San Joseans have a lot to say about their roads: It’s one of the most common complaints levied against the city. “There are lots of pockets in the city with bad roads that I just don’t feel safe biking,” said Bobby Gonzalez, a San Jose resident and avid cyclist. “Downtown’s roads are designed differently so...
VTA workers face fear, frustration in wake of San Jose shooting
Following the mass shooting at VTA’s light rail yard last week, some workers say they feel frightened, betrayed—and angry. And, they claim, their managers aren’t giving them time to grieve. “I am sick to my stomach,” one bus driver told San José Spotlight on condition of anonymity. “I go from crying to being angry, and just...
Santa Clara County Sheriff releases body cam footage from VTA shooting
The Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office released edited body camera footage Tuesday from last week’s mass shooting at a VTA light rail yard in San Jose. “We’ll never forget those innocent victims whose lives were taken by a crazed coward,” Sheriff Laurie Smith said Tuesday, adding that the investigation is still ongoing. The body cam footage...
Extra buses added after San Jose VTA shooting suspended
VTA sent out additional buses to help bridge gaps in light rail service following Wednesday’s mass shooting. But now that’s going away too. The transportation agency stopped light rail service after an employee opened fire at the agency’s rail yard near downtown San Jose, killing nine people and then himself. It’s unclear when service will resume. “Management...
Fathers, husbands and heroes: The nine men killed in San Jose’s VTA mass shooting
Nine men lost their lives in San Jose this week. One was a father who awoke before sunrise to drive a bus to have more time with his family. Another was days away from his 64th birthday and a much-anticipated trip to Hawaii with his wife. And another sprang into action to alert his fellow...
How you can help victims of San Jose’s VTA mass shooting
One local organization is collecting funds for victims of today’s mass shooting at a VTA light rail yard in downtown San Jose. Reports of a shooting during a union meeting at the Guadalupe Light Rail Yard at 100 West Younger Avenue came in around 6:30 a.m. Law enforcement confirmed nine people died, including the shooter...
Nine dead in San Jose VTA shooting; light rail service suspended
San Jose officials are reeling after a mass shooting Wednesday morning left nine people dead before the shooter — who was a VTA employee — turned the gun on himself. Light rail service was suspended at noon. “A horrible tragedy has happened today and our thoughts and love goes out to the VTA family, the...
UPDATE: San Jose transit agency selects its new leader
Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority has a new leader at its helm. After months of deliberation, the transit agency’s board has unanimously selected VTA veteran Carolyn Gonot to become its new CEO and general manager. The VTA Board of Directors approved an employment agreement with Gonot during a special meeting Friday. Gonot previously worked for...
San Jose car thefts on the rise, beating national trends
Vehicle thefts are up across San Jose—and you might be more vulnerable if you drive an older Honda. According to the city, vehicle thefts rose by 15% between 2019 and 2020. Preliminary data shows thefts recorded in January and February of this year outstripped thefts during the same time in 2020 by a whopping 49%,...
San Jose airport grapples with fewer passengers
While industries across Silicon Valley are slowly recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, the airline industry is having a tougher time. Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport saw a 53% drop in passengers in early April of this year compared to before the pandemic. Nearby San Francisco International Airport saw a 60% drop in passengers during the...