San Jose leaders say stores selling tobacco, liquor and other illicit products are over concentrated on the east side of the city — and they are looking to temporarily ban new ones. Councilmembers Peter Ortiz, Domingo Candelas, Pamela Campos, George Casey and David Cohen introduced a proposal Wednesday to pause new smoke shops from opening in...
San Jose Latino businesses say ICE reports scaring customers
Immigrant-owned businesses in East San Jose have suffered huge losses in revenue and foot traffic since reports of federal ICE officers went viral earlier this year. Fear swept through the undocumented immigrant community in San Jose after the Target store on Story Road became the location of an isolated Immigration and Customs Enforcement operation in January. While...
Affordable housing to replace East San Jose abandoned building
A vacant building in East San Jose will be replaced with hundreds of affordable homes. A 100% affordable housing complex was approved at 2940 Alum Rock Ave. across from James Lick High School March 12 at Planning Director hearing. The 50,900-square-foot development would construct 400 homes and demolish two vacant buildings to make way for...
East San Jose community aims to restore youth center
An East San Jose collective has stepped in to save the Mexican American Community Services Agency youth center from demolition. The effort to repurpose the building is lead by the School of Arts and Culture and SOMOS Mayfair, representing the Si Se Puede Collective. At an Alum Rock Union School District board meeting Thursday night,...
East San Jose students stage walkout over immigration raids
East San Jose high school students and immigration advocates are protesting recent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids in San Jose. Hundreds of students from William C. Overfelt High School in East San Jose participated in a walkout Tuesday and marched to the intersection of Story and King roads, where residents reported seeing ICE agents Sunday....
East San Jose mural honors Vietnamese community
A new Vietnamese mural brings East San Jose residents agency. The mural’s three panels — which depict Vietnamese people fleeing their homeland, a woman in cultural dress and the beauty of Vietnam — is a first for the East San Jose Asian American community. The artwork evokes the history of the Vietnamese American community in...
San Jose roller rink ends its run at Eastridge Center
Roller skaters are about to take their last turn around the Aloha Roller Rink in Eastridge Center, with the location closing next month after six years. Aloha Fun Center owner Liz Ruiz said the San Jose roller rink had an incredible run at the mall after what was supposed to be just a short stint...
Santa Clara County aims to restore East San Jose hospital services
Santa Clara County officials have finalized their $150 million purchase of Regional Medical Center from private corporation HCA Healthcare, which depleted the hospital’s services over the years. But the hard work to make it whole again is just beginning. County officials are racing against the clock to restore the gutted trauma care services by April...
State bill would protect Silicon Valley students from deportation
California lawmakers want to protect students and their families from deportation amid threats from the incoming federal administration. State Superintendent Tony Thurmond is sponsoring a bill from state Sen. Lena Gonzalez to protect immigrant families from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. If approved, Senate Bill 48 will establish a one-mile radius safe zone...
East San Jose business district gets grant to beautify area
Alum Rock business advocates are getting a $100,000 grant to not just beautify the neighborhood, but also solidify the East San Jose district’s cultural identity. Councilmember Peter Ortiz said he secured the grant during the city’s recent budgeting process to support the efforts of the Alum Rock Santa Clara Street Business Association — an organization...