Thousands of Santa Clara County residents celebrate Diwali every fall by creating colorful rangoli designs and eating traditional dishes with family. One local group takes the holiday spirit a step further by collecting thousands of pounds of food for those who need it most. The Bay Area chapter of nonprofit Sewa Diwali is gathering nonperishable...
Santa Clara County will create ICE-free zones
Santa Clara County leaders will establish ICE-free zones throughout Silicon Valley — raising physical barriers and locking gates to prevent federal immigration agents from unlawfully using county properties for surveillance and arrests. The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday to follow Chicago’s lead and create an inventory of vacant lots, garages and other county-owned spaces...
Silicon Valley civil rights leader sues over sexual harassment claims
Years of sexual harassment allegations have swirled around a correctional officer-turned-leader of one of Silicon Valley’s biggest civil rights groups. He’s suing the Santa Clara County officials who found them credible. A county personnel board last August unanimously found NAACP of San Jose/Silicon Valley President Sean Allen engaged in a pattern of sexually harassing, intimidating and...
San Jose youth hub and apartments open
A project for young adults in Santa Clara County has finally put out the welcome mat. The Hub and Parkmoor Community Apartments, a 17,000-square-foot youth facility with 81 apartments, opened Monday. Half of the apartments have been set aside for young people transitioning out of foster care, with the rest going to low-income, very-low income...
Silicon Valley transit agency picks single tunnel for BART extension
Silicon Valley transit officials are moving forward with plans to dig a single tunnel and close their BART extension funding woes. The strategy is steeped with risk. After a fallout with the main contractor and scathing rebukes from BART officials, the VTA board of directors voted 8-1-3 to lock in on a new set of...
San Jose State guarantees admission for South County students
San Jose State University has launched a program to provide South County students a clear path to obtaining a four-year degree. The university’s “Pathways to Success” initiative aims to increase college access for historically underserved communities. It’s partnering with Gilroy Unified School District and Morgan Hill Unified School District, and held events at Christopher High...
Santa Clara County sheriff touts minimal Taser use but wants more
Deputies with the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office are reporting minimal Taser usage in jails — arguing they’ve helped curb violent incidents. But watchdogs aren’t convinced amid a push to arm the whole custody bureau. Deputies used Tasers just nine times out of 252 incidents where correctional officers needed to use weapons or brute force...
Santa Clara County Black infant program shuffle stirs concerns
The reassignment of a trusted doctor out of Santa Clara County’s Black Infant Health Program has sparked concern for future efforts combating baby mortality. It’s also exposing the tense balancing act of absorbing a massive county budget hole without cutting services. County officials are moving Dr. Beverley White-Macklin, who has for decades developed a program...
Silicon Valley’s special election to shape hospitals, gerrymandering
It’s not a general election year – but Santa Clara County’s November ballot is stacked with high-stakes decisions spelling major impacts for Silicon Valley and California. County voters on Nov. 4 will consider everything from gerrymandering to the fate of their public hospitals to their first new elected Assessor in 30 years. The last day...
Silicon Valley officials begrudgingly back Prop. 50
Governor Gavin Newsom’s bid to out-gerrymander Texas won’t affect Santa Clara County as much as other parts of the state – and some Silicon Valley leaders are swallowing their distaste while towing the line. As ballots are out and vote centers are open, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan and Congressman Sam Liccardo have both voiced reluctant...