Amid public pressure, San Jose’s General Plan review committee postponed a vote on whether to study “opportunity housing,” a controversial initiative to build more homes in single-family neighborhoods. “Not all of our neighbors are on social media or can Zoom in order to be heard,” said resident Tim Clauson said during the public comment period. “Please...
San Jose residents weigh proposed closure of Reid-Hillview Airport
Planes have flown daily out of Reid-Hillview Airport in East San Jose since the mid-twentieth century. But 2020 could be the last decade in which the roar of these engines is heard, and as ideas to repurpose the airport are discussed, residents are speaking out. Santa Clara County officials just finished gathering public input about...
Silicon Valley’s COVID-19 testing guru quit last job amid pressure to reopen economy
Three months ago Dr. Marty Fenstersheib was pressured to reopen the economy in San Benito County. He knew COVID-19 cases would surge if he bowed to the pressure. Hours after a high-stakes confrontation with county supervisors, he quit. Now, he is the COVID-19 testing guru in Santa Clara County where he is credited for the...
San Jose hires a new innovation chief to bridge digital divide
Growing up in Texas near the border with Mexico and close to large Black and Latinx populations gave San Jose’s new Chief Innovation Officer Jordan Sun a very diverse image of America. Now he is working in one of the country’s most diverse cities — San Jose — as Mayor Sam Liccardo’s new innovation chief....
San Jose’s racial equity office could mirror other major cities
A month after San Jose approved creating an office of racial equity in the wake of civil unrest, questions remain about what the office will actually do — and how it can tackle systemic racism. Some activists have accused San Jose lawmakers of creating the office to appease protesters instead of defunding police. They claim...
A San Jose commission will decide on strong mayor, moving mayoral elections
After a month-long debate over a proposed ‘strong mayor’ measure and outrage over lack of community involvement in the decision, San Jose leaders unanimously approved putting decisions about the city’s future into the hands of community members. The Charter Revision Commission, created Tuesday, will consist of residents appointed by Mayor Sam Liccardo and the City Council....
San Jose council candidate was on prescription drugs before deadly crash
San Jose City Council candidate Jenny Higgins Bradanini tested positive for benzodiazepine, a class of medication sometimes prescribed for anxiety and insomnia, after she killed a pedestrian with her SUV in Los Gatos last year, according to documents charging her with a felony. Patients who are prescribed tranquilizers are warned not to drive because the...
San Francisco 49ers and Santa Clara feud over million-dollar losses
Years-long finger pointing between the city of Santa Clara and the San Francisco 49ers has taken a bitter turn with both sides accusing the other of owing them millions of dollars. The 49ers say the city owes $2.74 million for losses resulting from non-NFL events this past year, such as the Pac-12 Championship and Monster...
Statewide food program has fed only 1,000 people in Santa Clara County
South Bay food providers are questioning why Santa Clara County has chosen only a handful of restaurants and has served so few meals to needy residents during the unprecedented pandemic. A statewide program — Great Plates Delivered — served 66,730 meals to a little more than 1,000 residents in Santa Clara County as of July...
A first look: Silicon Valley landmark designs revealed
After more than a year of anticipation, the wait is over. The new designs for San Jose’s landmark icon have been revealed — and now the public gets to weigh in. The Urban Confluence Silicon Valley project (UCSV), hosted by the nonprofit San José Light Tower Corporation, launched a worldwide contest in July of last year...