A long-awaited project to alleviate Los Gatos beach traffic has received funding — but it’s a drop in the bucket compared to the money needed to address bumper-to-bumper gridlock on summer weekends. The VTA board of directors has allocated $11.3 million for the State Route 17 Corridor Congestion Relief Project as part of its budgets for...
Santa Clara County approves budget amid Trump cuts
Santa Clara County supervisors took their first step toward adopting a $14 billion budget that weighs the region’s critical services against federal funding losses under President Donald Trump. After weeks of workshops and hearings, supervisors tried to close their budget talks on a high note. But their unanimous vote Thursday – with the final one...
Santa Clara County Office of LGBTQ Affairs is a lifeline
With a nationwide rise in anti-transgender sentiment and a federal government stoking the flames, local leaders say supporting the LGBTQ+ community is more necessary than ever. The federal administration has targeted the LGBTQ+ community, issuing orders against transgender athletes and gender affirming care, and suggesting same-sex marriage could be overturned. Amid the unrest, the Santa...
Santa Clara balances budget, restores rainy day funds
Santa Clara’s budget reserves are back to normal, but officials are still working to address hundreds of millions of dollars in needed infrastructure maintenance. The Santa Clara City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved a $1.9 billion operating budget for fiscal year 2025-26 and $1.4 billion for fiscal year 2026-27. The city anticipates ending it’s current...
San Jose to clear Columbus Park — again
San Jose is moving forward with plans to clear large camps of homeless people and prevent them from returning. Sweeps are planned from June 16 to June 30 to clear encampments where dozens of people are living in tents along the Guadalupe River from West Taylor Street to Interstate 880. The city plans to sweep...
Santa Clara County opens new residential mental health facility
A new residential treatment facility in Santa Clara County will provide people with a safe place to heal and recover. County officials announced the opening of 1072-1082 Vermont St. in San Jose, known as Vermont House, at a Thursday news conference. The two houses can hold up to 15 people who have a mental illness...
Tordillos leads in fundraising for San Jose District 3 race
Money is pouring into the race to represent San Jose’s downtown District 3 on the City Council, with less than two weeks before Election Day. Planning Commission Chair Anthony Tordillos has a fundraising lead of more than $90,000 over his opponent, Latina Coalition of Silicon Valley Executive Director Gabby Chavez-Lopez. Campaign finance documents filed Thursday...
San Jose restaurant to be replaced by Chick-fil-A
Neighborhood-wide efforts to save a San Jose restaurant have been quashed in favor of a new fast-food eatery. Planning Director Christopher Burton on Wednesday approved a Chick-fil-A at 255 Race St. off West San Carlos Street because the location is considered underused — despite a longstanding family restaurant operating at the site. The decision solidifies...
West Valley residents angry over hotel turning to homeless housing
More than 100 people packed the Camden Community Center Wednesday to speak against a West Valley hotel converting to temporary homes for homeless women and children. They stood against the walls when seats ran out, booed, shouted over each other and yelled at San Jose officials, “You’re our elected officials! You need to listen to...
San Jose residents win fight to stop housing project
City officials have sided with homeowners opposed to a proposed 17-story apartment complex that would have added hundreds of homes in West San Jose. The San Jose City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to deny plans to construct 135 homes and 15,000 square feet of commercial retail space at 826 N. Winchester Blvd. Neighborhood residents who...