A prominent Vietnamese American businessman is suing San Jose Councilmember Bien Doan for defamation after the two sparred in court last year — painting an alleged connection between San Jose and a federal bribery scandal in Oakland. The Feb. 3 lawsuit by Le Bail Bonds owner Hai Huynh says Doan wrongly described him as a...
San Jose advances plans for downtown music pavilion
San Jose’s historic St. James Park is one step closer to joining a national nonprofit’s network of outdoor music venues fashioned from neglected public spaces. The City Council unanimously authorized negotiations Tuesday for a three-party operating agreement for the future downtown concert venue between the city, the national Levitt Foundation and Friends of Levitt Pavilion San Jose,...
San Jose council appointment helps mayor’s agenda
The mayor of the Bay Area’s largest city may have scored a limited window to push through his agenda with the temporary appointment of District 3 Councilmember Carl Salas. Salas — San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan’s pick during last month’s appointment process — potentially secures the business-backed mayor a six-vote majority amid the City Council’s...
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....
San Jose council appoints temporary downtown representative
San Jose officials have chosen a temporary downtown representative while voters wait to pick a permanent replacement in a special election later this year. The City Council voted Tuesday to appoint Carl Eugene Salas, founder of engineering and technical services firm Salas O’Brien, to temporarily fill the empty District 3 seat starting Feb. 4. Salas...
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...
Short-term San Jose council appointment down to 5 candidates
San Jose officials have narrowed down the list of candidates to temporarily fill the vacant downtown seat on the City Council from 11 to five. Councilmembers will interview Bob Staedler, Jahmal Williams, Danielle Marie Christian, Carl Eugene Salas and Baltazar Lopez on Jan. 28 before appointing one of them to fill the District 3 seat....
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...
Short-lived downtown San Jose eatery, music venue closes
Mama Kin, known for its live music and good eats, is closing after about two years in downtown San Jose. The restaurant, which offered Cajun appetizers and entrees along with craft cocktails named for dead rock and jazz stars, announced the closure in an Instagram post on Monday. The post garnered more than 2,000 likes and...