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San José Spotlight
San Jose officials support retail theft crackdown reform
San Jose’s top political leader supports harsher penalties for drug dealers as voters consider new measures to hold thieves and drug suppliers accountable. California voters passed the criminal justice proposition in 2014 and established a $950 threshold for determining whether a theft would be considered a misdemeanor or a felony. But opponents of Proposition 47 gathered enough signatures to give Californians an opportunity to vote for harsher punishments on theft and drug crimes under a new reform initiative dubbed the Homelessness, Drug Addiction and Theft Reduction Act. If passed, people with a history of theft convictions could be charged with a felony for stolen amounts under $950 including smash and grabs. Harsher punishments also would be reinstated for drug dealers.
UPDATE: Silicon Valley water agency delays decision to fine homeless people
The penalization of homeless people living along regional waterways appears to be less imminent after leaders of Santa Clara County’s largest water agency delayed a policy on penalties and fines for later this year. The Valley Water board of directors on Tuesday postponed voting on a policy that poses $500 fines or up to 30... The post UPDATE: Silicon Valley water agency delays decision to fine homeless people appeared first on San José Spotlight.
Bramson: How we’ve discarded the right to belong
Vagrancy laws have been around since the founding of our country. A set of unclear and often confounding principles, these punitive measures have taken a variety of forms over the years to essentially criminalize the basic condition of being poor and having nowhere to go. The ordinances have been weaponized to target laborers and activists... The post Bramson: How we’ve discarded the right to belong appeared first on San José Spotlight.
San Jose spruces up downtown signs ahead of Super Bowl
San Jose is revisiting a plan to make the heart of the city more walkable and easy to navigate ahead of two major sports events. The city is working to replace outdated signs in the downtown area to highlight local landmarks, businesses and public transportation options before Super Bowl 60 and the FIFA World Cup come... The post San Jose spruces up downtown signs ahead of Super Bowl appeared first on San José Spotlight.
The Biz Beat: Campbell Cambodian restaurant is a hidden gem
When Vila Pho emigrated from the Banteay Meanchey province in Cambodia to the U.S. in 2003, she knew no one and took a job as a computer technician. It wasn’t her ideal job, but it paid the bills. She took English classes while she dreamed of opening a Cambodian restaurant with dishes steeped in lemongrass... The post The Biz Beat: Campbell Cambodian restaurant is a hidden gem appeared first on San José Spotlight.
San Jose nurses say hospital leaders undermine patient care
Santa Clara County nurses who keep oxygen flowing to people with spinal cord and brain injuries already work in a tense environment, but some fear their jobs are about to get harder. Three nurses in the acute respiratory rehabilitation unit at Valley Medical Center — who spoke to San José Spotlight under condition of anonymity... The post San Jose nurses say hospital leaders undermine patient care appeared first on San José Spotlight.
Zisser: Can we trust the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office to use ‘less lethal’ but still deadly Tasers?
Conducted energy devices — Tasers — conduct electricity into a human being’s body to disrupt the neuromuscular system of that person. They can cause death, and of course there is risk of abuse by officers. Various local community and civil rights groups are advocating, as recently as this week, against the adoption of these weapons... The post Zisser: Can we trust the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office to use ‘less lethal’ but still deadly Tasers? appeared first on San José Spotlight.
Santa Clara project pairs hundreds of homes with golf course
The owners of the Pruneridge Golf Club are teeing up hundreds of homes to be built alongside the nine-hole course — but first they must reconfigure it. Demmon Family Partnership filed plans with Santa Clara in mid-May to build two apartment buildings on part of the Pruneridge Golf Club, adding 324 apartments, of which at... The post Santa Clara project pairs hundreds of homes with golf course appeared first on San José Spotlight.
Mallon: The deceptive influence of anti-transit groups
As a transit advocate, I’ve seen the positive impact advocacy can have on our community. However, a growing trend threatens the future of transit: the influence of anti-transit organizations posing as pro-transit experts. Anyone who regularly reads Bay Area newspapers has likely seen articles written by Marc Joffe of the Cato Institute. Organizations such as... The post Mallon: The deceptive influence of anti-transit groups appeared first on San José Spotlight.
Los Gatos struggles to solve beach traffic jam
It’s the most infamous time of year for Los Gatos residents — peak beach traffic season exacerbated by a scorching Fourth of July. The West Valley town is still trying to figure out how to calm traffic down. The Los Gatos Town Council unanimously decided not to place a 1/8-cent general sales tax on the November ballot... The post Los Gatos struggles to solve beach traffic jam appeared first on San José Spotlight.
San Jose homeless motel transfer delay impacts residents
A San Jose motel riddled with mold and roaches that houses formerly homeless residents is in ownership limbo as a continued slew of problems plague the property no matter who operates it. SureStay, a motel-turned-housing site that provides rooms for older adults and disabled individuals, was supposed to change ownership from San Jose to the Santa... The post San Jose homeless motel transfer delay impacts residents appeared first on San José Spotlight.
Santa Clara County to increase transparency on lawsuit settlements
Santa Clara County leaders are still trying to lift the curtain on how taxpayer money is used to pay for lawsuit settlements on issues such as jail deaths. The Board of Supervisors took action to publicize such settlements last year, but reports haven’t fully delivered. Now supervisors want to include even more details for the... The post Santa Clara County to increase transparency on lawsuit settlements appeared first on San José Spotlight.
Sunnyvale drone show replaces fireworks on Fourth of July
In the heart of Silicon Valley and the middle of a heat wave, one city hopes to use new technologies to emulate a classic Fourth of July tradition. Instead of fireworks, Sunnyvale is hosting a drone light show at Baylands Park at 6:30 p.m. City officials said the drone show will be safer and more... The post Sunnyvale drone show replaces fireworks on Fourth of July appeared first on San José Spotlight.
Want to fly from San Jose to D.C.? Here’s how to make it happen
The South Bay’s airport wants to offer a direct flight to Washington, D.C. — but it needs the public’s help. San Jose Mineta International Airport (SJC) posted a pitch on X, formerly Twitter, asking travelers to help it compete for a nonstop route to Washington, D.C. Spirit Airlines will be the carrier if the airport can acquire the route.
Nonprofit settles with Cupertino over lease dispute
An autism nonprofit will pay Cupertino thousands of dollars after settling a monthslong dispute over the closure of a group home for children. The Cupertino City Council unanimously approved a settlement between the city and nonprofit Pacific Autism Center for Education (PACE) last month after PACE stopped operating the group home at 7576 Kirwin Lane,... The post Nonprofit settles with Cupertino over lease dispute appeared first on San José Spotlight.
San Jose development advances despite historical significance
A former North San Jose Japanese farming area found to have historical significance, especially during World War II, could become home to more than 1,000 multi-family residences and commercial space. The San Jose Planning Commission is recommending city officials approve the nearly 23-acre development and demolish the Japanese farming structures, including barns, sheds and the... The post San Jose development advances despite historical significance appeared first on San José Spotlight.
San Jose parents want new leadership in largest school district
Parents and community advocates are calling for new leadership in San Jose’s largest public school district following a county report that highlights numerous issues — which the district disputes. Community members spoke Thursday at a San Jose Unified School District (SJUSD) board of trustees meeting, citing a Santa...
State bill affecting Santa Clara County landlines pulled after backlash
A state bill that would have let AT&T off the hook for emergency landline service — circumventing state regulators and affecting remote pockets of Santa Clara County — is on hold after public backlash. Assembly Bill 2797 has been pulled from the California Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee meeting slated for Tuesday. It comes... The post State bill affecting Santa Clara County landlines pulled after backlash appeared first on San José Spotlight.
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