The CEO of San Jose’s recycling hauler was federally charged for allegedly bribing former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao and her boyfriend. California Waste Solutions CEO David Duong and his son, Andy, who also works for the company, are accused of paying $95,000 in bribes to Thao and her partner, Andre Jones. They also promised to pay...
San Jose ‘responsible landlord’ initiative could return
San Jose residents want a neighborhood improvement initiative to restart after it sunsetted last June due to lack of funding. Community organizer Jaime Angulo created the Responsible Landlord Engagement Initiative (RLEI) in 2010 to help neighbors resolve issues they faced on their block — whether it was an unruly tenant, a group home where neighbors...
San Jose officials rally to fund immigrant protection groups
Latino members of the San Jose City Council are calling for more funding for undocumented immigrant protections as the incoming presidential administration threatens to ramp up deportations. Councilmembers Pamela Campos, Domingo Candelas, David Cohen and Peter Ortiz want the city to follow up on past funding from Santa Clara County officials and give more financial support...
Insufficient builder fees leave San Jose with infrastructure backlog
Housing and business developers in San Jose avoid building public improvements by paying fees to the city, but this often leads to infrastructure projects slowing to a crawl. Developers are typically responsible for building necessary infrastructure as part of residential and commercial projects, such as underground utilities, street improvements, traffic signals and more. To get...
Chick-fil-A may have found a home in the West Valley
A crispy fried chicken chain may have found a home in West San Jose. Chick-fil-A filed plans with the San Jose planning department last month to build a new restaurant at 4400 Stevens Creek Blvd. where an empty Round Table Pizza and kidney dialysis center sit. The chicken-eatery giant wants to demolish the existing 10,400-square-foot...
Feds expand lawsuit against corporate San Jose landlords
Landlords with ties to Silicon Valley have been targeted by the U.S. Justice Department in its growing effort to stop property owners from using tech software to influence rent prices. Federal officials on Tuesday added six corporate landlords to an existing lawsuit against RealPage, a company accused of providing property management software used to maximize rent prices....
San Jose has a new vice mayor
Two-term San Jose Councilmember Pam Foley is getting a new title: vice mayor. Foley, who represents District 9, will take over the ceremonial role from District 1 Councilmember Rosemary Kamei, who Mayor Matt Mahan in 2023 appointed in an attempt to bridge political divides between labor and business interests. Foley’s new role will start Jan....
San Jose candidate catches flak for recent move into district
One prominent community leader’s bid for the open District 3 San Jose City Council seat is raising eyebrows — and questions about her commitment to the neighborhood. Gabby Chavez-Lopez, executive director of Latina Coalition of Silicon Valley, moved back into a family home in the historic downtown Hensley neighborhood on Nov. 16, just 11 days...
Jimmy Carter’s journey through Silicon Valley
Former President Jimmy Carter left a strong impression on the people, including Silicon Valley leaders who spent time with him during his decades of social justice work post-presidency. Carter died on Dec. 29, 2024 at age 100. Since his death, Silicon Valley leaders have reflected on a 2013 visit from Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, with Habitat...
Rental listing scams are up in Santa Clara County
Rental listing scams are becoming more elaborate, with local authorities warning residents to take caution. When Shereen Jarrett was searching for an affordable apartment during the months she was homeless, numerous red flags popped up. After visiting properties, she learned there were no vacancies and the person claiming to be the property owner was an...