Former Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith has lost her appeal of a court case that barred her from public office in 2022. Smith argued that by retiring prior to being found guilty of six corruption and willful misconduct charges that year, the removal proceedings that disqualified her from jury service and her job were...
Santa Clara County
Santa Clara County
Silicon Valley official censured for conduct and removing documents
Valley Water leaders have censured one of their colleagues and stripped her of some responsibilities for taking confidential documents from district offices and allegedly making discriminatory and harassing remarks against district officials and workers. In a nearly five-hour special meeting Thursday, the water district board of directors voted 6-1 to censure Director Rebecca Eisenberg, with...
Santa Clara County may fund safe parking for homeless residents
Santa Clara County officials may help finance San Jose’s multimillion-dollar safe parking efforts and set up more sites on unused public property for the region’s homeless residents. The Board of Supervisors unanimously agreed on Tuesday to look into both possibilities and requested more information by May. Debate ensued over whether the funding could be justified...
Silicon Valley congressman nets millions for Black cultural center
A proposed cultural center aiming to honor the history of Silicon Valley’s Black residents and provide expansive support services just received millions to help build on its future. The Silicon Valley African American Cultural Center, slated to open in 2027, has secured $4.1 million in federal funding thanks to Rep. Ro Khanna. The mixed-use development...
Cost of San Jose BART extension balloons — again
The VTA megaproject to bring BART to downtown San Jose and Santa Clara, with a cost estimate that’s already ballooned to more than two and a half times its original target, is now facing yet another increase and timeline delay. Officials said this week the six-mile extension project for the rail line is expected to...
Silicon Valley mayors agree lack of housing is a top issue
How do you get the leaders of neighboring Silicon Valley cities to sit down and talk about critical issues facing the region? It’s simple. Serve breakfast. Five local mayors shared their perspectives on housing, transportation and other pressing needs Thursday at the Silicon Valley Central Chamber of Commerce’s annual Mayors’ Breakfast. This year’s event included...
Bay Area business groups consider partnership to expand influence
Two major business advocacy organizations representing hundreds of the region’s biggest companies are considering joining forces to expand their influence in critical policy areas, including artificial intelligence and housing. Leaders of San Francisco-based Bay Area Council and San Jose-based Silicon Valley Leadership Group are formally exploring a partnership “to create the nation’s most influential business...
Photo gallery: Election night in Silicon Valley
Catch a glimpse of the March 5 primary through the eyes of the San José Spotlight team. Our reporters captured the excitement of Election Day from the moment the polls opened at 7 a.m. They caught up with candidates out in the field canvassing for last minute votes and met them again at election night...
Margaret Abe-Koga leads race for D5 Santa Clara County supervisor
A Mountain View councilmember appears to be leading the race for the open Santa Clara County District 5 seat. As of 9:30 a.m. Monday, Margaret Abe-Koga is ahead with 41.9% of the vote. In second place is Sally Lieber with 24.7% of the vote. Peter Fung has 20.1% of the vote, Barry Chang has 6.9%...
UPDATE: Betty Duong inches ahead in race for District 2 Santa Clara County supervisor
The contest for District 2 Santa Clara County supervisor looks to be historic, with two Vietnamese American women leading the field for the open seat. As of 9:30 a.m. Monday, Betty Duong is in first place with 31.8% of the vote, bumping Madison Nguyen to the second place position with 29% of the vote. Corina...