Californians will remain sheltered in place for weeks and when those restrictions are gradually loosened, life will not likely return entirely to “normal” until there is a vaccine, Gov. Gavin Newsom said during a sobering news conference Tuesday. State officials are watching multiple “indicators” and are aiming to hit several key milestones that will help...
Developer KT Urban submits plans for 20-story towers in downtown San Jose
Development in the Bay Area has slowed or halted entirely in recent weeks, but that hasn’t stopped developers from forging ahead. KT Urban on Monday unveiled plans for a nearly 3-acre site at 280 Woz Way that could bring 1.8 million square feet of office and retail space across a pair of 20-story towers near...
As courts largely close to the public, advocates fear power abuses and deaths
A judge’s decision to limit public attendance to court hearings because of the COVID-19 crisis has advocates and others worried about potential abuse of power and harmful consequences for defendants. “We don’t do secret judicial proceedings in the United States,” said David Snyder, executive director for the First Amendment Coalition. “When courts or any other...
‘There’s no escape’: Domestic violence fears in San Jose escalated by COVID-19
A San Jose mother of four was 41 years old when she was sure she would die. Pinned up against the wall, Rose Martinez laid motionless as her husband repeatedly kicked her all over her body after knocking her to the floor from a swift punch to the head. “I remember thinking, ‘Oh my God,...
San Jose ranks in top 25 cities for women in tech, but the gaps remain wide
Being a woman working in tech in Silicon Valley is still not as lucrative as being a man doing the same work, but the gaps are shrinking, new data show. A report by New York-based personal finance technology company, SmartAsset, which asks which cities are best for women in tech, looks at four factors to...
San Jose closes some parks, parking lots ahead of Easter weekend
San Jose officials are proactively trying to tamp down on the number of people who flock to parks in the city over the upcoming holiday weekend. Nine regional parks and the parking lots at 19 city parks will be closed to the public this Saturday and Sunday, which is Easter Sunday, the city announced Thursday. Gatherings...
People of color overrepresented in Santa Clara County COVID-19 deaths
People of color are overrepresented in Santa Clara County deaths from the novel coronavirus, according to new health figures released Thursday. Of the 47 COVID-19 deaths in the county, 36% are Latino while 4% are African Americans, though each group makes up about 25% and 2.8% of the county’s population, respectively, census data shows. Meanwhile,...
Bracing for COVID-19 surge, Santa Clara County mandates medical supply reporting
Anyone who has a large cache of medical protective equipment, like gloves, goggles and masks, should make an inventory list now because Santa Clara County officials are taking a tally. Businesses and people are required to report by April 15 to the county if they have a ventilator in any condition or more than 5,000...
San Jose fire academy trains recruits to respond to COVID-19 outbreak
Despite the deadly coronavirus infecting more than a dozen fire officials, the San Jose Fire Department has filled its latest training academy with nearly twice as many firefighter recruits to help the COVID-19 response — albeit with face masks and physical distancing. The fire training academy, which began in late March, has 24 fire recruits...
San Jose strikes down proposal to suspend rent, citing constitutional concerns
A contentious proposal to suspend rent for three months for families who are struggling to make rent due to coronavirus was struck down by San Jose’s attorney at a virtual City Council meeting Tuesday, concerned the policy violated the Constitution. City Attorney Rick Doyle said the city would be on the hook for the forgiven rent...