A food service provider is stepping up to provide hot meals to federal workers at the San Jose airport during the government shutdown. The workers haven’t been paid since Oct. 1 and food insecurity is prevalent. During the shutdown, Martha’s Kitchen is providing more than 800 meals a week to 340 Transportation Security Administration (TSA)...
San José Spotlight sues city over secret messages
San José Spotlight is suing San Jose City Hall and the city’s police department after they repeatedly refused to release an inflammatory text thread involving several councilmembers. The lawsuit filed Wednesday seeks the disclosure of “Tammany Hall” — a group chat that allegedly involved Councilmembers Peter Ortiz, Domingo Candelas and former Councilmember Omar Torres, who was arrested...
Fed food cuts spur San Jose eatery to offer free meals
Bay Area restaurants are stepping up to provide meals to families affected by the ongoing federal government shutdown and the looming loss of food stamps. Tony & Alba’s Pizza & Pasta in San Jose is offering free meals to children and a 25% discount to parents until the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is funded....
San Jose council approves policies to freeze ICE out
San Jose continues to strengthen protections for its immigrant communities by prohibiting federal immigration agents from hiding their identity and advancing plans to prevent ICE from using city-owned properties for enforcement. The San Jose City Council voted unanimously for both policies on Tuesday. The city attorney created an unmasking policy that prohibits all law enforcement...
San Jose homeless audit highlights failed accountability
San Jose’s homeless outreach efforts have been more concerned about volume than outcomes, and there is little accountability when homeless support nonprofits did not provide adequate services. A city audit of San Jose’s homelessness services released in October found some nonprofits did not meet performance targets or reporting requirements, and the Housing Department failed to...
San Jose hires outsider as animal shelter director
San Jose’s animal shelter has a new leader, and the animal advocacy community is cautiously optimistic she can turn the facility around. City officials recently announced Monica Wylie as deputy director of the Animal Care and Services division, which manages the San Jose Animal Care Center and the 12,000 animals it cares for annually. Wylie brings...
San Jose music venue closure is a loss for indie artists
San Jose will be losing a longstanding music venue with a reputation for giving budding local artists audience exposure. The Art Boutiki will close at the end of December after 16 years of providing an eclectic space for artists of all genres and creating a community for music lovers in San Jose. The music venue...
San Jose approves expanded Taser, body cam contract for police
For years, police technology firm Axon Enterprises has been dogged by accusations that it’s attempting to unfairly corner the market on Tasers and body-worn cameras for law enforcement. Despite some hand wringing, the San Jose City Council voted unanimously Tuesday, with Vice Mayor Pam Foley absent, to approve a new, expanded contract with the firm to...
Santa Clara County remains on guard despite ICE reprieve
South Bay civic leaders said they remain ready to support the region’s immigrant community after news broke Thursday morning that President Donald Trump is backing off plans to surge federal law enforcement personnel in the Bay Area. “They’ve made the right decision. Our region is on the rise,” Mayor Matt Mahan said during the news...
San Jose looks to ban ICE from using city-owned properties
San Jose leaders are pushing to identify all city-owned properties and develop a plan to prohibit any federal immigration activity on them. Councilmembers Peter Ortiz, Domingo Candelas and Rosemary Kamei introduced the policy during the Rules and Open Governance Committee on Wednesday, which was unanimously approved and will be considered by the full City Council...