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...
East San Jose school district cuts workers due to deficit
A school district in East San Jose is laying off employees as it faces a budget deficit and declining student enrollment. East Side Union High School District is giving pink slips to more than 80 workers, with layoffs taking effect at the beginning of the 2026-27 school year. The decision follows a vote by the...
East San Jose residents watch gas prices jump from Iran war
The ongoing Iran war is driving gas prices up across the U.S., including East San Jose — where residents and small business owners are carefully weighing where to fill up. Prices observed at local gas stations along Alum Rock Road ranged from as low as $4.09 per gallon up to $5.17 for regular unleaded fuel,...
East San Jose school district adds managers to layoffs
An East San Jose school district has turned to layoffs to reduce its budget shortfall, with the most recent cuts being management and administrative positions. The Alum Rock Union School District board of trustees unanimously voted Thursday to lay off classified management staff for the 2026-27 school year. The positions include chief of communications and...
East San Jose school district cuts dozens of jobs to plug deficit
An East San Jose school district is laying off employees on the heels of declining enrollment, a budget deficit and school closures. Earlier this month, the Alum Rock Union School District board agreed to pink slip numerous classified employees. It appears managers could be next at the upcoming board meeting Thursday. Affected employees will receive...
Aztec mural designed to protect San Jose firefighters
An East San Jose artist is invoking an Aztec deity to keep a new fire station and its firefighters safe from harm. Artist Jesse Hernandez has created two metal murals featuring Tlaloc, the Aztec rain god, displayed on the exterior of Fire Station 8, slated to open later this year. The new 5,500 square-foot, two-story...
East San Jose community development ready to break ground
East San Jose is about to see its multimillion-dollar dream project become reality. La Placita will transform a neglected 28,000-square-foot commercial building across from Mexican Heritage Plaza. The space will be rebuilt into a cultural community hub with a theater, cafe and family wellness center operated by Gardner Health Services. The School of Arts and...
Fed cuts force San Jose farm to reduce food aid
A federal program that brought fresh produce from farms directly to low-income families has ended, stripping local farmers of a significant revenue stream and leaving families with one less option. The Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program (LFPA) — a U.S. Department of Agriculture initiative started in 2021 during the pandemic — provided $1...
Study shows food insecurity highest in East San Jose
During the last 10 days of every month, Julia pulls together whatever scant meals she can with produce from food banks and canned items until her food benefits renew. The 28-year-old, who didn’t provide her last name for privacy reasons, receives about $600 a month in food stamps to feed herself and three children. She...
Beloved 40-year-old East San Jose restaurant to close
La Perla Taqueria in East San Jose has for decades pushed its tables together for family meals, birthdays and even baby showers. That will all end before January. Owner José Huitron has tried to reconcile his staggering overhead costs with the restaurant’s duty as a neighborhood mainstay. The crowds aren’t as big as they used...