A local economist startled by the staggering disparities pushing African Americans to the margins in Santa Clara County is launching a video and podcast project hoping to bring more attention to the issue. Chuck Cantrell’s “Dying to Stay Here” video was formally released at CreaTV studios in San Jose earlier this month. The roughly nine-minute...
Private management of San Jose park sparks concerns
Two businessmen are working to take over management of one of San Jose’s most beloved parks—but concerns are mounting behind the scenes about how the pair will wrangle power over a popular public space. Dan Pulcrano—owner of the Weeklys media group which publishes a dozen newspapers including Metro Silicon Valley—has partnered with PR guru Dan...
Watch: The future of growth and development in Cupertino
In its first live community engagement event in Cupertino, San José Spotlight hosted a robust policy discussion around development in the city—including the outlook for commercial, retail and housing growth. The panel, held this month in partnership with the city, featured Community Development Director Benjamin Fu and Economic Development Manager Daniel Degu, as well as...
San Jose renters want better security, language access
Dozens of tenants from two affordable housing complexes in San Jose are calling on their corporate landlord to do more after repeated car break-ins and receiving written notices they don’t understand. Residents from the Bella Castello and Corde Terra Senior tenants associations protested Friday in front of ROEM Corporation’s offices in Santa Clara, calling for...
San Jose scores millions to improve its most dangerous roads
San Jose is getting millions in federal dollars to make some of the city’s most dangerous roads safer. San Jose will use $12.9 million from the Safe Streets and Roads for All grant program to add safety features to four transit corridors. City officials and safety advocates announced the award and detailed the safety changes...
San Jose Flea Market vendors get two-year reprieve
San Jose Berryessa Flea Market vendors have been guaranteed another two years to stay open, thanks to an early morning deal struck between San Jose and the landowners. San Jose Councilmember David Cohen reached an agreement on Friday with the Bumb family to guarantee the flea market can stay open until at least January 2026....
Santa Clara County supervisor runs for congressional seat
Joe Simitian, a South Bay and Peninsula political stalwart, is running to succeed Anna Eshoo in Congress. Simitian, 70, is in his second stint as a Santa Clara County supervisor. He has long had his eye on a run for a seat in the House of Representatives, but declined to compete against Eshoo, who he...
San José Spotlight places first in regional journalism awards
San José Spotlight won three 1st place awards from the Greater Bay Area Journalism Awards, an annual contest put on by the San Francisco Press Club. The competition highlights the best print, digital and broadcast news reporting and media in the region. This news organization took part in the digital media category. San José Spotlight...
San Jose Chamber of Commerce names new CEO
The San Jose Chamber of Commerce has selected Leah Toeniskoetter as its new president and CEO, the organization announced today. Toeniskoetter is the founding director of public policy think tank SPUR San Jose, as well as a senior manager at Deloitte and daughter of prolific developer Chuck Toeniskoetter. She is the third CEO for the...
Santa Clara County officials approve phone line for TRUST
The greatest challenge for someone experiencing a mental health crisis is finding immediate access to care that doesn’t involve the police. A Santa Clara County program offers this option, but it’s difficult to reach. The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously voted to create a direct phone line to reach the Trusted Response...