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News in Redwood City ran the gamut this year. Residents dodged near-disastrous wildfires, debated the dangers of gun retail and elected new representatives to city council and school boards. Here we look back at the stories that captivated, shocked, delighted and moved us in 2022.
10. District attorney drops all felony charges against Indiana Batmobile-maker accused of theft
A 1966-era Batmobile replica was the talk of the town this summer. In July, an investigation by ABC7 News' Dan Noyes revealed that Sheriff Carlos Bolanos had approved the raid of an Indiana businessman’s garage following complaints from an Atherton realtor who claimed he’d been scammed out of a custom vehicle.
Sam Anagnostou accused the out-of-state carmaker, Mark Racop, of “theft by false pretense” after the $210,000 Batmobile replica he ordered was delayed. After uncovering communications between the two parties, the Bolanos went to the District Attorney’s office to file chargers. Prosecutors decided there was enough probable cause and issued an arrest warrant.
Both Bolanos and District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe said that their offices followed proper protocol and that anyone, regardless of wealth or connections, would have received the same treatment. But many residents were skeptical and accused their county officials of doing Anagnostou’s dirty work—at taxpayers’ expense. Ultimately, after a thorough investigation, Wagstaffe decided to drop all criminal charges against the Batmobile maker.
9. For Redwood City’s homeless population, recent evictions are just the latest in a long, frustrating cycle
As the county seat and hub of social resources, Redwood City’s unhoused population has been steadily increasing over the last few years. With the rise in homelessness has come an increase in evictions as growing tent encampments are cleared out, and the residents are forced to relocate.
Kyle Kotter, one such resident and a veteran, described feeling tired and frustrated after moving from one spot to another every few months. He was just one of at least five residents at the Woodside Road/El Camino cloverleaf encampment in Redwood City who had to pack up all their belongings following a new eviction order issued as part of Caltrans’ planned encampment clearings in Redwood City.
Officials argued that tent clean-ups are necessary for the health and safety of residents, particularly in the wake of several high-profile fires that caused damage to surrounding property. But people experiencing homeless and the outreach workers trying to help them call the practice inhumane.
8. Redwood City approves ordinance temporarily banning gun stores
Redwood City, which currently has no special regulations on firearms sales, received two separate inquiries from retailers interested in opening gun shops. In October, following much public debate over the issue, the city council unanimously voted to pass a moratorium on stores selling firearms or ammunition. The ban was approved for an initial 45 days, after which the council decided to extend it for an additional ten months.
Council members argued that a temporary embargo was necessary to give the city time to decide how to regulate gun retail—not to ban it outright. But some community members disagreed, accusing the city of violating their Second Amendment right to bear arms.
Just days after the council’s initial vote, a Washington-based firearm advocacy nonprofit sent a letter advising the city to remove the temporary ban or face litigation. With the moratorium still in effect, it remains to be seen whether gun rights supporters will take legal action.
7. A 19-year-old Stanford student has been elected to the local school board
In mid-November, after holding onto his Election Day lead, 19-year-old Sathvik Nori made history as the youngest person ever elected to the Sequoia Union High School District Board of Trustees. A recent graduate of Menlo-Atherton High School, the Stanford sophomore defeated Jo-Ann Byrne Sockolov to represent the district’s area D, which includes Atherton, much of Menlo Park and parts of Redwood City and North Fair Oaks.
Nori campaigned on his intimate and first-hand knowledge of the school district and ability to bring a student’s perspective to board policymaking. He was adamantly in favor of continuing to offer AS English and other advanced classes throughout the district and advocated for increasing the diversity of students in honors-level classes.
“Now the real work starts in ensuring that every student, no matter what their background is or what middle school they went to, has a rigorous, challenging, and fun high school experience,” Nori said.
6. Homeless man collapses, dies on building in Redwood City
Fifty-one-year-old Robert Figone collapsed and died after climbing to the top of an apartment building at 99 Maple Street in Redwood City. The man, who was believed to be homeless at the time, allegedly accessed the roof through a ventilation shaft, at which point he began removing his clothes and throwing roof tiles and debris at bystanders.
He was “under police surveillance” when he climbed into a vertical vent and collapsed; he became unresponsive and was declared dead at the scene, according to Redwood City fire officials.
5. Redwood City Mayor Giselle Hale ends bid for California State Assembly
Less than two months after beating out five other contenders for State Assembly District 21 to finish second in the June 7 primary, Redwood City Mayor Giselle Hale called it quits. Her decision followed months of bitter campaigning against her opponent, San Mateo Deputy Mayor Diane Papan, who ultimately ran unopposed.
