Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Why is Palo Alto’s former fire chief taking the city to court?

You won't want to miss Tour Bowman School at Bayshore! For infants, toddlers, and ages 3-6 years on the Palo Alto Patch calendar

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Tuesday January 13th Patch AM
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Hello again Palo Alto! We’re bringing you the latest town highlights. Don’t miss out, keep going! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Why is Palo Alto’s former fire chief taking the city to court?
  • How a Palo Alto lab is quietly powering NASA’s return to the Moon
  • How Super Bowl air traffic rules will affect Palo Alto Airport flyers

Also on today's calendar: Tour Bowman School at Bayshore! For infants, toddlers, and ages 3-6 years and 9 more events.

Find out what's happening in Palo Altofor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: My dog used to chase people on a bike a lot. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Palo Altofor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Tuesday: Plenty of sunshine, with a high of 66 and low of 41 degrees.
  • Wednesday: Plenty of sunshine, temps: high: 68, low: 41.
  • Thursday: Plenty of sunshine, with a high of 69 and low of 42 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Former Palo Alto fire chief sues city (paloaltoonline.com) — Palo Alto’s recently retired fire chief has sued the city, alleging it stopped paying a 3% wage premium tied to his EMT certification after he became chief and then ignored his efforts to fix the issue. The complaint, filed in Santa Clara County Superior Court, seeks damages for unpaid wages and record-keeping violations, spotlighting how the city compensates top public safety leaders.
   

• NASA Just Switched On A Giant Solar Engine, And It's Headed For The Moon (dailygalaxy.com) — Engineers in Palo Alto are helping power NASA’s next big step in lunar exploration, assembling the Gateway station’s Power and Propulsion Element for future Moon and Mars missions. The spacecraft’s newly activated 60-kilowatt solar electric engine will provide efficient, continuous thrust and electricity for communications, navigation, and visiting vehicles, with local company Lanteris Space Systems playing a key role in integration and testing.
   

• Super Bowl LX – Santa Clara, CA – Feb. 8, 2026 (nbaa.org) — If you’re flying in or out of Palo Alto Airport around Super Bowl LX on February 8, 2026, expect slot reservations and possible parking limits as Bay Area traffic surges. The FAA will impose special routes, potential delays, and a game-time flight restriction centered on Levi’s Stadium, so operators using PAO should secure slots and parking as early as possible.
   

📸 Around Palo Alto

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Palo Alto

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Another pretty Sunset by the PA Baylands Sat around 5:30pm.
    A Little chilly but nice that the Sun is setting a little later each day now. (Nextdoor Barron Park)
  • "Avoid the area" due to 2-alarm fire in San Jose, California.
    9:12AM on Jan 11: San José Fire Department responds to a second alarm fire at a two-story apartment complex on the 500 block of Toyon Ave, with smoke… (Nextdoor )
  • The Stepping Stones Group, LLC posted a job opening for General Education Teacher in Palo Alto. Apply here.
  • City of Palo Alto, CA posted a job opening for Middle School Athletics Coach (Recreation Leader I) in Palo Alto. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Palo Alto here.

🗞 Nearby News

Los Altos Hills

  • Prep roundup: Pinewood finishes strong, shuts down Salesian's rally to remain unbeaten (fresnobee.com)
  • Another billionaire moves away (padailypost.com)

Stanford

  • Stanford-Led Study Reveals Undercounted Supply Chain Emissions (lifetechnology.com)
  • Is This Lily's Plan to Bring Down Cane and Victor on Young and the Restless? (soaphub.com)
  • 10x Genomics Makes Big Push Into Clinical World With Trio of Collaborations, Planned CLIA Lab (genomeweb.com)

Fremont

Ok Palo Alto! 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 took its bike away.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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