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...
San Jose streets getting traffic cameras to improve safety
Dozens of traffic enforcement cameras will be placed across San Jose’s most dangerous streets after city leaders approved a multimillion-dollar pilot program. City transportation officials have examined priority safety corridors where 30% of fatalities and severe injuries are caused by speeding vehicles, and have identified 63 potential locations for “speed safety cameras.” Councilmember Pam Foley,...
San Jose homeless family memorializes poisoned dog
A homeless man and his son have built a Dia de los Muertos altar near a freeway overpass to honor his dog that was killed. Candles, marigolds, Christmas lights, skulls and drapes decorate the elaborate altar located at Seventh and East Virginia streets. At the center is a large framed picture of Nacho, Miguel Maruyama’s...
San Jose leaders deny Councilman Omar Torres’ medical leave request
Questions are mounting as to whether or not embattled San Jose Councilmember Omar Torres will resign — and his colleagues are declining to formally excuse his absence from public meetings. For a second time since police filings showed Torres sent lewd texts about minors, councilmembers at a Wednesday Rules and Open Government Committee meeting declined...
San Jose residents want sound walls to protect neighborhood
The San Jose City Council is going to correct a decadeslong freeway oversight and approve sound walls along Interstate 280 near a forgotten neighborhood. Sound wall barriers would be constructed along the I-280 corridor next to the San Jose Gardner neighborhood and elementary school. The work is expected to be approved by councilmembers Tuesday. The...
San Jose expands paid family leave to attract police, workers
More than 1,000 officers with San Jose’s police union will no longer have limited hours of parental leave to spend with family. City officials have expanded the existing 40 hours of paid leave for workers to 320 hours, with all of San Jose’s major unions becoming eligible as of Oct. 22 — including officers with...
San Jose cop turned candidate has fraud case dismissed
A San Jose police sergeant faced with mortgage fraud allegations has had his case dismissed, potentially improving his chances in his bid for a City Council seat. Tam Troung, who was charged by the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office with a single count of grand theft on Sept. 5, had his case moved to...
San Jose residents start campaign to recall Councilman Omar Torres
Downtown San Jose residents are launching a recall campaign against Councilmember Omar Torres, claiming they no longer feel represented by him as he continues to evade the public eye. Torres, who represents the downtown neighborhoods of District 3, has maintained his innocence despite dodging his council responsibilities and missing multiple meetings after police filings showed...
East San Jose official wants funds to fix blighted parks
San Jose city parks have a problem — there’s a huge backlog of needed repairs and insufficient funds to bring them up to standard. One councilmember may have a solution, but it’s going to take time. District 5 Councilmember Peter Ortiz is proposing a 2026 ballot measure to fund park maintenance, and has requested the...