San Jose Councilmember Sergio Jimenez is calling for an appointment to replace disgraced colleague Omar Torres, whose recent arrest and resignation could have business and labor interests dueling to tip the City Council’s balance of power. Jimenez wants his colleagues to interview replacement candidates and appoint someone at a special meeting, ideally by Dec. 27....
Silicon Valley gets millions from state to fight homelessness
San Jose and Santa Clara County are set to receive tens of millions of dollars for homelessness prevention and housing. Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the latest round of funding last week, totaling $827 million across more than 100 communities, from the Homeless, Housing, Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) program. San Jose is getting $28.8 million and...
San Jose Councilman Omar Torres sodomized cousin, documents show
San Jose Councilmember Omar Torres allegedly sexually abused and sodomized his cousin when his relative was as young as 13, new police records obtained by San José Spotlight have revealed. The disturbing new details emerge as Torres faces three felony counts of child sexual assault, according to new court documents released after his stunning arrest...
San Jose nonprofit gives dignity back to sexual assault victims
Chanel Miller awoke at Valley Medical Center disoriented and alone after she was sexually assaulted on the Stanford University campus. Her clothes were confiscated for DNA evidence and she was left with nothing to wear but a hospital gown and boots. “If I had had to leave the hospital in that state, I imagine I...
Pamela Campos leads San Jose D2 race by thin margin
Educator turned candidate Pamela Campos has a marginal lead over retired sheriff’s deputy Joe Lopez in the race for the San Jose City Council District 2 seat. As of 5 p.m. Friday, Campos, a nonprofit advocate and former education specialist, is ahead with 52.1% of the vote, or 11,766 votes. Longtime San Jose resident and...
D8 San Jose Councilman Domingo Candelas headed to victory
In a heated fight for reelection, San Jose Councilmember Domingo Candelas appears to be headed for another four years on the city council. As of 5 p.m. Friday, incumbent Candelas is leading his opponent, San Jose police Sgt. Tam Truong, with 55.1% of the vote, or 15,866 votes. Truong trails with 44.8% of the vote,...
Willow Glen native Mulcahy maintains lead in San Jose D6 race
Real estate investor Michael Mulcahy has pulled ahead in the race for the San Jose City Council District 6 seat. As of 5 p.m. on Friday, Mulcahy is leading with 52.3% of the vote, or 14,849 votes. Olivia Navarro, an insurance agent and political adviser, is trailing with 47.6% of the vote, or 13,531 votes....
San Jose police arrest Councilman Omar Torres
Story updated Nov. 6 at 9:27 a.m. Original story published Nov. 5 at 4:40 p.m. San Jose police have arrested Councilmember Omar Torres, his attorney confirmed to San José Spotlight. The attorney said on Tuesday that Torres had been “picked up,” and will be arraigned Wednesday. SJPD confirmed Torres was taken into custody as part...
San Jose farm park advocates accuse city of retaliation
Supporters of an East San Jose farm say they’ve been trying for years to get the city to invest more in the beloved community park. Instead, city parks officials responded by cutting off the relationship with the group. The 40-year-old Emma Prusch Park Foundation is alleging San Jose Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services hasn’t been...