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 8, 2021
Point Reyes restoration work moved part of Drakes Beach away from parking-lot use and back toward wetland function. The project connects to current shoreline-management debates over visitor access, habitat restoration, sea-level rise, and storm resilience.
Bay City News Reported:
“Drakes Beach Work Restores Wetland At Point Reyes“
Construction work at Drakes Beach in the Point Reyes National Seashore is progressing, with the old parking lot now “pulverized” and preparations for a restored wetland about half done, a national park service spokesperson said.
Workers have completed about 50% of preparations such as excavation that were required before about one-third of the parking lot could be returned to its natural function, according to Christine M. Beekman, public information officer for the seashore.
The beach was closed to public access on May 3 and is expected to remain closed through August 31.
The restoration will open a channel that will allow sea water in during high tides and storms, Dave Press, natural resources manager for Point Reyes National Seashore, said in a statement provided by Beekman. Press said that is expected to benefit native plants and associated wildlife but not to affect Drakes Estero or the beach.
The wetland was filled by the National Park Service in 1965 when it created the parking lot.
Press said wildlife probably will be scarce near the construction area while work is under way, but the absence of visitors may cause wildlife activity to increase on the beach.
The project began in April and is expected to end in August.
MAY 8, 2016
Santa Cruz County received grant funding for a victim-witness advocates program, supporting one of the less visible parts of the justice system. The funding connects to continuing public-safety debates about what assistance should be available to people after harm occurs.
Bay City News reported:
“Santa Cruz County Gets Grant For Victim-Witness Advocates“
The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services awarded a grant Friday to the Victim Witness Assistance Program of the District Attorney’s Office in Santa Cruz. The District Attorney’s office said they will use the grant in several areas including adding two full time Victim Advocates to serve those that are monolingual in Spanish, funding outreach programs in the community and allow the addition of “comfort dogs”.
According to the District Attorney’s office, the grant is funding will come from the Un-served/Underserved Victim Advocacy and Outreach Program. Sylvia Nieto, Program Manager of the Victim Witness Assistance Program said in a statement, ” We look forward to reporting our progress on this project.”
MAY 8, 2006
A health department published a pandemic flu response plan, documenting preparedness work years before COVID-19 tested public-health systems. The plan connects to continuing questions about emergency readiness, coordination, and the difference between written plans and real-world implementation.
Bay City News reported:
“Health Department Publishes A Pandemic Flu Response Plan“
If the avian flu would begin to spread among humans, causing a worldwide pandemic, the Santa Clara County Public Health Department predicts the illness could claim the lives of some 11,250 residents within Santa Clara County alone. That’s 2.5 percent of the county’s total population of 1.8 million, 25 percent of which could expect to fall ill if the county’s estimates are any indication. With the prospect of 450,000 people possibly clinically ill and in need of hospitalization, the county has been busy preparing a plan on how to deal with the potentially deadly H5N1 influenza strain.
Using past experience, such as the fatality and sick-rates of the 1918 Spanish flu, which killed more than 500,000 people in the United States, the county has come up with local morbidity and mortality estimates as well as a preliminary plan on how to respond. The county has posted the 347-page draft on its website. The public is encouraged to review the draft and make comments before June 3, after which the plan will be finalized.
“This plan will direct the public health department’s response when pandemic influenza arrives in our county,” Dr. Marty Fenstersheib, health officer for Santa Clara County, said in a statement released today. “While this is a milestone accomplishment, there is still much work to be done. We all have a responsibility to this community — government, private and public organizations, and the general public — to make sure we are as prepared as we can be for this potential public health crisis.”
The plan involves eight key components:
– The legal authority of the health officer, including the county’s public health department’s legal ability to take actions to limit the spread of disease, the legal rights of isolated or quarantined individuals and instructions to law enforcement regarding detention of quarantined people.
– Disease reporting and surveillance, including procedures to detect and report cases early on.
– Information for health care systems, including equipping hospitals and alternative care facilities, possibly establishing an influenza care center, and designating personnel responsibilities at hospital and non-hospital care facilities.
– Measures to limit the spread of disease, including adherence to infection control guidelines, school closures, cancellation of public events, travel restrictions and other actions.
– Clinical guidelines and disease management, including use and distribution of drugs and vaccines for treatment and prevention.
– Risk communications and public education, including communication strategies and public outreach activities to prevent uncontrolled fear and panic.
– Psychosocial support services, including aiding emotional, mental and behavioral problems due to pandemic influenza.
– Essential services, including how to maintain continuous operation of critical services despite shrinking staffing levels and other limitations.
The Santa Clara County Public Health Department will continue to hold public presentations about pandemic flu. More information can also be found on the department’s website, which offers tips on what the public can do to begin to prepare for a potential outbreak.
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.