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San José Spotlight
Robinson: Where is Joe?
No, not that Joe. Where is Joe Simitian, who lost a runoff spot in Congressional District 16 by five votes and has been uncharacteristically silent on who he supports for the coveted seat. Simitian is in the enviable position of kingmaker as his voters must now choose between the two remaining candidates.
San Jose developer nets millions to transform Berryessa corridor
North San Jose will see a transformational change along one of its busiest transit corridors as more affordable housing, walkways and bike and bus lanes are developed — thanks to a multimillion-dollar state grant aimed at reducing carbon emissions. Affirmed Housing Group has received a $38 million grant to build 195 affordable apartments next to... The post San Jose developer nets millions to transform Berryessa corridor appeared first on San José Spotlight.
San Jose lawmakers influence vote over Muwekma Ohlone recognition
San Jose leaders have suspended discussions over supporting the federal recognition of the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe — pushing it to a vote in mid-September after receiving letters from two congressional leaders critical of the proposal. Councilmembers Domingo Candelas, David Cohen, Dev Davis, Bien Doan and Peter Ortiz first requested...
Chick-fil-A makes second attempt at Campbell location
A popular fast-food chain known for its crispy chicken sandwiches could get a second chance in Campbell after the City Council unanimously rejected it four years ago. Some locals see this as a plus for businesses, while others question how the project is back on the table. Campbell officials want...
LaFortune: Team San Jose, the city and its theaters
“Art is not a luxury. It stands at the essence of our humanity, and it asks for no special protection except the right to exist. It accepts argument, criticism, even rejection. It does not accept violence. In the end, it outlasts those who oppress it.”. This is from Salman Rushdie’s...
Silicon Valley schools implement cell phone restrictions
San Jose schools are limiting cell phone use during classes in an effort to steer students away from the ongoing stress of screen time toward better academic performance and wellness. In response to students distracted from learning by social media, texts and notifications, local schools are stepping up cell phone...
San Jose congressional candidate hit with federal complaint
A federal elections complaint against state Assemblymember Evan Low is intensifying Silicon Valley’s hottest congressional race and putting attention on the political role of nonprofits. A complaint filed over the weekend by former Federal Elections Commission Chair Ann Ravel alleges Low, who is running for Congressional District 16, used the email server and contact list... The post San Jose congressional candidate hit with federal complaint appeared first on San José Spotlight.
Batra: Jail diversion proposal is a dangerous betrayal of trust
The residents of South San Jose deserve transparency, trust and respect from their government officials and agencies. Unfortunately, recent events have demonstrated that these fundamental principles have been neglected. The shocking revelation that Santa Clara County intends to transform the emergency interim housing site located at Monterey and Bernal into a jail diversion facility —... The post Batra: Jail diversion proposal is a dangerous betrayal of trust appeared first on San José Spotlight.
San Jose tiny homes construction faces ongoing delays
Over the next 18 months, San Jose may see four tiny home sites built, offering hundreds of beds to help people living on the streets transition to permanent housing. But getting there remains a challenge. Mayor Matt Mahan wants to add 784 beds between the end of 2025 and beginning of 2026 to tackle the... The post San Jose tiny homes construction faces ongoing delays appeared first on San José Spotlight.
The Biz Beat: San Jose restaurant sells burgers for $1.99
There’s a new burger joint in downtown San Jose, with prices cheap enough to keep even the most hungry university student fed. Campus Burgers is one block from San Jose State University and will undoubtedly be a magnet for students look for a fast, affordable lunch or dinner. And the demand is there: the restaurant... The post The Biz Beat: San Jose restaurant sells burgers for $1.99 appeared first on San José Spotlight.
Campbell to implement developer fees for affordable housing
Campbell is slated to rake in hundreds of thousands of dollars for affordable housing annually, thanks to a decision to collect developer fees from projects without housing. The Campbell City Council voted 4-1 Tuesday to establish a commercial linkage fee, which is a flat rate of $9 per square foot developers must pay for all... The post Campbell to implement developer fees for affordable housing appeared first on San José Spotlight.
San Jose could lose thousands of trees to invasive beetle
An invasive beetle killing a dramatic number of Southern California trees has found its way to San Jose — and it could threaten the urban forest that shades and cools Silicon Valley. Santa Clara County officials aren’t sure when or how the species, known as the shothole borer beetle,...
Sunnyvale buys land to build affordable housing
Sunnyvale has a unique strategy to support affordable housing development: purchasing the land for developers. Most recently, as part of a $29.5 million roundup of affordable housing expenditures, the Sunnyvale City Council unanimously approved spending $12.5 million to buy a lot at 1171 Sonora Court, to help developers MidPen Housing build 170 affordable apartments. It will be the sixth 100% affordable housing development in Sunnyvale where the city government owns the land. City officials and advocates said government land ownership helps keep the property affordable over the long term.
Editorial: Santa Clara County made the right move buying Regional
Santa Clara County never planned to buy Regional Medical Center in East San Jose. The Board of Supervisors wasn’t looking to take on more health care responsibilities, since they had saved three failing hospitals five years ago and already ranked as the second-largest public health and hospital system in California. But the situation was dire.
San Jose tiny homes could become jail diversion site
Santa Clara County wants to purchase a tiny home village for homeless residents from San Jose and use it to house formerly incarcerated people — sparking safety concerns from nearby homeowners. San Jose launched the Monterey/Bernal tiny home site as emergency housing in October 2020 to house residents who...
San Jose apartments designed for people with disabilities
There is no housing market in the U.S. where someone who is disabled and living on Supplemental Security Income can afford an apartment without rental assistance. A disability-forward housing nonprofit wants to change that. The Kelsey is changing how housing developments are built for low and moderate-income households and people with disability needs, with its first project... The post San Jose apartments designed for people with disabilities appeared first on San José Spotlight.
San Jose police to get $400K in military equipment
San Jose leaders have greenlit the purchase of more than $400,000 in military equipment for the city’s police department to replenish its existing inventory of weapons and devices. Approved purchases for San Jose police officers include 125 new .556 caliber patrol rifles for $112,132 and close to $100,000 in...
Collins: What do lower mortgage rates mean for buyers?
Mortgage rates for a conventional 30-year mortgage have dropped to the mid-6% range this month after topping out in May at more than 7.5%. Depending on a buyer’s credit score and downpayment, they may be able to buy down points to get an even lower rate. It appears this downward trend could continue. According to HousingWire, “Mortgage rates, which generally move in tandem with the 10-year Treasury yield, are expected to drop even further in the coming months as the Federal Reserve is widely anticipated to cut rates by 25 to 50 basis points in September.”
Santa Clara candidates question ethics behind pledge
An independent ethics pledge is gaining notoriety in Santa Clara’s elections, while some candidates call it a political tool. The pledge — created by Tom Shanks, former Santa Clara ethics advisor and former executive director for the Santa Clara University Markkula Center for Applied Ethics — has been touted as a way to restore public... The post Santa Clara candidates question ethics behind pledge appeared first on San José Spotlight.
East San Jose groups want to increase younger voter turnout
East San Jose nonprofits are launching a youth led voting campaign to shape a more equitable society and empower residents. In preparation for the Nov. 5 election, SOMOS Mayfair’s Jovenes Activos youth, in collaboration with Amigos de Guadalupe and other community organizations, is launching the “No Decision About Us, Without Us!” get out the vote campaign to mobilize voters, especially youth from underrepresented and vulnerable populations. The campaign kicks off at 4:30 p.m. Thursday at Quetzal Gardens Apartments at 1695 Alum Rock Ave., Ste. 10 in San Jose.
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