COVID-19 restrictions are easing. Millions in Google money is ready to be spent. The city is looking at how it can improve its police department and make parks more friendly for families. Here’s what went down at the March 1 San Jose City Council meeting. Booster mandate repealed In a 9-1 vote, the City Council repealed the...
Silicon Valley labor leaders endorse some, snub others
Silicon Valley’s powerful labor lobby has unveiled its 2022 endorsements—and there are a few surprises and notable snubs. The South Bay Labor Council, which comprises more than 100 unions across the valley, announced a sole endorsement Tuesday for Santa Clara County Supervisor Cindy Chavez in the San Jose mayor’s race. The group didn’t back Councilmember...
How is San Jose spending its Google money?
San Jose is spending millions from Google on economic recovery as the tech behemoth gets ready to start expanding into the city. On Tuesday, the City Council approved how to spend the $4.5 million Google is dispersing before construction on the Downtown West mega campus begins over the next 12-18 months. Of those funds, $3.25...
Poll: Peralez slightly leads in San Jose mayor’s race
A new poll released Tuesday shows San Jose Councilmember Raul Peralez and Santa Clara County Supervisor Cindy Chavez are leading the mayoral race in the heart of Silicon Valley—with Peralez having a slight edge over Chavez. New polling data of likely June 2022 primary voters, conducted by polling firm Tulchin Research and paid for by Peralez’s campaign,...
Homeless advocates pitch tents at Milpitas City Hall
Pitched tents surrounded Milpitas City Hall Monday night, where advocates for the unhoused staged a campout to address the city’s ongoing homeless crisis. At tonight’s City Council meeting, recommendations will be heard from the Milpitas homeless task force over an issue riling up the community on both sides. While some elected officials such as Councilmembers...
Santa Clara County to lift indoor mask mandate
Starting Wednesday, masks will not be required indoors in Santa Clara County. County Public Health Officer Dr. Sara Cody announced this significant milestone during a Tuesday news conference. She said the county and the state still strongly recommend wearing masks in all indoor public spaces. “We know that as inconvenient as it may be, COVID...
San Jose could split from Russian sister city
Councilmember Sylvia Arenas is recommending San Jose break with its sister city in Russia, adding its voice to international efforts to isolate the country over the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Her proposal will be heard by the City Council in the near future. “Ending our city’s formal diplomatic relationship with Russia’s municipal government in Ekaterinburg...
Organizers say San Jose tried to shut down Black History Month event
Black organizers and activists claim San Jose targeted and tried to shut down a Black History Month event over a permit issue. Human Empowerment Radical Optimism (HERO) Tent, a local activist group formed after the police killing of George Floyd, hosted a two-day event this past weekend at Backesto Park to bring Black-owned small businesses,...
Calls intensify for Silicon Valley’s Gary Kremen to resign
A growing number of elected officials and community leaders are calling for Gary Kremen to resign from public office. This comes after this news organization reported allegations about inappropriate behavior from a former staffer on his assessor campaign. Kremen, who chairs Valley Water’s board and founded Match.com, announced he was dropping out of the Santa...
Worker complaints keep rolling in at Silicon Valley transit agency
Complaints continue to crop up in VTA’s technology department, months after workers demanded an investigation into toxic work culture. A VTA manager with a history of run-ins with workers made threatening gestures toward an employee, according to a complaint filed with the agency. A complaint submitted to the public transit agency’s Office of Civil Rights...