As part of an effort to expand broadband access across the city, San Jose lawmakers on Tuesday unanimously approved an update to a plan that will provide every student with digital tools and connectivity. Already struggling to close the digital divide, city leaders worry the coronavirus pandemic will exacerbate inequity among students at a time...
Amid COVID-19, San Jose cannabis company expands deliveries with Teslas
While the coronavirus crisis has financially devastated many small businesses, some San Jose cannabis shops are seeing green — despite ongoing restrictions under the county’s health order. Airfield Supply Co., a 10-year-old cannabis dispensary tucked in south San Jose, reports a massive 400 percent increase in marijuana deliveries since the pandemic began. The company saw...
Newsom eases restrictions on retail, but Santa Clara County order remains
Gov. Gavin Newsom unveiled steps Monday to modify California’s stay-at-home order allowing some retailers to reopen under certain restrictions, but Santa Clara County businesses will likely stay shuttered until the county’s public health officer revises her order to match the state’s direction. During his briefing, Newsom announced retail clothing, florists, bookstores, sporting goods and music stores...
San Jose businesses, officials worry about prolonged closures
Oanh Turkenkopf and his wife closed their coffee and sandwich shop in San Jose three days before Santa Clara County issued its shelter-in-place order. At 65 and 68 years old, the couple weren’t taking any chances of getting the novel coronavirus. Three weeks later, with the closure eating into their savings and neighbors asking when...
Survival and ruin: Economic experts discuss Silicon Valley’s outlook
If Rip Van Winkle fell asleep after the State of the Valley conference February 14, Joint Venture Silicon Valley CEO Russell Hancock thinks he would be shocked at how the economic outlook flipped 180 degrees in just two months. Hancock sat down Thursday with Santa Clara County Assessor Larry Stone and Silicon Valley Central Chamber of...
Essential workers in Silicon Valley say they feel ‘forgotten’
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced the country to close many businesses, transforming how most people live their lives. But for the workers providing essential services, staying home is not an option. While many Americans have transitioned to working from home, millions out on the front lines continue to show up to work every day, often relying on...
Bay Area may lag behind state’s plan to lift stay-home restrictions
Californians are “weeks, not months” away from seeing some loosening of the state’s stay at home order and schools could bring kids back later this summer, Gov. Gavin Newsom and California health officials said Tuesday. Certain retailers, including those that can offer curbside pickup, manufacturers, offices where working from home isn’t possible and some public...
Views from above: Coronavirus has a dramatic effect on the Bay Area
The shelter-in-place order issued by regional health officials March 17 aimed to decrease the spread of coronavirus, but it has also dramatically affected the look of the Bay Area. The South Bay is no exception. With traffic coming to a halt, air quality and visibility has greatly improved. Nitrogen dioxide, a key pollutant, dropped by...
South Bay cities brace for budget cuts, layoffs after coronavirus
Governments across the country are bracing for furloughs, layoffs and service cuts in response to revenue shortfalls dealt by the COVID-19 pandemic, and experts and city officials expect the damages will be felt for some time. Findings from a National League of Cities and the United Conference of Mayors survey published this month reveal that...
‘Every single window was smashed:’ Asian-owned San Jose businesses targeted
San Jose Police identified Tai Van Trinh as the suspect responsible for vandalizing multiple businesses in San Jose and Milpitas on April 22. Trinh, who hasn’t been caught, allegedly smashed the glass door and windows of at least five businesses Asian-owned businesses in San Jose, including Tastea, Lee’s Sandwiches and Seven Leaves Cafe, in the...