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San José Spotlight
Poon: Options to reduce homelessness in downtown San Jose
The increasing number of homeless individuals in downtown San Jose is a pressing issue that requires targeted and comprehensive measures. As the heart of Silicon Valley, our city is renowned for its high-tech industry, commerce and prosperity. However, the growing population, increased mobility and proliferation of tech companies have led to higher living and housing costs, which is contributing to the rising number of homeless people. To effectively address this crisis, we must take a multi-faceted approach that tackles both immediate needs and underlying causes.
Santa Clara County oversight office under fire over Tasers
As the Santa Clara County Sheriff pushes to arm deputies with Tasers, one local civil rights group argues the sheriff’s oversight office acts more as a rubber stamp. In May, the county Office of Correction and Law Enforcement Monitoring voiced support for a policy outlining how deputies would use Tasers if deployed in jails and certain... The post Santa Clara County oversight office under fire over Tasers appeared first on San José Spotlight.
San Jose LGBTQ+ center namesake embraced everyone
Not much is known about William Price, the drag queen whose name adorns the Billy DeFrank LGBTQ+ Community Center in San Jose. Price, an African American drag queen and activist who performed under the name “Billy DeFrank,” used his performances to fundraise for various causes, according to Gabrielle Antolovich, president of the center’s board of... The post San Jose LGBTQ+ center namesake embraced everyone appeared first on San José Spotlight.
Familiar face withdraws from Milpitas mayor’s race
Long-time Milpitas politico Rich Tran is bowing out of his run for mayor, citing schedule conflicts as he works on launching a tech startup. He joined the race late last year after waiting to run again, since mayors can only serve six consecutive years and officials who serve their maximum term limits must wait two... The post Familiar face withdraws from Milpitas mayor’s race appeared first on San José Spotlight.
Embattled San Jose recycling hauler supported Liccardo’s interests
The web of influence wielded by the owners of San Jose’s primary recycling company — now under an FBI microscope — includes Silicon Valley’s former mayor turned congressional candidate. California Waste Solutions, the company at the center of an FBI raid last week that included company executives and Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, gave $10,000 in 2022 to... The post Embattled San Jose recycling hauler supported Liccardo’s interests appeared first on San José Spotlight.
Will Supreme Court ruling change San Jose’s homeless policy?
San Jose homeless resident Antonio de Viche prefers the streets to shelter or temporary housing, where he doesn’t feel safe. But that could all change with today’s U.S. Supreme Court decision that will allow cities to ban homeless people from sleeping outside. The Supreme Court ruled in a 6-3 decision that it is not unconstitutional... The post Will Supreme Court ruling change San Jose’s homeless policy? appeared first on San José Spotlight.
Milpitas mayor celebrates city’s 70 years of growth
This year marks the 70th anniversary of Milpitas’ incorporation, and Mayor Carmen Montano celebrated its history and future in her State of the City speech. Her message focused on the city’s history of agriculture and industry, as well as recent investments in affordable housing, public safety, transportation and economic development.
Editorial: California hospital services definition harms patient health
Santa Clara County residents who need emergency medical services should not have their treatment threatened because the closest hospital is miles away. It seems inconceivable that such a problem could exist in a county of such stature, and yet it does, because California’s definition of “general acute care hospital services” has no teeth. What it does have is a glaring loophole in the definition that enables private and publicly traded companies that own hospitals to easily gut services that don’t turn a profit. The language sits in the state’s code of regulations like an unknown cancer that silently metastasizes.
Campbell considers 100 homes at former mental health facility
A Campbell housing development near the main post office could add more than 100 homes to a quiet, suburban neighborhood, stirring up concerns about an influx of new residents. The Campbell Planning Commission unanimously approved a 108-home development located at 251 Llewellyn Ave. on Tuesday. Georgia-based PulteGroup, Inc. will develop the potential three-story project on a roughly... The post Campbell considers 100 homes at former mental health facility appeared first on San José Spotlight.
Silicon Valley politicians give back donations following FBI raids
Recent FBI raids into Bay Area properties owned and run by members of the politically-connected Duong family bring to light the yearslong allegations of illegal political donations into Silicon Valley. Among those alleged to have received illegal donations are Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, whose residence was searched by federal agents last week in connection with... The post Silicon Valley politicians give back donations following FBI raids appeared first on San José Spotlight.
