With the Signia by Hilton San Jose seemingly set to be put on the market, questions are swirling about the future of San Jose’s largest hotel — and what it will mean for downtown. BrightSpire Capital, the owner of the 541-room hotel at 170 S. Market St., signaled to investors in a recent sales call...
District 5 San Jose candidates speak on progressive priorities
Candidates in the District 5 San Jose City Council race laid out ambitious campaign policy platforms centered on reining in the city’s affordability crisis, as they took part in a Wednesday election forum. Over the course of an hour-long online event hosted by the Silicon Valley Council of Nonprofits and SV@Home Action Fund, the four...
East San Jose school district changes how its leaders are elected
An East San Jose elementary school district is changing how its leaders are elected, launching the first of several public hearings that could reshape its representation. The Alum Rock Union School District is shifting from at-large to trustee-area elections, which will change how the community votes for board members in the coming years. The present formula...
East San Jose school loses charter over lack of credentialed teachers
An East San Jose charter school serving immigrant students is fighting for survival. Escuela Popular, which operates under East Side Union High School District, is staring down a looming closure after the district revoked its charter due to its teachers not being fully credentialed. The school, which provides bilingual education as well as resources and services...
San Jose rolls out the welcome mat at Arena Green
For more than a year, a small army of city workers and volunteers — backed by both public and private funding — have been working to renovate Arena Green Park along the Guadalupe River. Now, with several major projects completed, San Jose leaders are trying to get the word out that this long-underused park is...
East San Jose school district audit investigation passes review
An investigation into the expenditures of an East San Jose school district has trustees exhaling — after holding their breath for months. The Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team (FCMAT) completed its audit of Alum Rock Union School District following a “comprehensive review” of all reimbursements to determine whether district funds have been used appropriately and...
UPDATE: San Jose prepares to strip public tributes to Cesar Chavez
San Jose leaders are advancing plans to start scrubbing late labor leader Cesar Chavez’s name from the city following recent allegations of abuse. The San Jose Rules and Open Government Committee on Wednesday unanimously approved moving forward with the early stages of taking Chavez’s name off city-owned sites, such as Plaza de Cesar Chavez in...
Silicon Valley social workers meet clients in secret due to ICE fears
As fears of federal agent encounters grow and immigrant families avoid leaving home, workers in Santa Clara County are finding creative ways to meet clients in safe spaces. That community effort has formed an underground support network where social workers who are SEIU 521 union members shift visits to odd hours of the night, connect...
San Jose labor leader’s legacy crushed by ‘painful’ allegations
The San Jose community is grappling with allegations that labor leader Cesar Chavez abused women and children. The claims hit close to home for Northern California’s largest city, which which was home to the late UFW co-founder and civil rights icon. Shocking allegations against Chavez claiming he abused young women and children have drawn condemnation...
Meet the candidates running for District 5 San Jose City Council
As the June primary approaches, the four contenders for District 5’s City Council seat are sharpening their political pitches to the voters of East San Jose. The district’s incumbent, Councilmember Peter Ortiz, is defending his seat against three challengers — local education leader Karen Martinez, broadcast journalist Vy Dang and Nora Campos, a former San...