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A controversial Cupertino planning commissioner has been booted from his seat. After nearly two hours of heated public comment from more than 60 residents, the Cupertino City Council voted 3-2 to remove R “Ray” Wang from the Planning Commission Tuesday. Mayor Hung Wei, Vice Mayor Sheila Mohan and Councilmember J. R. Fruen voted in favor, while Councilmembers...
Santa Clara County concealed weapons applications skyrocket
A Supreme Court ruling last summer changed two words, starting a chain reaction across the nation for who can obtain a concealed carry weapons permit. In Santa Clara County, it means more residents will be able to carry concealed weapons on the streets. The June 23, 2022 ruling struck down previous regulations that gave the...
‘A very dark place’: Silicon Valley leader opens up about fatal crash
More than three years after Jenny Higgins fatally struck Santa Cruz resident Timothy Starkey with her car, she said not a day goes by when she doesn’t think about the pain her actions have caused his family. “I carry a burden of shame, of sadness,” Higgins told San José Spotlight. Higgins, the co-founder and former...
Silicon Valley water agency makes Lunar New Year a paid holiday
California took an important step last year when it recognized Lunar New Year as an official holiday. Now, one Santa Clara County agency is giving it the same treatment at the local level. The Valley Water board of directors unanimously voted last week to recognize Lunar New Year as a paid holiday. The move goes...
Silicon Valley official makes bid for county supervisor
Longtime Mountain View Councilmember Margaret Abe-Koga has more to give as she looks beyond serving in her city. Abe-Koga, 52, is the first to enter the race for the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors District 5 seat. She announced her bid to replace incumbent Supervisor Joe Simitian at a Lunar New Year event hosted by...
Silicon Valley politicos could face suspension under new proposal
When longtime Sheriff Laurie Smith faced a corruption scandal in 2021, she kept her job for months with little consequences. County officials want to prevent that from happening again. The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday to explore a policy allowing the county to suspend an elected official if the person faces charges from the Santa Clara...
UPDATE: Santa Clara County commits to millions in child care services
Santa Clara County is making a historic investment in child care services and workforce development in an effort to stave off an ongoing crisis. The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday voted unanimously to spend $20 million to help fund three programs run by FIRST 5 and establish a grant program to help reopen day care...
Santa Clara County hospital workers struggle with shortage
Santa Clara County health care workers are demanding leaders address ongoing worker shortages they said are leading to unsafe working conditions. Dozens of nurses, physicians, medical assistants and hospital janitorial staff took to the streets in front of Santa Clara Valley Medical Center (VMC) in San Jose Wednesday to protest what they said is a longstanding...
Lawsuit alleges Santa Clara County violated disability law
A Northern California man is suing Santa Clara County’s legal system, claiming he was denied proper hearing accommodations to help him communicate during jail time and in court proceedings. Howard Herships, 79, alleges in a federal lawsuit that the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office, District Attorney’s Office, Public Defender’s Office and a judge in county court...
Silicon Valley community college district could offer free tuition
Free community college is the ultimate goal for one newly-introduced state bill. California Senate Bill 629, introduced by state Sen. Dave Cortese, would allow the West Valley-Mission Community College District to stop charging its students tuition and cover other costs such as transportation and books. The bill, if approved, would expand access to higher education and...