By The Beat Staff, March 5, 2023
In spite of the title, the Holi Festival has been held for many years in a Milpitas Park. Perhaps this is the first the City sponsored.
The City of Milpitas held its first Holi Festival on March 4, 2023 at Cardoza Park. Holi is a joyful and vibrant Hindu festival that celebrates the beginnings of spring. Festival attendees sing, dance, and throw colored powders at one another in celebration.
ByEric Shapiro, The Milpitas Beat, March 3, 2023
Mil’s Diner is a legendary yet humble Milpitas mainstay, a cozy mini-mall-based nook offering a warm atmosphere, a friendly staff, and heaping portions of mouth-watering food. Located at 36 South Abbott Avenue, the restaurant recently came under new ownership, and in the course of doing so it had the good fortune of seeing very little change…
The new owner, Teri Lane, just took over at the start of January 2023. Before then, she was a Mil’s server for 18 years. But she wasn’t even their longest-running server; she points to a current waitress, Jeanine, who’s been there since before the previous owners were.
“Everybody’s long-term here,” Teri shared in an interview with The Beat. “All of the cooks have been here longer than me.”
Stop by here to get the daily news or place a classified advertisement in local Milpitas newspapers: the Beat, The Post & The Union.
GoMilpitas News Archives
Current and past news stories on this site.
Milpitas Post
News stories now a part of the Mercury News, so you will only see a few news stories. To contact the Mercury News, use this page to get to the right department. No longer any physical presence in Milpitas. Ian Bauer was let go. No way to publish your local events or advertisements. Please consider using the GoMilpitas Events listings here for free. Contact me about advertising on GoMilpitas.com.
The Milpitas Beat
2018 startup as the Post starts to fail us. Our vision is to cultivate a more connected, conscious, and vibrant community by providing news coverage that truthfully reflects the expression, ideas, and culture of the people of Milpitas. Contact information. Facebook page. Black owned. Woman owned.
Soofa Expands Northern California Presence with Sign Installations in City of Milpitas
The Soofa Signs are located near key places of community gatherings, allowing residents to engage in city happenings and see public service announcements. For example, Milpitas often uses the signs to post about city job offerings or public reminders to stay hydrated.
The Union
News from Milpitas High School newspaper. Facebook version often seems more current.
El Observador
The #1 Bilingual Weekly Newspaper of Northern California. Based in San Jose.
India Post
Global in scope. Produced in Union City.
Punjab Outlook
English version.
The editorial team is totally committed to delivering accurate and impartial news with the aim of informing the public debate and enabling Indians to make educated choices.
88 South Park Victoria #149
408-221-5732
The Almanac
Source for local news about Menlo Park, Atherton, Portola Valley and Woodside. Not blocked.
Berryessa Sun
ING Newspaper for the Berryessa neighborhood of San Jose. Can’t read much without subscription.
Business Journal of San Jose
Business news and business card exchange. Not blocked.
Mountain View Voice
News, events, and classifieds. Not blocked.
Palo Alto Weekly
Source for local news about Palo Alto. Not blocked.
The Silicon Valley Voice
We cover local news, issues, events and people that matter to the South Bay. Our reporters live here and know the community they write about. The Silicon Valley Voice is the online platform for The Weekly. We are a locally owned, independent media platform.
Stanford Daily
University news, entertainment, sports and student issues.
Tri-City Voice
An independently owned weekly publication covering the cities of Fremont, Newark, Union City, Hayward, Sunol, and Milpitas.
I, Cringely
The sex symbol, airplane enthusiast and adventurer continues to write about personal computers and has an active consulting business in Silicon Valley, selling his cybersoul to the highest bidder.
Fremont Argus
News from Alameda County. A’s baseball updates. Again, you must subscribe and remove your ad blocker to read anything.
MediaNews Group
Digital First Media, a business name of MediaNews Group. Portal to all the MediaNews Group newspapers in the Bay Area and beyond. This is the company that is buying up all the local newspapers around, including the Milpitas Post, which was bought by the San Jose Mercury News, which is owned by MediaNews Group. They are making all the once free community news into subscriber-only. You can’t read paper or online version without a subscription. Oh, and online you have to turn off your ad blocker.
San Francisco Chronicle
For the view of the news from The City! Other sections also available from this link. No blocking yet.
Monterey County Herald
Place to find out more about Laguna Seca racing, dining and entertainment. Not blocked.
Santa Cruz Sentinal
Always something somewhat radical happening in this university town. Not blocked.
California Newspapers
From the Internet Public Library. Links to newspapers all over the state.
