Each year, the lines are long at Sacred Heart Community Service in San Jose, as people and cars queue up for nutritious boxed holiday meals. From Monday to Wednesday, the nonprofit distributed approximately 3,500 free boxes of food. Each box, valued at $150, included a chicken, ham or turkey and all the fixings for the...
Nonprofit wants to convert Milpitas office complex into housing
Milpitas needs to increase its affordable housing, and one nonprofit may be able to assist with its plans by redeveloping some of its commercial space. The Milpitas City Council on Nov. 14 heard early plans to convert the Sobrato Centers for Nonprofits location in the city into a 244-home community with 140 affordable apartments. The...
‘It’s time, Anna’: Silicon Valley Congresswoman Eshoo reflects on retiring
Congresswoman Anna Eshoo had it all planned out. She had lined up endorsements, secured donations and volunteers. The 80-year-old Democratic lawmaker was about to launch a reelection campaign for her 16th district congressional seat. But a voice in her head stopped her. “Most people don’t think we spend any kind of time thinking about whether...
Santa Clara County education office earns an ‘F’, unions say
When it comes to the Santa Clara County Office of Education’s performance, parents, teachers and residents are giving it a failing grade. County education officials received all Fs on a report card drafted by the Association of County Educators and SEIU Local 521 earlier this month—and it’s meant to sound the alarm. This move stems...
Silicon Valley Congresswoman Anna Eshoo is retiring
For the first time in two decades, a Silicon Valley congressmember is set to retire and shake up the South Bay’s political landscape — with many local Democrats reportedly eyeing the seat. Multiple sources in Sacramento and Silicon Valley told San José Spotlight Monday night that Rep. Anna Eshoo plans to end her three-decade congressional...
San Jose to pay six figures after losing public records lawsuit
San Jose is preparing to pay half a million dollars to San José Spotlight and the First Amendment Coalition, two organizations that prevailed in a public records lawsuit over the city. The San Jose City Council on Nov. 28 will consider a $500,000 payout to the organizations to cover attorneys’ fees and costs accumulated over roughly 18...
San Jose mellows cannabis rules to help industry grow
San Jose officials are relaxing cannabis regulations and instead want to refocus efforts to end the black market industry. The San Jose City Council unanimously voted Tuesday to reduce fines on dispensaries that violate city policy. Councilmembers also expanded hours of operation from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. The move is aimed...
San Jose council candidate accused of mortgage fraud
A San Jose police officer running for a seat on the San Jose City Council is being sued for mortgage fraud, marking another chapter of legal trouble for the political hopeful. Tam Truong, a sergeant with the San Jose Police Department who’s worked in law enforcement for two decades, allegedly defrauded an employee of Orange...
‘Generous and warm’: Silicon Valley philanthropist dies
Michael E. Fox Sr., a longtime Silicon Valley philanthropist, has died. Fox, 87, died of respiratory complications while ill on Nov. 3, according to his oldest son, Michael Fox Jr. Fox Sr. founded M.E. Fox & Company in 1965 alongside his wife, Mary Ellen Fox, and grew it to become one of the county’s largest...
Silicon Valley leaders question nonprofit on alleged discrimination
Two Santa Clara County city councils aired grievances to HomeFirst officials following a range of concerns related to services and allegations of racial discrimination. The Sunnyvale City Council heard a presentation Tuesday from HomeFirst Chief Executive Officer Andrea Urton and Chief Program Officer Kelly Vazquez about the nonprofit’s city support services and broader metrics countywide....