In less than a handful of years, a concept to spread Mexican culture and its traditions by way of a San Jose cafe has blossomed into an ever-growing franchise of stores, with Gilroy among the latest cities to embrace the model in its historic downtown. Con Azucar Cafe co-owners Alejandra Gonzalez, her husband Uriel Soto...
State budget revisions save Santa Clara County from deeper cuts
Santa Clara County officials are exhaling as the state spending plan for fiscal year 2026-27 pares back steep cuts initially proposed by Gov. Gavin Newsom. The state budget signed Monday includes $900 million for homeless services, nearly double what Newsom had initially suggested. The budget also keeps funding intact for in-home care and mobile mental health crisis...
Downtown San Jose scores big with World Cup
Levi’s Stadium may have hosted its final FIFA World Cup match Wednesday, but the tournament’s economic impact is still playing out in downtown San Jose, where thousands of soccer fans continue gathering for watch parties that are bringing business to bars, restaurants and street vendors. As fans streamed into San Pedro Square ahead of the...
Water, garbage, sewage rates going up in Sunnyvale
Keeping water flowing, sewage systems operating and garbage collected will cost Sunnyvale residents more in the coming year, as city officials work to keep pace with aging infrastructure and rising operating expenses. The Sunnyvale City Council unanimously voted to increase water rates by 7.5%, sewage rates by 7% and garbage and recycling rates by 3% for...
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...
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...