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San José Spotlight
Sunnyvale on solid footing while neighbor strapped for cash
While one Santa Clara County city pinches pennies to make ends meet and juggles budget shortfalls, its neighbor to the west sits on a surplus that can easily cover its deficit. Santa Clara and Sunnyvale, although similar in size, couldn’t be more different in their approach to governing. Sunnyvale’s 2024-25 budget has a structural surplus for... The post Sunnyvale on solid footing while neighbor strapped for cash appeared first on San José Spotlight.
Potential Cupertino development irks residents
A potential multi-family housing project is creating a stir in a quiet Cupertino neighborhood, signaling an intolerance for large housing developments. The proposed project, which includes plans for 23 homes with a percentage of affordable housing at 20739 Scofield Drive, drew ire from the street’s residents at a Cupertino City Council meeting earlier this month. Some... The post Potential Cupertino development irks residents appeared first on San José Spotlight.
East San Jose’s Mexican Heritage Plaza has a bright future
As the Mexican Heritage Plaza celebrates its 25th anniversary, its operators continue to strive for a brighter future for East San Jose residents. The School of Arts and Culture at the Mexican Heritage Plaza and its partners are bringing health care, affordable housing and economic development to the Mayfair neighborhood — as well as creating San Jose’s first cultural district known as La Avenida. Gardner Health Services will provide mental health, medical, dental and chiropractic services at its family wellness center, which will break ground in August and open next year. A black box theater and cafe will be operated by the School of Arts and Culture. Graffiti and blight marring nearby vacant storefronts have been replaced with colorful murals of a jaguar, hummingbird, butterflies and flowers — representing a sense of renewal.
Moore: Time to rethink readiness
Imagine that you have no electric power during a long and intense heat wave. You can’t run a fan and your refrigerated food is spoiling. Air conditioning (if you have it), cell phones and the internet don’t work. Now imagine elderly folks, those with medical and mobility challenges, and families with babies and young children facing these circumstances.
Silicon Valley ride-share service offers free summer rides
An affordable micro-transit service just got cheaper for South Bay residents who might need an economic boost this summer. Silicon Valley Hopper — a ride-share service that provides affordable transportation in Cupertino and Santa Clara at less than $5 a ride — is offering free rides to select locations through Aug. 31. Advocates said the... The post Silicon Valley ride-share service offers free summer rides appeared first on San José Spotlight.
The Biz Beat: Tiki Pete is a tropical getaway in San Jose
Pete Be looks exactly like you’d hope Tiki Pete would look: distinctively Hawaiian, a shaved head, covered in ornate tattoos and wearing a shirt with bright, abstract designs. The downtown San Jose bar owner’s cheerful and self-confident demeanor might come from starting his first business, selling artwork, at an early age. “I was a 14-year-old... The post The Biz Beat: Tiki Pete is a tropical getaway in San Jose appeared first on San José Spotlight.
‘Very dirty’: Sunnyvale homeless shelter residents raise sanitation issues
Homeless residents at the North County Shelter in Sunnyvale say a shift in management has heightened sanitation problems and workers are unequipped to handle older adults living there. Two residents of the Santa Clara County-owned shelter told San José Spotlight there are numerous unhygienic issues, including pests such as rats and scabies — in addition... The post ‘Very dirty’: Sunnyvale homeless shelter residents raise sanitation issues appeared first on San José Spotlight.
Dozens of San Jose murals define its heritage
San Jose may be widely known as a tech hub, but it’s also a city defined by its public art. With a city of nearly 1 million people, San Jose is also home to hundreds of murals. In a multi-year effort to revitalize public spaces, beautify the city and make it more pedestrian-friendly, officials have focused arts... The post Dozens of San Jose murals define its heritage appeared first on San José Spotlight.
East San Jose hospital loses services while richer areas thrive
A private health company plans to reduce lifesaving care at an East San Jose hospital as it expands another hospital in a wealthier part of the city. HCA Healthcare is increasing the number of acute care beds at Good Samaritan Hospital in San Jose’s Cambrian neighborhood on the West Side, close to Los Gatos. Company representatives said... The post East San Jose hospital loses services while richer areas thrive appeared first on San José Spotlight.