San Jose coffee shop is community anchor for local artists
Nirvana Soul, a Black, women-owned business known for its vibrant pink-painted coffee shops, serves up more than unique brews — it’s a hub for local artists, poets and musicians to showcase their talents. The co-founder/sister duo, Be’Anka Ashaolu and Jeronica Macey, whose San Jose coffee shop sits on the corner of South First Street, support... The post San Jose coffee shop is community anchor for local artists appeared first on San José Spotlight.
Collins: What does an inventory boom mean for the local housing market?
For May, housing inventory is up 8% year over year, according to Dave Walsh, vice president and manager at Compass. “Buyers have been waiting for their opportunity to have multiple choices on available properties. This is their time,” he said. Not surprisingly, the number of sales also rose to...
San Jose preps plan to reach zero traffic deaths
A San Jose task force aimed at finding ways to eliminate traffic deaths is folding at the end of the year — and while road safety improvements have been made, the city still has work to do in reducing fatalities. San Jose saw its highest rate of traffic fatalities...
Silicon Valley officials worry about homeless shelter transition
Homeless residents, advocates and local officials have questions about the Sunnyvale Shelter as the facility changes nonprofit operators. The Santa Clara County-owned, 145-bed homeless shelter will change operators on July 1 from HomeFirst to the Bill Wilson Center. Residents are fearful they will be kicked out as the shelter switches from serving unhoused individuals to families and workers worry they’ll lose their jobs. Sunnyvale officials want to know if the change will lead to homelessness increasing in their city.
Heat scorches East San Jose playground equipment
An 18-foot-tall chicken named Chiquita overlooks children racing across the playground, while Alexandra Villalobos sits on a picnic blanket with her 12-year-old son Max at Emma Prusch Farm Park in East San Jose. Her two younger children are using the newly renovated playground, and Villalobos has warned them to avoid the sizzling-hot metal slides and... The post Heat scorches East San Jose playground equipment appeared first on San José Spotlight.
Robinson: The politics of Willie Mays
Imagine banning the greatest baseball player from a hotel or diner because of the color of his skin. Even in San Francisco, Willie Mays faced housing discrimination. In 21st century America, that dystopian past may be a harbinger for the nation if the MAGA authoritarian right comes back to power.
San Jose has 4th highest homeless population in U.S.
San Jose has the fourth highest number of homeless people per capita in the U.S. based on a recent survey, and advocates blame it on multiple problems. An Insider Monkey report shows that for every 100,000 people per capita, San Jose has 363 residents that are homeless. New York City ranks third, Los Angeles ranks second and Eugene, Oregon took the top spot out of 25 cities. Advocates and experts said the problem is multifold with organizations working in silos, the lack of affordable housing and soaring rents as the key issues.
Santa Clara County politician gets top job in New Mexico
After two attempts to leave Silicon Valley, a South Bay political fixture was chosen to lead a county hundreds of miles away — in New Mexico. Elected leaders in Bernalillo County chose Santa Clara County Supervisor Cindy Chavez to be the county’s top administrator in a split 3-2 vote Tuesday. If she accepts the job... The post Santa Clara County politician gets top job in New Mexico appeared first on San José Spotlight.
San Jose BART expansion needs federal funding to finish the job
Construction workers broke ground on BART’s expansion in Santa Clara this week, and officials are banking on federal funding to help finish the job. Santa Clara County Supervisor and VTA Board Chair Cindy Chavez and other labor leaders urged the Federal Transportation Agency on Tuesday to approve VTA’s $6.2 billion funding request to support the BART expansion into Silicon Valley, which would cover just under half of the public transit project’s total $12.75 billion cost. Chavez said the federal funding will be announced “any day now,” and that any less than the full amount threatens VTA’s ability to finish the project.
Santa Clara County loses top election official before November races
Santa Clara County’s top elections official is bowing out four months before the November election and shortly after her office landed in the hot seat over a historic recount. After nearly 30 years leading the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters through myriad controversies, Shannon Bushey is retiring on Friday due to medical reasons, according... The post Santa Clara County loses top election official before November races appeared first on San José Spotlight.
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