CALmatters
A nonpartisan, nonprofit journalism venture committed to explaining how California’s state Capitol works and why it matters.
Illustration of future Innovation Campus. Photo courtesy of MUSD.
Milpitas Unified’s Innovation Campus slated for completion in 2024
By David Newman, Milpitas Beat, July 31, 2021
Programs will include new high school and alternative high school classes that will be dedicated to 11th- and 12th-graders needing special guidance to help them become successful. The campus will be located at 1331 E Calaveras Blvd., where the old Ayer High School site and district offices currently reside.
MUSD Innovation Campus Campaign
Partner with us today! Let’s build a brighter future together.
In Nov 2018, according to the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters office, Milpitas Unified School District made history as it passed its largest school district bond – $284 million – by the largest margin of voters – 71%. This community investment will provide $66.8 million toward the development of the MUSD Innovation Campus, accommodating enrollment growth and ensure healthy learning environments. The campus will include education and research centers for students. $25 million more is needed to complete the full campus. Partner with us and take part in completing the vision.
Milpitas Unified School District
Milpitas School District Office
1331 East Calaveras Boulevard
Milpitas, California 95035
408-635-2600
Our MUSD Alliance Partners (MAP) for Ready Future Learners program includes a unique alliance of partners who will have the opportunity to expand the possible shaping workforce development. When you partner with us, you:
By Rhoda Shapiro & Eric Shapiro, August 31, 2022
“We’re no longer in a state of emergency,” Yip-Chuan said, explaining the reason for her vote in an interview with The Beat. “We’re all back in person.”
Following the meeting, Trustee Tsai texted the three board members who didn’t vote with him this message:
“Think very carefully about what you are doing. Trust me, you should hope that nothing you do causes me to lose my race.”
He fights back…
I’ve received a number of deceitful, threatening, and abusive messages from other board members and their cronies over the years. I’ve patiently endured and given them the professional courtesy of giving them privacy and not publishing their harassing messages, despite being told by multiple people that I should go public about the lies and workplace bullying.
Maybe I should have. I technically still could.
As the Coronavirus COVID-19 has hit our city and county particularly hard, I will use this post to keep you updated on important information you will need right here in town. Some posts here will be updated with extra links to Covid-19 information related to their usual topics.
COVID-19 Case Rates by City
Zoom in and click on “Milpitas.” Updated 9/1/2022. There has been a huge jump in Covid cases in Milpitas in the past couple of weeks, so I will be updating more often. This map summarizes counts and rates of cumulative COVID-19 cases by cities within Santa Clara County. Cities with higher rates of cases per 100,000 residents appear as a darker shade of blue than cities with lower rates of cases. Date above is the last I saw I checked, but not the last it changed. Do realize that if you drive outside our city borders, or people come to your home or business from other areas, you become part of of a far larger population, and your risk increases. Since this number is cumulative, assume that many of these people have recovered. Compare to other cities in Santa Clara County.
| FIELD NAME | MILPITAS COVID-19 CASES |
| Cumulative case count | 14,918 |
| Population | 77,457 |
| Rate per 100,000 people | 19,260 |
Due to a significant and unresolved problem with the State of California’s CalREDIE reporting system, the County of Santa Clara Public Health Department, as well as county public health departments statewide, are experiencing significant underreporting of COVID-19 testing results. Because of this problem, the information presented in this dashboard/these dashboards since mid-July 2020 is incomplete. We will provide updates on the status of these reporting delays as soon as they are available. Additional information about these delays may be available from the State of California.
COVID-19 Cases and Deaths in all of Santa Clara County
The data on this dashboard provide a look at the number of new cases of COVID-19 and related deaths over time. A case is someone who tests positive for COVID-19 using viral testing performed in a lab. Deaths are listed separately for patients at Long Term Care Facilities because patients in these facilities are more isolated than the general public and represent a particularly vulnerable population. The Public Health Department closely tracks the number of cases and deaths that are being reported each day. Data on deaths will be updated on Fridays.
ORDER OF THE HEALTH OFFICER OF THE COUNTY OF SANTA CLARA REQUIRING USE OF FACE COVERINGS INDOORS BY ALL PERSONS
DATE OF ORDER: August 2, 2021 This Order is made in light of the recent significant increase in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in Santa Clara County (“County”), due primarily to the Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Emerging evidence indicates that the Delta variant is more transmissible than prior variants of the virus, may cause more severe illness, and that even fully vaccinated individuals can spread the virus to others. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) now both recommend that all persons—regardless of vaccination status—wear face coverings indoors. Vaccination remains the best and most effective tool in preventing COVID-19 and its harms; evidence shows that even against the Delta variant, fully vaccinated individuals have substantial protection against severe illness, hospitalization, and death. In considering options to stem the rapid increase in COVID-19 transmission, a continued increase in the proportion of the population vaccinated is the best measure available. However, universal indoor use of face coverings is the least disruptive and most immediately impactful additional measure to take.
