A San Jose development touted as the gold standard for prefabricated temporary housing has turned into a hornets’ nest fraught with problems. A total of six former and current workers claim Branham Lane — a three-story site with 168 apartments operated by LifeMoves — is plagued with managerial dysfunction, unprofessionalism and alleged drug dealing between an...
The Biz Beat: San Jose Mexican bakery offers Oaxacan delights
Upon entering Dulcinea Panadería Oaxaqueña in San Jose, the intoxicating aroma alone should be enough to overwhelm your senses. But if it doesn’t, the dazzling display of more than 100 varieties of cookies, pastries, breads and cakes — almost all made fresh daily — certainly will. It might be surprising to discover all of this...
San Jose slow to tell workers about data breach
San Jose administrators have disclosed that private information for current and former city employees may have been compromised, following a data breach last month. The incident occurred on Jan. 9 when a “workforce member” lost a USB drive that may have contained Social Security numbers, according to a letter city officials sent to people whose...
Super Bowl gave San Jose and Santa Clara major economic boost
South Bay leaders say preliminary figures and anecdotal observations gauging the economic impact from Super Bowl 60 suggest a yearslong effort to prepare the region for the flood of new visitors has paid off. If they’re correct, it’s a sign the South Bay managed to secure a larger slice of the economic pie than when...
Serial entrepreneur seeks District 9 San Jose council seat
Serial entrepreneur, classic car collector, TV host, civic organizer — lifelong San Jose resident Mike Hennessy has worn a lot of hats over the years. Now, he said that wide-ranging experience has prepared him well to step into yet another role: District 9 councilmember. “I know I can add some common sense,” Hennessy, 70, told...
San Jose’s mask policy holds despite federal ruling
A federal judge has temporarily blocked California from enacting a law that would ban federal agents from wearing masks — but a similar policy in San Jose remains intact. On Feb. 9, federal Judge Christina Snyder ruled that California’s “No Secret Police Act” appears to be discriminatory since it only bans federal agents from wearing...
Doan nabs dual endorsements in San Jose District 7 race
It’s a rare alignment of San Jose’s political stars: Two influential organizations on opposite sides of San Jose’s labor-business political divide have endorsed the same candidate in the District 7 City Council race. Incumbent Councilmember Bien Doan has won support from both the Silicon Valley Biz PAC and South Bay Labor Council. Doan — a...
San Jose’s largest school district looks to close schools
Santa Clara County’s largest school district could close up to nine elementary schools due to declining enrollment — a game changer for the district as it redefines its future. The San Jose Teachers Association is urging San Jose Unified School District to consider restructuring the system due to enrollment and equity issues. There are 41...
UPDATE: San Jose council puts hotel tax measure on June ballot
Facing yet another major budget shortfall, San Jose leaders have greenlit a proposal to hike taxes on hotel stays as a means of boosting revenue for city services. The City Council voted unanimously Tuesday in favor of placing a measure to increase the city’s hotel tax, also known as a transient occupancy tax, on the...
San Jose homeless relocation program serves few
A pilot program to reconnect homeless people in San Jose to family outside the city had minimal effect in the past year. Homeward Bound, proposed by Mayor Matt Mahan as another option to help get homeless people off the streets, reconnected 42 individuals to their support systems since it began last February. Out of the...