 percent of the 5.5 percent increase is attributed to the increased costs and 1.5 percent is because of the standard annual inflationary adjustment. That means for those living in the flat lands of the unincorporated areas east of Alum Rock and Milpitas, garbage rates are changing from $39.33 per month to $41.40 per month for the standard 20-gallon container. For those living in the harder-to-reach parts of the east district, monthly rates for the 20-gallon container will be $48.11. Prior to the increase, Zientek said letters were mailed to the roughly 5,000 customers in the Unincorporated District East to inform and give them an opportunity to protest the hike by sending a letter or participating in Tuesday’s meeting. There were only two letters of protest sent in, Zientek said. However, residents in the east district may be eligible for a refund on some of those increases if conditions improve, Supervisor Otto Lee noted. Zientek said potential refunds would be calculated during the annual audit. She also noted the rate increase in the east district is much lower than other cities in the county, like San Jose, Santa Clara and Campbell that saw double-digit rate increases. Residents who are low-income or struggling financially may be eligible for rates that are 43 percent to 45 percent lower than the proposed rates. Lower rates can be applied to residents who qualify for PG&E’s CARE Program.
MAY 4, 2016
A measure to legalize recreational marijuana headed toward the statewide ballot, marking a major shift before voters decided the issue. The campaign connects to continuing debates over retail regulation, public health, taxation, and the long-term effects of legalization.
Bay City News reported:
“Recreational Marijuana Measure Heads To California Ballot“
Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom and others today announced that an initiative legalizing the recreational use of marijuana for adults has collected enough signatures to qualify for the November ballot. Supporters said the measure, the Adult Use of Marijuana Act, has collected more than 600,000 signatures, well over the 365,880 it needs to qualify for the Nov. 8 ballot. The measure would allow adults 21 and older to possess, transport and use up to an ounce of marijuana for recreational purposes and grow up to six plants. It would also tax retail sales at 15 percent, although it allows local communities to opt out of licensing retail sales. Speaking today at the Commonwealth Club in San Francisco, Newsom said the measure had been carefully developed to address issues that had emerged in other states where marijuana has been legalized, and to provide flexibility to lawmakers to address any problems as they emerge. “We’re not doing this lightly, we’re doing it very thoughtfully,” Newsom said. He said the legislation was essential to address the failed war on drugs, and its costs both in dollars and in impacts on the lives of those arrested for marijuana use. “You do not have to be pro-marijuana to be pro-legalization, that’s not what this is about,” he said, noting that he personally was not a fan. Newsom spoke today with a group of backers that included U.S. Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, R-Huntington Beach, University of California at San Francisco Hematology-Oncology division chief Donald Abrams, former Los Angeles Deputy Police Chief Stephen Downing and state National Association for the Advancement of Colored People President Alice Huffman. A previous measure seeking to legalize marijuana, Proposition 19, was defeated by 53.5 percent in 2010. In the time since then several other states have legalized marijuana and backers of this measure said they believe public opinion has shifted. A Bay Area Council poll of Bay Area residents released today found that 50 percent supported legalizing recreational use of marijuana in California and another 10 percent answered “don’t know.” The measure would require a simple majority to pass. Support was strongest in San Francisco at 56 percent and in the North Bay at 54 percent. Support was weakest in San Mateo County, the only county where opponents slightly outnumbered supporters, at 43 percent.
MAY 4, 2006
West Contra Costa school officials declined to join a lawsuit over California’s high school exit exam, taking a position in a consequential education-policy dispute. The decision connects to continuing debates over testing, equity, and how public schools should measure student readiness.
Bay City News reported:
“West Contra Costa Declines To Join Exit Exam Lawsuit“
The West Contra Costa Unified School District board voted 3-2 Wednesday night against joining a lawsuit over the California High School Exit Exam. The school board previously voted 4-1 not to take the step of defying state law and granting diplomas to students who had fulfilled all classroom requirements for graduation but hadn’t passed the exit exam. Several Richmond High School students have filed a lawsuit against the state over the math and English test. The suit claims that schools failed to adequately prepare students to pass the exam, which is required for graduation starting with the class of 2006. A hearing on the students’ request for a preliminary injunction is scheduled for May 9 in Alameda County Superior Court. If a judge rules in favor of the students, students who meet other graduation requirements could receive a diploma in June. In a separate vote Wednesday night, the school board approved granting diplomas to five special education students who have passed a modified version of the exit exam but not the standard version. The state Department of Education has granted a one-year grace period for students with disabilities.
Editor’s Note: All the reporting, writing, and editing of this content was done by human journalists at the time of initial publication. AI tools were used to surface these stories from our internal Bay City News archives and provide the introductory context.