See EVENTS Calendar on this site for more free pop-up covid testing sites.
Rapid COVID-19 Home Tests Go on Sale at Major Retailers
CVS, Walmart, Walgreens now stock no-prescription kits offering results in 15 minutes. Both are antigen tests — meaning they look for specific proteins from the virus — and both have received emergency use authorization from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A doctor’s prescription is not required to purchase the rapid home-test kits.
OptumServe at the Milpitas Community Center
457 E. Calaveras Blvd, Milpitas, CA 95035
Mondays and Thursdays, 10am – 2pm (Lunch break) 3pm – 6pm
We are happy to share that the Milpitas Community Center will offer COVID-19 testing. Appointments no longer required. You may schedule an appointment at LHI. Those with appointments are taken in first. Register here to get a patient ID. Even if you go without an appointment, you will need this ID number. You will return to the LHI site to get your results after they text you that it is available.
Kaiser Permanente Testing
Offers Diagnostic testing for a current infection, and antibody testing for a past infection. Does not reimburse for other testing sites. Members only.
770 East Calaveras Blvd.
COVID-19 Availability of City Services
The City has not updated its page yet since the May 17th move to the YELLOW TIER. Hopefully they will edit this page and its policies soon.
Milpitas Library
Library services are available. With the health order update, opens a new window that took effect on May 19, 2021, SCCLD welcomes our patrons to visit the library anytime during open hours to browse the full collection, use the public computers and printers, and utilize library resources and services. Face coverings and social distancing are required to enter the building. This page describes the services available to the community. Most Santa Clara County Library District (SCCLD) locations offer expanded building access in addition to contactless curbside service Monday through Saturday from 1pm – 6pm. These options are offered at the Cupertino, Gilroy, Los Altos, Milpitas, Morgan Hill and Saratoga Libraries during specific hours (see current schedule), and are described in detail lower on this page.
Milpitas Sanitation
Currently, scheduled collection services are not affected. Please have your containers ready for service between the hours of 6:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. on your regular collection day. If your containers are not serviced on their regularly scheduled day, we will return on the next service day.
Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loan Forgiveness
Notice: the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) ended on May 31, 2021. Existing borrowers may be eligible for PPP loan forgiveness.
The Milpitas Chamber of Commerce wishes to see that all businesses make it through these tough times. Information here is to get you quickly to sources of support for many aspects of your business and your employees.
Milpitas Restaurant Availability
Looking for takeout? A number of local restaurants are offering drive-thru, take-out, curbside pick-up, and delivery for Milpitas residents. Ordering from local businesses is one way to support our community during the current stay-at-home health order (Has been extended).
Small Business Guidance and Loan Resources during Covid19
At a meeting of the Milpitas Chamber of Commerce I heard several speakers on the topic of financial relief to small businesses because of economic disruption due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
Coronavirus Information, Alerts, and Updates
Milpitas High School (MHS)
Exemption for 2020-2021 Juniors and Seniors of District Graduation Requirements | AB 104 Bill Information
The law requires that high school students who were in their third or fourth year of high school during the 2020-2021 school year, and who were not on track to graduate in four years, may be exempt from our district’s graduation requirements that exceed statewide requirements. It also requires high schools to provide credit recovery support for these students, including the option to retake courses, or to enroll in a fifth year of high school, to complete state graduation requirements. Milpitas Unified School District will contact students eligible for this exemption.
Process for K-11 Students to Request to Repeat the 2020-2021 Grade | AB 104 Bill Information
This law provides a process for parents and guardians to request that their student repeat the grade they were enrolled in during the 2020-2021 school year. Parents and guardians of students who were in grades Kindergarten – 11 in the last school year would be eligible to make this request if their student received a D, F, or No Pass grade for at least one-half of their coursework in the 2020-2021 school year. This request would trigger a personalized consultation with representatives of the district to review and discuss all learning recovery options and supports that the student could access.
How to apply: Parents/Guardians may submit a written request through the Milpitas Unified School District Learning and Development Office by completing this form (Español / Tiếng Việt). The district will schedule a consultation within 30 days of submitting the form.
