Emergency workers at the Valley Medical Center walked off the job Tuesday to protest staffing shortages among physicians and unsafe working conditions during the biggest COVID-19 surge in the county. Roughly 30 health care workers showed up in front of the VMC emergency department in protest of a month-long issue that has driven doctors away and...
Not all Santa Clara County cities see new state housing law the same way
Cities across California are deciding if they are going to welcome or fight a statewide housing bill that could change the makeup of neighborhoods. Senate Bill 9, effective as of Jan. 1, allows property owners to build additional housing on an existing lot which they could then sell. Homeowners on lots larger than 1,200 square feet...
Where can you find at-home COVID-19 tests in Santa Clara County?
With the widespread outbreak of the omicron variant, at-home COVID-19 tests are vital but hard to locate. To help meet this need, Santa Clara County will start distributing 60,000 COVID-19 rapid antigen test kits Saturday at four drive-through locations: Hellyer County Park, Martial Cottle Park, Vasona County Park and Foothill College. Dr. Jennifer Tong, associate...
Grants for Santa Clara County microbusinesses will leave some hanging
COVID relief for very small businesses in Santa Clara County is on the horizon, but a bevy of rules may prevent it from reaching some struggling entrepreneurs. The county is waiting to receive $2.4 million from a California program that aids microbusinesses across the state. Once in hand, the county anticipates distributing $2,500 grants to...
Coalition pushes for alternatives to new Santa Clara County jail
In a final push to oppose plans for a new Santa Clara County jail, local residents and advocates are using a new avenue to shame elected officials for wobbling on important issues—a comedy skit. Led by Race Equity and Community Safety (RECS) and Show up for Racial Justice in the South Bay (SURJ), about 30...
Santa Clara County plans Major League cricket stadium at fairgrounds
Santa Clara County is moving forward with plans to build a cricket stadium at the county fairgrounds. The county and Major League Cricket (MLC) announced an exclusive negotiating agreement Wednesday to move forward with lease negotiations and design approvals for a 15,000-person stadium planned to sit on 14-acres of the fairgrounds. A statement from the...
Santa Clara County sheriff faces state investigation over alleged civil rights violations
The California attorney general is investigating possible civil rights violations committed by the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office. Citing concerning allegations about the management of the jail system, Attorney General Rob Bonta announced Wednesday his office is seeking information on whether the sheriff’s office engaged in a pattern or practice of unconstitutional conduct. “These concerns...
Monte Sereno lawmaker claims illegal voting charge part of harassment campaign
A Monte Sereno councilmember convicted of illegal voting claims she is being attacked by current and former lawmakers who want to drive her out of office. Councilmember Rowena Turner was convicted last October in Oregon for voting illegally in the 2018 general election in both Oregon and California. Josephine County Judge Brandon S. Thueson fined...
San Jose church may not be able to save food pantry
San Jose is forcing a popular food pantry to pay thousands of dollars for a special permit or stop feeding Silicon Valley’s hungriest residents. The Lighthouse Ministries Food Pantry, located at E. Julian and 17th streets near Lighthouse Church, feeds more than 1,000 people a day, six days a week. It halted operations for several...
San Jose files rare gun restraining order against 13-year-old
After a San Jose teenager posted a picture of a gun on social media, police turned to a civil procedure normally used to remove guns from violent or suicidal adults—a restraining order. Police showed up at the house of a 13-year-old on Dec. 27 after he posted a photo on Snapchat of the gun and...