Newsom says San Jose should take urgent action on homeless camps
Gov. Gavin Newsom is calling on local governments such as San Jose to use state funds for urgent action to address “dangerous” homeless encampments. Newsom’s executive order on Thursday suggests notifying homeless residents at least 48 hours before an incoming sweep. Locally, San Jose tends to give more notice, as officials want to enforce a... The post Newsom says San Jose should take urgent action on homeless camps appeared first on San José Spotlight.
Rooftop bar and restaurant envisioned for Willow Glen
Willow Glen residents are one step closer to getting a new two-story restaurant and rooftop bar in their neighborhood. A special use permit for the proposed Luke’s Rooftop Beer Garden and Restaurant was approved at a San Jose Planning Director’s hearing on Wednesday, where project representatives thanked city officials for their efforts helping move the project... The post Rooftop bar and restaurant envisioned for Willow Glen appeared first on San José Spotlight.
Collins: Real estate purchasing changes coming in August
Some important changes are about to go into effect next month. The most significant change is how buyers can choose to compensate their agent or buyer representative for the work they do on their behalf. Even though compensation has always been negotiable in the past, it was traditionally driven by the listing agent, who would... The post Collins: Real estate purchasing changes coming in August appeared first on San José Spotlight.
Santa Clara County records first Racial Justice Act violation
The Santa Clara County Public Defender’s Office has filed more than a dozen motions over the last four years contesting racist criminal charges against people of color. Only one has been sustained in court. The county recorded its first Racial Justice Act violation last month since the landmark California law passed in 2020. The bill,... The post Santa Clara County records first Racial Justice Act violation appeared first on San José Spotlight.
Sunnyvale wants feedback for homeless safe parking sites
Sunnyvale is looking to offer safe parking for homeless residents living in their vehicles, and city officials are working on what that entails. Sunnyvale wants feedback on a policy that would set parameters for potential safe parking programs, which the city has had on its docket since 2020. City employees want to discuss the possibility with the Sunnyvale City Council in late September, with the hopes of approving a plan in the winter.
Robinson: Joe Biden exits, Kamala Harris ascends
Democratic Party elites successfully executed a bloodless coup in getting President Joe Biden to step down as a candidate in November. We can hope the current euphoria expressed by those anointing Vice President Kamala Harris lasts long enough to get her elected. I am not here to bury our party, but to praise Joe Biden.... The post Robinson: Joe Biden exits, Kamala Harris ascends appeared first on San José Spotlight.
Silicon Valley lawmaker running for Congress doesn’t live in his district
Assemblymember Evan Low is living outside his state legislative district in Campbell, raising questions about whether the lawmaker — and now congressional candidate — has turned his back on the people he was elected to serve. Campaign finance and voter registration records reviewed by San José Spotlight link Low to a condo on Campisi Way... The post Silicon Valley lawmaker running for Congress doesn’t live in his district appeared first on San José Spotlight.
Silicon Valley evictions increase after pandemic protections expire
Santa Clara County evictions have shot up over the past year, prompting local groups and governments to find ways to support renters. The county recorded 3,180 evictions last year, the highest amount since 2014. Compare that to the less than 2,000 evictions between 2020 and 2022 during the pandemic. Key protections tenants won at the... The post Silicon Valley evictions increase after pandemic protections expire appeared first on San José Spotlight.
Silicon Valley campaign contributions expose financial loophole
Money pouring into a tight Silicon Valley congressional race is drawing attention to a loophole in campaign finance rules that obscures the influence of special interests. Three political action committees — Equality PAC, Equality California Federal PAC and Voter Protection Project — have spent a combined $221,233 in independent expenses to support Assemblymember Evan Low in... The post Silicon Valley campaign contributions expose financial loophole appeared first on San José Spotlight.
San Jose uses AI to streamline government
San Jose is a beehive of artificial intelligence innovation, with the city continuing its integration of the technology into every day services to improve the lives of residents. Now that AI is more accessible than ever, Mayor Matt Mahan along with other city officials are using it to identify problems and strategize solutions. San Jose is already using AI to... The post San Jose uses AI to streamline government appeared first on San José Spotlight.
Silicon Valley nonprofits mismanaged federal dollars
Dozens of uncashed checks. Expenditures that were not allowed. Tardiness in submitting quarterly performance reports. These are some of the issues found in an audit of local nonprofits providing housing assistance during the pandemic. In fiscal year 2021-22, the San Jose Housing Department received $89 million in federal and state dollars for nonprofits to distribute for... The post Silicon Valley nonprofits mismanaged federal dollars appeared first on San José Spotlight.
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