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Residents near the outskirts of San Jose are advised to pack their bags as wildfires sparked by last weekend’s lightning storm continue to surround the valley. But while evacuation orders are still east of city limits, San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo announced Aug. 23 more than a dozen local hotels are offering discounted “San Jose...
Residents seek to remove courthouse blocking Santa Clara’s future downtown
The dream of recreating a downtown in Santa Clara has run into another roadblock — literally. Members of the grass-roots group Reclaiming Our Downtown petitioned the City Council Aug. 18 to take up the idea of moving the Santa Clara County Superior Courthouse, arguing relocation would open up more land to develop into a proper,...
UPDATE: Hilton expansion moves ahead in Santa Clara
A proposed expansion of Santa Clara’s Hilton Hotel moved one step further after the City Council approved a plan that exceeds current regulations. In a public hearing Aug. 18, the council green-lit a dense addition to the 3.86-acre property at 4949 Great America, which faces Levi’s Stadium. The development would replace an existing surface parking...
UPDATE: Santa Clara City Council extends eviction moratorium
Rent is due again in two weeks, but Santa Clara city residents who aren’t able to pay because of COVID-19 will be able to stay in their homes through the end of September. The Santa Clara City Council Aug. 18 approved a temporary eviction moratorium through Sept. 30 to protect public health, preserve affordable housing...
Santa Clara County to test 5,000 daily at fairgrounds for COVID-19
Santa Clara County opened a new drive-through COVID-19 site at the County Fairgrounds with the aim of testing 5,000 people a day — the largest in the Bay Area. Announced Aug. 18, the appointment-only, high-capacity location is expected to complete 1,000 daily tests by the end of this week and continue to expand. Tests are...
Coronavirus LIVE BLOG: July 30 to August 12
Catch up on our current Coronavirus LIVE BLOG here. 2 p.m. Aug 12: Governor announces slew of business relief plans Despite the promise of financial relief for small businesses from the Paycheck Protection Program, many people still found their hands empty after applying for the money. Gov. Gavin Newsom said he’s moving forward a plan to...
San Jose legislator’s Racial Justice Act passes Senate committee
One South Bay legislator’s efforts to assert civil rights within the California court system is moving forward in Sacramento. Assemblymember Ash Kalra (D-San Jose) authored Assembly Bill 2542, known as the California Racial Justice Act, to address discrimination in sentencing by allowing the accused to use evidence of systemic racism in the consideration of charges....
Santa Clara County pledges another $7.1 million to get students online
A lack of access to technology and the internet meant Sylvandale Middle School teacher Brenna Rodriguez lost communication with 80% of her students when COVID-19 shuttered schools in March. Teaching English and English Language Development within the Eastside’s Franklin-McKinley School District since 2008, Rodriguez said last year was the first time each of her students...
Fear and anxiety as San Jose teachers prepare for first day
Less than a week before school begins, visual arts teacher Katherine Leung is overcome with anxiety about her future instead of focusing on lesson planning, engaging with families and getting ready. Leung is at high risk of contracting the deadly coronavirus, she told San José Spotlight. “We just want choice for teachers who want to...
Santa Clara City Council candidate aims to push Republican principles
Gautam “Gary” Barve hopes to bring a business-centered perspective to the Santa Clara City Council. Running for the District 6 seat in the November election, the 35-year-old said he wants to represent Republican ideals if elected – starting with reopening the economy immediately. Although Santa Clara County public health officials make the final call on...