With less than two weeks to go, a dozen people have applied to become the next councilmember in San Jose’s Districts 8 and 10. As of Wednesday, the latest list of candidates includes 11 people interested in the District 10 seat: Gabriel Gomez, Sandeep Chaparala, Nooran Bayzaie, Greg Holsen, Maylyne Ho, Mike Wilson, Forrest Williams,...
San Jose’s police dogs under fire
Santa Clara County Sheriff Sgt. Sean Allen has witnessed the results of about 200 police dog bites at the Main Jail infirmary in San Jose. Over more than two decades, he’s seen exposed and shattered bones, skin torn off faces and chunks of flesh ripped from limbs. “The dogs inflict damage similar to what you’d...
Hundreds of people died on Silicon Valley streets in 2022
As 2022 comes to a close, advocates are remembering the 246 homeless people who died on Silicon Valley streets. About 70 residents gathered in McEntee Plaza at Santa Clara County Government Center in San Jose Wednesday for a memorial service featuring rows of makeshift tombstones, each with the name of a homeless person who died...
Silicon Valley offices less empty than other regions
In the wake of the pandemic, Silicon Valley is faring better than other nearby areas when it comes to office vacancies. But researchers say decisions on work culture at major tech companies could change the dynamic. That’s according to a recent report from Joint Venture Silicon Valley and commercial real estate broker JLL, which focused on...
Santa Clara County VTA service review long overdue
A state oversight agency required to conduct service reviews of VTA hasn’t done one in nearly a decade—and it could be years more before it does. The Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO), a California watchdog with offices in every county, is required by state law to review special districts like VTA every five years, as...
San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo reflects on his legacy
Mayor Sam Liccardo led San Jose through some of the most tumultuous times the city has seen in recent history—and with that came incredible highs and deep lows. In an exclusive one-hour interview with San José Spotlight, Liccardo, 52, candidly reflected on his biggest regret, toughest moments and legacy as he looks back on eight years...
2022 in review: Silicon Valley’s top political stories
This year was a tumultuous one for Santa Clara County politics. The region will see a major shakeup with new leaders taking charge—for the first time in decades, in some cases. Local law enforcement and county health care workers are sounding alarms on issues at work, while the longtime county sheriff resigned and was found...
Santa Clara official cleared of verbal assault accusations
An investigation has cleared a Santa Clara councilmember accused of verbally assaulting the mayor and another colleague during a meeting. An investigator from California law firm Van Dermyden Makus has found there was insufficient evidence to support claims by Mayor Lisa Gillmor and Councilmember Kathy Watanabe, who accused Councilmember Anthony Becker of making hostile, threatening comments...
New income program gives checks to Silicon Valley families
Some of Santa Clara County’s most vulnerable families are receiving $1,000 checks starting this week—the first of many. The Silicon Valley Guaranteed Income Program is giving 150 families $1,000 a month with no strings attached for two years. The program, run by housing nonprofit Destination: Home, prioritizes homeless and marginalized families while studying the effects of...
San Jose school district still weighs cops on campus
A year after San Jose’s largest school district decided to bring police officers back to campus, residents say they are being left out of the conversation. A San Jose Unified School District committee charged with reviewing the use of law enforcement and evaluating potential alternatives has made little progress, advocates said. The school board formed...