Unmasked protesters opposing San Jose’s proof of COVID-19 vaccination mandate for large events at city-owned facilities forced the suspension of council proceedings for nearly an hour. More than 100 people—many unmasked and carrying signs with anti-vaccination messages—interrupted the City Council’s opening invocation on Tuesday, given by a Buddhist monk. A city official told San José Spotlight...
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Facing displacement by Google, San Jose businesses seek financial help
As Google begins the early stages of development for its 80-acre campus in downtown San Jose, businesses in the tech giant’s footprint face an uncertain future. More than a dozen small businesses that operated for years in the area have little choice but to move—or shut down. “We don’t have a plan as far as where...
San Jose worker protests heat, wage theft at Burger King
A San Jose worker is blowing the whistle on Burger King for forcing employees to work in dangerously hot conditions and denying them rest breaks. On Friday, Rosa Vargas protested in front of a Burger King on Almaden Road for allegedly failing to protect her and other employees from excessive heat and wage theft. Vargas,...
San Jose breaks ground on affordable housing for seniors
Homeless seniors will have another place to live in San Jose next year—on the site of a historic market. Local elected officials and nonprofit leaders gathered Monday on the site of the former Dick’s Supermarket north of Japantown for the groundbreaking of Villas at Fourth Street, a 93-unit affordable housing project for chronically homeless seniors...
Former San Jose reporter calls out DA for alleged victim’s rights violation
Paul Gackle barely survived being stabbed 14 times in his home. Four years later, he’s broke and suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, but is determined to not be victimized again. Earlier this month, an advocate launched a petition for Gackle calling on the California Victims Compensation Board to pay him for wages lost following a horrifying...
Churches could be San Jose’s next affordable housing sites
A house of worship could be the next refuge for people looking for a permanent home. San Jose and local faith leaders are proposing a change to the city’s affordable housing plans that would allow developers to build at gathering places such as churches, private clubs, lodges and theaters, bypassing the city’s often lengthy permit...
San Jose consultant uses private email, causes confusion
San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo’s use of private email to skirt public records law is raising questions about how his office handles resident complaints. A new thread of emails, obtained by San José Spotlight, shows an ex-employee of the mayor’s office—now a consultant—using a Gmail account to handle complaints made by the resident. The mayor...
San Jose students rely on campus pantry as food insecurity grows
As students return to San Jose State University, many are relying on the campus food pantry for groceries. Vinay Guda, a computer software engineering masters student, said he and his roommates shop at the food pantry every week to get essential groceries such as eggs, milk and vegetables. “We use it all the time,” Guda...
COVID strikes Santa Clara County Assessor’s Office weeks after workers return
Two employees at the Santa Clara County Assessor’s Office recently tested positive for COVID-19, causing some workers to question whether they went back to work too soon. Employees who requested anonymity out of fear of retaliation told San José Spotlight the office was notified of a positive infection on Aug. 13, less than one month after...
Largest San Jose school district skips streaming meetings
The largest school district in San Jose does not broadcast its board meetings, potentially excluding voices from disadvantaged families who can’t attend in person. The San Jose Unified School District has not provided a live broadcast of its board meetings since May—despite the pandemic—when its board returned to in-person sessions. The only way residents can voice...