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VTA pays more for parts on its light rail vehicles than any other transit agency in the country, but the agency’s problems in this area appear to run deeper. VTA officials blame the high price tag on a variety of issues, including difficulties locating parts, supply chain problems exacerbated by COVID-19 and contracts that lapsed...
Santa Clara County expands detox beds to tackle drug crisis
Santa Clara County has unveiled a three-step strategy to change how county officials and medical providers connect people to treatment for substance use disorders. County Supervisor Susan Ellenberg on Tuesday announced that up to 15 beds will be opened for people in detoxification centers, to serve another 700 people each year. No new detox centers were...
San Jose officials say crime is up, advocates say data is misleading
San Jose officials say early jail release policies have led to a spike in crime — and they’re searching for solutions. Violent crimes, including rape, robbery, homicide and aggravated assault, went up 10.4% from 2020 to 2021, according to San Jose Police Department data – and 2022 may be on track to beat it. Mayor...
San Jose mayor rallies for more state homeless funding
A coalition of California mayors is calling on the state to continue funding a grant for homelessness services to address what they call the state’s biggest crisis. San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo, joined by eight other mayors from the California Big City Mayors coalition, urged Gov. Gavin Newsom Monday to expand a program that helps local...
Santa Clara County makes historic fire chief appointment
Santa Clara County Fire Department is celebrating the hiring of its first woman fire chief this month. Suwanna Kerdkaew, formerly the department’s Deputy Chief of Administration, was appointed last week by the county Board of Supervisors. She replaces former chief Tony Bowden, who has retired after being on injury leave. The 20-year fire department veteran began...
Election 2022: The race for Santa Clara County assessor
Santa Clara County’s longtime assessor is squaring off with a younger opponent who wants to shake up the office. Incumbent Larry Stone has been assessor of Santa Clara County for 27 years and he is seeking a seventh term to take him into his third decade in office. The assessor’s office determines the value of property...
Santa Clara County faces silver tsunami of homelessness
Struggling to make a living and plagued by abusive relationships, San Jose native Brenda Nichols fell into alcoholism and homelessness where she spent the last 10 years fighting for a way out. In 2019, she finally qualified for housing and was ready to turn her life around. But years of drinking and living on the...
A tale of two East San Jose council candidates
The local Democratic party condemned one San Jose City Council candidate for his alleged past, but has completely ignored the criminal history of another candidate. Over the last few weeks, three local Democratic clubs in the South Bay denounced District 5 candidate and San Jose Planning Commission chair Rolando Bonilla because 20-year old allegations of domestic abuse. But...
San Jose union objects to VTA work culture consultant
VTA is postponing voting on a contract for a work culture consultant following a furious outburst from the head of the agency’s largest union. The VTA board of directors unanimously agreed Friday to defer approving a $1.9 million two-year contract with Deloitte Consulting to aid with transforming the agency’s work culture. The board made the decision...
Election 2022: The race for San Jose mayor
Six candidates are competing to become mayor of San Jose—a coveted political position in Silicon Valley that comes with a host of complex problems. Mayor Sam Liccardo, who was elected in 2014, terms out at the end of the year, and a gaggle of councilmembers and political unknowns are fighting to replace him and lead the...