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...
Silicon Valley water director hires attorney amid investigation
Months after workplace complaints surfaced against Valley Water board member Rebecca Eisenberg, an investigation into her behavior is ongoing with no clear end in sight. Eisenberg, who hired her own attorney last month, said the investigation is retaliation after she raised concerns of sexism at the water district and that it’s only meant to derail...
San Jose food vendor finds novel way to raise money
A popular San Jose food vendor is trying to set up a brick-and-mortar restaurant, but has struggled to get a small business loan from a traditional lender. The owner of Hết Sẩy has found an innovative solution to pay for a more permanent location: an online crowdfunding marketplace with a unique twist for small businesses...
Silicon Valley teachers say ethnic studies isn’t just about credentials
As Santa Clara County school districts ramp up high school ethnic studies classes, educators said more training is sorely needed at the local level to ensure quality courses on diversity are being provided. California became the first state in the nation in 2021 to require high schoolers to take ethnic studies in order to graduate....
Former San Jose official running for supervisor—again
Another politico has tossed her hat into the race for the District 2 seat on the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors. Former San Jose Vice Mayor and Councilmember Magdalena Carrasco, 56, plans to run for Supervisor Cindy Chavez’s seat. Chavez terms out at the end of 2024, but may vacate the seat early if...
San Jose student enrollment is a mixed bag
Santa Clara County’s largest school districts are dealing with declining student enrollment this school year. Yet, one group is seeing a surprising enrollment increase. Although school districts are reporting a loss in student population for the 2022-23 school year, according to new data from the California Department of Education, a deeper dive shows that’s not...
Santa Clara County health care workers must stay masked
Santa Clara County is requiring masks to be worn in hospitals and other high-risk settings, days after the state relaxed COVID-19 restrictions. County Executive Jeff Smith sent an email to staff Tuesday evening informing them that workers and visitors must continue to wear masks at county facilities including hospitals, clinics, long-term care homes, jails and...
Beloved Bay Area journalist suffers severe injury
For more than 50 years, Mike Colgan’s distinctive voice filled Bay Area airwaves—from headline-grabbing political scandals to national sporting events, Colgan was there. He retired from journalism in 2020 and moved to Arizona to enjoy a quiet life with his wife, but retirement was cut short. Colgan, a longtime fixture and icon in local journalism,...
Could Cindy Chavez say goodbye to Silicon Valley?
Longtime Silicon Valley labor leader Cindy Chavez may be leaving the Bay Area for an executive role down south—a shocking move for the local powerhouse. Chavez, who represents District 2 on the Board of Supervisors, is being considered for the San Diego County chief administrative officer position which oversees day-to-day operations of the county. The prospect of her...
State lawmaker to run for Santa Clara County supervisor
After decades in local and state politics, Sally Lieber is ready to be a bridge between county government and the residents it serves. Lieber is running for the District 5 seat on the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors, which will be open in 2024 when current Supervisor Joe Simitian terms out. The district includes Mountain...