Santa Clara’s $400 million infrastructure bond looks to be passing, giving the city a much needed cash infusion to tackle infrastructure repairs. As of 5 p.m. on Monday, Santa Clara’s Measure I had 69.1% approval, squeaking past the 66.7% needed to pass. The 30-year bond will levy $19 per $100,000 of assessed property value. Officials...
San Jose council will fill Omar Torres’ seat with special election
Disgraced San Jose Councilmember Omar Torres’ replacement will be decided in a special election. The San Jose City Council’s 8-2 vote on Tuesday was met with applause. Councilmembers Sergio Jimenez and David Cohen voted against the special election, arguing they’re more costly and tend to yield lower voter turnout which favors wealthier candidates. But a...
San Jose addiction counselor’s family struggles inspired her work
Mary Crocker Cook turned her addiction into empowering others, bringing dignity and purpose to people who’ve experienced alcohol or drug addiction. As the daughter of a military father, Crocker Cook’s family moved frequently. Stability was hard to come by and disruption was constant. It was tough for the family, including her mother, who turned to...
West Valley cities want to ban gas appliances amid legal ruling
Leaders across the West Valley are pushing for a greener future in one of the country’s most polluted areas, but it could be more challenging after a controversial ruling on the use of gas. Campbell and Los Gatos recently explored ways to limit nitrogen oxide emissions caused by gas. The Campbell City Council unanimously approved a...
Sunnyvale to scout sites for safe parking program
Sunnyvale leaders want to lower the anxiety levels of residents living in their vehicles through a widely supported solution: giving them a safe place to park. The Sunnyvale City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved a policy to allow safe vehicle parking sites in the city, with Councilmembers Alysa Cisneros and Omar Din absent. Safe parking...
Silicon Valley transit agency funds community growth near train stations
VTA wants to increase its presence, and ridership numbers, by pumping dollars into community groups near its light rail stations. To kick off the effort, VTA officials have started a transit-oriented community grant giving program to help retain nearby small businesses and uplift residents. The public transit agency has given more than $400,000 to various...
LGBTQ+ families anxious about Cupertino school election
As one Cupertino Union School District candidate inches toward a win, alarm bells are sounding among LGBTQ+ advocates worried about his stance on inclusive curriculum. Parent Long Jiao’s apparent second-place finish for one of the two open seats on the five-person school board has families worried about what it could mean for queer students and...
Santa Clara County launches TRUST direct crisis hotline
After some trial and error, Santa Clara County just made it easier to request a non-police response for someone in mental health crisis. Officials have rolled out a direct, 24/7 hotline to reach the Trusted Response Urgent Support Team (TRUST), a mental health crisis team that sends out vans across the county to de-escalate emergencies...
San Jose mobile home park residents face illegal rent increases
Illegal rent increases at a mobile home park just outside the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds have San Jose housing department staff turning to the city attorney for help. A Nov. 7 report by Housing Director Erik L. Soliván alleges the owners of Western Trailer Park, Stockton-based Harmony Communities, told residents earlier this year rent would go up...
Silicon Valley voters pass multiple school funding measures
Several Santa Clara County school districts will receive more revenue thanks to resounding voter approval of bond measures and parcel taxes. Four bond measures and two parcel tax proposals are anticipated to provide millions of dollars to repair old buildings, build affordable workforce housing and expand student programs. The measures are all slated to pass,...