Santa Clara County plans to slash hundreds of vacant positions, a move union leaders said would exacerbate existing staffing issues. County officials want to eliminate about 650 vacant roles out of roughly 3,500 total vacancies to help offset a projected budget deficit of $120 million. Funds would be reallocated elsewhere in the proposed 2023-24 budget....
Former San Jose vice mayor enters crowded supervisor race
Madison Nguyen said she can’t stay away from politics any longer and plans to run for a county seat. The former San Jose vice mayor announced her bid for the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors District 2 seat Monday, showing up with supporters to file her candidacy papers in-person at the county Registrar of...
Santa Clara County reentry center celebrates five years
A South County-focused reentry program is helping to transform the lives of individuals formerly incarcerated. The South County Reentry Resource Center in Gilroy is celebrating five years of providing crucial services to residents leaving jail and prison. Leaders said part of its success comes from partnering with Santa Clara County programs designed to break the cycle...
Silicon Valley community college wants the 50-plus crowd
It’s never too late to go back to school, and one Silicon Valley community college district wants to welcome older adults as it looks to fill its student ranks. The West Valley-Mission Community College District is releasing a survey in May to garner ideas on how to make higher education age-friendly. Advocates said increasing education access...
Santa Clara County air quality earns failing grade
Santa Clara County is still struggling to clean up its poor air quality, with communities of color among the most affected. The American Lung Association’s newly released 2023 State of the Air report shows Santa Clara County scored an “F” on the report in high ozone days and particle pollution levels—factors that contribute to an array of...
Silicon Valley Vietnamese nonprofits struggle to secure grants
Vietnamese leaders are calling for equitable funding across community-based organizations in an effort to ensure residents aren’t left behind. Santa Clara County’s Vietnamese nonprofits have faced a longstanding gap in funding and resources, despite the population’s significant presence in the region. Advocates said these funding disparities are detrimental to the organizations that provide the greatest support...
East San Jose school trustee the latest to enter supervisor race
One East San Jose school board member is seeking higher office to continue supporting marginalized communities. Alum Rock Union School District board member Corina Herrera-Loera is making a bid for the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors District 2 seat, currently held by Supervisor Cindy Chavez who terms out next year. The district is centered in...
Santa Clara County scores millions in HUD funding
Millions of federal dollars are funneling into Santa Clara County to help shelter and support those experiencing homelessness. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced an $11 million one-time grant to the Santa Clara County Continuum of Care coalition—a group of local government, private and nonprofit partners dedicated to ending and preventing homelessness....
Santa Clara County residents get six-month tax extension
For most of the country taxes are due tomorrow, but Santa Clara County residents will have more time to file taxes after the onslaught of winter storms that were deemed disasters. County residents and people in 54 other counties across California have until Oct. 16 to file their state and federal taxes due to damage...
Silicon Valley’s Central Bikeway could be a game changer
Santa Clara County residents could soon ride on the region’s first bicycle superhighway. The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority could approve the basic design of the Central Bikeway—a 10-mile stretch of protected bike lanes between San Jose and Santa Clara—as soon as next month. VTA’s bicycle advisory committee voted unanimously Wednesday to recommend the transit...