Standing in front of the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds on a gloomy morning, Dr. Sara Cody delivered a bright message: The county administered its first COVID-19 vaccines. “At last we have a ray of hope as we are starting to vaccinate,” said Cody, the county’s public health officer, as cars whirled past the busy street...
Airport panel rejects San Jose’s Diridon, Google project plans
A critical airport commission unanimously voted against San Jose’s Diridon plan and Google’s downtown megacampus, taking issue with proposed building heights that would disrupt the city’s international airport. Santa Clara County Airport Land Use Commissioner Glenn Hendricks admonished San Jose for failing to answer commissioner’s questions. “I’m extremely disappointed in the city of San Jose...
New virtual platform connects Santa Clara County youth with mental health services
Mental health services are of the utmost importance during the COVID-19 pandemic and especially as the holiday season approaches with continued lockdowns, isolation and uncertainty, according to the Centers for Disease Control. To address this need among young people in Santa Clara County, Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County on Dec. 15 launched a platform...
A split San Jose council appoints Diep to critical city commission
A divided San Jose City Council voted 6-4 to appoint outgoing Councilmember Lan Diep to a critical city commission created to significantly challenge San Jose’s government. The council voted unanimously Dec. 15 to appoint 22 other members to the newly-formed Charter Review Commission, but opted to vote for Diep separately because he is a sitting...
UPDATE: San Jose extends paid sick leave as COVID-19 spreads
Fearing the federal government won’t help residents, San Jose leaders voted unanimously to extend local paid sick leave protections through an emergency measure. Councilmembers Magdalena Carrasco, Sylvia Arenas and Maya Esparza spearheaded the measure because they worried the federal government wouldn’t extend its Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), which has provided paid sick leave...
Santa Clara County bracing for bruising budget decisions next year
Even after cutting jobs, Santa Clara County is looking at a budget deficit of roughly $205 million next year, with tough decisions having to be made come February. Despite the grim outlook, the Board of Supervisors on Dec. 15 forged ahead and made clear what their priorities would be. “I want to see … (County...
Santa Clara County considers spending $1 million to address ‘period poverty’
Less than a month ago, Scotland became the first country to pass legislation making menstrual products free to everyone across the country. Now, Santa Clara County supervisors will consider funding a program that follows in Scotland’s footsteps, providing free period products to low-income women. Santa Clara County Board President Cindy Chavez said the program would...
San Jose business leaders see a thriving downtown — just not right now
With many businesses shuttered and trash mounting, it is hard to imagine how downtown San Jose will evolve into the metropolis city leaders are hoping for. But experts at a recent San José Spotlight panel were confident that with a little patience, a lot of housing and eager investment from local developers, a vibrant downtown core...
San Jose mayor picks defeated councilmember for key panel, raising questions
A last-minute decision by Mayor Sam Liccardo to appoint defeated Councilmember Lan Diep to a critical city commission has some community leaders crying foul. The leaders also allege the mayor might have violated open meeting laws in the process. As mayor, Liccardo is allowed to appoint three people to serve on the 23-member Charter Review...
San Jose artist, 14, finds himself in national spotlight
Tyler Gordon, a 14-year-old San Jose artist, has hit the national stage with kudos from none other than Vice President-elect Kamala Harris and Time magazine. After recently tweeting a time-lapse video of himself painting a portrait of Harris, Gordon received a surprise phone call just before Thanksgiving from the vice president-elect recognizing him for the...