Santa Clara County Supervisor Cindy Chavez walked on stage but before she could speak, a group of young children shouted from a distance, “Black Lives Matter!” While cheers erupted from the crowd, she smiled from ear to ear and responded, “That is the future that is here right now. That is awesome.” About 80 people...
Santa Clara County fire district mergers recommended after audits suggest mismanagement
Citing alleged mismanagement that potentially put thousands of residents at risk, auditors are recommending the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors consider merging the Los Altos Hills and South Santa Clara County fire districts, along with the Santa Clara County Central Fire Protection District. A May 22 audit found the Los Altos Hills district spent funds...
San Jose Google development faces another delay
Google’s sprawling proposed campus that will change the face of downtown San Jose hit a snag and is further delayed. The draft environmental impact report (EIR) for the Downtown West Project was not submitted to the San Jose City Council by the Aug. 25 deadline, according to Mayor Sam Liccardo and Director of Planning, Building...
East San Jose is safe from fire evacuations, fire chief says
Ten days into fighting the SCU Lightning Complex fires east of San Jose, the “arrows are going in the right direction,” but there’s still months left to go before the fires are fully quelled. The most recent public safety Q&A with San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo, Fire Department Chief Robert Sapien and Deputy City Manager...
How did South Bay campaign fundraising fare during the pandemic?
With less than 75 days left before the Nov. 3 general election, recent campaign filings show less than $500,000 in contributions raised between six candidates for San Jose City Council and the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors — a potential sign that COVID-19 is draining people’s political giving. Six-figure sums typically are commonplace for...
Industrial hemp farms get approval in Santa Clara County
Although the cultivation of industrial hemp in California does not yet have federal approval, Santa Clara County has approved guidelines to get farmers rolling as soon they get the green light. Supervisors added industrial hemp regulations to the county’s zoning ordinance Aug. 25, making regulation of the crop a part of county code. Supervisors unanimously...
San Jose council throws support behind latest plan to address homelessness in county
More than 6,000 people last year were homeless in San Jose — a number that keeps rising amid the coronavirus outbreak— prompting city leaders to set a goal of housing 20,000 people and doubling the number of shelter beds within the next five years. The San Jose City Council voted unanimously Aug. 25 to endorse...
San Jose rubber bullet ban heading back to council
At the height of Black Lives Matter protests this spring, Breanna Contreras was marching among the crowds in downtown San Jose when chaos suddenly broke out. People scattered and started running past her in the opposite direction, many with eyes streaming from tear gas. A moment later, Contreras heard “Pop! Pop! Pop!” and felt something...
Empty Levi’s Stadium getting $13.3 million in equipment, upgrades
Without much discussion, Santa Clara city leaders signed off on spending $13.3 million for equipment and upgrades at Levi’s Stadium, months before any San Francisco 49ers fans will be allowed back inside. Some $157,000 was budgeted for new body-worn cameras for Santa Clara officers covering games and events, $168,000 for portable license plate readers and...
UPDATE: San Jose endorses measure to bring back affirmative action
The San Jose City Council unanimously endorsed California Proposition 16, the divisive ballot measure that would repeal the state’s 24-year prohibition on race- and gender-based affirmative action. Assuming voters approve it in November, supporters on the City Council say Prop. 16 will allow the city to “revitalize” its affirmative action programs from the 1990s. “Eliminating...