Citing a declining birth rate in San Jose, Regional Medical Center plans to close its obstetrics department at the end of this month — redirecting patients about to give birth to its sister facility, Good Samaritan, or to county-owned hospitals such as O’Connor Hospital and Santa Clara Valley Medical Center. The move, which hospital officials...
After outcry, San Jose commissioner questioning Cesar Chavez explains
The history of people, places and events survives by being passed down through generations, whether written in books, told through oral accounts or painted on walls. Cesar Chavez is one such figure, living in East San Jose during his beginnings as a community organizer and labor champion and working to bolster the rights of the...
San Jose: Viva Calle on the chopping block of new budget
One of the South Bay’s most popular outdoor events is the latest casualty of the coronavirus pandemic — and its return is uncertain. Viva Calle, which debuted in 2015 and drew more than 100,000 bicyclists and pedestrians to explore the open streets of San Jose, is on the chopping block in City Manager Dave Sykes’...
From Sacramento to Silicon Valley, ‘unprecedented’ deficits caused by COVID-19 pandemic
Governments from Sacramento to San Jose City Hall are facing historic budget deficits caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, often having to solve these crises in virtual meetings as the region nears its eighth week in quarantine. “We are at a time that’s simply unprecedented,” Gov. Gavin Newsom said Thursday in announcing his revised budget proposal...
Child custody cases in Santa Clara County complicated by coronavirus
Sheltering in place hasn’t been easy on anyone. But for those who share custody of their children, the problem is exacerbated. Social distancing has made banal tasks like grocery shopping more arduous. Everything except essential businesses have shuttered their doors, so social endeavors like getting a drink with a friend or Sunday dinner at your...
San Jose approves a new coronavirus relief fund
With public dollars stretched thin and the need for food and shelter growing, San Jose leaders on Tuesday unanimously approved a plan to create a coronavirus relief fund that will help the city receive federal resources for those affected by the pandemic. The fund will allow the city to continue operating its temporary emergency shelters,...
Santa Clara County approves nation’s first basic income for foster youth
The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously approved the nation’s first basic income program for youths who are transitioning out of foster care. The county will provide $1,000 monthly cash payments from June 2020 through May 2021. Many youths struggle to find housing and jobs as they leave foster care and transition into adulthood. County...
UPDATE: Santa Clara prepares for financial deficits, signs new Singer contract
Santa Clara isn’t immune to the negative financial impacts from canceled events and shelter-in-place orders that are affecting cities across the nation, and City Hall heard a 90-minute presentation detailing some of the devastating changes to come. Finance director Kenn Lee said Tuesday the city faces a bleak $10 million deficit the remainder of the...
SJSU student activists celebrate county’s cannabis-conviction clearance
When Aysha Pathan got word recently that the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office eliminated more than 13,000 cannabis-related convictions, the San Jose State University student was thrilled. “I dropped everything and started reading all these articles,” Pathan said. “I kind of knew something was happening, but I didn’t know the number. I was really...
Judge orders full signature recount for San Jose ballot measure
Labor leaders announced the revival of a contentious union-backed initiative to shift mayoral elections to presidential years Monday, after a judge ruled in favor of a full recount of nearly 100,000 signatures to determine if it qualifies for the Nov. 2020 ballot. The order was issued on Friday, just weeks after Santa Clara County Registrar of...