This Week's Top Stories

transportation

Waymo Robotaxi Stops Feet From Fallen Toddler in Noe Valley Crosswalk, Sparking Safety Debate

A father's split-second decision to block a driverless car with a stroller has reignited concerns about autonomous vehicles on San Francisco's pedestrian-priority streets.

A Noe Valley father says a Waymo robotaxi moved into a crosswalk and stopped roughly 13 feet from his two-year-old daughter after she tripped and fell face-down while crossing Sanchez Street at Duncan Street on a Friday morning shortly after 9:30 a.m. Ben Fisher told the San Francisco Chronicle he did not wait to see whether the vehicle would stop on its own — he pushed her empty stroller into its path, placing himself between the car and his daughter.

politics

D8 Supervisor Race Enters Final Stretch After SF Democrats Endorse Yekutiel Amid Assault Allegation

With the November 3 election less than two months away, the Castro-and-Noe Valley supervisorial contest is the city's most-watched open-seat race — and the most contentious.

The San Francisco Democratic Party voted on August 26 to solely endorse Manny Yekutiel in the race to succeed termed-out District 8 Supervisor Rafael Mandelman, who represents the Castro, Noe Valley, Glen Park, and Diamond Heights. The vote came after a raucous meeting in Visitacion Valley, during which members heard public comment for and against the endorsement in light of a sexual assault allegation made against Yekutiel earlier this summer. Yekutiel has forcefully denied the claim, and police found no grounds to refer the matter to the District Attorney.

Castro

Harvey Milk Plaza Renovation Heads Toward Fall Groundbreaking as Fundraising Continues

The $25-million-plus overhaul of the Castro's symbolic gateway plaza is on track to break ground in late 2026, with opening targeted for Pride Month 2028.

Friends of Harvey Milk Plaza and the City of San Francisco are anticipating a groundbreaking in late 2026 for the long-planned redesign of Harvey Milk Plaza at Castro and Market streets, with the completed memorial slated to open in time for Pride Month 2028. City leaders, including Mayor Daniel Lurie and Board of Supervisors President Rafael Mandelman, announced in June 2025 that the project had cleared its major funding hurdle after San Francisco voters passed Proposition B in November 2024, allocating $25 million to the project.

Upcoming Events

Sunday, September 6

Castro Art Mart — September Edition

📍 Noe Street between Market and Beaver, Castro · 2:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Monday, September 7

The Charlatans UK at the Castro Theatre

📍 Castro Theatre, 429 Castro Street · 8:00 PM

Sunday, September 13

5th Annual Noe Valley Art Festival

📍 Noe Valley Town Square, 3862 24th Street · 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Saturday, September 19

Glen Park Night Market — Final 2026 Edition

📍 Kern Street at Diamond, Glen Park · 4:00 PM – 8:30 PM

Tuesday, September 22

Supervisor Mandelman Office Hours in Glen Park

📍 Glen Park (location by appointment — email [email protected]) · 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM

More from the Neighborhood

Crescendo Music Studios Opens This Week at 683 Chenery in Glen Park

A new music school, Crescendo Music Studios, held a public open house on Labor Day, September 7, and began classes the following day, September 8, at 683 Chenery Street in Glen Park.…

Glen Park Branch Library Welcomes New Permanent Librarian

The Glen Park Branch Library at 2825 Diamond Street has a new permanent branch librarian: Elizabeth Perez, who has been on the job since May 2026.