While San Jose works to divvy up a hefty donation from Google, residents want to make sure that money goes back to supporting their communities. Part of Google’s $200 million donation to San Jose was $1 million to support the Gardner Community Center, with the goal of reopening the center with more programs for residents....
San Jose advocates want better data on missing Indigenous women
Local health care representatives and activists are raising awareness for a national issue going under the radar: the alarming rate of Indigenous women who are missing or murdered. Community members gathered at San Jose City Hall on Tuesday to raise awareness for the disproportionate violence Indigenous women face — which in certain communities is 10...
Silicon Valley nonprofit shutters homeless support group
A homeless support group in San Jose is closing down, and members are unsure about whether they will be able to continue their work. Sacred Heart Community Service shuttered its homelessness organizing committee, Survivors of the Streets (SOS), and let go of the group’s organizer, citing dwindling resources. This loss comes at a pivotal moment...
San Jose Sharks tout benefits to city as lease set to expire
The San Jose Sharks’ SAP Center lease with the city is expiring next year, and the terms will be changing — opening the door for negotiations with both parties. Next year the city, which owns the arena, can hike the Sharks’ rent annually, and Sharks Sports and Entertainment leaders are hinting at a desire for...
San Jose to crack down on illicit drugs in smoke shops
San Jose smoke shops will soon be monitored more closely by the city for unregulated drugs due to a new permitting system. The San Jose City Council unanimously voted Tuesday to require an additional permit for smoke shops in the city, in an attempt to reduce the amount of unregulated drugs — including synthetic cannabis...
San Jose commission wants to split parkland for commercial use
Plans for a 40-acre park in San Jose that was previously home to hundreds of homeless residents are shrinking as officials consider other uses for the space. The San Jose Airport Commission is recommending the City Council scale back building a park on vacant downtown land south of San Jose Mineta International Airport and allow commercial...
San Jose District 2 candidate bridges labor-business divide
San Jose’s long-standing divide between business and labor interests might come down to the District 2 race and could bring more collaboration to the City Council. District 2 candidate Pamela Campos announced a slate of endorsements on Friday from both sides of the council’s business and labor divide. She is running against retired sheriff officer...
San Jose State students stage protest and call for divestment
San Jose State University students have set up a dozen tents on a lawn in front of Clark Hall, calling for the school to acknowledge the death toll in Gaza from the Israel-Hamas war. The student encampment began Monday, which was the last day of classes at SJSU. University administrators put up a sign telling...
San Jose looks to raise garbage and recycling rates
San Jose garbage and recycling rates are on the rise again, making it more difficult for low-income families to balance their budgets. The city is proposing a 4% rate increase or $2.05 a month for single-family service, which would bring the monthly bill to $53.45 or $641.40 annually for the 32-gallon cart. The multi-family service...
Advocates want a say in choosing San Jose police chief
San Jose leaders could select a new police chief by September. But before they do, some advocates are urging them to speak with families who lost loved ones to police shootings. The city has mounted a monthslong public outreach effort to replace former Chief Anthony Mata. The City Manager’s Office met with a consortium of grassroots social...