Clarrissa Cabansagan began riding a bicycle at seven years old. Fast forward 30 years and not only is biking part of her daily life, she has also spent her adult years finding ways for bike transit to be safer across the Bay Area. It’s that same commitment she carries with her as she takes charge of...
Former San Jose mayor must explain how he complied with records law
A superior court judge is ordering former San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo to explain under penalty of perjury how he searched his private emails and texts for messages related to city business in response to a lawsuit from this news organization. In a ruling issued last week, Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Thomas Kuhnle said Liccardo must...
‘Cockroaches, mold, fraying carpets’: San Jose tenants protest living conditions
A group of San Jose tenants are organizing to call out their corporate landlord for poor conditions and spiked rents across several low-income apartment complexes. The KDF Tenants Association represents more than 1,000 residents from four different affordable complexes in San Jose, which are owned by Newport Beach-based KDF Communities. Tenants picketed outside Orchard Glen Apartments...
Santa Clara County expands mental health navigator program
One of Santa Clara County’s newest mental health programs is expanding due to high demand. The Santa Clara County Behavioral Health Navigator Program launched last July in San Jose and Gilroy, connecting residents to county-contracted mental health services. Part of the program’s plan has been to increase its field services. As demand increased, the Santa...
Urban farming development sprouts in Santa Clara
A first-of-its kind affordable housing development where residents can grow their own food is slated to begin welcoming tenants at the end of the month, sparking excitement among Santa Clara County community leaders. The development, Agrihood, offers 160 mixed-income apartments, 165 homes for low-income seniors and veterans and 36 townhomes on 5.8 acres. The property will...
Santa Clara County community college faces lawsuit from trustee
A South Bay college district board member is suing the district and his colleagues after they censured him for allegedly making racist remarks to an African American college president. Gilbert Wong, a board member of the Foothill-De Anza Community College District and former Cupertino councilmember, filed a complaint in Santa Clara County Superior Court Thursday....
San Jose leaders resist state bill targeting casinos
As a bill that could open card rooms up to new legal scrutiny makes its way through the state Legislature, San Jose officials aren’t willing to accept the hand they’ve been dealt. The city is strongly opposing Senate Bill 549, a measure that would allow tribes to sue card rooms over the games they offer....
Santa Clara County to open mental health residential facility
In less than a month, Santa Clara Valley Medical Center will have a psychiatric resource to help fill the treatment gap between acute care and long-term stability. A new 28-bed adult residential treatment center at 650 S. Bascom Ave. in San Jose is slated to open this fall once it receives the necessary licenses. A...
Santa Clara police chief pay raise sparks criticism
Santa Clara’s police chief is set to receive a significant raise for the first time since stepping into the job in 2020, but some city officials think the money could be better spent elsewhere. Police Chief Pat Nikolai is getting the maximum city salary increase allowed at 10%, hiking his base pay from over $313,000 to more than...
These historic San Jose buildings are at risk
Historic buildings facing redevelopment in San Jose reflect a growing divide between preservationists and city leaders, as critics say the push for development often leads to neglect of older structures. The Preservation Action Council of San Jose released its second annual list of eight endangered buildings last month. The list highlights renowned buildings such as...