The rise in COVID-19 cases isn’t just straining hospitals — it’s also taking a toll on the county’s 911 system. Santa Clara County officials on Wednesday shared a sobering picture of Silicon Valley’s ambulance system crumbling under the pressures of the pandemic. “Our health care system is inundated with patients. This also includes our 911...
Members of San Jose’s Diridon advisory group say the city isn’t listening to them anymore
When San Jose first convened a community advisory group to weigh the massive redevelopment of Diridon Station, members were hopeful they’d have a voice in setting expectations for new construction around the city’s transit hub. The Diridon Station Area Advisory Group — or SAAG, as it’s commonly called — was formed in 2018 and has 38 members, ranging from...
UPDATE: San Jose approves naming street after Barack Obama
San Jose will join cities like Los Angeles and Milpitas in naming a street after Barack Obama, elected leaders unanimously decided Jan. 5. The renamed boulevard will include portions of Bird Avenue, South Montgomery Street, South Autumn Street and North Autumn. The plan has been more than three years in the making. Community leader Alex...
Santa Clara County considers penalties for inequitable COVID-19 vaccine distribution
Santa Clara County officials are publicly worrying whether area health care providers will stick to the guidelines when it comes to distributing COVID-19 vaccines, and deliberating what the county could and should do if they don’t. Already, in at least two cases so far, private health care providers in California — including one in the...
UPDATE: San Jose joins lobbying group to protect its casinos
San Jose has long had a love-hate relationship with its two casinos. But with those businesses threatened by new state regulations, the City Council voted 10-1 this week to join a group of other California municipalities to try to stave off the new rules. The reason comes down to simple dollars and cents — San Jose’s...
San Jose airport could raise rental car fees to make up for financial loss
Those looking to rent a car at San Jose’s downtown airport may soon face a heftier bill if city leaders vote to approve fee hikes for travelers. San Jose’s airport has struggled financially amid COVID-19 stay-at-home orders. In a memo, John Aitken, director of aviation, said increasing Customer Facility Charge fees — daily fees charged to customers...
East San Jose’s political power is rising — a movement years in the making
East San Jose’s political power reached new heights in 2020 — and it keeps rising. Local leaders harnessed that power to fight for immigration reform, grow their base in local politics and convince Gov. Gavin Newsom to appoint California Secretary of State Alex Padilla to fill Kamala Harris’ Senate seat last month. Padilla is the...
Sharon Chatman, Santa Clara County judge, remembered as friend and leader
Her hugs emanated warmth and love, her smile could light up a room and above all, friends recall, Sharon Chatman could motivate almost anyone to be a better person. Chatman, a retired Santa Clara County judge and renowned former San Jose State University basketball coach, died in late December at home from complications due to...
Businesses must close employee break areas in Santa Clara County under COVID-19 restrictions
Santa Clara County health officials kicked off 2021 by adding new restrictions on businesses — they must now close their employee breakrooms. While officials told San José Spotlight they had issued previous “guidance” on breakrooms, an earlier version of the county’s directive did not include any language about closing indoor employee breakrooms. There are new...
Look back: Google’s San Jose project endured rocky road in 2020
This past year has been stressful for everyone, even Google. As the tech giant’s real estate development team tried to push forward plans for its 80-acre megacampus near downtown San Jose, it was hit with bureaucratic snags and opposition from many quarters, including the Bay Area’s beloved hockey team. Still, the project passed some significant...