Photo Courtesy Of Bob Anderson’S Ujena Fit Club

Bob Anderson of Los Altos competes in his first Boston Marathon, which was marred by bombings.

Longtime Los Altos resident Bob Anderson isn’t likely to forget his first chance to compete in the Boston Marathon – certainly not when that first time was April 15.

Anderson, a 43-year Los Altos resident, was a block past the finish line, picking up his competitor’s medal, when the first of two homemade pressure-cooker bombs exploded.

Photo Town Crier File Photo

Downtown construction forces Los Altos to review parking alternatives.

The city of Los Altos is mulling the viability of alternate – and temporary – parking supply options in light of pending downtown construction projects.

The Los Altos City Council last week directed city staff to explore a handful of potential short-term parking solutions to help offset the loss of more than 110 downtown spaces during the imminent First Street streetscape construction, as well as development at the First and Main streets property and Safeway.

Photo Jitze Couperus/Special To The Town Crier

Legal action by the Sierra Club prompted Lehigh Southwest Cement Co. to agree to install selenium filters and restore a stretch of Permanente Creek.

When a problem hits a roadblock, a new approach is often key to unlocking a solution.

In the case of environmental violations at Lehigh Southwest Cement Co.’s Permanente Plant in the foothills south of Los Altos, a Sierra Club lawsuit proved more effective than years of oversight by federal, state and local regulatory agencies.

Photo Ellie Van Houtte/Town Crier

Construction crews begin work on First Street in front of Safeway this week, in preparation for streetscape work.

Following are updates on three construction projects, including two already underway on First Street in downtown Los Altos.

100 First St. condominiums

Dave Dacus of Lamb Partners, LLC, told the Town Crier that construction crews are currently pouring and forming the wall, floor, columns and other concrete elements for the underground parking garage of developer Randy Lamb’s condominium project at 100 First St. The project, he noted, remains on track for completion in spring 2014.

Photo Ellie Van Houtte/Town Crier

Los Altos City Council candidate Jan Pepper, left in white, checks an iPad as results roll in on Election Day. Pepper was the top vote-getter in council election history.

After months of debating at forums, knocking on doors to speak to residents and distributing lawn signs, the 2012 Los Altos City Council election took on a congratulatory tone Nov. 7.