English
Spanish
Vietnamese
When Chappie Jones was growing up in a redlined neighborhood in Sacramento, his role models were Black elected officials like Maynard Jackson and Harold Washington — the first Black mayors of Atlanta and Chicago, respectively. Today, he’s creating a legacy of his own by beginning his second term as vice mayor of San Jose. The...
Santa Clara County COVID-19 deaths surpass 1,000
More than 1,000 people have now died in Santa Clara County from COVID-19. The grim statistic was reported by county health officials Jan. 14, as hospitals struggle to keep up with the relentless surge in cases and morgues run out of space. “One thousand deaths is a devastating and tragic milestone for our community,” said...
A bodybuilding pastor: Homeless advocate Scott Wagers is unapologetic about his calling
A muscle T-shirt wearing, bodybuilding rabble-rouser may not be the typical image of a church pastor, but Scott Wagers said he had a calling to help the homeless to bring him closer to God — and get him arrested from time to time. Wagers, 55, has worked on behalf of San Jose’s homeless for three...
Top San Jose administrator retiring after nearly two decades
After working for the city of San Jose for 18 years, Deputy City Manager Kim Walesh announced she will retire March 30. Walesh, who previously served as the city’s economic development director, is leaving as San Jose faces significant challenges with its business climate spurred by COVID-19 and a looming transformation of its downtown core with...
San Jose wants to boost opportunities for minority and women-owned businesses
As minority businesses struggle to survive during the pandemic, the San Jose City Council is amplifying its efforts to ensure smaller, BIPOC, LGBTQ and women-owned businesses get a fair shot at competing for government contracts. The San Jose City Council voted unanimously Jan 12. to advance a proposal from Vice Mayor Chappie Jones and Councilmember...
UPDATE: San Jose expands services for homeless amid COVID-19
Faced with an uptick in homeless deaths amid the pandemic, city leaders expanded shelter services for San Jose’s unhoused residents. The San Jose City Council on Jan. 12 unanimously adopted a $11.3 million expenditure plan for its Homeless, Housing, Assistance and Prevention Program, which provides homeless outreach and shelter services citywide. The budget approval allows the city...
Cultural competency at center for new San Jose spokeswoman
As the need for information is heightened during the pandemic, San Jose has selected a new leader to communicate with the public from City Hall. Carolina Camarena — San Jose’s public information manager and emergency public information co-lead since July — will serve as director of communications for City Manager Dave Sykes. She replaces former...
‘Borderline treasonous’: San Jose leaders react to stunning riots at U.S. Capitol
Silicon Valley leaders from both sides of the aisle reacted with horror Wednesday after thousands pushed past police and stormed the U.S. Capitol in a dangerous attempt to thwart a peaceful transfer of power. One local lawmaker was even in tears, comparing the stunning scene in Washington to the terrorism acts of 9/11. The mob...
As COVID-19 cases surge, San Jose extends paid sick leave protections
As COVID-19 cases shatter records in Silicon Valley and hospital capacity dwindles, San Jose lawmakers took steps to ensure essential workers receive paid sick leave until June. In the absence of federal COVID-19 paid sick leave protections, the San Jose City Council unanimously voted Jan. 5 to is extend local sick leave benefits until mid 2021. Under...
UPDATE: San Jose approves naming street after Barack Obama
San Jose will join cities like Los Angeles and Milpitas in naming a street after Barack Obama, elected leaders unanimously decided Jan. 5. The renamed boulevard will include portions of Bird Avenue, South Montgomery Street, South Autumn Street and North Autumn. The plan has been more than three years in the making. Community leader Alex...