Alcario Castellano, the grocery-clerk-turned-lottery-winner who used his fortune to reignite Silicon Valley’s communities of color, died Saturday at his home in Saratoga. He was 90. What began as a $141 million California Lottery jackpot in 2001 became, in time, a modern parable. A wave of excitement that fateful day between Castellano and his wife, Carmen,...
Here are the top two contenders in San Jose’s special election
Two candidates are headed to a June runoff election to decide who will represent downtown District 3 on the San Jose City Council — and Mayor Matt Mahan’s pick has been shut out. Santa Clara County elections officials certified results from the April 8 special election this afternoon, with Latina Coalition of Silicon Valley Executive...
Anthony Tordillos poised for runoff in San Jose special election
San Jose Planning Commission Chair Anthony Tordillos says he’s won second place in the District 3 City Council special election and will head to the June 24 runoff. A one-day recount Thursday appears to have affirmed Tordillos’ six-vote lead for second place over Matthew Quevedo, deputy chief of staff for Mayor Matt Mahan. Official election...
Report: San Jose festival was behind-the-scenes nightmare
San Jose’s Vietnamese Catholic Lunar New Year festival appeared to be all smiles this year. But a recently-obtained report alleges verbal abuse, property damage, safety concerns and political weight-throwing caused misery behind the scenes. The report — submitted by History San Jose to multiple City Hall officials in February — was kept hush for months...
UPDATE: San Jose District 3 special election recount is done
San Jose’s political balance rests in the hands of Santa Clara County election workers who finished recounting votes today in the special race for the District 3 City Council seat. As political strategists and observers looked on, election workers across six tables meticulously sorted and verified ballots at the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters office...
San Jose arts sector offers sizable economic boost
Downtown San Jose is a hub for cultural events — and with a menu of festivals on tap through spring and summer, local businesses should be able to capture some of the revenue stream. Cultural events such as Cinco de Mayo, San Jose Fountain Blues & Brews Festival, San Jose Jazz Summer Fest and South...
San Jose Christmas event nets new contract but still needs funding
As city leaders decide to keep a popular San Jose holiday event downtown under the same management through 2027, organizers say funding remains challenging. The San Jose City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to sign a three-year deal with Christmas In The Park Inc. to continue running the 35-day event in Plaza de Cesar Chavez —...
San Jose Chicano community fights opposition to mural in park
Tempers flared at a recent community meeting when Latino residents in San Jose’s northside neighborhood advocated for design approval of a Chicano-themed mural. Critics of the proposed mural at Backesto Park, including the members of the 13th Street Neighborhood Advisory Committee, turned out Wednesday evening for a meeting arranged by City Hall officials, hosted by...
San Jose Downtown Farmers’ Market returns
The San Jose Downtown Farmers’ Market is returning after a three-year hiatus, with vendors planning to sell fresh corn, tomatoes, citrus fruit and more delights on Wednesdays near the Hammer Theatre. Paolo Obillo, manager and site operator of the Regional Farmers’ Market Association, said the original Downtown Farmers’ Market was put on pause in 2022...
San Jose Downtown Association CEO departs
The dynamic leader of a nonprofit focused on revitalizing downtown San Jose has stepped down. After three years at the helm of the San Jose Downtown Association, CEO Alex Stettinski has left “to pursue his next professional chapter,” according to the organization. The association represents more than 2,000 businesses, nonprofits and property owners. It aids...