San Jose lawmakers proposed first-in-the-nation gun measures in June, mandating that gun owners carry insurance and pay into a public fund to cover gun violence costs. But enforcing the measures might be more difficult than the city anticipates. “The devil is in the details. Sure, gun violence is a very serious problem for the community and that’s true...
Fake San Jose police notice highlights homeless camp tension
A fake police notice distributed at a homeless encampment in South San Jose has amped up tensions between unhoused individuals and nearby homeowners. Notices appeared late Saturday night and indicated the San Jose Police Department would conduct a clean-up in the area the following morning. The letters warned residents to take their things and leave....
San Jose employees must vaccinate or be tested
San Jose employees will be required to show proof they’ve had a COVID-19 vaccine or take weekly tests, following the lead of the county and many other public agencies. In an email to employees on Wednesday, including the police and fire departments, the city’s Office of Employee Relations said by Aug. 23, it will require...
San Jose State University alumni compete in Tokyo Olympics
Among the 11,000 athletes competing for medals in the Tokyo Olympics, several have ties to San Jose State University. Ten residents — who are San Jose State University alumni — are representing nine different sports at the international competition, according to the city’s website. The athletes weren’t immediately available for comment. Lawrence Fan, spokesperson for...
San Jose police have the lowest COVID vaccination rates in the region
San Jose police hold the lowest vaccination rate among law enforcement agencies within Santa Clara County, including Gilroy, Milpitas, Mountain View, Sunnyvale and the county itself, according to a survey of city employees. But a police union spokesperson has doubts about the survey’s accuracy. A little more than half of all sworn San Jose police officers completed...
Wife of slain San Jose VTA worker pushes for new law
After a disgruntled employee killed her husband more than two months ago, Terra Fritch wanted retribution. With the shooter dead she could only take money from his estate and pension through a lawsuit. But she quickly found her way blocked. “Every lawyer I talked to said by the time we get a conviction, and then...
These San Jose nonprofits received the most PPP loan money
The federal Paycheck Protection Program awarded roughly $122 million to more than 360 nonprofits in San Jose this past year to weather the pandemic, according to recent data from the Small Business Administration. As COVID-19 shuttered social gatherings and in-person services, local nonprofit leaders said the loans were vital to prevent layoffs and cuts to programming. “Getting...
San Jose Planning Commission gains equity with more members
The San Jose Planning Commission added four additional members in July following community demand for diversity and citywide representation. Rolando Bonilla, chair of the commission, says the change is needed and a long time coming. “The city of San Jose, the largest city in the Bay Area, needed to set an example of how to...
Some San Jose public workers to see wage increase
After months of negotiations with San Jose, some city employees are one step closer to receiving higher wages for the upcoming year. Municipal Employee’s Federation (MEF) 101 President Steven Solorio told San José Spotlight that union leaders and the city recently agreed to a 3.25% wage increase for the first year of a two-year contract....
San Jose mayor’s private emails spark response from watchdogs, attorney
A San Francisco law firm and a free speech advocacy group are demanding San Jose City Hall release emails from the mayor’s private account after San José Spotlight reported on his attempt to skirt public records law last month. Prominent San Francisco media attorney Karl Olson and the First Amendment Coalition separately have filed two public records...