San Jose Councilmember Omar Torres was denied bail on Thursday amid an ongoing child sex abuse investigation. Torres, who resigned from City Council effective Nov. 27, faces a maximum 24 years in jail if convicted on three felony counts of child molestation, which came after his Election Day arrest. Police are continuing their investigation of...
UPDATE: San Jose hospital meeting ends without community benefits commitment
San Jose health advocates said Good Samaritan Hospital leadership has refused to commit to a community benefits proposal as part of its $1.2 billion bid to expand the hospital. Members of the Rescue Our Medical Care campaign rallied in front of City Hall on Wednesday to call on HCA Healthcare, the parent company of Good...
Cash-strapped San Jose school district narrows down closures
Hundreds of North San Jose parents, students and teachers are joining forces to fight school closures in their community. The Berryessa Union School District board met Tuesday night to discuss the potential closure of three schools due to declining enrollment and decreased federal and state dollars. The schools on the chopping block have not been...
Here’s who’s vying to be downtown San Jose’s next councilmember
San Jose officials are at a crossroads over how to fill the City Council seat left vacant by Omar Torres’ stunning Election Day arrest and resignation — and several potential contenders want to take his place. City leaders in the next several weeks will decide whether to replace Torres in a special election or appointment,...
San Jose vice mayor warned about Omar Torres — and did nothing
Another top San Jose political leader was contacted about Councilmember Omar Torres — now facing charges of molestation and child sex crimes — more than a year before his downfall. Screenshots obtained by San José Spotlight shows a tipster — who had been in a sexual relationship with Torres — sent Vice Mayor Rosemary Kamei...
North San Jose development includes affordable housing
A proposed development with hundreds of apartments in North San Jose has housing advocates and nearby residents cautiously optimistic. San Jose-based developer Valley Oak Partners recently submitted a detailed plan to the city planning department for 637 apartments and 100 townhomes that goes beyond the 15% minimum affordable housing requirement. The proposal designates 132 apartments...
San Jose official opts for appointment to replace disgraced colleague
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...