San Jose’s hotel tax revenue for 2021 is inching up from last summer’s levels, signaling a return to life. But monthly profits are still a third of what the city saw prior to the pandemic, according to city data. “(The hotel tax) has been one of the city’s hardest hit revenues from the pandemic,” San Jose Budget...
Santa Clara County loses last COVID mandate
Santa Clara County Public Health discontinued the last of its COVID-related regulations on Monday. Dr. Sara Cody, the county’s public health officer, issued an order eliminating remaining local requirements such as teleworking and social distancing, but businesses and governments will still need to determine the vaccination status of personnel through self-attestation. On Friday, the California...
San Jose flea market vendors go on hunger strike, lawmakers to decide market’s fate
After months of negotiations, rallies and protests, the fate of the San Jose Flea Market now rests with the San Jose City Council. San Jose released Friday its final plan for the Berryessa BART Urban Village, a 3.4 million square foot project on the flea market site. The San Jose City Council is expected to approve...
Fentanyl deaths in Santa Clara County rise during pandemic
The number of fatal fentanyl overdoses in Santa Clara County nearly tripled during the pandemic, and experts say the two are intricately linked. “(The pandemic) seems to have exacerbated a lot of latent trauma that our clients have,” said Gary Montrezza, CEO of Pathway Society, a substance abuse counseling center based in San Jose. “Those who are...
San Jose denies mayor’s emails on advocacy group. We are fighting back.
San Jose City Hall refuses to turn over emails from Mayor Sam Liccardo related to an advocacy organization he formed in February, claiming that every communication is subject to attorney-client privilege. Now, San José Spotlight is appealing the denial that’s raised eyebrows among attorneys and open government advocates. “I just can’t see how everything you’ve...
‘A great worker’: San Jose shooter praised by VTA managers
Before Samuel Cassidy walked into work and murdered nine people, he frightened his coworkers, verbally attacked a female colleague and refused to follow company rules—yet his managers praised him and he kept his job for 20 years. At least one VTA employee described him as a loner and an outsider, who sometimes treated others “like...
Real estate audit reveals holes in San Jose’s property management
San Jose owns more than 1,250 properties including City Hall, parks and revenue generators like the San Jose International Airport. But there’s no consolidated inventory which makes management and maintenance difficult, a recent city audit revealed. Whenever a question about a city-owned property comes up, officials have to do extensive research across departments and use...
Aisha Wahab looks to break barriers in Sacramento
Senate hopeful Aisha Wahab grew up in the foster care system and, if elected, would become the only renter in the state Legislature. Wahab, a Hayward councilmember, is running for State Senate District 10. The district encompasses parts of Alameda and Santa Clara counties, including Hayward, Fremont, Milpitas and North San Jose. The state Senate...
Santa Clara County first to make Juneteenth a holiday
In light of the recent decision to make Juneteenth a federal holiday, Santa Clara County leaders hope residents will become more aware of African American history. President Joe Biden signed a bill Thursday recognizing Juneteenth as a federal holiday. Federal employees will observe the holiday on Friday, although this year Juneteenth is on Saturday. Prior to...
Iconic San Jose watering hole to become a honky-tonk bar
A longtime downtown San Jose fixture—Dive Bar—is the latest victim of the pandemic and a shriveling nightlife in the city. But one man sees opportunity in the dusty old building near San Jose City Hall. He’s bringing a honky-tonk vibe to downtown with Cash Only, a new nightspot preparing to open this summer. It’s the...