San Jose is tightening controls over its automated license plate reader program, as the city faces mounting public pressure over surveillance concerns and a lawsuit. The City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to adopt a range of new safeguards for San Jose’s network of 474 cameras, including limits on where the devices may be installed and...
San Jose skips housing offers for some homeless residents
In San Jose, how you get treated as a homeless person depends on where you end up on the streets. The city appears to be giving preferential treatment to homeless residents living in large encampments like Columbus Park and the reestablished Jungle in East San Jose, when it comes to outreach and offers of temporary...
The Biz Beat: Black & Brown brings vintage stylings to San Jose
A native of San Jose, Monisha Murray’s journey in the buy-and-sell world of vintage clothing began long before she opened her own storefront, Black & Brown. Over the last 21 years, the business has grown from a 2,000-square-foot startup to two side-by-side stores showcasing women’s and men’s classic clothing stretching back to the 1940s. “I...
Decision on San Jose school closures delayed
A committee tasked with recommending which campuses in San Jose’s largest school district to close has hit the brakes on making a decision. Poised to close up to nine schools due to declining enrollment, the San Jose Unified School District Schools of Tomorrow Committee on Tuesday postponed making a decision and adjusted criteria for how...
‘Willow Glen has lost part of its soul’ with deli owner’s death
Chris Bertucelli’s warm welcome and gracious smile made every customer feel like a friend. His sudden death last week at 47 shocked the tight-knit Willow Glen neighborhood. Bertucelli, co-owner of Bertucelli’s La Villa, a gourmet Italian delicatessen famed for its ravioli and lasagna, was known for lending a hand and never saying no. Jill Maggi,...
Advocates want San Jose to divest from companies tied to ICE
San Jose officials are weighing growing calls to divest the city from companies that critics say don’t align with local values. The City Council is set to take up the controversial divestment conversation March 24 during an annual review of the city’s investment policy. A group of local advocates has long been urging the city...
San Jose to clear its largest homeless camp — again
San Jose is clearing one of its most infamous homeless camps again, in what city officials claim will be the last time. About 100 homeless people have repopulated the creek around Story Road across from Happy Hollow Park & Zoo — an area known as “the Jungle.” The city will begin clearing the area on April...
San Jose mayor’s social media use faces criticism
Just weeks after announcing his run for governor, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan launched two new social media accounts on X and Instagram, each one designated as a city-backed account for official messaging. The move in February came amid City Hall grumbles about the mayor’s longstanding practice of using individual social media accounts for both...
San Jose Islamic center a hub for free medical and dental care
During Ramadan and daily prayer, the Evergreen Islamic Center in San Jose offers a place for spiritual reflection. It also provides a community hub, voting center and supportive services from food to health care. The center is unique in that it not only provides a food pantry and food distribution, it also offers free medical...
San Jose Quakers to make historic meeting house ADA accessible
The oldest Quaker meeting house west of Iowa is celebrating its 140th anniversary with a renewed commitment to accessibility. The historic San Jose Meeting House is raising funds to bring its landmark space into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The remodeling has turned out to be more extensive than expected due to...