Milpitas Mayor Carmen Montano is leading the 2024 race by just three points over her closest opponent Councilmember Hon Lien. Montano was first elected Milpitas mayor in 2022 after serving as vice mayor — making her the first woman mayor in the city’s history. With Milpitas mayors serving two years per term, the 2024 campaign...
Milpitas police investigating defaced election signs as hate crime
Two Asian-American candidates in Milpitas have become targets of hate crimes and have had their political signs defaced. Milpitas City Council candidate Bill Chuan and Councilmember Hon Lien, who is running for the mayoral seat, had their campaign banners defaced with anti-Asian language. “NO ASIANS” was spray-painted over Chuan’s banner on Barber Lane. Alongside it, “NO...
Silicon Valley nonprofit opens first store inside jail
Goodwill has opened a new store in the most unexpected location — and for the employees it could be a life-changing experience. Goodwill of Silicon Valley launched its first-ever store at the Elmwood Correctional Facility in Milpitas last week, providing incarcerated women hands-on training in using a cash register and how to select and sort...
Milpitas seeks protective order against former city manager
Milpitas is seeking an order against its former city manager to stop him from leaking information prior to a trial, the latest saga in an ongoing legal battle. Last December, ousted City Manager Steve McHarris filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against Milpitas, accusing city officials of intimidation and unethical behavior — including Mayor Carmen Montano. The city denied wrongdoing and hired...
Suspected overdose deaths add up at Milpitas apartments
People with drug and alcohol problems have for years found refuge at a long-term homeless housing program known as Hillview Court in Milpitas. But for an alarming number of them, the promise of stability and support has led to death. Residents have rung warning bells for more than a year about frequent fatal overdoses where...
Familiar face withdraws from Milpitas mayor’s race
Long-time Milpitas politico Rich Tran is bowing out of his run for mayor, citing schedule conflicts as he works on launching a tech startup. He joined the race late last year after waiting to run again, since mayors can only serve six consecutive years and officials who serve their maximum term limits must wait two...
Milpitas mayor celebrates city’s 70 years of growth
This year marks the 70th anniversary of Milpitas’ incorporation, and Mayor Carmen Montano celebrated its history and future in her State of the City speech. Her message focused on the city’s history of agriculture and industry, as well as recent investments in affordable housing, public safety, transportation and economic development. Montano said looking at the...
Milpitas police launch transparency website
Milpitas residents can review police data on crimes and other incidents with the launch of a new digital dashboard. The city’s police information dashboard came online Friday. It houses crime data, the department’s annual reports and officer misconduct information. Residents can also use the website to learn more about the department’s policies and demographics. “I...
Milpitas launches rent relief program for local workers
Some Milpitas residents are about to get a break on rent, as the city pushes to address the affordability crisis. Milpitas’ workforce rent relief program will give up to 50 households $645 a month to help supplement rent for up to two years, prioritizing low-income residents who live and work in the city. The program,...
The Biz Beat: Jun Bistro in Milpitas offers natural fusion of Chinese cuisine
The recently opened Jun Bistro in Milpitas has its improbable origins in co-owner Amy Duan’s “Chihuo” — slang for “foodie” in Mandarin — a Chinese-language food blog that currently boasts more than 1.8 million followers and a full-time staff. “I didn’t realize it at the time,” she told San José Spotlight, “but I was using...