Some activists claim the county is no longer providing them water to take to homeless encampments—a service offered over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. Gail Osmer, an advocate for houseless communities, said throughout the pandemic she’s gotten multiple cases of water from the county Office of Supportive Housing to distribute. But earlier this month, she says the...
Who is affected by San Jose’s proof of vaccine requirement?
San Jose’s newly-passed vaccination mandate on large events leaves out two groups people: Performers and athletes. According to the city’s new mandate, attendees and workers at events with 50 or more people at city-owned facilities need to show proof of vaccination—a CDC vaccination card, a photo of the card, a note from a doctor or...
San Jose businesses, leaders push for COVID shots after FDA approval
San Jose business and political leaders hope holdouts in the city will finally get vaccinated following the FDA’s approval of the COVID-19 Pfizer vaccine earlier this week. On Monday, the FDA officially endorsed Pfizer’s vaccine. Some businesses were waiting for full FDA approval to feel comfortable mandating vaccinations for their employees, said Dr. Jennifer Tong,...
UPDATE: San Jose mandates proof of vaccination for large events at city buildings
San Jose sports fans will need to show proof of vaccination the next time they see the Sharks play a home game. After a chaotic recess and more than two hours of comments from dozens of anti-vaccination protesters, the San Jose City Council voted Tuesday to require proof of vaccination for events of 50 or...
Protesters shut down San Jose council meeting ahead of vaccine mandate vote
Unmasked protesters opposing San Jose’s proof of COVID-19 vaccination mandate for large events at city-owned facilities forced the suspension of council proceedings for nearly an hour. More than 100 people—many unmasked and carrying signs with anti-vaccination messages—interrupted the City Council’s opening invocation on Tuesday, given by a Buddhist monk. A city official told San José Spotlight...
Facing displacement by Google, San Jose businesses seek financial help
As Google begins the early stages of development for its 80-acre campus in downtown San Jose, businesses in the tech giant’s footprint face an uncertain future. More than a dozen small businesses that operated for years in the area have little choice but to move—or shut down. “We don’t have a plan as far as where...
San Jose worker protests heat, wage theft at Burger King
A San Jose worker is blowing the whistle on Burger King for forcing employees to work in dangerously hot conditions and denying them rest breaks. On Friday, Rosa Vargas protested in front of a Burger King on Almaden Road for allegedly failing to protect her and other employees from excessive heat and wage theft. Vargas,...
San Jose breaks ground on affordable housing for seniors
Homeless seniors will have another place to live in San Jose next year—on the site of a historic market. Local elected officials and nonprofit leaders gathered Monday on the site of the former Dick’s Supermarket north of Japantown for the groundbreaking of Villas at Fourth Street, a 93-unit affordable housing project for chronically homeless seniors...
Former San Jose reporter calls out DA for alleged victim’s rights violation
Paul Gackle barely survived being stabbed 14 times in his home. Four years later, he’s broke and suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, but is determined to not be victimized again. Earlier this month, an advocate launched a petition for Gackle calling on the California Victims Compensation Board to pay him for wages lost following a horrifying...
Churches could be San Jose’s next affordable housing sites
A house of worship could be the next refuge for people looking for a permanent home. San Jose and local faith leaders are proposing a change to the city’s affordable housing plans that would allow developers to build at gathering places such as churches, private clubs, lodges and theaters, bypassing the city’s often lengthy permit...