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In our 2021 survey, San José Spotlight readers told us they want to be more civically engaged and involved in local policymaking. Many readers said our coverage of local government has motivated them to get more involved in the decision-making process, but some don’t quite know where to start. One of the simplest ways to make...
Proposal to build housing on San Jose ranch property sparks controversy
The owners of a large horse ranch property in south San Jose want to start building houses on their land—and neighbors are livid. Hero Ranch owner Angelo Heropoulos asked county supervisors last week to change the land’s open space designation to residential, allowing up to eight homes to be built on the property. The ranch...
How to find homeless services and shelter in San Jose
The past year has been a difficult one for many people in San Jose, especially those facing homelessness and housing insecurity. Finding information about shelter and housing can be a difficult and confusing process. Here’s a guide answering some of the most commonly asked questions from readers about finding housing, as well as some resources...
Santa Clara County leaders to consider eliminating more business fees
Santa Clara County lawmakers want to give 1,000 small businesses a break on more fees just a month after nixing health permit fees. The proposal, introduced by Supervisors Cindy Chavez and Susan Ellenberg, would eliminate weights and measures device registration fees for the rest of the calendar year. The plan will be considered at Tuesday’s Board...
As San Jose schools begin reopening, legislators push to help families recover
As students across the South Bay begin returning to the classroom, lawmakers and education leaders are pushing legislation to make classrooms safer, more supportive and equitable. The Santa Clara County Office of Education recently introduced its legislative package, which includes bills to increase mental health care access, guarantee additional funding for early childcare and incentivize...
‘We are in a race’: South Bay health officials warn of COVID variants
Multiple variants of the coronavirus are circulating in Santa Clara County, and public health officials warn another surge of COVID-19 infections could begin if residents aren’t more careful. Santa Clara County Public Health Officer Dr. Sara Cody said Thursday that all residents need to remain vigilant and not let their guard down when it comes...
California to give Santa Clara County $1.5M, but leaders want more COVID vaccines
The state will give Santa Clara County more than $1 million to help increase COVID-19 vaccine equity efforts, but South Bay leaders say that doesn’t alleviate the source of the region’s vaccination bottleneck—a lack of supply. The funding for the county is part of a larger $7.6 million package reserved for Bay Area counties that...
Black leaders address vaccination efforts in Silicon Valley
James Brown’s “Say It Loud – I’m Black and I’m Proud” played as a nonprofit founded by local Black leaders opened its second Bay Area town hall to discuss a virus that continues to disproportionately devastate Black Americans. The panel included Dr. Nadine Burke-Harris, who was appointed by Gov. Gavin Newsom in 2019 as the...
Elder abuse rose in Santa Clara County as county staffing dropped
Incidents of elder and dependent adult abuse have been climbing in Santa Clara County since 2013, but the biggest spike occurred last year while residents were sheltering inside their homes. Meanwhile, the county’s adult protective services struggled with understaffing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The county’s department in 2018 and 2019 received about 5,900 abuse complaints,...
South Bay health leaders skeptical about Newsom expansion of COVID-19 vaccine eligibility
Santa Clara County health officials greeted the announcement that all Californians will be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine by mid-April with caution and skepticism. Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Thursday all residents 50 years and older can get the shot starting April 1.Two weeks later, anyone over age 16 can get a COVID-19 vaccine beginning April...
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