County of Santa Clara Public Health Department Live
Videos produced by the Santa Clara County Health Department about the COVID-19 vaccine.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Data Dashboard
This data dashboard provides detailed information about cases and deaths from COVID-19 in Santa Clara County and is intended for educational purposes only. Because of limited testing capacity through the Public Health Laboratory, the number of cases that we detect through testing represent only a small portion of the total number of likely cases in the county.
Cases, Death, and Testing Dashboards
Vaccination Dashboard
Mapping Dashboards
Hospitalization Dashboard
COVID-19 Response Dashboards
Silicon Valley Strong
On March 18th, 2020 San José Mayor Sam Liccardo announced a new effort, driven by San José and Silicon Valley community and business leaders, to offer financial assistance, mobilize volunteers, and connect residents to critical COVID-19 resources. San José has developed a countywide food distribution partnership with Santa Clara County, non-profits, and the private sector. The movement is known as #SiliconValleyStrong
Silicon Valley Strong also provides resources in
Current safety measures
Thanks to millions of vaccinations, California’s economy is open. There are no county tiers, capacity limits, or physical distancing requirements. But we still need some common-sense safety measures until more people are vaccinated.
See essential jobs and status of your county and open sectors
See Older Santa Clara County Shelter-in-Place (SIP) Orders Archive
Neil Diamond vs CDC on Hands, Touching Hands
Neil Diamond sings “Sweet Caroline” with updated lyric for safety during Covid-19 pandemic. And then advice on how to wash your hands thoroughly.
More Covid-19 Jokes
By Rhoda Shapiro, June 13, 2022
This Thursday, June 16, Chick-fil-A will be opening in Milpitas. Located in the Town Center at 755 E Calaveras Blvd, the new restaurant will be operating Monday-Saturday from 6:30am-10pm.
“They’re doing hardcore, extreme stuff, but they make it seem like it’s a bunch of soup kitchens.
Nearly a decade after Chick-fil-A was called out for donating to anti-LGBTQ+ groups, its owner is still funding efforts to discriminate against the community.
According to a new report from The Daily Beast, an organization called the National Christian Charitable Foundation (NCF) is bankrolling many of the groups hoping to kill the Equality Act. If signed into law, the landmark legislation would mandate equal protections on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in all walks of life, including health care, housing, education, and public accommodations.
The Daily Beast report sparked online backlash, with watchdog organization Citizens for Ethics tweeting: “FYI: the billionaire owner of Chick-fil-A, which promised to stop donating to anti-LGBT causes last year, is participating in a dark money operation fighting to keep the Equality Act from passing.”
Uber Eats lists the best friend chicken places in and near Milpitas where you can get chicken meals brought straight to your home or business. There are dozens.
Injuries are reported following two large-scale fights involving inmates at the Elmwood Correctional Facility in Milpitas, according to the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office.
Several inmates have been transported to a hospital for treatment and no injuries are considered life threatening, sheriff’s officials said, adding no deputies were hurt during the incidents.
Sources within the jail tell NBC Bay Area at least one of the fights took place around 4:30 p.m. in an area called “the camp.” The sources also said deputies had to set up a medical triage area for injured inmates.
On Wednesday, May 25, at 5:50PM, a VTA bus operator was violently attacked at the Milpitas Transit Center. The Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office Transit Patrol (which heads up VTA security) has put out word that they’re seeking help identifying the attacker.
When the operator got off his bus to take a break, he found himself getting knocked hard to the ground. He suffered a concussion as a result. Photographs released by law enforcement to the public show the assailant to be a Hispanic male, 5’10”, 160 pounds, with black hair, a mustache, and a sparse beard.
In early March, four Milpitas High School (MHS) students from the Milpitas Xtreme Robotics Team 1669X went out to Redding, California, to compete in the 2022 Northern California VRC High School State Championship in Redding.
What transpired there exceeded their wildest expectations. They won the State championship across three categories: Excellence Award, Tournament Champion, and Robot Skills Champion.
“This achievement is a culmination of the past 4 years we’ve spent in robotics,” said Eugene Ng, a senior who is part of the team. “I’m happy. And I feel accomplished to have been able to achieve this.”
Eugene, along with seniors Chenghao Li, Kathan Sheth, and Eusern Ng, prepared extensively to secure this accomplishment.
“We took our experiences from past competitions, and practiced as much as we could,” said Kathan, who discovered his love for programming in the seventh grade.
By Rhoda Shapiro, Milpitas Beat, March 24, 2022