Joe Simitian, a South Bay and Peninsula political stalwart, is running to succeed Anna Eshoo in Congress. Simitian, 70, is in his second stint as a Santa Clara County supervisor. He has long had his eye on a run for a seat in the House of Representatives, but declined to compete against Eshoo, who he...
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San José Spotlight places first in regional journalism awards
San José Spotlight won three 1st place awards from the Greater Bay Area Journalism Awards, an annual contest put on by the San Francisco Press Club. The competition highlights the best print, digital and broadcast news reporting and media in the region. This news organization took part in the digital media category. San José Spotlight...
Santa Clara County officials approve phone line for TRUST
The greatest challenge for someone experiencing a mental health crisis is finding immediate access to care that doesn’t involve the police. A Santa Clara County program offers this option, but it’s difficult to reach. The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously voted to create a direct phone line to reach the Trusted Response...
Santa Clara County extends homeless services contract amid controversy
Santa Clara County officials are moving ahead with a temporary contract extension for homeless support services, despite uneasiness over allegations of discrimination by the nonprofit provider. The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously approved a three-month, $2 million contract extension with homeless service provider HomeFirst to operate the Boccardo Reception Center in...
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San Jose legendary community leader Frank Fiscalini dies
Frank Fiscalini, a devoted family man and a San Jose community leader who served in many roles from school districts to City Hall, died Friday. He was 101. Fiscalini passed away in his sleep early Friday morning, his daughter Lisa Hausle told San José Spotlight. Although Fiscalini lived past the century mark, Hausle said his...
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Deal struck for soccer fields at Santa Clara County Fairgrounds
The San Jose Earthquakes and South Bay officials are taking a big step in long-held plans to develop a public and private soccer field complex at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds. Santa Clara County, San Jose and the Earthquakes organization announced their three-way deal Wednesday, with a shared goal of opening an eight-field facility on about...
Santa Clara County prepares to implement conservatorship changes
Santa Clara County is expediting the implementation of new conservatorship rules for people suffering from severe mental illness and substance use disorders—the process will be complicated and costly. The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously approved establishing a timeline toward implementing changes to Senate Bill 43, a state law that expands the definition of “gravely...
Sixth candidate joins Santa Clara County District 2 race
The race for the District 2 Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors seat continues to grow more contested, with education trustee Van Le announcing her candidacy. Le, 65, is an East Side Union High School District trustee who has been in that leadership role since 2010. Since arriving in San Jose as a Vietnam War refugee...
Respiratory illnesses spiking in Santa Clara County
A dramatic increase in influenza-like illnesses and emergency room visits in Santa Clara County has prompted health officials to urge residents to get vaccinated. County data focused on local wastewater readings this month shows a rise in RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, as well as influenza and COVID-19. The concentration of RSV in wastewater has...
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‘You cannot deny our existence’: San Jose tribe fights for recognition
For many Americans, Thanksgiving is a holiday for gathering around the table with loved ones for a delicious meal, oftentimes with a parade or football on the television. But for the country’s Native American population, it is often a reminder of a dark history—land theft, ethnic cleansing and a continued denial of their existence to this...