Residents aren’t happy about the prospect of San Jose turning into Times Square with flashy billboards and bright lights, according to a new citywide survey. The poll, which surveyed 2,000 residents, found 91% of respondents were either “strongly opposed” or “somewhat opposed” to new digital billboards in the city, regardless if they are built on public or...
How VTA is diversifying its contractors for BART project
With planning in the works for BART’s PHASE II Program, a $6.5 billion downtown San Jose/Santa Clara extension, one VTA official is pushing to ensure minority-owned businesses get their fair share of contracts. “It’s the right thing to do and with my position, I have the ability to make changes,” said John White, the transit...
San Jose driver shot six times sues SJPD for $5 million
A man who was shot six times by San Jose police is suing the department, along with former chief Eddie Garcia and officer Eric Mosunic – the officer who fired the bullets. The lawsuit filed by Yuridia Ochoa alleges multiple claims, including excessive force and unreasonable medical care after only four of the six bullets...
Proposal to build housing on San Jose ranch property sparks controversy
The owners of a large horse ranch property in south San Jose want to start building houses on their land—and neighbors are livid. Hero Ranch owner Angelo Heropoulos asked county supervisors last week to change the land’s open space designation to residential, allowing up to eight homes to be built on the property. The ranch...
First 100 days: Has San Jose Councilmember David Cohen kept his campaign promises?
San Jose Councilmember David Cohen came out on top of a tight four-way primary in March 2020 and became the only candidate last year to unseat an incumbent. By ousting former Councilmember Lan Diep, Cohen’s victory shifted the City Council in favor of labor-aligned candidates. On the campaign trail, Cohen promised to build more affordable...
Homeless residents in San Jose cited, face arrest over tent encampments
Darlene Gladwell spent months cultivating a blooming garden of colorful plants and flowers outside the tent she calls home in San Jose’s Watson Park. A cluster of at least half a dozen other small homeless encampments surround her along Coyote Creek. But now Gladwell could go to jail, according to a citation she received, for...
Los Gatos Vice Mayor Rob Rennie jumps into supervisorial race
Los Gatos Vice Mayor Rob Rennie is officially jumping into the race to replace Santa Clara County Supervisor Mike Wasserman who terms out in 2022. Rennie is running for District 1, which includes parts of San Jose, Los Gatos, Monte Sereno, Morgan Hill, Gilroy and county unincorporated areas. An engineer for 25 years, Rennie has served...
Despite San Jose’s diversity, it’s only had two mayors of color
Look around San Jose, and you’ll be reminded of the groups of communities that live in the city: Places like the Mexican Heritage Plaza and Little Saigon speak to the city’s diversity. Leadership, however, depending on who you ask, hasn’t been so diverse. Since the city began electing mayors instead of appointing them in 1967, the...
How to find homeless services and shelter in San Jose
The past year has been a difficult one for many people in San Jose, especially those facing homelessness and housing insecurity. Finding information about shelter and housing can be a difficult and confusing process. Here’s a guide answering some of the most commonly asked questions from readers about finding housing, as well as some resources...
What’s former Sen. Jim Beall eyeing next?
Four months after terming out of the California Legislature, former Sen. Jim Beall is now eyeing a local seat. But it’s not the San Jose mayor’s race — a rumor that has followed Beall around for months. He is considering running for a seat on the Santa Clara Valley Water District’s board of directors. “As...