A mother of two, Hale said she was ending her bid for state office to prioritize her mental health and family instead. Citing "hate ads" and "negative mailers," she said she "saw how deeply this race impacted the mental health and happiness” of her husband and children.
Shortly after, Hale, who was elected to the Redwood City Council in 2018 and has served as mayor for the last year, announced her decision not to seek re-election to the council. In December, she presided over her final council meeting, during which Mayor Jeff Gee took the helm. Hale has remained vague about her future plans and said she’s undecided about whether she might seek public office again.
4. Two minors arrested, Redwood City officers assaulted during Friday night disturbance on Courthouse Square
This spring, a series of altercations between Redwood City teenagers and law enforcement culminated in a major incident at Courthouse Square. According to police, an estimated “150 to 200 juveniles” began igniting fireworks and blocking sidewalks and streets outside the Fox Theater, where Pakistani activist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai was speaking to hundreds of people.
“It was bad enough that I made the decision to ask our 700 patrons who were just finishing up listening to Malala speak…to stay in the theatre until police were able to de-escalate what was occurring,” Fox Theatre Manager Ernie Schmidt said.
Two juveniles were arrested and transported to the police station after allegedly resisting arrest and injuring an officer, according to law enforcement officials.
The events ultimately led to the creation of the ACE Program, a collaboration between the Redwood City Police Department and several local nonprofits. Responding to the increase in so-called disturbances involving youth—often on bicycles or setting off fireworks—the program aims to foster positive relationships with youth, by linking them to needed job opportunities and social services.
3. She joined the march at the Capitol. Now she says she wants to bring people together.
Long-time resident and property manager Maria Rutenburg, a lifetime conservative, has garnered much attention and criticism for her outspoken far-right views and a reputation for stirring up controversy. In March, the negative press reached new levels when locals got wind of Rutenburg’s latest project: a new cafe at Roosevelt Plaza.
Chez Nous promised to be a safe place for "everyone and every idea." Rutenburg is adamant that people of all races, political parties and ideologies are invited to use her cafe for their purposes and has played host to a range of events, including everything from live music and tango nights to student book clubs and pro-school choice meetings.
Backlash against her cafe’s lenient mask enforcement and her political beliefs made for a bit of a rocky introduction to the community. However, Rutenburg, who is open about having attended the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection, takes the criticism in stride, describing her cafe as a sort of antidote to political division. The daughter of political refugees from Russia, she said her goal is not to promote one idea over another but to foster friendly, rigorous conversation for everyone’s sake.
2. San Mateo County Sheriff Bolanos abruptly withdraws from upcoming candidate forum
A planned debate between the two candidates for San Mateo County Sheriff was canceled when incumbent Sheriff Carlos Bolanos suddenly announced he would not participate. In a statement to the Pulse, Bolanos said he “pulled out of the forum based upon biased comments made by one of the sponsors and a lack of trust in an objective forum.” The online forum would have been the second against his opponent, Millbrae Police Chief and Sheriff's Capt. Christina Corpus.
Corpus called it a “lost opportunity” and said that the “voters got short-changed” now that they wouldn’t be able to hear from candidates.
The contest between the two was a closely watched one, with many stating that it was time for a change and suggesting that the department was run like a "boys’ club.”
Ultimately, Corpus won the primary, coming out strong on election night. She will be sworn in in January.
1. “High school sweethearts” killed in a major car crash, leaving behind twin daughters and mourning community
Grief settled over the local community following the tragic death of San Carlos residents Grace Spiridon and Greg Ammen in a major car crash on El Camino Real. Only 42 and 44 years old, they were remembered as “high school sweethearts” and beloved friends and parents who “loved their daughters more than anything in the world.”
The couple was killed when a 17-year-old allegedly driving more than 80 miles per hour is said to have struck their car at an intersection in Redwood City in early November; their twin 7-year-old daughters, also in the car at the time, survived with minor injuries. Two drivers, including the 17-year-old, were allegedly engaged in a car race and have been charged with multiple counts of second-degree murder. A judge has ordered the teen driver to stay in juvenile hall pending further court proceedings. The other driver, a 23-year-old, has pleaded not guilty and is in jail without bond.
Hundreds of friends and family from as far away as Italy gathered in December for a celebration of life at Palo Alto High School, the couple’s alma mater. Ammen’s brother, Mike, described them as "the light of every party they went to” and “social magnets bringing people from all over—work, school, wherever—together.” A GoFundMe organized by a family member has already raised more than $185,000 to support the couple’s twin daughters.
