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San Jose is strapped for money during the local emergency — $72 million to be exact — but a new plan unanimously approved Aug. 19 aims to ensure the City Council tightens its purse strings and uses taxpayer dollars wisely. Despite the growing deficit, the council must continue providing necessary services to the public. Councilmember...
Text messages between San Jose officials raise questions of conduct
Documents obtained by San José Spotlight reveal General Plan Task Force co-chair David Pandori tried to delay a vote on a controversial housing measure last month, pushing the boundaries of appropriate conduct for the role. This news organization made a public records request for communications between Pandori and his fellow co-chair, Teresa Alvarado, of urban...
South Bay families cling to hope of more aid as demand doubles at food banks
Tracy Tran and her husband fear they may soon have to file for bankruptcy. Tran works as a manicurist at La Orquidea Nail Salon and Spa in Los Gatos. Her husband runs the business, and Tran is one of 23 employees. The couple filed for unemployment benefits shortly after the salon shut down in March....
Santa Clara County looking at eliminating medical marijuana ID fee
Santa Clara County Supervisor Dave Cortese wants to make obtaining medical marijuana products more accessible by waiving the $100 renewal fee on ID cards. Cortese said the fee is “pretty arbitrary” and was set by the Board of Supervisors based on a recommendation from the administration when the State Senate bill that established the card...
UPDATE: San Jose City Council approves steps to begin police reform
San Jose lawmakers approved a series of steps that will lead to police reforms after 1,000 people contacted the San Jose Police Department between May 28 and June 30 to complain about officer use of force. The steps, approved at the City Council meeting Aug. 18, include conducting independent, in-depth use of force reviews and...
PG&E blackout: More than 10,000 lose power in San Jose
School’s starting, heat’s soaring and more than 10,000 people were out of power in San Jose on Aug. 18 as PG&E blackouts shrouded downtown homes in darkness. “We are in the middle of a pandemic and we cannot even stay at home comfortably,” said Luis Ortiz, a downtown San Jose resident. “The heat is unbearable...
UPDATE: Divided San Jose City Council gives whopping break to high-rise developers
Downtown high-rise developers will receive a huge discount during the pandemic but their savings will come at the expense of low-income housing. As COVID-19 worsens economic conditions for those looking to build in San Jose, city leaders voted 7-4 Aug. 18 to eliminate a fee that helps fund affordable housing. Councilmembers Sergio Jimenez, Magdalena Carrasco,...
UPDATE: Hilton expansion moves ahead in Santa Clara
A proposed expansion of Santa Clara’s Hilton Hotel moved one step further after the City Council approved a plan that exceeds current regulations. In a public hearing Aug. 18, the council green-lit a dense addition to the 3.86-acre property at 4949 Great America, which faces Levi’s Stadium. The development would replace an existing surface parking...
UPDATE: Santa Clara City Council extends eviction moratorium
Rent is due again in two weeks, but Santa Clara city residents who aren’t able to pay because of COVID-19 will be able to stay in their homes through the end of September. The Santa Clara City Council Aug. 18 approved a temporary eviction moratorium through Sept. 30 to protect public health, preserve affordable housing...
Santa Clara County to test 5,000 daily at fairgrounds for COVID-19
Santa Clara County opened a new drive-through COVID-19 site at the County Fairgrounds with the aim of testing 5,000 people a day — the largest in the Bay Area. Announced Aug. 18, the appointment-only, high-capacity location is expected to complete 1,000 daily tests by the end of this week and continue to expand. Tests are...