The plea hearing for disgraced former San Jose Councilmember Omar Torres has been delayed to next month, but his attorney said his client is willing to accept responsibility. Torres appeared at the main county courthouse Friday morning, but his hearing was delayed until Feb. 14 at 9 a.m. The former District 3 leader, who resigned...
San Jose residents hope city commits to homeless ‘no return zone’
San Jose officials plan to make one neighborhood a “no return zone” for homeless people after hearing safety concerns from residents — but the mayor couldn’t confirm a date. San Jose Action, a group of residents living along Great Oaks Parkway, met with Mayor Matt Mahan and District 2 Councilmember Pamela Campos Monday to share...
San Jose police chief lays out 2025 challenges
San Jose Police Chief Paul Joseph stopped in South San Jose for his first 2025 community town hall, taking questions and giving updates on the uphill battle facing the city’s police department. Joseph told Almaden Valley Community Association members earlier this month the challenges facing the San Jose Police Department stem from the continued decline...
San Jose council appoints temporary downtown representative
San Jose officials have chosen a temporary downtown representative while voters wait to pick a permanent replacement in a special election later this year. The City Council voted Tuesday to appoint Carl Eugene Salas, founder of engineering and technical services firm Salas O’Brien, to temporarily fill the empty District 3 seat starting Feb. 4. Salas...
San Jose homeless shelter gets a facelift
San Jose’s largest congregate homeless shelter serving individuals has been updated to offer more privacy for residents. The 250-bed Boccardo Reception Center on Little Orchard Street, operated by nonprofit HomeFirst, has gone through a $150,000 renovation funded by Housing Industry Foundation. Upgrades include adding privacy panels between every bed, installing panels between the main shelter...
The Biz Beat: Santana Row’s Fitoor offers flavorful tour of Indian cuisine
Chef Vaibhav Sawant has infused the menu at Santana Row’s Fitoor Indian Grill and Lounge with a splendid selection of inventive takes, all immaculately plated and irresistible. But the Double Butter Daal Makhani, perhaps the simplest entree in appearance, belies the time and effort that goes into making it. Served with flakey malabar paratha flatbread,...
San Jose’s projected budget deficit skyrockets
As San Jose crunches the numbers in its upcoming budget, a larger than expected shortfall looms on the horizon, along with another round of department cuts and potential layoffs. San Jose initially anticipated a budget shortfall of $39 million for the upcoming 2025-26 fiscal year, but it has since ballooned to $60 million, according to...
San Jose asks churches to lend a hand with housing
San Jose has a homelessness crisis — and the city is turning to religious institutions to lighten the load. Mayor Matt Mahan held a breakfast and two panel discussions Thursday to educate religious leaders on how church parking lots or empty spaces can be utilized for temporary or affordable housing. By the end of the event, nine...
Short-term San Jose council appointment down to 5 candidates
San Jose officials have narrowed down the list of candidates to temporarily fill the vacant downtown seat on the City Council from 11 to five. Councilmembers will interview Bob Staedler, Jahmal Williams, Danielle Marie Christian, Carl Eugene Salas and Baltazar Lopez on Jan. 28 before appointing one of them to fill the District 3 seat....
Former San Jose police union manager avoids prison
An ex-San Jose police union manager is avoiding prison time after illegally importing opioids for foreign drug suppliers — ending a scandal that started nearly two years ago. U.S. District Judge Eumi K. Lee sentenced Joanne Segovia to three years’ probation and 100 hours of community service, after she confessed in October to running a...