There’s something incongruous about seeing the faces of Cantinflas and El Chavo emblazoned on a food truck parked behind the Italian-themed La Pizza Spot in Campbell. But it offers a hint at the origin story of the newly opened restaurant. Brothers Victor and Alex Villa landed their first restaurant jobs at the same location, back...
Economic plan aims to uplift East San Jose
East San Jose could soon get its first neighborhood-wide economic roadmap, as city leaders look for ways to attract investment and strengthen commercial corridors that residents and business owners say have long been overlooked. District 5 Councilmember Peter Ortiz is spearheading the East San Jose Economic Revitalization Framework, a planning effort approved through the city’s...
Silicon Valley lawmakers want to prepare students for AI workforce
Two Silicon Valley lawmakers want to reshape the AI narrative by connecting students with cutting-edge careers. Congressmembers Sam Liccardo and Jimmy Panetta have co-authored a bill that would award tax credits to companies partnering with colleges to train students in technologies such as artificial intelligence. Liccardo unveiled the Supporting Knowledge through Industry-Led Learning (SKILL) Act...
Santa Clara County balances budget without severe service cuts
Santa Clara County has closed its multimillion-dollar deficit while preserving essential services amid one of its most challenging budget years in decades. The Board of Supervisors on June 18 unanimously voted to adopt the $14.7 billion budget for the upcoming fiscal year beginning July 1. Despite previously facing a $787 million deficit, the county’s budget...
Silicon Valley office market still shaky, despite gains
An uptick in leasing activity in Silicon Valley’s commercial real estate market has offered a glimmer of hope that a stronger post-pandemic economic recovery may be taking hold. But market watchers caution that high office vacancies are likely to remain for years to come. The rate of commercial lease deals over the first quarter of...
Santa Clara County offers residents tips to avoid scammers
With scams targeting the pocketbooks of older adults on the rise, Santa Clara County is working to educate its residents on how to recognize and avoid financial fraud. The county’s Department of Aging and Adult Services teamed up with AARP for a June 16 “scam jam” forum, where fraud prevention experts talked about current scams...
San Jose’s budget lands with wins, losses, work to do
Budget season in San Jose is over, but the months-long negotiations have set the stage for new political fights that are only beginning to take shape. The City Council on Tuesday put the final seal of approval on the $5.5 billion budget that will see San Jose through the upcoming fiscal year beginning July 1. Facing down a...
Cupertino extends contract with Sheriff’s Office
Cupertino officials are buying themselves more time in a growing dispute over the cost of law enforcement. The City Council on Tuesday voted unanimously to extend its contract with the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office through Sept. 30, allowing negotiations to continue while an independent review examines whether the county’s proposed cost increase complies with state...
Water and garbage rates increase for San Jose residents
While utility hikes are a regular occurrence for San Jose residents, an especially sharp jump in garbage disposal fees and water rates have led to pushback amid growing concern over rising living costs. Under new fee schedules set to take effect July 1, the start of fiscal year 2026-27, San Jose’s garbage disposal service fee...
Advocates worry San Jose will fast track data centers
San Jose is pushing ahead to create standards for data centers amid community angst around health and environmental impacts — though advocates said it’s too soon to tell whether these standards will protect residents or fast track approvals. At the Rules and Open Government Committee meeting Wednesday, Councilmembers David Cohen, Rosemary Kamei, Bien Doan, Domingo Candelas and Vice...