James Foster lined up at the Di Lac Temple in San Jose, waiting for a hot meal, fresh groceries and face masks. Foster’s wife lost her job as a therapist during the pandemic and his relative who supported them financially recently died. “We’re hurting … These folks provide a life-saving service, especially for someone my age,” said...
Pools to remain closed in Santa Clara County amid heat wave
As a heat wave sizzles across the South Bay, those hoping to cool off by dipping into a public swimming pool must wait a little longer. While the county this week opened cooling centers to provide temporary relief, Santa Clara County Public Health Officer Dr. Sara Cody on Wednesday said public pools will remain closed...
Santa Clara County extends eviction moratorium, approves COVID-19 cost tracker and outreach
The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted Tuesday to extend a temporary moratorium on evictions for people who can’t pay rent due to the pandemic. The county’s moratorium, which was set to expire Sunday, will now be extended until Aug. 31 under a proposal authored by Supervisors Cindy Chavez and Joe Simitian. “The Santa...
It’s official: Rick Callender to be the next Valley Water CEO
Rick Callender will be the next CEO of the Santa Clara Valley Water District starting July 11. The agency’s Board of Directors on Tuesday voted 4-3 to appoint the longtime water district employee to the top position, where he’ll earn $326,352 annually to oversee the agency, tasked with the critical job of ensuring safe water...
Coronavirus fears grow for vulnerable Santa Clara County residents as economy reopens
As businesses across Santa Clara County begin to reopen, some officials worry poor communities of color hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic will experience a surge in new cases. To prevent a spike among some of the county’s most vulnerable residents, Board of Supervisors President Cindy Chavez penned a proposal to create an outreach team that...
Data gap complicates efforts to aid LGBTQ community during COVID-19
Local leaders are searching for more insights into how the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting members of the LGBTQ community in the South Bay.
‘A race against time:’ Silicon Valley nonprofits face uncertain future as deficits loom
Like everyone, nonprofits are hurting during the coronavirus pandemic, but local leaders are trying to find ways keep those organizations alive until the economy starts to rebound. Nonprofits offer some of the most critical services in communities, often on the frontlines of helping homeless, hungry and mentally ill residents. But as enormous city, state and...
Coronavirus LIVE BLOG: May 7 to May 20
Catch up on our current Coronavirus LIVE BLOG here. 4:40 p.m. May 20: University of California schools will be open in the fall, president says The University of California system — with 10 schools serving more than 285,000 students — is set to open this fall using a mix of in-person and online classes, according to President Janet...
Santa Clara County commissioner resigns following Cesar Chavez remarks
A Santa Clara County commissioner has resigned under pressure, two weeks after she ruffled feathers by questioning Cesar Chavez’s ties to the city in a San José Spotlight article. April Halberstadt, a working historian and member of the Historical Heritage Commission, submitted her letter of resignation Wednesday, according to Megan Doyle, clerk of the Board of Supervisors. In a May...
From Sacramento to Silicon Valley, ‘unprecedented’ deficits caused by COVID-19 pandemic
Governments from Sacramento to San Jose City Hall are facing historic budget deficits caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, often having to solve these crises in virtual meetings as the region nears its eighth week in quarantine. “We are at a time that’s simply unprecedented,” Gov. Gavin Newsom said Thursday in announcing his revised budget proposal...