One woman’s quest for plastic surgery ended in 16 lawsuits across California, including several South Bay clinics, for allegedly violating the Americans with Disabilities Act. Megan Erasmus, who lives in Seattle, said she couldn’t access the businesses’ online videos because some didn’t have closed captions. That’s a problem for Erasmus, as she’s part of the...
Silicon Valley’s top health leader reflects on lessons learned as COVID-19 rules lift
Even after death threats, Dr. Sara Cody stands tall. She especially stood tall Tuesday, the same day the state reopened, and for the first time publicly removed her mask. Fifteen months after Cody declared a shelter in place order — the first in the country to do so — the county’s top health official reflected...
UPDATE: San Jose adopts new gun control measures
San Jose will be one of the few cities in the nation to require gun shops to record firearm purchases after a unanimous late-night vote Tuesday. The new rules will seek to prevent so-called “straw purchases,” or a firearm purchase where someone buys a gun and passes it off to someone else who should not...
San Jose-Google advisory group is years away
A community advisory group will oversee how to spend millions of dollars allocated to education, affordable housing and rent stabilization as part of Google’s Downtown West development. But selecting advisors will take a couple years, and distributing funds could take up to a decade. Community-centered organizations such as SOMOS Mayfair, Amigos de Guadalupe and Working Partnerships...
‘Not a place for Black people:’ NAACP leader leaving Silicon Valley
A prominent organizer and community leader in Silicon Valley for more than a decade, Rev. Jeff Moore II has left the South Bay in search of better opportunities in Atlanta. Serving as San Jose-Silicon Valley NAACP’s fourth president, Moore organized and advocated for a number of racial and equity causes since 2008. Last Friday, Moore told...
What does California reopening mean for Santa Clara County?
Santa Clara County residents can return to life near normal as California officially reopens today following more than a year of COVID-19. Starting today, the majority of businesses can operate at full capacity and vaccinated people can mostly remove their masks while grocery shopping, eating at restaurants or working out at the gym. The relaxation of...
Union workers demand more equitable pay in San Jose’s budget
Some union leaders are angry that police officers will receive 7.7% raises in July while 4,000 other city workers will only see increases of about 2.5% over the next two years. Union members from the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE) Local 21 and the Municipal Employees’ Federation say the budget for regular...
San Jose school district considers kicking cops off campus
After months of delaying a decision, the San Jose Unified School District will consider later this month whether to keep police on school campuses. Students protested against officers at district middle schools and high schools at a board meeting this month. They said being under constant surveillance is intimidating and makes them feel uneasy and...
San Jose flea market vendors demand 5-year leases as battle over development heats up
San Jose Flea Market vendors are demanding its owners lock them into 5-year leases and provide at least three years of notice if the market will be closed or relocated. Those are just a few of the demands outlined in a new letter issued by the Berryessa Flea Market Vendors Association obtained by San José...
San Jose aims to be friendlier to small businesses
While some tech heavyweights are leaving the region citing unfriendly taxes and business practices, small businesses in San Jose are starting to see more support. Business owners still have to deal with complicated fee structures, differing tax rates and red tape. But San Jose’s small business incubators, pro-business mayor and its proximity to wealthy tech...