Author: Patricia Wei (Patricia Wei)

WATCH: Opportunity Housing explained

It’s one of the most contentious housing policies to circulate the halls of San Jose City Hall. The plan, called Opportunity Housing, would allow developers to build up to four homes on a single parcel in neighborhoods limited to single-family homes. Supporters hail it as a fix for the South Bay’s crippling housing shortage, saying...

Q&A: What San Jose businesses need to know about masks, COVID vaccines and social distancing

Differences between local and national COVID regulations are causing confusion and placing the burden of enforcement on businesses. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently announced that fully vaccinated individuals no longer need to wear masks or social distance “in any setting.” But in Santa Clara County, everyone is still required to wear masks...

South Bay panel discusses violence against Asian Americans

Violence against Asian Americans has increased since the start of the pandemic, but isn’t new to American history. That was the focus of a panel hosted earlier this month by Santa Clara County Supervisor Joe Simitian and Asian Americans for Community Involvement. The panel on violence against the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community...

San Jose tightens grip on illegal fireworks

San Jose residents could face harsher consequences for taking part in illegal fireworks this summer. The San Jose City Council voted unanimously this month to move forward with the Social Host ordinance, which would fine tenants and property owners for fireworks launched on their property, regardless of if they set off the fireworks or not....

Indoor dining brings normalcy back to San Jose restaurants

Restaurants returning to indoor dining can breathe easier as customers come back inside and some normalcy takes shape. Before the pandemic, Anabel Nguyen and Alex Huynh’s family restaurant hadn’t taken a break in 25 years. But in March 2020, they closed for one month. “It was really stressful for all of us,” Nguyen said. Since...

San Jose’s Happy Hollow hangs on during the pandemic

The theater and rides at San Jose’s Happy Hollow Park & Zoo might be closed, but that didn’t dampen 4-year-old Zayden’s enthusiasm for his first time at the zoo. “I’m so excited!” said Zayden as he made his way from the ticket booth to the exhibits. Happy Hollow is owned and operated by San Jose’s Parks,...

Is San Jose ready for a strong mayor?

San Jose might not be ready for a strong mayor—at least not yet. That was the concern discussed during a public meeting this month by a commission reviewing the proposal to change San Jose’s governance. Among large cities in the U.S., San Jose’s way of government is unusual: the mayor has little power compared to the...

Get a COVID shot this week without an appointment

Numerous Santa Clara County vaccination sites are accepting drop-ins for COVID-19 vaccines this week. Same day appointments are available across the county, including at Levi’s Stadium and Eastridge Mall (Aloha Roller Rink). Anyone age 16 and older who lives, works or attends school in Santa Clara County is eligible for the vaccine. The news comes...

Silicon Valley libraries slowly reopening. Here’s what you need to know

For patrons and staff alike, the reopening of the Santa Clara City Library feels like Christmas morning. The public institution recently expanded access to indoor services alongside the Santa Clara County Library District and some branches of the San Jose Public Library. At all three branches of the Santa Clara City Library—Central Park, Mission Branch and Northside Branch—patrons...

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