Susan Hammer, the trailblazing 62nd mayor of San Jose known for her infectious laugh and push for diversity and equity, died Saturday. She was 81. Hammer’s family made the announcement Sunday afternoon, citing health reasons. Hammer, who battled Alzheimer’s disease, was surrounded by family and friends. “We are heartbroken at Mom’s passing and feel so...
San Jose: Fear lingers three years after Trump’s Vietnamese deportation order
Achieving the American Dream is the goal for many: Get a stable job, have a house in a nice neighborhood, raise a family and hopefully, the cycle continues. Phước Thắng, a 40-year-old San Jose native, is on his way to the dream. He’s a cable wirer, a husband and father of two daughters, ages 5...
As coronavirus cases increase, San Jose mayor announces plan to protect renters
The number of coronavirus cases in California continues to rise, including in Santa Clara County, which has seen 10 new cases in just two days — bringing the total number to 32 confirmed cases by Saturday. The global pandemic is forcing more residents across the state to stay home and avoid public spaces, events and the workplace. But the stakes for...
San Jose leaders to craft a suicide prevention policy
Nearly three years after one lawmaker proposed the idea, the San Jose City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved adopting a citywide suicide prevention policy to raise awareness and shift resources toward a mental health epidemic that results in the death of dozens of residents each year. Councilmember Raul Peralez in 2017 pitched the plan, which calls for...
San Jose lawmakers set their top priorities for the new year
The San Jose City Council is grappling with scores of pressing issues, but with little time and limited resources, lawmakers each year must decide which priorities to push forward. Following hours of pitching policy proposals they consider the most imperative for the city’s progress, elected leaders on Tuesday voted to add seven new policies to...
From equity to blight and guns: San Jose lawmakers outline new priorities
With limited resources and time, the San Jose City Council each year must decide where its priorities fall. On Tuesday, the lawmakers will duel on which policy proposals they consider imperative for the city’s growth and progress. Since 2011, lawmakers have crafted a high-priority list of policy initiatives to steer the direction of the city’s...
San Jose council candidate loses endorsements after divorce claims come to light
Political and business leaders on Wednesday pulled their endorsements of San Jose District 8 candidate Jim Zito, after San José Spotlight reported details about his divorce that include an alleged history of controlling behavior and emotional abuse. San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo, Councilmembers Pam Foley and Johnny Khamis, the Santa Clara County Association of Realtors and...
San Jose rejects controversial hotel project, approves wage theft policy
San Jose lawmakers on Tuesday unanimously rejected a proposal to build a new hotel with two entertainment venues in a sleepy suburb of the city, following immense pressure from residents who voiced opposition to the project. The hotel, which would have been located at 615 and 623 Stockton Ave., was heavily protested for being plopped in...
San Jose mulls new citywide parking policy ideas to cut greenhouse gases
San Jose Planning Commission members received a recent preview of an Urban Land Institute parking study and a slew of recommendations that aim to reduce congestion and the number of miles vehicles travel in the city as a way to cut down on greenhouse gas emissions. ULI is an urban planning research organization and thinktank,...
San Jose: Census officials work to gain trust in Vietnamese community
Census officials are determined to count each and every member of San Jose’s substantial Vietnamese community, pulling out all the stops through local partnerships and widespread publicity. Yet, an extensive outreach plan may not fully reach a group that’s held on to a distrust of government and faced deportations. A priority in this year’s U.S....