🌱 Patch AM: How will a $3.2M gap hit local high schools?

Greetings Los Gatos! Your go-to source for what's happening in town is here. Stay in the loop and read on. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• How will a $3.2M gap hit local high schools?
• How Los Gatos rallied to save its beloved Coffee Roasting Co.
• What’s happening now in the high-profile Los Gatos teen party trial?

Also on today's calendar: The Cats Year-End Lunch Buffet Festival – Dec 26, 27 & 28 and 8 more events.

Today's riddle: My brother swallowed a box of firecrackers. - Is he all right now? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high of 61 and low of 48 degrees.
• Friday: Cloudy, temps: high: 61, low: 56.
• Saturday: Chance of a little p.m. rain, with a high of 67 and low of 57 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Los Gatos-Saratoga high school district facing $3.2 million deficit (mercurynews.com) — Los Gatos-Saratoga Union High School District is staring at a $3.2 million deficit this fiscal year, even after certifying it can meet obligations for the next three years. Raises for staff and higher administrative costs drove expenses up, and leaders are now eyeing contract services, special education spending, and energy-efficiency upgrades to close the gap without harming classrooms.
   

2. Los Gatos Coffee Roasting Co. reopens with consolidated staff and building (mercurynews.com) — Los Gatos Coffee Roasting Co. has partially reopened after a car crash destroyed its cafe side, consolidating operations into the espresso bar while repairs are assessed. Community donations surpassed $53,000 to support employees and rebuilding, and regulars say the shop remains a beloved town gathering place even as it navigates insurance, staffing, and a long recovery.
   

3. Criminal trial for Los Gatos mom accused of underaged parties underway (nbcbayarea.com) — A high-profile criminal trial involving a Los Gatos mother accused of hosting alcohol-fueled teen gatherings during the COVID shutdown is now underway after years of delays. Prosecutors have expanded the charges significantly, while the defense questions why she’s been held without bail for so long. Both sides declined new public comment as testimony continues in Santa Clara County court.
   

4. How an antitrust case could derail Hollywood's biggest deal (san.com) — Los Gatos gets a brief mention as Netflix’s longtime hometown while the company pursues an $83 billion bid for Warner Bros. Discovery that’s drawing intense antitrust scrutiny. Federal regulators, Congress, and rival Paramount are all weighing in, and any decision could reshape how residents watch movies and TV in the years ahead.
   

5. Amid strident disagreement, Los Gatos votes to move forward with Pride Flag plan (losgatan.com) — Los Gatos council has voted 4–1 to draft a new flag policy and a separate resolution that would allow the Progress Pride Flag to fly over Town Hall as soon as June. The contentious meeting drew passionate testimony from students, LGBTQ+ advocates, religious residents, and others, reflecting deep divisions over how the town should show support without alienating other groups. The issue will return to council early next year for final action.
   

📸 Around Los Gatos

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Los Gatos

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Friday December 26

• The Cats Year-End Lunch Buffet Festival – Dec 26, 27 & 28
  17533 Santa Cruz Hwy, Los Gatos
  12:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Thursday December 18

• Family Paint Party
  Pedro's Cocina & Cocktails , 316 N Santa Cruz Ave , Los Gatos
  6:00 pm
• Sound Healing Meditation (Sound Bath)
  History Club of Los Gatos , 123 Los Gatos Blvd , Los Gatos
  7:00 pm
• Sound Healing Meditation - Los Gatos
  History Club of Los Gatos , 123 Los Gatos Blvd , Los Gatos
  7:00 pm

Friday December 19

• Core Values Assembly: Empathy & Collaboration - Prim
  Joseph Weller Elementary Milpitas, CA 95035
  8:15 am
• 12:20pm Dismissal (No Advisory)
  Rancho Milpitas Middle Milpitas, CA 95035
  8:30 am
• FINALS - 5TH & 6TH
  Calaveras Hills Milpitas, CA 95035
  8:30 am
• Qi Gong Meditation & Exercise Class at Milpitas Library
  Milpitas Community Library 160 North Main Street, Milpitas, CA 95035
  1:00 pm
• Knit & Crochet Circle at Milpitas Library
  Milpitas Community Library 160 North Main Street, Milpitas, CA 95035
  2:00 pm
• Weekend Kick Off Champagne Sabering
  Tasting House , 368 Village Ln , Los Gatos
  5:00 pm

Monday December 22

• Spreading Joy to the World of Jazz - A Holiday Benefit featuring Tony Lindsay & Friends
  Rinconada Hills , 100 Avenida Del Sol , Los Gatos
  9:00 am

📣 Los Gatos Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Thursday December 18

• ELL Beginning English
  Vineland Branch Library , 1450 Blossom Hill Road , San Jose
  10:30 am
• Drop-in Tech Help
  Saratoga Community Library , 13650 Saratoga Avenue , Saratoga
  11:00 am
• Family Storytime
  Cambrian Library , 1780 Hillsdale Avenue , San Jose
  11:00 am
• ELL Grammar & Vocabulary Club
  Vineland Branch Library , 1450 Blossom Hill Road , San Jose
  12:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Los Gatos PatchAM possible:

• Cool Aid Air Conditioning and Refrigeration — (800) 266-5243
  Voted Best HVAC & Refrigeration Company in the Bay Area
• Roger Washington MD, Inc — (408) 246-9926
  Sleep wellness, education and live seminars
• Super Brothers Plumbing, Heating and Air - San Jose — (408) 351-1994
  Serving San Jose & Bay Area – HVAC, Plumbing, Electrical
• The Harker School — (408) 345-9200
  Magic Happens at Harker

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

🪧 Patch Classifieds

• Great Music Lessons in Campbell- Group and Private Lessons
  Quliaty Group and Private lessons. Enrollment in now open for 2026. FREE consultation lesson for private lessons! Learn more at :www... (More info)

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• A few members of my family had the latest flu strain, A(H3N2).
  This has been the worst one that l can remember in three decades. We did not have the flu vaccine this year. Please educate and take care of yourself. (Nextdoor Los Gatos Main)

• The Stepping Stones Group, LLC posted a job opening for Paraprofessional / Educator in Los Gatos. Apply here.
• AEG posted a job opening for Custodial Staff - Mountain Winery in Saratoga. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Los Gatos here.

Ok Los Gatos! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don’t know. I haven’t heard the last report.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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