Although Santa Clara County was one of the first in the nation to create a behavioral health court, criminal offenders with mental health and drug problems sit in jail for months before getting treatment. That could change this week. County officials on Monday launched a pilot program with a separate court calendar that could fast-track...
San José Spotlight receives prestigious honor from Santa Clara County
The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors has commended San José Spotlight for its commitment to providing accurate and critical information on issues affecting county residents. The commendation, presented on Monday by Supervisor Otto Lee, recognizes this news organization’s dedication to empowering residents, boosting transparency and igniting civic engagement. The honor covers San José Spotlight’s...
San Jose leaders push Proposition 36 as critics fight back
A coalition of elected officials that Gov. Gavin Newsom dismissed as “just a couple mayors,” is raising hundreds of thousands of dollars in an effort to reverse lenient rules on retail and drug crimes. San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan announced the “Yes on 36” ballot measure committee with Elk Grove Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen and Sacramento...
Silicon Valley service workers support no taxes on tips
Bev Lucatelli, owner of The Caravan Lounge, pretends to jokingly strangle one of her bartenders, King Patrick Eugenio, under the warm glow of the bar’s rainbow Christmas lights and they both burst out laughing. All the employees treat each other like family, with Lucatelli even offering to spot Eugenio when he’s low on rent money....
Santa Clara water agency wins lawsuit against its director
Santa Clara Valley Water District has won its lawsuit against one of its directors who took thousands of pages of internal documents. Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Ellen E. Williams has ordered Valley Water Director Rebecca Eisenberg to return a roughly 2,000-page report to Valley Water officials within five days. The report was the...
Silicon Valley farmworkers, veterans receive federal help
Two projects in Santa Clara County are receiving federal funds to renovate housing for farmworkers and homeless veterans. Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren helped secure $2.6 million for the county, with $1 million going toward repairs on blighted buildings that house homeless veterans, and $1.6 million for housing and electrical upgrades for farmworkers to meet code compliance. Congressman Ro...
Silicon Valley schools implement cell phone restrictions
San Jose schools are limiting cell phone use during classes in an effort to steer students away from the ongoing stress of screen time toward better academic performance and wellness. In response to students distracted from learning by social media, texts and notifications, local schools are stepping up cell phone policies. This follows State Superintendent...
San Jose tiny homes could become jail diversion site
Santa Clara County wants to purchase a tiny home village for homeless residents from San Jose and use it to house formerly incarcerated people — sparking safety concerns from nearby homeowners. San Jose launched the Monterey/Bernal tiny home site as emergency housing in October 2020 to house residents who became homeless during the pandemic, with...
Santa Clara County to buy Regional Medical Center
After months of fighting to save Regional Medical Center’s services, Santa Clara County leaders figured out how to stop the owner of the hospital from gutting them: they plan to buy it. County officials today announced their intent to buy the hospital from HCA Healthcare, the nation’s largest hospital corporation, for $175 million. County Executive...
Silicon Valley housing coalition rethinks future without bond measure
With the stripping of a November ballot measure that proposed putting billions of dollars into building affordable homes in the Bay Area, housing advocates are pivoting their efforts. Regional Measure 4 would’ve infused $20 billion in affordable housing funds across nine Bay Area counties if it had remained on the ballot and passed. Santa Clara County would’ve...