After a lengthy effort to ensure geographic equity on San Jose’s planning commission, city leaders on Monday appointed five new members each from a different district. The commission advises San Jose lawmakers on land use decisions and under certain circumstance can approve some projects without the City Council’s review. Months of advocacy for more representation...
San Jose activist pushes for mural honoring Gilroy shooting victim
Keyla Salazar had her whole life ahead of her when she was shot in the chest at the Gilroy Garlic Festival in 2019 just days before her 14th birthday. Salazar loved creating art and cared deeply for the humans and animals in her life, according to her family. Almost 200 people from her San Jose...
As illegal fireworks are on the rise, San Jose hopes to crack down
While Fourth of July celebrations are canceled across the South Bay due to coronavirus restrictions – aside from Gilroy’s plans for an abnormally high display Saturday – some residents have started recreating traditions on their own – illegally. Shooting off fireworks, bottle rockets, roman candles and firecrackers is illegal in San Jose and most of...
San Jose could face legal trouble for censoring racist remarks at meetings
Emanuel Jacobo said he knew he’d be cut off at a virtual San Jose City Council meeting after quoting a lyric by 2pac using the n-word during a discussion on police reform. “Cops give a damn about a negro, pull the trigger kill a n–––– he’s a hero,” Jacobo said, quoting 2pac’s Changes right before...
San Jose commission criticized for lack of diversity now led by Latinx leaders
A year ago, one of San Jose’s most powerful city commissions had a majority of white people on it. Today, the San Jose Planning Commission is led by two Latinx commissioners — with a woman in the top spot as chair. It is believed to be the first time in the commission’s history that two...
Calls to defund San Jose police intensify after racist Facebook posts exposed
Four San Jose police officers are on administrative leave after being linked to a private Facebook group rife with bigoted and racist comments, but South Bay community leaders say that’s not enough. The racism will not go away simply by firing or disciplining the officers who posted on the page, said Raj Jayadev, co-founder of...
How a seven year fight to save a San Jose trestle ended
A steel bridge stored in Colorado may soon cross over Los Gatos Creek in San Jose’s Willow Glen neighborhood, replacing the nearly 100-year-old railroad structure a crew began demolishing this week. “It will be connected by fall – even if it is not paved,” said Councilmember Dev Davis. A band of preservationists fought for seven...
San Jose libraries face $1 million budget cut
The San Jose Public Library will lose more than $1 million in the upcoming budget year, leading to reduced hours and the elimination of dozens of full and part-time positions. The move came in response to the city’s request to scale back on expenses due to the budget shortfall dealt by the coronavirus pandemic. “We...
San Jose police officers removed from East Side district campuses
The San Jose Police Department will not patrol East Side high school campuses for the foreseeable future. Following a June 11 resolution supporting the Black Lives Matter movement, East Side Union High School District Superintendent Chris Funk recommended Thursday that officers be removed from schools in the upcoming school year. “I felt like it was...
After two decades, San Jose City Attorney Rick Doyle is retiring
For two decades, San Jose City Attorney Rick Doyle navigated the law through a recession, violent protests at City Hall and a full-scale transition to Zoom meetings because of the coronavirus. Now he plans to retire. He was at the helm when pension reform emptied out the police department and resulted in countless union-led lawsuits. He was there...