An art piece at the San Jose International Airport is raising concerns from police advocates who say it depicts violence against officers. San Jose city officials confirmed the artwork has been taken down. “Last night, a temporary art exhibition at the airport ‘Holding the Moment’ was rotated out three days early,” said Carolina Camarena, a...
San Jose bans natural gas in new commercial buildings
San Jose became the largest city in the country to ban natural gas in commercial buildings, but its plan to keep businesses running during a power outage was criticized by activists and lawmakers. The City Council voted 8-3 on Dec. 1 to approve the ban but in the wake of a public health crisis and...
San Jose mayor apologizes for violating COVID-19 guidelines at Thanksgiving dinner
San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo violated state public health regulations by attending a Thanksgiving dinner at his parents’ house alongside four other households. An updated state requirement issued Nov. 13 prohibits Californians from hosting private gatherings with more than three households, although it does not limit the number of people at a private gathering. The...
San Jose moves one step closer to its own Barack Obama Boulevard
After nearly three years of petitioning, San Jose leaders have finally selected a location for Barack Obama Boulevard. In an application filed with the Planning Department, a group of residents and organizers called the Barack Obama Boulevard Committee proposed renaming Bird Avenue, Autumn Street and Montgomery Street between Highway 280 and West Saint John Street...
San Jose to vote on extending natural gas ban
Eyeing an all-electric future, the San Jose City Council will vote Dec. 1 on whether to expand its existing natural gas ban to include new commercial developments. San Jose’s current ordinance, passed by lawmakers last year, bans natural gas in new residential buildings including single-family homes, low-rise apartments and condos — but incoming office and...
San Jose looks at ways to increase housing for middle-income workers
Middle-income wage earners, such as firefighters and teachers who often are left out San Jose’s housing equation, are the focus of a new effort being discussed at City Hall. Councilmember Johnny Khamis said the city becoming a member of the California Community Housing Agency (CalCHA), which issues government purpose bonds to finance affordable housing, might...
A drive-thru Christmas in the Park comes to San Jose
Not even a pandemic, a statewide curfew or a ban on mass outdoor gatherings is stopping San Jose’s decades-old Christmas tradition from fostering the holiday spirit. In the name of safety, Christmas in the Park — an annual outdoor pop-up featuring crowds, food and decorative displays — has been reimagined as a festive drive-thru light...
Pavement conditions, safety concerns blamed for drop in trail use in San Jose
When Liz Sewell moved to the area, she said she marveled at the number of trails San Jose has close to downtown. Sewell, the city’s trail manager, came to the South Bay from Philadelphia, a city that’s quickly transformed itself into a bike-friendly community. But she said San Jose’s push to encourage more biking across the city, particularly for commuting, interested...
Gratitude the centerpiece of Thanksgiving in San Jose
“Happy Thanksgiving, God bless, and let’s eat!” a man declared before a line of people waiting for food. “Amen!” they shouted in response. Hundreds of people lined up on Thanksgiving Day to receive food from local nonprofits during a year that’s left residents reeling from a global pandemic, restrictive health orders and economic fallout. “We...
Matt Mahan prepares to take office as new District 10 councilmember
While dozens of local candidates battled it out in November, Matt Mahan quietly prepared to move into his council office and take the reins from termed-out Councilmember Johnny Khamis. The new Almaden Valley councilmember handily won his election in March and has since sat in on District 10 meetings to pick up where Khamis left...