A multimillion-dollar work backlog in San Jose is leaving empty spaces where playground equipment used to be, basketball courts eroded and turf riddled with holes from squirrels and gophers. San Jose’s parks department has a more than $554 million infrastructure backlog, according to a 2024 city status report — with many East Side parks in disrepair. Most of...
East San Jose trauma center closure could break county hospital system
The closure of East San Jose’s only trauma center puts the entire Santa Clara County public hospital system in jeopardy and threatens the survival of east side residents suffering a heart attack, stroke or other catastrophic medical event. That was the unequivocal warning from county doctors at an emergency hearing on Wednesday. The hearing before...
Fearing for safety, San Jose official gets restraining order
San Jose Councilmember Bien Doan has installed metal gates and security cameras at his house, and looks over his shoulder when he leaves city meetings at night — worried one man may get too close. That’s according to a March 14 restraining order the District 7 official has filed against prominent Vietnamese leader Hai Quang Huynh, known for his...
East San Jose school district money problems may prompt takeover
An East San Jose school district is facing a dire financial deficit and could be taken over by the county’s top education office. The Santa Clara County Office of Education is reviewing Alum Rock Union School District’s second interim financial report for the 2023-24 school year approved by district leaders on March 14, as well...
East San Jose school board selects interim leader after ousting predecessor
An East San Jose school board has appointed an interim leader on the heels of its sudden firing of the superintendent. The Alum Rock Union School District board of trustees unanimously appointed Imee Almazan, director of student services, as interim superintendent effective March 26. Trustee Minh Pham said Almazan is serving in an interim capacity...
East San Jose schools in jeopardy of shuttering
East San Jose residents rejoiced Thursday night when a neighborhood middle school received a reprieve from an expected closure. But that celebration will be short lived as the school district anticipates putting more campuses on the chopping block. The Alum Rock Union School District board of trustees unanimously voted to postpone closing the middle school...
East San Jose school superintendent abruptly fired
The Alum Rock Union School District board voted to fire longtime Superintendent Hilaria Bauer after returning from closed session. The board voted 3-2 to end her contact on Thursday night, with Trustees Linda Chavez, Minh Pham and Andres Quintero voting in favor and Corina Herrera-Loera and Andrea Flores Shelton opposing it. Bauer’s last day is...
East San Jose to get long overdue light rail extension
South Bay transit leaders have approved a major contract to get construction underway on a long-planned light rail extension project in East San Jose. The VTA board of directors on Thursday unanimously approved awarding a $437 million construction contract to a joint venture of two companies to build the Eastridge to BART Regional Connector. The...
East San Jose needs more voting centers, leaders say
East San Jose leaders say their neighborhoods face a shortage of voting locations for the March 5 primary election — a problem worsened by language and transportation barriers. There are almost twice as many places to cast your vote in San Jose’s Council District 5, which has no local race, than in District 8 where...
East San Jose light rail extension faces critical vote
A critical light rail extension project more than two decades in the making is set to begin major construction by April, if transit leaders give it a final OK. The Eastridge to BART Regional Connector, held up as a significant piece in addressing longstanding transit inequities in the area, is desperately needed, the transit agency...