School:
In a continuation of their annual donation drives, Octagon Club is organizing their first-ever food donation drive from March 1 to March 23. Previously, the club gathered items such as clothing; this year, they decided to swap to collecting non-perishable food items after an officer-wide vote. Promotional efforts have included social media posts and announcements in club meetings. Club members will gather and drop off canned food and boxed goods such as pasta and crackers at the officers’ homes. All donations will go toward a food bank of members’ choosing after a club vote in mid-March.
Community:
On Feb. 3, Cupertino’s Mary Avenue Villas housing project was approved by city council vote. The affordable 40-unit development has 19 units designed for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Supporters commend the project for increasing housing accessibility. However, critics and skeptics from the nearby Garden Gate neighborhood have hired an attorney to ensure the city meets legal requirements for pedestrian and environmental safety. Meanwhile, the development and transfer of public land from Cupertino to builder Charities Housing requires a final council approval before the assessment moves to the city’s planning commission.
National:
The Environmental Protection Agency repealed its power to regulate greenhouse gas emissions on Feb. 12: the largest deregulatory action in United States history, erasing the 2009 Obama-era Greenhouse Gas Endangerment finding — a scientific cornerstone establishing that greenhouse gases contribute to climate change. The finding was a prerequisite for vehicle emission standards, so the repeal removes legal requirements to limit emissions. Americans will save an estimate of $1.3 trillion in regulation of motor vehicles and associated fields. However, scientists warn that the repeal will increase the negative impacts of the climate crisis.
International:
Violence erupted following the Feb. 22 death of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, the most-wanted cartel boss in Mexico. Known as “El Mencho” and the leader of the narcoterrorist Jalisco New Generation Cartel, he was captured in Tapalpa and died during transport to Mexico City. In response, cartel bosses have set building fires and used burning vehicles to block roads across Mexico. The unrest has led to “shelter in place” issues from U.S. and Canadian embassies, a statewide “Code Red” declaration from the Jalisco’s governor, suspension of public transportation and arrests of those suspected to be involved in cartel operations.
