San Jose voters are hardly shocked by the results of the June 7 primary election, and they hold strong—and mostly bitter—feelings about the two candidates battling it out for mayor. Residents who spoke with San José Spotlight said there were few surprise results in the Santa Clara County races they voted on last week, which included...
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San Jose small businesses have two weeks to apply for rent relief
San Jose has extended the deadline for a small business grant program through this month, but confusion lingers about who is eligible. Small businesses now have until 5 p.m. on June 30 to apply. The program aims to provide up to $15,000 in funding to 300 small businesses, targeting back rent and utility debts incurred...
Santa Clara County preps COVID shots for infants and young children
The youngest population in Santa Clara County could soon get vaccinated for COVID-19. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Friday authorized both the Moderna and Pfizer shots for children as young as 6 months old—making nearly every person in the U.S. eligible for vaccination. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention still have to...
Santa Clara County officials approve budget over jail objections
Santa Clara County officials approved the budget for the coming year, ignoring last-minute objections from residents over hundreds of millions of dollars set aside for a new jail. The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Thursday to approve the $11.5 billion budget for fiscal year 2022-23, which starts July 1. The majority of the county’s expenditures go...
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Clinton honors Mineta at San Jose memorial
Norm Mineta, former U.S. secretary of transportation and San Jose’s first Asian American mayor, is being laid to rest in his hometown. Family, friends and colleagues shared warm memories, funny anecdotes of Mineta’s charismatic personality and powerful stories of his accomplishments and fortitude at a Thursday memorial at the San Jose Civic Center. Mineta died...
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San Jose officials memorialize former Mayor Norm Mineta
“Welcome home, Norm,” San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo said as friends and family of Norm Mineta, former U.S. secretary of transportation and the city’s first Asian American mayor, gathered Wednesday at City Hall to celebrate and memorialize his life. Mineta died on May 3. Mineta is a local legend known for his advocacy during the September...
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San Jose budget tackles homelessness and public safety
San Jose has more money to spend this fiscal year and officials are prioritizing homelessness, public safety, fighting blight, environmental sustainability and equitable economic recovery. On Tuesday, the City Council unanimously approved the $5.3 billion budget for fiscal year 2022-23. The city has $212 million more dollars to fund its 20 departments and various programs than...
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San Jose coalition plans one-stop homeless service center
A group of advocates, residents and religious leaders is pushing San Jose to help establish a center to provide food, medical treatment and resources to find housing and jobs for the homeless population. The coalition, headed by Lighthouse Ministries, hopes to buy a vacant building at 303 N. 15th St. that used to house the Apollo Adult Day Care and...
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San Jose officials squash airport billboard proposal
San Jose officials have nixed a proposal to build a digital billboard near the airport, marking a victory for activists fighting the expansion of billboards around the city. Director of Aviation John Aitken said the site for a proposed billboard on I-880 near Mineta San Jose International Airport was “not a viable location.” In a letter sent...
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San Jose’s free meals feed students during summer
The school year may have ended, but hunger never takes a break. San Jose is covering the food gap for low-income youth up to age 18 through the Summer Food Service Program, a federally-funded, state-administered program that allows the city to distribute meals. Outside of school, food insecurity is a harsh reality for low-income youth. The...