Paleta Planeta would not exist without the parents of Mauricio, Luis and Gabriel Salazar, who allowed their three sons to turn the family’s San Jose home into their first Mexican popsicle factory. “It is very Silicon Valley to start a company out of a garage,” Luis told San José Spotlight. “We just constantly made batches...
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San Jose nonprofit raised funds with suspended tax-exempt status
The San Jose Vietnamese Running Club breaks a sweat to raise money for underserved children in Vietnam. But its overseas mission has become targeted by local anti-communist campaigns — and the club may have raised money illegally. State records show the California Franchise Tax Board suspended the running club, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, in 2021....
San Jose police program in the spotlight after officer death
Police officers across Silicon Valley are mourning San Jose’s first community service officer killed in the line of duty — a gesture to how integral these officers have become in a city that struggles to fill its police ranks. Long Pham, a community service officer with the San Jose Police Department since 2022, was killed...
San Jose leaders sign off on East Side improvement plan
San Jose is moving forward with establishing its sixth business improvement district, giving East Side leaders hope for a thriving economic sector and community going into 2025. The San Jose City Council on Tuesday unanimously voted in favor of starting the Tully Road Eastridge Business Improvement District, a partnership between business owners and the city...
UPDATE: San Jose approves tax breaks to fill empty office space
San Jose city leaders want to entice new businesses into filling empty office space in Downtown San Jose with perks that can save them money. The City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to approve a policy for any new business looking for a minimum of 2,500 square feet to be exempt from paying city business taxes...
San Jose landmark status saves church from demolition
An 83-year-old church in downtown San Jose has been granted historic landmark status after years of fighting invasive development proposals that could have demolished the house of worship. Grace Baptist Church at 484 E. San Fernando St. has been designated a historic landmark for its architectural and cultural value. The San Jose City Council’s decision...
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UPDATE: San Jose officials question who controls Vietnamese garden
San Jose officials are reckoning with a political fight over a park important to the city’s older Vietnamese community. The issue reached a handful of councilmembers at Wednesday’s Rules and Open Government Committee, which voted unanimously with brief discussion for a clear explanation as to how the parks department manages access to the Vietnamese Heritage...
New East San Jose superintendent to deal with school closures
A struggling East San Jose school district plans to close multiple campuses as it brings on a new superintendent to help guide officials through the difficult process. Due to a projected $20.8 million budget shortfall, along with declining enrollment, Alum Rock Union School District will have to close up to nine of its 21 schools....
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State lawmakers raise access concern over San Jose Vietnamese garden
State lawmakers are calling out San Jose officials for changing the locks and community event access to a Vietnamese cultural garden that’s opened a political rift in Little Saigon. A Tuesday letter from San Jose’s elected representatives in Sacramento questions who’s really in control of the city’s parks. It comes after District 7 Councilmember Bien Doan’s...
East San Jose businesses to launch growth plan
East San Jose businesses are partnering with the city to launch a plan to drive more shoppers into the Tully Eastridge neighborhoods and breathe new life into its diverse economy. The business owners want to create a business improvement district as a way to draw more foot traffic to the area for upcoming events such as farmers markets...